Choice Morsels From the Word

Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem to lead in rebuilding the city walls destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Not everyone was happy with what Nehemiah was attempting to do and they therefore sought to do mischief (Neh. 6:2). The people of Jerusalem of course were very weak (in military strength) and were fearful (vs. 6-13). Nehemiah had much faith and he stood strong in the face of trickery and adversity (6:11-13). Nehemiah did not take lightly the threat as he realized the danger and so he prays, “0 God strengthen my hands." He realized that the enemy was strong and the Jewish people had no help, so the only place to turn was to their God.

Has not this been true through the ages? The believer's foe is very strong, and seeks to make us afraid, but we have the Almighty God, the Creator, the Captain of our salvation to turn to."... Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I Jn. 4:4). As we seek to serve our Lord, and build his church, our foes will be great, and there is much that can cause us fear, but our Lord is ever present to help. "Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield" (Ps. 33:20). "Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth" (Ps. 124:8). Hebrews 13:6 tells us, "So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

As we listen to the news and see that there is much going on in America which is directly against what we hold to be true and right, may we cry out to our God, "strengthen our hands to the work, the time is short." Our government is trying through the passage of laws, to muzzle the truth of God's word, may we pray, "O God strengthen us, let us not be afraid of their threatenings." The early church, in the midst of persecution prayed, "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word" (Acts 4:29). Persecution should embolden us, not defeat us.

Satan and this wicked world, has always sought to hinder God's work, and we should not be surprised when it happens, "... The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you, if they kept my saying, they will keep yours also" (Jn. 15:20). "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf' (I Pet. 4:16). "But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled" (I Pet. 3:14). And remember, Paul said: "for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18). Lord strengthen us for the work.

Ezra chapter 9 speaks about revival, Daniel chapter 9 has to do with the subject of revival, and in Nehemiah chapter 9 we see the same subject. In each book, in each chapter, the substance of revival is confession. Daniel 9:4 says, "And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession ..." and in verse five Daniel continues "We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled ...." Ezra 9:6 tells us: "And said, 0 my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the Heavens."

Is not this the basis for revival? Revival is not the stirring up of the emotions, it is not based on feelings, but true Biblical revival is founded in the confession of sins. Only Christians can be revived. The unbelievers are dead, you cannot revive a corpse. Basically we should be in a constant state of revival, because we should daily confess our sins. As we are in the Word of God we see ourselves for what we are and confession should be the result. From our text above, they spent time hearing the Word, they spent time confessing their sins, then and only then could they truly worship.

Too often we try to rationalize our sins and our actions and fail to confess them to God. If we do not confess our sins, we have,"... no part with me" (Jn. 13:8). When we walk in the light of God's Word we will see, we fall short and need to confess. Without that we have no fellowship with Him. This is the only way to revival; there is no other way. We can say we are going to do better, we can say we are going to turn over a new leaf, we can make promises and strive to do better, but until there is confession, there is no revival.

Confession is a private matter, between an individual and God. It may include also confessing to another whom we have wronged. But it must take place; we cannot have revival without it.

What a statement, what an attitude and testimony, after all that happened; Job worshipped. How could he do so? Many would be angry. Others would murmur, complain in rage, ask why and rebuke God for allowing such things to happen, but Job did not. I believe we see Job's attitude and character displayed in the following verse, (vs. 21).

First, Job knew he was only a steward of all that he possessed, family or farms, riches or animals, it all belonged to God. Second, Job knew above all, God is always good and can do no evil. Satan tries to convince man that God is not as good as He presents himself to be (Gen. 3:1-5, particularly verses 4, 5). We need to understand that it may seem to be bad for us or to us, and we question why, but God knows what we do not know and He is always good. An example of this may be parents who dearly love their child, but that young child is seriously sick. The parents therefore, take that child to the doctor or hospital and allow it to go through a painful test and possibly operations. The child may think, my parents are not being good to me, but is that the case? No, quite the opposite, even in pain the parent is seeking for only the best, the good of that child, because they understand and know things the young child does not. Is not God like unto that parent as He too allows painful things into our lives, because He knows what we do not? Remember. All things are for God's glory, even Job's trials.

