Question

(Heb 4:16 KJV)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Have you considered the glory of this verse recently.

Repeatedly in the Old Testament we are told that we cannot see God and live.  It seems clear but there are exceptions so it must need some study.  In the NT we know God because we know Jesus.  While we should not be losing our awe of the majesty of God we are told by Jesus that if we have seen Him we have seen the Father.

When we practice the worship of prayer we need to remember that.  When we have the audacity to stand in the congregation and lift our voices to the Holy One we need to remember that.  When we watch the glory of creation it should be on our mind.

So?  There is only one God and He has revealed Himself to us.  He has given us the gift of approaching Him.  Rejoice. 

Mine

Exodus 20:2 (KJV) I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

I have been advised that the old testament is written to the Jews, and not to the church.  In this verse specifically I would be told that this is written to the Jews, because they were the ones who were brought out of Egypt.  All that is true.  I was not brought out of Egypt.  I was not in the house of bondage.  Does that mean that the Lord cannot be my God?

To paraphrase someone from the Bible, “may it never be”.

Yes, God led Israel out of bondage.  That is an historical truth.  He also paid to free me from sin. I know that truth from other scriptures, and I am free to apply it here because it is a reminder to me.

So? Acknowledge truth; remember truth; apply truth. God speaks to us in the entire Bible.

More than Know About

(Psa 23:4 KJV)  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I had not noticed this before, but the focus of the Psalm changes in verse four.  I was noticing at the beginning that he talked about God and in verse 4 changed it so that he was talking to God.  As I worked through the Psalm, I realized eventually David was actually talking to God instead of just about him.  That was much more personal.  And then, at the end, he goes back to talking about him again.

Interesting change.  It is also something that it would do us well to remember and emulate.  Knowledge can be factual or personal.  German uses different words for each.  In English we need to plug in our perception more.  

So?  Know God.  Don’t just know about Him.  Take the extra time to get acquainted.

Cost of Living

(Pro 4:7 KJV)  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

The New American Bible has an interesting way of saying this.

 “get wisdom at the cost of all you have”.  

This brings to mind what we studied on Wednesday night about the pearl of great price and about the treasure found in the field.  We often explain why we don’t do something with “I didn’t have time” or “I could not afford it.”  In reality it was a case of not wanting to bad enough.

When I say “not wanting to bad enough”, I am not talking about the person who would need to go a couple of days without food to buy shoes for their child.  I am sure such people exist but I have never met one.  As a child I was raised in a family that would be considered poor.  We never went hungry or naked.  We also did not go to Disneyland or eat out much.  We tend to do and buy what we really want.

So?  What are your priorities?  Wisdom.  It is available.  Liposuction?  Also available.  Choose wisely, if you will excuse the expression. 

Take a Deep Breath

(Psa 23:5 KJV)  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

I can’t make you do it, but let me encourage you to get out your Bible and read the 23rd Psalm to yourself.  Read slowly.  Read with dramatic emphasis.  Read with your heart and mind engaged. And then when you get down to that verse that says your cup runneth over pause, and just praise God.

Keep in mind that at the beginning of the 22nd Psalm David is asking God why he has been forsaken.  The difference is not in God.  The difference is in the attitude of the believer.  God is there.  God is here.  He is where you are on a constant basis.

So?  Remember that you are the sheep and He is the shepherd.  Trust. 

Beyond the surface.

Psalms 44:3 (KJV) For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

If you take this, literally, it sounds like Israel simply walked into the promised land, and it was delivered to them. If you read the story that is being referred to they had to fight for everything they got. The point is that ultimately it was God’s hand that brought victory not their own personal efforts.

So?  We are expected to follow in obedience and act on God's direction. God promises much but he also demands obedience. 

All the time.

Psalms 43:3 (KJV) O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

We don’t know who wrote this psalm.  Since it doesn’t have an author given, we can assume it was David.  If you look at the context, he seems to be a bit down in the mouth and struggling.  He is being persecuted.  He offers up this prayer, asking God to send his light.

I think this is a good prayer for any time in our lives.  We tend to look at things like this as pleas for relief.  They could simply be an expression of expectation and hope.

So? Don’t be a stranger. Don’t just come around when you want to borrow a quarter. Make God a part of the celebration of life not just the seeking of help.