OT Grace

(Psa 119:149 KJV)  Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

(Proverbs 31 also read)

The Old Testament is full of grace.  It is expressed in different ways but it is there.  All you have to do is read with your mind turned on and your heart open.

Here we have the Psalmist, no author is given for this Psalm, expecting to be heard by God.  Why?  Because of God’s “lovingkindness” (2617) [chesed].  This is one of the great words of the OT.  If David had written the Gospel of John he would have phrased John 3:16 as “For God had so much lovingkindness toward the world....”

Then you have the call to “quicken” (revive NASB) (2421a) which would easily go along with the idea of regeneration.  And it is done “according to (His) ordinances” (4942).

So?  Grace has been part of God’s plan from the beginning.  Rejoice. 

Seeing in the Dark

(Mat 6:23 KJV)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

(Proverbs 30 also read)

How can “light” (5457) be in “darkness” (4655)?  The two are contrasted all through scripture.  Yet here they are together.  I think this is an attempt to investigate why there is so much evil in the world.  Everywhere you look you see people who think they are on the side of the angels.  While they think that they act like demons.  They call on feelings instead of truth.  They look at the majority in determining morality instead of the unchanging standards in the word.  They infiltrate churches, knowing that they are out to destroy the church as it exists.

And they pull out their thumb and say, “What a good boy am I.”

When you live in darkness you can’t tell shades of gray.  When you live in darkness any kind of light can be painful.  When you live in darkness you will have no tolerance for being in the presence of a holy God.

So?  Walk in the light as He is in the light. 

Now That Is Vexed

(Psa 6:2 KJV)  Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

(Proverbs 29 also read)

I hope this is poetic license.  I am not sure that I like the idea of my “bones” (6106) being “vexed" (dismayed NASB) (926).  It sounds serious.  This stood out to me because in my reading of Proverbs there are several references to bones.  There you have rottenness to the bones as well as refreshing.  It depends on the context.  

The point is that we may very well go through times when we feel like even our bones are worried.  Keep in mind that this is David writing.  He does not seem to be writing this when he was watching the sheep and worried about lions and wolves.  It wasn’t during his confrontation with Goliath.  It wasn’t even when he was hiding from Saul.  It was when he was king.  Notice the notes for the orchestra.  You don’t have those details before you are the monarch.

So?  Are you bone weary?  You are in good company.  If you read the entire Psalm you will find that David eventually trusts the Lord.  That is our goal too. 

Context and Conditions

(Psa 7:10 KJV)  My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

This is a clear promise of God but notice the context and conditions.

The context is one of persecution.  David is going through a rough time.  Enemies are after him.  He does not seem to be sure of victory.  He is calling on God, always a good thing to do.  He is looking at God to preserve him in the bad times.  This is not just the praise of the good times but a call for deliverance.

Equally important is the condition expressed.  God “saves” (3467) [yasha].  Notice that the Hebrew is very close to the Jewish name for Jesus, Yeshua, a form of Joshua.  Notice also that this is not a promise to everyone we calls on God.  It is for the “upright” (3477).  

These two points are important to us as we look at an uncertain future politically and socially.  Unrest is more normal that we think.  We have lived in a bubble of well being.  That is largely because of the upright hearts that have been active in this country.  Those times may be over.  The promise extends to those who are faithful.  It seems to me that we will come through the rough times either untouched or unbroken.

So?  Get upright, whatever that means to you at this point.  Repentance?  Discipline?  Personal growth?  You can fill in the blanks.  God will take care of His end. 

Lay a Foundation

(Psa 11:3 KJV)  If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

(Proverbs 27 also read)

This is an important point for us to consider.  We get so busy with life and being nice that we forget there were certain foundational concepts that produced the freedoms we enjoy today.  We know about the Declaration of Independence with its, “all men are created equal” and we know about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  What the general world ignores and we push aside is that the foundation for those is the Bible and God’s standards.

We should be doing all we can to maintain the “foundations” (8356).  That starts with preparing our personal foundations and then extends to imprinting those standards on our families and the neighborhood around us.

So?  We can make a difference.  We must make a difference. 

