Psalm 33
Being trustworthy and a person of integrity is something, I believe, that all of us would like to be known as. Is there someone you know whose word is one that you can trust, no matter what? If he or she said it, then you know that it is absolutely true. Perhaps you’ve known someone who is just the opposite. If they said it was raining outside, you’d feel that you ought to take a look out the window just to check, as their words meant nothing. There is also the need to be able to trust someone to help you when you are in a time of need. If you have a pressing need or crisis, you know that you can call on this or that person, as they will always be there to help. They will never let you down. They are trustworthy. In our psalm today one of the points the psalmist makes is that the Word of God is absolutely true. He is trustworthy in every respect.
As most of us know, just because we see something in print doesn’t mean that it is true or can be relied upon. We learn rather quickly which newspapers, magazines and websites are ones we can trust that most of what they write is reliable, and which ones are filled mostly with gossip, exaggerations, and outright lies. Where can we go to in order to find truth? There is one place where we can go for the truth, knowing that every single word of it is trustworthy and reliable, and that is the Word of God. God’s Word is right and true (vs. 4). It can be trusted. God does not lie, or change His Word (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2) He doesn’t say one thing on Monday, but by Thursday or Friday He is saying something totally different (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). God does not leave His promises unfulfilled. God and His Word is holy, trustworthy and unchangeable.
The foundation of any relationship is trust. If there is no trust, the relationship is on shaky ground. It is important to know that one can trust their spouse, along with trusting their friends. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we have entered into a relationship with God, one of trust and love. If we have trouble believing that God’s Word is true, then we are doubting His character. When we question God’s Word, we are agreeing with Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44). When God tells us something, we can trust Him. We can take His promises to the bank!
God’s Word also has great power. People in positions of authority, such as corporate executives and political or military leaders, only have to issue an order and their underlings hurry to do their bidding. God’s Word is so powerful that He just spoke and created a universe out of nothing (vs. 6, 9). Yahweh is the Lord of Creation, not just a coordinator of random natural forces. Jesus is the Word (John 1:1). Everything came into being through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). When God speaks a word, the thing that the word expresses immediately leaps to life. He sustains all things by His powerful Word (Hebrews 1:3).
More and more in today’s world we are seeing that putting our trust in one’s government or military is futile, as they cannot or will not always help us. Their promises frequently fall through. However, again, we know that we can put our trust in the Lord. Man’s plans are shaky, but God’s plans are sovereign (vs. 10-11). God is completely trustworthy. His intentions never change (James 1:17). He is completely consistent. God rules over all nations (vs. 16-17). Military might should not be the ground of our hope. It should only be in the Lord God.
As we look around our world and the people we know, we struggle to find those who are completely trustworthy. So many let us down. However, as our psalmist reminds us, we can completely trust in the Lord God, for He alone, is completely true.
Monday, August 12, 2019
Saturday, August 10, 2019
The Lord Was With Joseph
Genesis 39:1-23
Watching large waves crash against the shore can be an impressive and grand thing to see. It is a different thing, though, if one is caught in those waves, and one is struggling to get out. Wave after wave comes pounding against you, knocking you back down every time you try to stand up and move. Sometimes life seems to be like that for some people. Problems and struggles keep coming, like endless waves. Problem after problem in a never-ending parade. One can barely get their head up to catch a breath before the next problem comes to knock them over. If we go through a period in our life where the waves of troubles keep coming, how do we react? Some people curse God and turn their back on Him. Others crumble, feeling that God has abandoned them, and their faith breaks and withers away. Joseph, Jacob’s beloved son, went through some rather horrific trials. Let’s see how he came through.
The Old Testament patriarch Jacob had twelve sons. Joseph, son number 11, was his favorite, as he was the first son that his beloved and favorite wife Rachel bore him. When Joseph was about 17 years old, Jacob sent him to check on his ten older brothers as they watched the flocks and herds in a distant pasture. We read what happens in Genesis 37:17-28. The brothers plotted to kill him, and be rid of their father’s favorite, as their jealousy and hatred against him was so strong. Jealousy can get so strong and out of control that it can lead to murder. The brothers threw Joseph into a pit, probably after beating him up quite a bit. As he lay, bleeding and bruised at the bottom of the pit, having had his robe torn off of him, he undoubtedly heard his brothers discussing how they would kill him and tell their father. Imagine the fear that coursed through him at this time, in a dark pit, hearing his life would end in some painful, brutal way! In the end, the brothers decided to make some money, and sold him to passing slave traders, and told their father he was killed by wild animals.
Our passage picks up after Joseph has been sold as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s army. After being beaten by his brothers, dropped into a pit, and then sold as a slave, after walking in the hot sun in shackles several hundred miles, one could understand if Joseph had lost all faith in God. Joseph was a slave, and there was no one to have pity on him. What do we read in verse 2? “The Lord was with Joseph.” God had not abandoned Joseph. Through the beatings, the humiliation, the long, hot journey, with the sting of the whip at his back, God was with Joseph. God honored his faithfulness, as well, by blessing him in the household of Potiphar so that he quickly rose to being chief steward in the household.