Every good thing comes from God (James l:l 7) and He can only give what is ultimately good to his own (Rm. 8:28). We need to remember several things. God is always good (not just when we think we have been blessed) God is good during the "bad" times, as well as the "good" times, Even when we see chaos, destruction by storms, earthquakes, floods, and disasters; God is still good, as well as all-powerful!

So we may be asking, why then do these things happen, why am I struggling, why am I going through this very difficult time? Doesn't God care? Doesn't He see? Is He not able to help? As far as we know Job never found out why he suffered as he did, but he did know, God makes no mistakes, He is good, and who are we to complain (Job 42:1-6) and he rejoiced in God his Saviour.

Instead of cursing God, as Satan said he would do, Job adored Him. He gave unto God glory for His sovereignty, goodness, strength and power.

The question why is found in our Scripture 261 times. Many times the question is not answered. Job asked the question, "Why?" Yet we have no record that he was ever told why. Amy Carmichael said, "I cannot recall a single explanation of a trial- we are trusted with the unexplained," Warren Wiersbe says there are more than 300 questions in the book of Job, few are answered as our text verse states. Why died I not from the womb? Job 7:20," Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee ...." (or why has thou set me as your target)? So many questions unanswered.

What should we do when the whys come into our life? Genesis 25:22 tells us that Rebekah was expecting twins and she asked, (as the babies struggled within her) "... why am I thus ...?" The last part of the verse says, " ... and she went to inquire of the Lord." is this not our response to the whys of life, to Inquire of the Lord?

Annie Johnson Flint put it like this:
I know not, but God knows; Oh, blessed rest from fear All my unfolding days
To Him are plain and clear Each anxious puzzled "why?"
From doubt and dread that grows, Finds answer in this thought:
I know not, but He knows.

Remember, we live with promises from God, not explanations!

Have you ever really considered the rain? It is the marvel of God's blessings?

Did you ever stop and think that rain is an unsearchable creation of God? We think of rain as merely water coming from the sky, but is that really all there is to it? Sometimes we receive an inch of rain. Do you realize that if one inch of rain falls on one square mile of land, that would amount to almost 28 million cubic feet of water? To say it another way it would amount to more than 206 million gallons or one trillion, 450 million pounds?

Now if you think about it, if all the rain just fell all at once it would crush whatever it fell on, however God made a better way. God so made the rain to fall in little drops, big enough to fall a mile or so without evaporating, yet small enough to not hurt what it falls on. But how does that water become small droplets? By condensation around little dust particles, as small as .00001 centimeters wide.

How do these drops become big enough to fall? By joining together to form larger drops. However to do so, there must be an electrical field present (in the water) or else they would repel each other, rather than joining and becoming big enough to fall. Yet if they fall when they become heavier than air they would be too small and evaporate before they hit the ground, so what holds them up until they are large enough? Don't ask me, it's just a marvel of God's creation. DON'T WE HAVE A WONDERFUL GOD?

Much of this taken from "A Godward Life" by John Piper

The book of James speaks of the patience of Job (5:11) and we certainly can learn and see Job's patience as you read this book. I, however, marvel at Job's wisdom and understanding of God and spiritual things. I see Job's frustration, but also his trust in the Lord (13:15) and his hope (19:25-27). But what really amazes me and puts me to shame is that Job was the man he was, with a good testimony before God himself (1:8) and yet had no written Scripture to encourage, strengthen, or teach him. Job lived in the age of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, before any Scripture was written, and yet we see a very knowledgeable man, aware of many great spiritual truths.