Don’t Forget

(Psa 9:17 KJV)  The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

(Proverbs 26 also read)

The KJV has an interesting difference from the NASB.  I am not referring to the obvious different words “Sheol” (7585) (NASB) and “hell” (KJV).  The modern translation simply does a transliteration of the Hebrew.  I am looking at the different translations of the preposition.  The NASB has “to” and the KJV has “into”.  Since the prepositions seem to be included in the verb it becomes “return to” (7725) in the NASB and “turned into” in the KJV.

The point is that evil behavior has results and the results are not pretty.  For our situation it comes down to whether we as a nation “forgot” (7913) God or not.  It would seem that if we have not entered into a memory lapse we are very close.

So?  Continue to broadcast the hope that is in you.  Do it in your life style and daily decisions.  Do it in your conversations.  The Bible is full of examples of people who have experienced revival and the deliverance that comes with it. 

A Little OCD

(Psa 5:3 KJV)  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

Today I want to put in my two cents on translation.  Notice that “prayer” is in italics.  Keep in mind that when you see words in italics in either the KJV or NASB it is an indication that the word is not in the original language but is inserted for clarity.  In this case I think it adds more confusion than clarity.  I think the verse is more powerful and useful if those words were left out.

I also like the NASB use of “order” (6186a) rather than “direct” of the KJV.  The most frequent translation is “array” or “arrayed” in both translation.  The idea is not emphasizing that you are sending, or directing your prayers.  The idea is that you are organizing.  To me it is reminding us that each morning we should be looking over our day and organizing it with the will of God in mind.

So?  This is just another value in starting your day with a time of worship.  Results may vary.

The Balance of Holy Living

(Psa 92:12 KJV)  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

Once again we see that the writer of Psalms is confused.  He lives in the illusion that we can live “righteous” (6662) lives.  I guess he has not read Paul lately.  

This is one of the mysteries that occupy my mind at this stage in my walk.  As I read through the Bible I see time and time again that we are called to holiness.  We are expected to live upright lives.  We are to be straight.  We are to follow.  There are so many terms that are used but they all point to the fact that God sees how we live our lives.

At the same time we are also reminded that we can’t do it on our own.  We need God’s hand upon our lives.  That is also clear in the Old Testament.

So?  Put it all together.  God extends His grace.  We are given the gift of salvation.  Yet in some way that is expected to generate behavior and attitudes in us that reflect the character of God.  What a joyful paradox to delve into. 

Cycle of Deliverance

(Psa 107:6 KJV)  Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

I didn’t notice it the first time through but this verse is repeated four times in this chapter.  I would go so far as to say it is the theme of the chapter.  I tried to place the events being described and could not but the theme is one that applies to all of Israel’s history and every day of our lives.

In the worst sense people drift into sin and rebellion and are only brought back by being backhanded by God.  That wakes them up, sometimes.  In the best sense we begin to drift on autopilot and end up hitting some kind of wall that gets us back on track.  The key is being reminded that we are dependent on God and need to keep calling out the Him.

So?  This is good thinking for today.  We feel like society is falling apart around us.  The bad news is, it is.  The good news is, people have always felt that way.  The even better news is that God continues to deliver both in our spirits and our physical world. 

Ancient Worship

(Psa 108:3 KJV)  I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

(Proverbs 22 also read)

Here we have the words for the chorus “Be Exalted, O God”.  This is the second time that I have noticed we see David writing this out.  The other is in Psalm 57.  I would imagine that by repeating it David is showing what a glowing testimony it is.  I would love to hear the way that David sang it.  In Psalm 57 it says it is written for the choir director.  Verse 2 gives us some clues for the accompaniment.

We sometimes think we are moving ahead with our contemporary music.  Except for the electronic amplification and distortion, most of the typical music in contemporary worship would be familiar to David.  It might be more monotonous and boring to him but it would certainly not be strange.

So?  Worship.  Rejoice in the music.  Don’t be a spectator.  Lift your voice along with David in praise.  If you can’t sing then pretend you are a rapper and speak the words.

Sunflowers or Cockroaches

(Psa 112:4 KJV)  Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

(Proverbs 21 also read)

“Light” (216) and “darkness” (2822).  Is this talking about our situation or an inner sense?  The cure for darkness is light.  The relief for darkness in our soul is the source of all light, God Himself.  John tells us the God is light.  There are very few things that can grow or prosper in darkness.  We are no different.