This position didn’t last too long, though, as we further read. Potiphar’s wife, angry that Joseph didn’t succumb to her advances, told some vicious lies about him, which landed him in prison. There was no trial, as he was a slave and his owner a high ranking political figure. Prisons in Biblical times were horrid places, but even there, Joseph made the best of things. As we read in verses 21 and 23, “The Lord was with Joseph”. He did not abandon him, even in the prison cell. Joseph’s faithfulness to the Lord was honored, even here, as the prison guard trusted him with the overseeing of the place.
Joseph never gave up his faith or trust in the Lord God, even though at this time, he did not have any of the Scriptures that we have to turn to, to bring him comfort and peace. We can learn several things from the adversities that Joseph went through, and his strong faithfulness to the Lord. Serving God faithfully can bring testing. Joseph was faithful, no matter what he went through, and God did not forget him and his obedience. At the right time He blessed Joseph by raising him to live in the palace and become second only to Pharaoh.
Difficulties will continue until God’s purpose is accomplished. God was preparing Joseph to rescue his family, and thus save the line of the Messiah. We often learn more during trials than we do during the easy times. Joseph learned to reject temptation and trust God’s faithfulness. Nor did he let the problems in his life make him a bitter or angry man, as unfortunately so many people do during trials. Joseph did not focus on himself. Adversity is painful, but the Lord uses it to further His purposes, and equip us for His plan.
As we saw, Joseph went from a pit, to a prison, to a palace. God is with us even when our circumstances scream that He has deserted us. Remember the verse repeated three times in our passage, “The Lord was with Joseph”, and He is with us in our trials, as well.
Watching large waves crash against the shore can be an impressive and grand thing to see. It is a different thing, though, if one is caught in those waves, and one is struggling to get out. Wave after wave comes pounding against you, knocking you back down every time you try to stand up and move. Sometimes life seems to be like that for some people. Problems and struggles keep coming, like endless waves. Problem after problem in a never-ending parade. One can barely get their head up to catch a breath before the next problem comes to knock them over. If we go through a period in our life where the waves of troubles keep coming, how do we react? Some people curse God and turn their back on Him. Others crumble, feeling that God has abandoned them, and their faith breaks and withers away. Joseph, Jacob’s beloved son, went through some rather horrific trials. Let’s see how he came through.
The Old Testament patriarch Jacob had twelve sons. Joseph, son number 11, was his favorite, as he was the first son that his beloved and favorite wife Rachel bore him. When Joseph was about 17 years old, Jacob sent him to check on his ten older brothers as they watched the flocks and herds in a distant pasture. We read what happens in Genesis 37:17-28. The brothers plotted to kill him, and be rid of their father’s favorite, as their jealousy and hatred against him was so strong. Jealousy can get so strong and out of control that it can lead to murder. The brothers threw Joseph into a pit, probably after beating him up quite a bit. As he lay, bleeding and bruised at the bottom of the pit, having had his robe torn off of him, he undoubtedly heard his brothers discussing how they would kill him and tell their father. Imagine the fear that coursed through him at this time, in a dark pit, hearing his life would end in some painful, brutal way! In the end, the brothers decided to make some money, and sold him to passing slave traders, and told their father he was killed by wild animals.
Our passage picks up after Joseph has been sold as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s army. After being beaten by his brothers, dropped into a pit, and then sold as a slave, after walking in the hot sun in shackles several hundred miles, one could understand if Joseph had lost all faith in God. Joseph was a slave, and there was no one to have pity on him. What do we read in verse 2? “The Lord was with Joseph.” God had not abandoned Joseph. Through the beatings, the humiliation, the long, hot journey, with the sting of the whip at his back, God was with Joseph. God honored his faithfulness, as well, by blessing him in the household of Potiphar so that he quickly rose to being chief steward in the household.
This position didn’t last too long, though, as we further read. Potiphar’s wife, angry that Joseph didn’t succumb to her advances, told some vicious lies about him, which landed him in prison. There was no trial, as he was a slave and his owner a high ranking political figure. Prisons in Biblical times were horrid places, but even there, Joseph made the best of things. As we read in verses 21 and 23, “The Lord was with Joseph”. He did not abandon him, even in the prison cell. Joseph’s faithfulness to the Lord was honored, even here, as the prison guard trusted him with the overseeing of the place.
Joseph never gave up his faith or trust in the Lord God, even though at this time, he did not have any of the Scriptures that we have to turn to, to bring him comfort and peace. We can learn several things from the adversities that Joseph went through, and his strong faithfulness to the Lord. Serving God faithfully can bring testing. Joseph was faithful, no matter what he went through, and God did not forget him and his obedience. At the right time He blessed Joseph by raising him to live in the palace and become second only to Pharaoh.
Difficulties will continue until God’s purpose is accomplished. God was preparing Joseph to rescue his family, and thus save the line of the Messiah. We often learn more during trials than we do during the easy times. Joseph learned to reject temptation and trust God’s faithfulness. Nor did he let the problems in his life make him a bitter or angry man, as unfortunately so many people do during trials. Joseph did not focus on himself. Adversity is painful, but the Lord uses it to further His purposes, and equip us for His plan.
As we saw, Joseph went from a pit, to a prison, to a palace. God is with us even when our circumstances scream that He has deserted us. Remember the verse repeated three times in our passage, “The Lord was with Joseph”, and He is with us in our trials, as well.