Today many would look upon Job's time as an era which was basically ignorant, backward, and certainly had very little knowledge of science, or of God, yet the book of Job proves otherwise. There was however, something in which Job longed for which we have today, and he did not: a daysman. A daysman was an individual which would act as a judge, or an umpire, or mediator between two individuals. Job longed for God to be a man that he could speak with him, or at least have a man who could act as a "go between." Job had no arbitrator to determine or adjust the differences between him and God. Job says: "Oh I wish there was a mediator between us. " Paul told Timothy, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (I Tim. 2:5). No created being was or is capable of being a mediator, but we have a man who is our mediator, that man is our Lord Jesus Christ. He it is who sits at the right hand of God (Heb. 1:3) but also lays His hand upon us. Oh how thankful we need to be toward God that He has given to us a daysman!

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). That is what Job desired, and what we are privileged to have and enjoy. A daysman needs to be equal to both parties, but who could be equal to God? "If one man sins against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? ..." (I Sam. 2:25). The answer to that question is, the Lord Jesus Christ, our daysman, the God-man, Christ Jesus. Another man cannot be our daysman, an angel cannot be, nor any other created being, only that perfect man the Son of God himself. We have such a privilege and blessing in Jesus Christ, the one who gave himself a ransom for all (ITim. 2:6). Without this mediator, God-and man can never be reconciled.

What a wonderful, wonderful truth, corruptible and incorruptible reconciled, mortal and immortal able to come together, flesh and blood able to be changed and become of the heavens (I Cor. 15: 50-54). Thank God we now have a daysman, a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God is an incomprehensible Being, far above us, immense and infinite whose nature we cannot know or understand unless He reveals Himself to us. May we be thankful that God has indeed revealed Himself to us through creation and more importantly by His written word and the Word made flesh (Jesus Christ Jn. 1:1-14), and His Spirit (I Cor. 2:10). Even though this is true, we can never fully comprehend Him, for He is far greater than our finite minds can comprehend (Isa. 55:8,9). We may find something of God, but cannot find Him out to completion. I believe we will spend an eternity learning of God. "He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their hearts so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end" (Ee. 3:11). "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it" (Ps. 139:6).

What then are we to learn from such truths? If God is so high above us, if He be so great, infinite, majestic in His being, what should that do for us? I believe it should compel us and have a powerful influence upon us to submit ourselves completely and whole heartedly to Him. Man has no chance of rebelling against Him and prospering. "He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him and prospered?" (Job 9:4). There is no one who can prosper against God, no, not man or beast, not angel or devil, all are sure to fail.

What hope and comfort this should be to us. We have and serve a God who is above and supreme to all, yet cares for me and loves me with a love that is unending and complete. That's the kind of God I want to serve. If I indeed could truly know and comprehend God in His completeness he would not be much of a god, not if my puny mind could fathom Him. If I believe I can grasp God, then it is not God I am grasping. Man tries to prove that there is a God, but Scripture never does, it simply takes it as a fact that He is; “In the beginning God...." (Gen. 1:1). What a comfort. I do not have to know all about Him, for I cannot, but I can know Him, and feel Him in my heart and life. I can experience the joy, peace, and contentment only He can give, and that is comforting. To stop and think that we, sinful creatures that we are, can know anything of God, is truly amazing.

Since the Divine dimensions are immeasurable by man, certainly His hand is not too short to save and sustain us (Nu. 11:33, Isa. 50:2, 59:1). Read Psalm 139, and see the omniscience (1-6), the omnipresence (7-12), the omnipotence (13-16) of God, and yet He thinks on me (vs. 17)! None can hinder the Almighty God (Job 11:10). He will do as He pleases and bring about that which will bring glory to Him, therefore since He seeks only our good (Rom. 8:28, James 1:17) what do we have to fear?