We take light for granted.  Light can kill germs and speed healing.  Light is a key element in photosynthesis.  Light is necessary for us to see.  

This is a promise for the “upright” (3477).  It is a promise that only the upright would be interested in.  The rest are like the cockroaches that scramble for the shadows when you turn on the lights.  This is a promise for those who chose to follow in God’s ways.

So?  Be like a sunflower that turns to the light rather than a bug that runs from it. 

Repetition

(Pro 20:13 KJV)  Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

There is a reason this verse jumps out at me every month when I read Proverbs 20.  It is because I need to be constantly reminded, and, I would assume I am not the only one like that.  If you read Proverbs in a perpetual cycle then you begin to notice some of the themes that keep coming up.  One of my goals is to keep my mind turned on so that I don’t go into neutral mode when I read them.  

So?  Do I really need a nap?  Don’t answer that.  I can deal with that myself.  There are going to be days when that is a voice I really need to hear.  I trust I am paying attention. 

Call the Pinch Hitter

(Psa 131:1 KJV)  A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

(Proverbs 19 also read)

This is another place where we can implement proof-texting and totally miss the point.  It would be easy to read this and think that we are to become simpletons with no responsibility to make decisions on the hard issues of life.  That would play right into Marx’s statement about religion being the opiate of the people.  

A couple of key words here.  One is the issue of the “proud” (1361b) “heart” (3820) [leb].  The other is how you understand what is too “difficult” (6381) for us.  I would suggest that one of the lessons we need to get from this is that there is a point where we let go.  Life is full of challenges.  Many demand that we step up to the plate and take our best swing.  Others are a time to bring in a pinch hitter.  

So?  Only you can know which is which.  I assume that I will make these moments of prayer that are preceded by a pattern of prayer.  When I know to back away I can do so with no guilt.  Last time I checked, God was still in charge. 

Worship Bold

(Psa 138:3 KJV)  In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

(Proverbs 18, also read)

The KJV misses it here.  Compare it with the NASB,

(Psa 138:3 NAS77) On the day I called Thou didst answer me; Thou didst make me bold (7292) with strength in my soul.

The “strengthenedst” (7292) is much better translated as “make me bold”.  The Hebrew word suggests a bit of boisterous enthusiasm.  Isaiah 3:5 uses it to portray how youth tends to defy the elders in the crowd.

(Isa 3:5 KJV)  And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly (7292) against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

I imagine all of us have experienced this kind of enthusiasm.  Often it will hit you during a worship service of some kind.  It might be a result of a good morning of praise to the Lord.  It is the way that God goes about strengthening us to do the hard things.  It motivates us to get through the routine.

So?  Notice that David is in the midst of worship in the first two verses.  Don’t expect God to come out of nowhere and make your day.  It does happen but it is not His common pattern.  Worship.  Praise.  Achieve boldness. 

Pleasing God

(Psa 147:11 KJV)  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

(Proverbs 17 also read)

God “taketh pleasure” (favors NASB) (7521) those who “fear” (3372a) Him, those who admit their need.  When I read this in the NASB I thought about Noah but this is not the word used of Noah finding favor with God.  At the same time it does tell us that God is favorably disposed towards those who are obedient.  

When we talk about grace, we are referring to many aspects of how God works among us.  One of the key questions that some people don’t want to deal with is, “What is the basis for God’s choices in extending grace.”  Some believe it is God’s business, not ours.  To me that makes God capricious and doing things on a divine whim.  It is clear that He does not award salvation to those who earn enough brownie points.  It is also clear from verses like this that God responds to hearts and lives that are yearning for him, fearing Him.

So?  Jesus did not die on the cross to see how many He could condemn to Hell.  Believe that God is aware of the yearning of your heart.  Be aware of the yearning of God’s heart also. 

Drum Roll

(Psa 150:3 KJV)  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

(Proverb 16 also read)

There is at least one denomination that refuses to allow musical instruments in worship.  I have heard them sing and it is an awesome experience.  They can lift the worshipers into the heights.  If that is a matter of choice, it is well rewarded.  If it is a matter of doctrine it seems to run against this series of verses.  In this verse we see trumpets, harps and the lyre.  In following verses we see enough variety to evolve into a modern orchestra.  I would think this is a word of encouragement to the “no instrument” crowd as well as those churches that will allow nothing but piano and organs.