Friday, August 9, 2019
The Rich Fool
Luke 12:13-21
I recall reading in my history studies that when the stock markets crashed back in 1929 there were several suicides across the country. Stock markets rise and they fall. There were several big crashes in the 19th century, several in the 20th century, and there will be more throughout this one, as well. For many people their whole life is caught up with investing their money and gaining wealth. When something like a crash happens, they have nothing to hang on to. Some might seek death, others turn to alcohol or other drugs. Depression and hopelessness follows. Where have they been laying up their treasures? Jesus asks us this question in our Scripture reading for today. Let’s see what He has to say regarding this topic.
As our passage starts, a man comes to Jesus, asking Him to arbitrate between him and his brother about the dividing of their inheritance. Jesus does not accede to his wishes. People in that day, and certainly today as well, believed that the rich are blessed by God, and the poor are not. We see a lot of that talk with the “health and wealth” preachers. However, the Scriptures do not support that at all. A blessed life has nothing to do with being wealthy (vs. 15). Jesus warns us to be on guard against greed, and desiring what we don’t have. We were created to enjoy a relationship with God. Wealth can never substitute for that.
Jesus then tells the crowds another parable, a story that teaches a spiritual lesson. This one was about a man who was a very successful farmer, whose crops had done so well, probably year after year, and he had accumulated significant wealth (vs. 16-20). Things were going so great for him that he wanted to build even bigger and better barns for his property. What he has right now isn’t big enough. He is feeling happy and satisfied that his future is secured. However, God tells him that he is a fool, as his life will end, and then all that he has accumulated will mean nothing for his future eternity.
This rich fool made three mistakes in his life. First, he provided for himself, and not others. When he became so rich, having enough money to provide for him and his family, he should have then turned and looked at others, seeing their needs. Then he could have taken of his wealth and helped the poor and needy. Throughout Scriptures, the Lord tells us to care for those who do not have as much as we do.
His second mistake was that this rich man provided for his body, but not his soul. That is a mistake that so many people today make. They are so concerned in making sure that their bank and retirement accounts are full and secure, but pay no attention to the condition of their eternal soul. They feel that God and eternity are not as important as the here and now. That is the third mistake - providing for this life, and not the next. This man tried so hard to keep all he had, and ended up with nothing of eternal value.
There is nothing wrong with planning for retirement and one’s financial future. That is a wise thing to do. However, it is far more important to have settled one’s life after death, and to be laying up treasures in heaven. There is nothing wrong with making plans, but we need to be in a posture of humility to God, and our plans need to be in submission to Him.
Jesus wants to teach us to have a correct attitude towards the accumulation of wealth. Life is more than material goods. Our relationship with God is far more important. Jesus spoke of this in His Sermon on the Mount, where He told us not to lay up treasures here on earth, but instead to be making sure we lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). The ones on earth do not last, as banks can fail, markets can crash, thieves can steal all we have. What we invest in heaven and in our eternal life will always be safe and secure. We need to think beyond earthbound goals, and use what we have been given for God’s kingdom. Don’t enter eternity empty-handed!
I recall reading in my history studies that when the stock markets crashed back in 1929 there were several suicides across the country. Stock markets rise and they fall. There were several big crashes in the 19th century, several in the 20th century, and there will be more throughout this one, as well. For many people their whole life is caught up with investing their money and gaining wealth. When something like a crash happens, they have nothing to hang on to. Some might seek death, others turn to alcohol or other drugs. Depression and hopelessness follows. Where have they been laying up their treasures? Jesus asks us this question in our Scripture reading for today. Let’s see what He has to say regarding this topic.
As our passage starts, a man comes to Jesus, asking Him to arbitrate between him and his brother about the dividing of their inheritance. Jesus does not accede to his wishes. People in that day, and certainly today as well, believed that the rich are blessed by God, and the poor are not. We see a lot of that talk with the “health and wealth” preachers. However, the Scriptures do not support that at all. A blessed life has nothing to do with being wealthy (vs. 15). Jesus warns us to be on guard against greed, and desiring what we don’t have. We were created to enjoy a relationship with God. Wealth can never substitute for that.
Jesus then tells the crowds another parable, a story that teaches a spiritual lesson. This one was about a man who was a very successful farmer, whose crops had done so well, probably year after year, and he had accumulated significant wealth (vs. 16-20). Things were going so great for him that he wanted to build even bigger and better barns for his property. What he has right now isn’t big enough. He is feeling happy and satisfied that his future is secured. However, God tells him that he is a fool, as his life will end, and then all that he has accumulated will mean nothing for his future eternity.
This rich fool made three mistakes in his life. First, he provided for himself, and not others. When he became so rich, having enough money to provide for him and his family, he should have then turned and looked at others, seeing their needs. Then he could have taken of his wealth and helped the poor and needy. Throughout Scriptures, the Lord tells us to care for those who do not have as much as we do.
His second mistake was that this rich man provided for his body, but not his soul. That is a mistake that so many people today make. They are so concerned in making sure that their bank and retirement accounts are full and secure, but pay no attention to the condition of their eternal soul. They feel that God and eternity are not as important as the here and now. That is the third mistake - providing for this life, and not the next. This man tried so hard to keep all he had, and ended up with nothing of eternal value.
There is nothing wrong with planning for retirement and one’s financial future. That is a wise thing to do. However, it is far more important to have settled one’s life after death, and to be laying up treasures in heaven. There is nothing wrong with making plans, but we need to be in a posture of humility to God, and our plans need to be in submission to Him.