Probably most of us know the account of Job, if not I encourage you to read his book, found in the Old Testament before the Book of Psalms. It certainly is an encouraging book for those who struggle with many things. In chapters one and two we see the terrible things which fell upon Job, and in chapter 2 verses 11-13 we read that three of Job's friends, on hearing of his turmoil, come to him we are told in verse 11, to comfort him. They do a very poor job of it. Perhaps these three friends are the reason for the words, "with friends like you, who needs enemies?" Basically, instead of encouraging Job in the midst of his sufferings, they condemned him saying, Job, you're an awful sinner and you're paying for it, people do not suffer as you are unless you sin greatly, you need to get your heart right. But, was that the reason? Read chapter 1, particularly verses five to eight. God's viewpoint of Job was that he was one who turned away from evil (escheweth evil vs. 8).

As we read through the book, we note that Job's so called friends seem to have all the answers. The trouble though, was that they did not have all the questions. They did not know the mind and will of God.

What I want us to understand as we consider some of these things, in the book of Job is, first, we need to be very careful in our judgment of others, and second, when we are judged by others, we need to consider what they say (God may be using them to open our eyes) but if we know we are in the right or have done nothing wrong, God is our master and not man, and we can take comfort in Him.

Some believe we should never judge another because of Matthew 7:1, and Luke 6:37. However, there is a place to judge the actions and words of another. When we tell a thief stealing is sin, we are judging, when we say homosexuality is sin we are judging, when we say adultery is an abomination we are judging. In each one of these incidences our judgment is based on the very clear admonition of Scripture (Exodus 20:15, Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:24-28, I Corinthians 6:9). But where we need to resist in judging is when it is not a direct disobedience to Scripture or in areas which we do not really understand (as in the situation with Job's friends). I can and must at times judge words or actions but I cannot judge the heart that is in God's hands.

I am writing this to encourage us all, even when a judgment call is needed, be careful how we do so, but when we really do not know or understand the whys and wherefores, we need to pray and commit the entire situation to the hands of God who will always do right.

Well, Job received the desire of his heart, but what was his desire? The preceding verses of this chapter are an account of Job's misery, by Job himself. He says he cries out, but he is not heard (vs. 7) He relates how God has stripped him of all he had (vss. 8-10) and it seems to him that even God is his enemy (vs. 11). Those close to Job have forsaken him, his brethren (vs. 13) his kinfolk and friends (vs. 14) his servants (vss. 15, 16) even his wife has forsaken him (vs. 17) and young children despise him (vs. 18) and his friends even hate him (vs. 19) his health is gone (vs. 20) and he begs for people to show him some compassion (vss. 21, 22).

Then Job says I wish my words were written down. What are the words he desires too be written? I believe they are verses 25-27. God answered Job's prayer. We have the record of Job's life, his adversity, his righteousness, his end. But what a testimony Job gives in the midst of the most awful trial of life. My redeemer lives and I shall see Him. We must remember how remarkable this is.

When Job uttered these words, there was no written Word of God, no Bible, no Scripture, and yet Job knew and believed in this most awesome truth. Job's desire was that all might know, that the whole world might know, that there is a hope beyond what this world hopes in. The hope of a redeemer. This hope by the way is not a "hope so hope" but an assured hope, a true hope, a hope that is real, true, and can be known and relied upon. Job says, 0 that these words may be written in granite for people of all time and in all places to see.

What encouraging words of truth these are, especially for the days in which we live and for those days in which we face, that seem to bring more disappointment than happiness. Our redeemer lives! And some day, even though we die, yet in a new body we will see Him! Job's confidence was not in circumstances, things, family or friends, but in Almighty God and he committed himself to his God, his redeemer.

Job did not know the "why" of his sufferings, but in them he had complete trust in his redeemer. May you and I have such trust.

God's furnace of fire is not to destroy us, but to refine us. What a hope Job had, what trust he had in the Lord. He wished he could understand what was happening and why, but through it all he had a trust in God. God knew the road, and the path in which was Job's, and the end thereof would be a refining of Job.