I notice that drums are not on this list.  Pardon me while I do a search on drums............I can find nothing for “drums” or “drum”.  I don’t know if that is enough to keep them out of worship.  

So?  Worship.  If you don’t like the style or the accompaniment then express your opinion so that the leadership can know what works for you and then get over it.  Either learn to worship where you are or, with a good attitude and no hostility, go someplace where the music speaks to you. 

Portable Zion

(Psa 135:21 KJV)  Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

God is continually trying to get across His majesty to Israel.  Earlier in this Psalm he is relating how He has been with them through history.  He relates how He controls all of nature.  Through what He says to them we can get a glimmer of His awesomeness.  

And yet how limited their vision was.  For some reason God chose Israel and marked out Mount Zion in Jerusalem.  That may have been for our benefit.  We cannot comprehend eternity.  We can grasp a temple built on a hill with an inner courtyard.  Don’t ever fall into the trap of thinking that defines God.  It is just a point He has chosen to touch the world and its people.  He did it through Israel.  He does it through His word.

So?  Let this be a day of rejoicing.  God dwells where He chooses.  In this day and age it seems to be in the hearts of those who believe in Jesus.  Think of yourself as a portable Zion. 

Early Decisions

(Pro 14:22 KJV)  Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

As I meditated on this verse my thoughts went to the old issue of the chicken and the egg.  Which comes first the “devise” (2790a) or “err" (go astray NASB) (8582)?  My thoughts go to my questions about free will and grace.  There is a concept called “prevenient grace”.  My understanding of this is that it describes the working of the Holy Spirit in the unrepentant heart.  It is how God nudges or offers us chances to make decisions that nudge.  Because I believe in free will I think people make decisions before repentance that either move them toward or away from God.  Because I believe in original sin, I don’t think the natural man is capable of knowing where it will lead.  It does reflect he desire of the heart.

So?  God works on us a long time before we read the tract or hear the sermon.  I tend to think that usually our inclinations are what prompt Him to extend grace to us.  There are a lot of pitfalls down this path but it needs to be considered. 

Tax Policy?

(Pro 13:22 KJV)  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

The standards and values of the Bible should influence our political opinions.  That is just part of living a life of righteousness.  Everything about us is to reflect our salvation and sanctification in Christ.  The reason this hit me is I have been reading a book that touched on the issue of tax policy.  The author was convinced that the best way to achieve social equality was through inheritance and estate taxes.  The reasoning behind his position was that the children of the rich  had done nothing to earn the wealth and it would be better for them if the government made it impossible to pass it on.  He made a very compassionate and impassioned plea but, as you can see, it does not agree with what God is telling us here.

So?  This is not about a debate on tax policy.  It is a reminder that the tax policy you support as a Christian should be grounded in Biblical values not the most current form of income redistribution.  Live in righteousness. 

The Father of Lies

(Pro 12:22 KJV)  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Our culture seems to have given up on telling the truth.  In fact the intellectual voices of our day would deny that there is any absolute truth.  It is not just a passing fad of a few journalists.  It is a philosophy that has taken hold.  At the heart is a rejection of the God of the Bible.  You may have heard of Satan being called the “father of lies”.  That comes from Jesus.

(Joh 8:44 KJV)  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Everything is not relative and open to interpretation.  Sure, we can have different opinions on what is a beautiful painting.  Some people are inspired by the sea shore, others by forests.  Yet it is clear that lying is an “abomination” (8441).  

So?  Don’t accept the world’s rejection of truth.  We are called to a different standard and we ignore it at our peril. 

Yeah, But...

(Pro 11:22 KJV)  As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

Can extremes cancel each other out?  We have gold and pigs.  To the Jew one was of great worth and the other was an abomination.  How often do we try to work out deals with God?  You know the pattern, “God, if I do this will you do this?”  The problem we face is that no amount of precious metal can compensate for defilement.  This is not about grace and forgiveness.  It is about the ways in which we try to work it out our way instead of God’s.

There is nothing wrong with wealth or beauty in themselves.  The problem is when we get them out of balance and try to substitute.  Have you ever been in a restaurant and they have a special that tells you, “No substitutions”?  What that means is you take the whole deal or none at all.