Jesus wants to teach us to have a correct attitude towards the accumulation of wealth. Life is more than material goods. Our relationship with God is far more important. Jesus spoke of this in His Sermon on the Mount, where He told us not to lay up treasures here on earth, but instead to be making sure we lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). The ones on earth do not last, as banks can fail, markets can crash, thieves can steal all we have. What we invest in heaven and in our eternal life will always be safe and secure. We need to think beyond earthbound goals, and use what we have been given for God’s kingdom. Don’t enter eternity empty-handed!
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
A Pattern To Live By
Colossians 3:5-17
No one likes to be caught wearing clothes that have a stain or spot on them. Neither do we like to be caught in the wrong outfit. If it’s a formal occasion, we don’t like to be wearing something casual to somewhere a nice suit or dress would be more appropriate. In any of these occasions we need to go and take off the wrong outfit, and put on a new one. Take off and put on. That is a theme for today’s Scripture passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossian church.
When each of us were saved, we all had some bad habits, behaviors, and activities that we were involved in that we needed to get rid of, and new behaviors and actions that we needed to start incorporating into our lives. In our daily life Paul instructs us that we need to make a conscious, daily decision to remove anything that draws us to those actions and sins, and instead seek the Holy Spirit’s power. As believers we need to rid ourselves of these evil practices and immorality. Just like we take off a dirty or inappropriate outfit, we need to rid ourselves of the old life, and put on the new way of living in Jesus Christ (vs. 5-10).
When Paul talks about “putting off”, he means to stop living like unbelievers. Their thinking is ignorant and futile. Their hearts are hard and spiritually insensitive. Their lives are given over to sensuality and self-indulgence, impurity and greed. “Putting on” means to live in accordance with the truth of the Gospel. Take off the old, and put on the new, just like we change clothes every day. Our conduct and actions should match our faith.
So what does Paul instruct us to put on? He wants us to put on the actions and character traits that the Lord Jesus showed while He was here on earth, the fruits of the Spirit. He listed the old behaviors that we are to put off in verses 5-9. The new behaviors to put on Paul lists in verses 12-17.
The Apostle Paul gives us a pattern to live by in the last half of our Scripture. We are to be compassionate and forgiving. We need to let love guide our lives, and let peace rule in our hearts. A believer should be thankful. We need to live our lives as representatives of the Lord Jesus. To do this we have to keep God’s Word inside of us.
The “tender mercies” Paul speaks of in verse 12 is showing compassion to others. That is when we think of others before we think of ourselves. It is achieved through a God-centered, God-focused life. Paul speaks of having peace in our hearts in verse 15. Heavenly peace is a state of tranquility or quiet, no matter what trials or problems surround us. God’s peace will remain despite the problems. We can rest in His promises. He also challenges us to forgive others who have hurt or wounded us (vs. 13). Christians are to forgive because Jesus forgave us.
Another character trait of Jesus that we are to put on is to be thankful (vs. 15). That’s not too difficult when everything is going great, but often we quit being thankful when things are difficult in our lives. Martin Rinkart was a German pastor during the 17th century. He was pastor during the Thirty Years War, and had to deal with the worst of conditions that a bloody and cruel war could dish out. In 1636 alone, he buried 5,000 people from his area, and during that year and the next there was also a terrible plague. Of the four clergy in his area, one ran away and he buried the other two. Yet in the midst of this time, Martin Rinkart wrote the great hymn “Now Thank We All Our God”. He never failed to be thankful to the Lord Jesus.
As believers we need to bring honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of our daily living. We should represent Jesus wherever we go and with whatever we say. We are children of the King. Don’t throw off our royal robes to put on filthy rags, and go wallowing in the muck and mire of the world again!
No one likes to be caught wearing clothes that have a stain or spot on them. Neither do we like to be caught in the wrong outfit. If it’s a formal occasion, we don’t like to be wearing something casual to somewhere a nice suit or dress would be more appropriate. In any of these occasions we need to go and take off the wrong outfit, and put on a new one. Take off and put on. That is a theme for today’s Scripture passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossian church.
When each of us were saved, we all had some bad habits, behaviors, and activities that we were involved in that we needed to get rid of, and new behaviors and actions that we needed to start incorporating into our lives. In our daily life Paul instructs us that we need to make a conscious, daily decision to remove anything that draws us to those actions and sins, and instead seek the Holy Spirit’s power. As believers we need to rid ourselves of these evil practices and immorality. Just like we take off a dirty or inappropriate outfit, we need to rid ourselves of the old life, and put on the new way of living in Jesus Christ (vs. 5-10).
When Paul talks about “putting off”, he means to stop living like unbelievers. Their thinking is ignorant and futile. Their hearts are hard and spiritually insensitive. Their lives are given over to sensuality and self-indulgence, impurity and greed. “Putting on” means to live in accordance with the truth of the Gospel. Take off the old, and put on the new, just like we change clothes every day. Our conduct and actions should match our faith.
So what does Paul instruct us to put on? He wants us to put on the actions and character traits that the Lord Jesus showed while He was here on earth, the fruits of the Spirit. He listed the old behaviors that we are to put off in verses 5-9. The new behaviors to put on Paul lists in verses 12-17.
