Moving

(Psa 93:1 KJV)  The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

This is a good illustration of what it means to be either literal or figurative.  Notice the last word “moved” (4131).  Just what does that mean?  It would seem obvious but not if you think about it.

If you look at this literally, then it means that the Earth is stationary in space.  It does not move at all.  That would rule out rotation and revolution.  It would insist on the universe revolving around the Earth instead of the Earth moving through space.  We know that is not the case.

It is not hard to consider that this means that the Earth is stable and is not going to be jerked around by every little dictator that walks down the aisle.  With what we know about science now, the literal interpretation is nonsense and the figure of speech is powerful.

So?  Read the Bible as it was intended to be read.  Don’t be afraid to change your understanding as your knowledge of the world increases.  God will not be threatened by a deeper understanding of the universe He created. 

Coup

Proverbs 3:25 (KJV) Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

We live in a time of uncertainty.  Many are afraid of what is happening politically and how our republic is falling apart.  All of that may be true, but we need to be reminded that our confidence and our trust is not in the government or even the constitution, but in our God.

I like the use of the word “desolation” in the King James Bible.  Really, it is what we are afraid of.  We worry about the unknown desolation that may descend upon our country if things fall apart.  Fear not, it won’t be the first time.  Israel has gone through this many times.  The people of God have gone through this many times.

We are still here.

This may not be a guarantee of your safety.  It may not mean that your bank account survives.  But it does assure you that God has you in His hand.

So?  Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.

Second or Third Person

(Psa 91:2 KJV)  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

(Proverbs 2 also read)

This is an interesting place to compare the King James Bible to the New American Standard Bible.  If you have a King James, you will notice that the words “he is” is not in the original language because it is shown in italics.  When you compare the New American Standard, you find that it is written in second person, as if the author is speaking to God.  The King James is third person where he is speaking about God.

While this difference does not reflect anything about the nature of God, it does make it more personal when you were directly addressing Him rather than talking about Him.  One is a praise, one is a witness.

So?  Rejoice in the flexibility of the Scriptures.  Think about what it says.  Think about the possible application and enjoy the different rabbit trail that leads you down. 

Numbering

(Psa 90:12 KJV)  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

What does it mean to “number our days?  I don’t think it just means counting how many days we have until the weekend.  I don’t think it means to sit around wondering how old we’re going to be before we die.  I don’t think it has to do with counting in any way.

I think it may have more to do with putting things in order such as numbering our tasks for the day.  I think there’s also the idea of setting priorities.  What is the first thing I will do today?  What is the last thing I will do today?

Setting our priorities may be one of the most important things we do in a day.

So?  What does God have for me today?  Where will I invest my energy?  There are only so many hours in my day.  There are only so many days in my life.  I need to use them wisely.