So?  God wants us to walk in righteousness.  It isn’t a negotiation.  It is an offer of more than we have a right to expect.  Go for the gold. 

The Richest Man in America

(Pro 10:22 KJV)  The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

As I sit in worship each morning I have a time of praise and a time of thanksgiving.  When I am focused on gratitude I often start listing all the blessings I have.  I start with Jesus being willing to give up equality with God and suffering death on a cross.  I rejoice in the presence of the Holy Spirit.  I then look around and marvel at how well God has provided for me.  Then the grandchildren come to mind.  I am truly “rich” (6238).

I live in the smallest house on the hill.  I would guess I drive the oldest car in the neighborhood.  I am possibly the riches within shouting distance.  

So?  We live in unsettled times.  Thieves may break in.  The government may push them aside to get their share.  I will still be rich. 

You Know Better

(Pro 9:6 KJV)  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

As I read this chapter today my mind was already on the concept of free will and choices.  This reinforced my thinking.  We are given choices in life.  The Old Testament resounds with the call to make the right ones.  It is not demanding perfection but it does require a mind that leans in the right direction.

This verse assumes that we can tell the difference between “folly” (6612a) and “understanding” (998).  I will grant that there are times in life when there are shades of gray but God knows that and allows for our limitations.  What He does not have a place for is the rebellious heart.

So?  Accept responsibility and seek to make righteous decisions.  It makes a difference. 

Be Very Afraid

(Psa 130:4 KJV)  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

This seemed like an awkward match:  Forgiveness and fear.  My nature position would be that in embracing “forgiveness” (5547) I would be far away from fear.  One lesson for us here is a glimpse into what the Bible means when it says God is to be “feared” (3372a).  

The Hebrew concept of fearing God includes craven fear but it goes beyond that.  It encompasses the aspects of awe and reverence.  This means that when we come to know God and understanding from the point of view of family, we have a healthy respect for His power and screaming justice but also the tempering balm of His lovingkindness.  It works for a powerful combination.  It motivates us for all the right reasons.

So?  Be afraid.  Be very afraid.  And bask in the security of that fear. 

The Fruit of the Womb

(Psa 127:3 KJV)  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

(Proverbs 7 also read)

This is another passage that flies in the face of our modern culture.  Believers are to look at children as an “heritage” (gift NASB) (5159), not a burden.  When is the last time you heard something like that?  It was common in previous generations.  Now we read about child trafficking which is a euphemism for several degenerate practices.  We have children being mutilated in the name of the latest sexual perversion.  It is no accident that we are seeing more frequent depictions of Moloch.  

God’s plan was for us to have children.  It isn’t just a matter of someone to care for you when you get old.  It is more than hands to keep the farm going.  It is part of the original command to be fruitful and multiply.  It is a proclamation that the earth is to be subdued, not worshiped.  

So?  Encourage those who still can to have children.  Support them in any way you can.  Rejoice in the gifts of God. 

Wax Poetic

(Psa 113:3 KJV)  From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.

(Proverbs 6 also read)

Are you a literalist?  Do you believe the Bible should be understood literally?  I am sorry to hear that because that puts you in an awkward position here.  We accept the fact that the “name” (8034) of the “Lord” (3068) is to be “praised” (1984b).  What about the time limitation put on it here?  Are we really only supposed to praise God during daylight?  I don’t think so and neither do you.

The Bible is full of poetic expressions that are not meant to be taken literally.  They are meant to touch a chord in your soul and get you saying “Yes” from your heart.

So?  Praise Him at all times, in all seasons and in all ways.  Let the poetic in you have a chance. 

Divine Geography

(Psa 114:2 KJV)  Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.

(Proverbs 5 read also)

As I read through this it struck me as a strange comment.  I had been contemplating the eternal nature of God and how we can’t really grasp it.  Now it tells me He has a “sanctuary” (6944).  My first reaction was based on the first meaning of sanctuary that popped into my head.  A sanctuary is the room we worship in.  It gets that name because in medieval times the church sanctuary was a place you could flee to and avoid persecution.  I assumed that went back to the OT idea of cities of refuge, but they are different words.