The Apostle Paul gives us a pattern to live by in the last half of our Scripture. We are to be compassionate and forgiving. We need to let love guide our lives, and let peace rule in our hearts. A believer should be thankful. We need to live our lives as representatives of the Lord Jesus. To do this we have to keep God’s Word inside of us.
The “tender mercies” Paul speaks of in verse 12 is showing compassion to others. That is when we think of others before we think of ourselves. It is achieved through a God-centered, God-focused life. Paul speaks of having peace in our hearts in verse 15. Heavenly peace is a state of tranquility or quiet, no matter what trials or problems surround us. God’s peace will remain despite the problems. We can rest in His promises. He also challenges us to forgive others who have hurt or wounded us (vs. 13). Christians are to forgive because Jesus forgave us.
Another character trait of Jesus that we are to put on is to be thankful (vs. 15). That’s not too difficult when everything is going great, but often we quit being thankful when things are difficult in our lives. Martin Rinkart was a German pastor during the 17th century. He was pastor during the Thirty Years War, and had to deal with the worst of conditions that a bloody and cruel war could dish out. In 1636 alone, he buried 5,000 people from his area, and during that year and the next there was also a terrible plague. Of the four clergy in his area, one ran away and he buried the other two. Yet in the midst of this time, Martin Rinkart wrote the great hymn “Now Thank We All Our God”. He never failed to be thankful to the Lord Jesus.
As believers we need to bring honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of our daily living. We should represent Jesus wherever we go and with whatever we say. We are children of the King. Don’t throw off our royal robes to put on filthy rags, and go wallowing in the muck and mire of the world again!
Monday, August 5, 2019
Where Is Our Treasure?
Psalm 49
Perhaps you’ve seen a cartoon drawing of a hearse with a trailer hitched to its back, containing the deceased person’s belongings. It is meant as a humorous joke, since one would never really see that, and no one can take their worldly belongings with them after they die. One of the themes of today’s psalm is that pursuing after wealth and belongings in life is a futile pursuit, as it means nothing in the end.
We see this all the time, and maybe if we’re honest, we also fall into the trap of wanting more, more, more. People want bigger and better this and that. We want the latest phones, computer software and games, better cars, bigger houses, latest fashions to wear, etc. Many people are in a mad pursuit to climb the corporate ladder. They have to get the best position in the company, one that pays the top salary, even if such a pursuit will damage, or even cost them their family. What good is all of this? We see it today, and our psalmist saw it in his day, and he made several important observations.
For one, our psalmist saw that both the rich and the poor die alike. No one escapes from death. All of one’s wealth and possessions cannot keep the rich man from dying, just like the poor man, and everything the rich man spent his life pursuing is then left to others (vs. 10). Death is the great equalizer, to the rich and famous, and to the poor, the unknown, and despised. Oh, the rich may get to have a fancy funeral, and a magnificent tombstone, monument, or mausoleum, but will he be bragging in the afterlife of what a stunning mausoleum he has? As we all know, the psalmist reminds us that we cannot take our riches and possessions with us after we die (vs. 16-17).
Another observation the psalmist makes is that all the wealth in the world cannot redeem one’s soul (vs. 7-8, 15). In the ancient world sometimes people were sold as slaves because of a large, unpaid debt. In order to be set free a large amount of money had to be paid - a ransom paid in order to be redeemed. No one can escape the first death, physical death, no matter how rich one is. Also, money cannot spare someone the second death of hell. Trusting in worldly possessions is futile. We cannot take those possessions with us when we die, and they cannot buy the forgiveness of our sins. Only by putting one’s faith and trust in Jesus can we be spared that second death. He paid the only possible payment - His Blood on the cross. Jesus paid that ransom price for us in His Blood so we could be set free from slavery to sin (Mark 10:45; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12). Only God can redeem a soul. We cannot buy our way into heaven.
What Jesus said in the Gospels is so very true - What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul? (Mark 8:36). The rich fool of the parable in Luke 12:13-21 learned this. All the money in the world means nothing if one dies and goes to hell. All the time and effort that was spent accumulating that wealth was a waste when one is dead and gone, especially if one is now in hell.
Are we spending our time making investments on earth or in heaven? The investments on earth won’t matter for eternity. What we invest in God and heaven will. Those investments we keep forever. To have treasure in heaven we need to put our faith and trust in Jesus, obey Him, and use all we have for His kingdom.
Perhaps you’ve seen a cartoon drawing of a hearse with a trailer hitched to its back, containing the deceased person’s belongings. It is meant as a humorous joke, since one would never really see that, and no one can take their worldly belongings with them after they die. One of the themes of today’s psalm is that pursuing after wealth and belongings in life is a futile pursuit, as it means nothing in the end.
We see this all the time, and maybe if we’re honest, we also fall into the trap of wanting more, more, more. People want bigger and better this and that. We want the latest phones, computer software and games, better cars, bigger houses, latest fashions to wear, etc. Many people are in a mad pursuit to climb the corporate ladder. They have to get the best position in the company, one that pays the top salary, even if such a pursuit will damage, or even cost them their family. What good is all of this? We see it today, and our psalmist saw it in his day, and he made several important observations.
For one, our psalmist saw that both the rich and the poor die alike. No one escapes from death. All of one’s wealth and possessions cannot keep the rich man from dying, just like the poor man, and everything the rich man spent his life pursuing is then left to others (vs. 10). Death is the great equalizer, to the rich and famous, and to the poor, the unknown, and despised. Oh, the rich may get to have a fancy funeral, and a magnificent tombstone, monument, or mausoleum, but will he be bragging in the afterlife of what a stunning mausoleum he has? As we all know, the psalmist reminds us that we cannot take our riches and possessions with us after we die (vs. 16-17).
Another observation the psalmist makes is that all the wealth in the world cannot redeem one’s soul (vs. 7-8, 15). In the ancient world sometimes people were sold as slaves because of a large, unpaid debt. In order to be set free a large amount of money had to be paid - a ransom paid in order to be redeemed. No one can escape the first death, physical death, no matter how rich one is. Also, money cannot spare someone the second death of hell. Trusting in worldly possessions is futile. We cannot take those possessions with us when we die, and they cannot buy the forgiveness of our sins. Only by putting one’s faith and trust in Jesus can we be spared that second death. He paid the only possible payment - His Blood on the cross. Jesus paid that ransom price for us in His Blood so we could be set free from slavery to sin (Mark 10:45; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12). Only God can redeem a soul. We cannot buy our way into heaven.
What Jesus said in the Gospels is so very true - What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul? (Mark 8:36). The rich fool of the parable in Luke 12:13-21 learned this. All the money in the world means nothing if one dies and goes to hell. All the time and effort that was spent accumulating that wealth was a waste when one is dead and gone, especially if one is now in hell.
Are we spending our time making investments on earth or in heaven? The investments on earth won’t matter for eternity. What we invest in God and heaven will. Those investments we keep forever. To have treasure in heaven we need to put our faith and trust in Jesus, obey Him, and use all we have for His kingdom.
Saturday, August 3, 2019
If I Could Do It Over Again
Ecclesiastes 12:1-8, 13
“If I knew then what I know now I would certainly do things differently.” “If I could go back in time, I would do things differently.” Looking back over our life so far, many of us have said words like this. We find that theme in today’s Scripture passage from the book of Ecclesiastes.
The Book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon towards the end of his life. Solomon was the son of King David and his wife, Bathsheba. He was raised by his parents to love, worship, and revere the Lord God. When Solomon was a young man he became king, and at first he followed in his father’s footsteps. However, he was drawn away from God by his many pagan, heathen wives. Throughout his adult life Solomon sought satisfaction and fulfillment in many pursuits - grand houses, gardens, music, food, wealth, intellectual endeavors, etc. He was a great king, and nothing was beyond his reach. However, as the years passed, he realized that this was folly. These pursuits did not satisfy, and he was still empty. Now in his old age, Solomon returned to Yahweh, the true God of his youth. He knew that he was a fool to ever have walked away from Him. The Book of Ecclesiastes was written by him to warn the younger generations to not make his mistake. He warned them to come to the Lord in their youth, and to walk with Him throughout their life.
As Solomon and most of us soon find out, old age sneaks up and is quickly upon us. We wake up and find out that our youthful, strong and quite capable body has been replaced with one that is old and unable to move and work like it used to. In verses 2 - 7 Solomon gives a poetically descriptive look at an aging body. Let’s look at this interesting description.
Youth is typically the time of dawning light and strength - a new day. Old age, though, is the time of twilight’s gloom, diminished strength and ability - the end of the day. Solomon describes this in verse 2. He then proceeds to describe the different parts of his body that are aging and are not like they were in his youth. In verse 3 we read about the “keepers of the house”, which are his hands and arms. They protect us, like guards and doormen of a building. Solomon noticed that they start to tremble in old age. The “strong men” are his legs. In youth they are strong. In old age, however, they get weak. The “grinders” was Solomon’s descriptive word for his teeth. Many people find they have fewer of their natural teeth in old age. In Solomon’s day there weren’t dentures or dental implants, so he had fewer teeth with which to “grind” his food. “Look through the windows” describes the eyes. As we age we often find our eyes grow weaker. In Solomon’s day there was no cure or operations for cataracts, either.
In verse 4 the “doors” describe the lips. They don’t have much to say anymore, and furthermore, Solomon finds that the elderly aren’t listened to as much as when they were younger. “Sound of grinding is low” describes eating, as he used the word “grinders” as teeth in the previous verse. Often the elderly will lose their appetite and eat less. “Rises up at the sound of a bird” - the elderly don’t sleep as well, often getting up early. “Music brought low” describes the loss of hearing many have in old age.
Solomon continues in verse 5 telling how often the elderly are afraid of heights. They fall more easily, and so are afraid to climb stairs or a step-ladder. The “almond tree blossoms” describes the gray or white hair of old age. An almond tree will blossom with white blossoms. They also grow physically weaker, so even a grasshopper is a burden. The “mourners” describe the funerals of their friends and contemporaries, and their own as well.
In verse 6, the silver cord is the spinal cord. The bowl pictures the skull. And the pitcher, wheel, well, and fountain are all used to bring water, so they could figure the fountain of life, the heart. These are all broken, which pictures death. Life is fragile. Death comes easy, swiftly, and unexpectedly. Life is a precious resource to be used wisely, not squandered frivolously. We all return to dust, to God. Solomon reminds the young that they will not have the ability to enjoy a godly old age if they do not remember God in their youth (vs. 7-8, 13). We must put God first, over all, because without Him we have nothing.