Refuge means asylum.  Sanctuary means set apart and sacred.  In some unexplainable way Psalms seems to be saying that the land and the nation of Israel is an anchor spot for God.  While God was impossible to escape it seems that the Holy of Holies in the Temple was a special place to meet Him.  This is why the Jews would journey to Jerusalem for Passover.  It is why Zion has such a special place in history and our hearts.

Pentecost changed that.  As Christians we have the offer of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  We have contact with God at any time and place.  When Jesus died on the cross the curtain in the Temple was torn asunder.  Truly, Immanuel.  God is with us.

So?  Be aware of the promises that have come about as you read the Bible.  Whether you like Israel, Judah or the “house of Jacob” from the first verse, the one you live in is the Body of Christ.  Rejoice. 

Calm in Chaos

(Jer 33:6 KJV)  Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

I was reading in Proverbs 4 and it gave me this verse,

(Pro 4:22 KJV)  For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

One of the cross references took me to Jeremiah and I found joy in the promise.  Then I did what we are supposed to do.  I went and read the verse in its context and I am not sure I was happy with the results.  The promise is still there but the context is extreme.

Jerusalem was surrounded by the Armies of Nebuchadnezzar.  Jeremiah had been thrown into jail.  It seems they were tearing down the houses in the city to build up the walls.  God has turned His face away from His people.  Not a very pretty picture.  Not a moment of hope.  Yet in the midst of this God gives them a promise:  God will bring healing.

So?  That was a promise to Judah at a specific time but the principle is universal.  God is not in the habit of abandoning His faithful.  As I avoid looking at the news that is available I know what I will find if I bother to read.  I prefer to focus on the promises of God and trust Him.  I will stay informed on current events but I need to be immersed in the hope. 

Unseen Connections

(Psa 118:22 KJV)  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

and

(Psa 118:24 KJV)  This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

This verse is very familiar to everyone.  We sing a chorus that is straight out of the KJV.  People love the song, even if they don’t realize it is from Psalms.

What I noticed today for the first time was how close it is to verse 22, a well known prophecy about Jesus.  How many times have I read this Psalm without noticing?  It is amazing how our brains don’t seem to engage at times.  Maybe it is only my brain but I have the feeling I am not alone in this.

Jesus is the cornerstone!  He was rejected.  Let us rejoice in that because it was part of the process of making us part of the Body of Christ.  It gives us unending reason to “rejoice” (1523).

So?  Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life?  He is the cornerstone of our faith.  As I contemplate a world where everything seems to be falling apart and I can’t believe anything I read, this gives me a reason to rejoice in the day. 

Build Your Ark

(Pro 2:22 KJV)  But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

This is a recurring theme in the Bible.  Those who are evil actors will be punished.  In an era of grace we tend to overlook the fact that these seem to be people who make the wrong choices.  It is easy to ignore the fact that God does not sit in a Tuperware bowl making decisions based on nothing but His whim.  He knows our hearts and responds to what He knows.

Grace is wonderful.  It is the avenue of our salvation.  At the same time I wonder if Noah, who had just found grace in the eyes of the Lord, had decided not to build the Ark, how would history have been changed?  I would suggest that if he had not gone out and acted with obedience we would not be here today.  He would have been the last of the human line.  God believes in consequences.

So?  Don’t be on the naughty list.  Accept that your application of your heart priorities will have results.  Encourage others to obedience and faith. 

Puddles

(Pro 1:22 KJV)  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

We are in a strange time when it comes to “knowledge” (1847).  We have a cup that is running over in what we are learning.  Research in all areas of scholarship appears to be going on full speed.  We hear about knowledge doubling in short periods of time.  There are two problems with this scenario.

The first problem we face today is that we cannot believe the scholars any more.  Maybe we never could but the past always seems so much simpler.  Recently there was a headline where a major science journal, respected and established, had to go back and discard about 500 peer reviewed articles that it had published.  It suddenly realized they involved collusion and fraud.  My impression was that even they admitted it was just the tip of the iceberg.  Add to that the censorship and lies that are going on in the public square and you wonder what knowledge is knowledge and what is just a quote from Big Brother.

The second problem is we tend to reject anything that does not fit into our narrative.

So?  Act like you are walking through unknown terrain after a heavy rain.  Be aware.  Be careful.  That little puddle may conceal a deep hole just waiting for your ankle.  Don’t be a scoffer but be discerning.