As King Solomon found out, a life without God can bring a bitter, lonely, and hopeless old age. It is better to turn to God and commit one’s life to Him in one’s youth, before the trials of life turn one bitter, discouraged, and cynical. God is the only one who can satisfy. A life centered around God is fulfilling. Don’t let the excitement of youth keep you from seeking God, and drawing close to Him. Don’t seek passing pleasures instead of eternal values.
“If I knew then what I know now I would certainly do things differently.” “If I could go back in time, I would do things differently.” Looking back over our life so far, many of us have said words like this. We find that theme in today’s Scripture passage from the book of Ecclesiastes.
The Book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon towards the end of his life. Solomon was the son of King David and his wife, Bathsheba. He was raised by his parents to love, worship, and revere the Lord God. When Solomon was a young man he became king, and at first he followed in his father’s footsteps. However, he was drawn away from God by his many pagan, heathen wives. Throughout his adult life Solomon sought satisfaction and fulfillment in many pursuits - grand houses, gardens, music, food, wealth, intellectual endeavors, etc. He was a great king, and nothing was beyond his reach. However, as the years passed, he realized that this was folly. These pursuits did not satisfy, and he was still empty. Now in his old age, Solomon returned to Yahweh, the true God of his youth. He knew that he was a fool to ever have walked away from Him. The Book of Ecclesiastes was written by him to warn the younger generations to not make his mistake. He warned them to come to the Lord in their youth, and to walk with Him throughout their life.
As Solomon and most of us soon find out, old age sneaks up and is quickly upon us. We wake up and find out that our youthful, strong and quite capable body has been replaced with one that is old and unable to move and work like it used to. In verses 2 - 7 Solomon gives a poetically descriptive look at an aging body. Let’s look at this interesting description.
Youth is typically the time of dawning light and strength - a new day. Old age, though, is the time of twilight’s gloom, diminished strength and ability - the end of the day. Solomon describes this in verse 2. He then proceeds to describe the different parts of his body that are aging and are not like they were in his youth. In verse 3 we read about the “keepers of the house”, which are his hands and arms. They protect us, like guards and doormen of a building. Solomon noticed that they start to tremble in old age. The “strong men” are his legs. In youth they are strong. In old age, however, they get weak. The “grinders” was Solomon’s descriptive word for his teeth. Many people find they have fewer of their natural teeth in old age. In Solomon’s day there weren’t dentures or dental implants, so he had fewer teeth with which to “grind” his food. “Look through the windows” describes the eyes. As we age we often find our eyes grow weaker. In Solomon’s day there was no cure or operations for cataracts, either.
In verse 4 the “doors” describe the lips. They don’t have much to say anymore, and furthermore, Solomon finds that the elderly aren’t listened to as much as when they were younger. “Sound of grinding is low” describes eating, as he used the word “grinders” as teeth in the previous verse. Often the elderly will lose their appetite and eat less. “Rises up at the sound of a bird” - the elderly don’t sleep as well, often getting up early. “Music brought low” describes the loss of hearing many have in old age.
Solomon continues in verse 5 telling how often the elderly are afraid of heights. They fall more easily, and so are afraid to climb stairs or a step-ladder. The “almond tree blossoms” describes the gray or white hair of old age. An almond tree will blossom with white blossoms. They also grow physically weaker, so even a grasshopper is a burden. The “mourners” describe the funerals of their friends and contemporaries, and their own as well.
In verse 6, the silver cord is the spinal cord. The bowl pictures the skull. And the pitcher, wheel, well, and fountain are all used to bring water, so they could figure the fountain of life, the heart. These are all broken, which pictures death. Life is fragile. Death comes easy, swiftly, and unexpectedly. Life is a precious resource to be used wisely, not squandered frivolously. We all return to dust, to God. Solomon reminds the young that they will not have the ability to enjoy a godly old age if they do not remember God in their youth (vs. 7-8, 13). We must put God first, over all, because without Him we have nothing.
As King Solomon found out, a life without God can bring a bitter, lonely, and hopeless old age. It is better to turn to God and commit one’s life to Him in one’s youth, before the trials of life turn one bitter, discouraged, and cynical. God is the only one who can satisfy. A life centered around God is fulfilling. Don’t let the excitement of youth keep you from seeking God, and drawing close to Him. Don’t seek passing pleasures instead of eternal values.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Coming To The Father In Prayer
Luke 11:5-13
Are you a persistent person? Do you keep at something until it is completed, no matter how long it takes, or how difficult it is? Or are you someone who gets frustrated easily, and tends to give up, especially if the going gets tough? In our Scripture reading today from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches us to be persistent in prayer. Let’s open up this passage and see what the Lord is teaching us.
Jesus starts His lesson with telling a story of a man who has a late night guest arrive at his house (vs. 5-8). This guest hasn’t eaten anything, and unfortunately the man finds he doesn’t have anything to feed him with. There are no late-night fast food places to go to, and rather than be an inhospitable host, he goes next door and starts knocking. The neighbor has already gone to bed, along with his whole family. It is late at night, the lights are all out, and everyone in the house is sleeping. That doesn’t stop our man. He keeps knocking, even after the neighbor has told him to go away and let him and his family sleep. His persistence pays off, and the neighbor gets up and loans him the food he needs for his guest.
The second example that Jesus gives is that of a good parent (vs. 11-13). If a child asks his parents for bread or other food, is he handed a rock, or something poisonous? No, of course not! A loving parent will give their child good food, not anything that would harm them. Our God is certainly a most loving parent to us!
What lessons is Jesus trying to teach us with these examples? For one, Jesus wants us to know that we are to come to our Heavenly Father in prayer for whatever we need. There are some people who believe that we shouldn’t “bother” God with all sorts of small, seemingly unimportant matters, as “God has all the big problems in the world to deal with”. The guest of the man in Jesus’ story would not have died had he gone to bed a bit hungry, so perhaps that man could have waited until the morning to go and get food. Instead, though, he went right then and kept asking, kept knocking, until his neighbor gave him some food (vs. 9-10). God wants us to come to him with every need and concern we have. Nothing is too unimportant to bring to Him in prayer.
Another thing that Jesus wants us to learn is that God is not some mean ogre who very grudgingly doles out His gifts and blessings. If we sinful and imperfect humans give our children what they need, and often even more than they need, don’t we think God would do the same? (vs. 13).
We need to remember some things about prayer, though. God wouldn’t tell us to pray if He wasn’t going to respond. However, we must meet some requirements in prayer if we expect to get an answer from Him. First, we must have a right relationship with Jesus Christ by trusting Him as our Savior. Also, after we have become a Christian, we must choose to live in godliness (Psalm 66:18). Another thing is we must make right requests, according to God’s will (I John 5:14). I’m sure it is not God’s will for me to live in a huge mansion with my own personal jet, so if I pray for those things (which I don’t!) I’m not going to get that prayer answered! Sometimes when we pray for something that is unselfish and seemingly right to pray for, like good health, a job, etc., God might not answer right away because He has something better for us. He wants to mold us into the image of Jesus, and wants us to develop a more compassionate or patient character, or one that is less attached to worldly goods.
God wants us to be persistent in prayer. He said that everyone who asks would receive. He rewards them that diligently Him (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus tells us in this chapter of Luke that we need to spend time in prayer, and what His response will be. If we come to God in prayer with the right motives, putting first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), and if we live for Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). Only prayerful fellowship with God will always see us through, and give us direction when the storms and fires of life come. We serve a God who answers prayer.
Are you a persistent person? Do you keep at something until it is completed, no matter how long it takes, or how difficult it is? Or are you someone who gets frustrated easily, and tends to give up, especially if the going gets tough? In our Scripture reading today from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches us to be persistent in prayer. Let’s open up this passage and see what the Lord is teaching us.
Jesus starts His lesson with telling a story of a man who has a late night guest arrive at his house (vs. 5-8). This guest hasn’t eaten anything, and unfortunately the man finds he doesn’t have anything to feed him with. There are no late-night fast food places to go to, and rather than be an inhospitable host, he goes next door and starts knocking. The neighbor has already gone to bed, along with his whole family. It is late at night, the lights are all out, and everyone in the house is sleeping. That doesn’t stop our man. He keeps knocking, even after the neighbor has told him to go away and let him and his family sleep. His persistence pays off, and the neighbor gets up and loans him the food he needs for his guest.
The second example that Jesus gives is that of a good parent (vs. 11-13). If a child asks his parents for bread or other food, is he handed a rock, or something poisonous? No, of course not! A loving parent will give their child good food, not anything that would harm them. Our God is certainly a most loving parent to us!
What lessons is Jesus trying to teach us with these examples? For one, Jesus wants us to know that we are to come to our Heavenly Father in prayer for whatever we need. There are some people who believe that we shouldn’t “bother” God with all sorts of small, seemingly unimportant matters, as “God has all the big problems in the world to deal with”. The guest of the man in Jesus’ story would not have died had he gone to bed a bit hungry, so perhaps that man could have waited until the morning to go and get food. Instead, though, he went right then and kept asking, kept knocking, until his neighbor gave him some food (vs. 9-10). God wants us to come to him with every need and concern we have. Nothing is too unimportant to bring to Him in prayer.
Another thing that Jesus wants us to learn is that God is not some mean ogre who very grudgingly doles out His gifts and blessings. If we sinful and imperfect humans give our children what they need, and often even more than they need, don’t we think God would do the same? (vs. 13).
We need to remember some things about prayer, though. God wouldn’t tell us to pray if He wasn’t going to respond. However, we must meet some requirements in prayer if we expect to get an answer from Him. First, we must have a right relationship with Jesus Christ by trusting Him as our Savior. Also, after we have become a Christian, we must choose to live in godliness (Psalm 66:18). Another thing is we must make right requests, according to God’s will (I John 5:14). I’m sure it is not God’s will for me to live in a huge mansion with my own personal jet, so if I pray for those things (which I don’t!) I’m not going to get that prayer answered! Sometimes when we pray for something that is unselfish and seemingly right to pray for, like good health, a job, etc., God might not answer right away because He has something better for us. He wants to mold us into the image of Jesus, and wants us to develop a more compassionate or patient character, or one that is less attached to worldly goods.
God wants us to be persistent in prayer. He said that everyone who asks would receive. He rewards them that diligently Him (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus tells us in this chapter of Luke that we need to spend time in prayer, and what His response will be. If we come to God in prayer with the right motives, putting first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), and if we live for Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). Only prayerful fellowship with God will always see us through, and give us direction when the storms and fires of life come. We serve a God who answers prayer.
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