From the preceding verses (vss. 8, 9) Job was at a loss as to what God was doing in his life, he felt that he could not find God. It seemed to Job that God was far away. Job admits that he does not know God's way, but he has confidence that God knows his way, and the outcome could only be good. Job's so called friends had charged him with great sin (chapter 4). Job knew his friends were wrong in their understanding of his turmoil, and they blamed Job for his hidden sin, but Job knew his heart, and even though he did not understand what God was doing, and even though he did not like what he was going through, he had a strong faith and trust in God.

In a way, Job understood Romans 8:28, even though it would be two thousand years before it would be written: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Job knew that although he was not perfect, yet he had chosen the good way, the righteous way, the way of truth, and God would prove him and make him as gold. "For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly will perish" (Ps. 1:6). The ungodly will perish when tried as the dross on the gold, but the righteous will be refined. There are three things we need to learn from this verse. First, the righteous, the Godly believer will be tried, but it is not intended for our hurt, but for our benefit, and for God's glory. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Peter. 1:7). Read also I Peter 4:12.

Second, the trial will have an end. God will not contend forever. God is the one who beholds the thermometer as it were and His hand is upon the thermostat of our fiery trials, not Satan. Satan tries and tempts us to destroy us. God does not tempt us, but tries us to refine us, to make us pure. Third, when our trials are over, we shall be as gold, pure and precious to Him who refines us. When gold comes out of the fire, it is not only improved, it is approved. It is found good and made better by the fire of affliction. May we be thankful to God, that He sees us fit to be tried by fiery trials, for it shows that we are gold and not dross, we just need to be refined. May we trust in God that He indeed knows of what He is doing.

What a promise we have from God that he will complete what He has started. "Being confident of this of this very thing, that he which hath began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). Every day I believe God is working in us to make us as His son, no matter the setbacks, disappointments, or trials. God is going to bring us forth as gold. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:7). It's all going to be glorious in the end, what a day of rejoicing and giving glory to our Lord!

We get so hung up on temporary things; things which in light of eternity will only amount to wood, hay or stubble (I Cor. 3:11-15). What in our life is really going to matter 100 years from now? Only those things done for our Lord are really going to matter. It will not matter whether we were highly thought of by others, or how much money we have in the bank, or how successful we were in the community, or in the world's eyes, or whether our name will appear in the history books, or even in the newspaper. But it will matter what treasures we have laid up in heaven. It will matter that we allowed God to work in our lives, even submitting humbly to Him during those times we went through the fire.

As Job said in the above text, His purpose is to bring us forth as gold. It might be an easier process if we would faithfully submit ourselves into the hands of our loving, gracious, and merciful Lord.

I have been studying and reading and meditating upon the book of Job and what a blessing it has been. I challenge you to get into the book of Job when it seems that nothing is going as you would like, and it seems life has handed you a sour lemon.

Job cannot find the cause of his troubles. He knows he is not perfect, he knows his failures, but he also knows he is not guilty of the diverse sins that his so-called friends say he is guilty of (Job 16:1 also, Job 22), Job says "it's not so!" He knows that others are far worse sinners then he, yet, they seem to be doing fine (Job 21, 24). Why is God taking aim at me? He is quite at a loss to understand or know what God is doing and what is the purpose of it all.

Job is confident, however, that although he does not understand, he will remain faithful knowing God knows his way and he will come out for the better by it all (vs. 10). Job's friends may judge him harshly by things that he is not guilty of, but he knew God would not do so (Ps. I: 6).

Job walked by the truth of God's Word (vs. 12) and would not divert from that, but continue to go forward. Again, I remind you, Job had no written word, none of Scripture had been written as yet. Job held tightly to the words he heard from God's mouth, so the words of his friends, although I am sure Job was agitated (to put it mildly by them) he hung unto God's word and not his friend's words.

God's Word will lead us through the hard times. God's words will sustain when everything falls apart. God's words will encourage, enlighten, enable, and give us strength and peace and even joy to go on. Job says, I am listening to His words. In fact Job tells his friends, God's words to me are more precious and needful then even my necessary food. God's word is more precious and enjoyable and necessary then my physical bread or meat, or vegetables I might eat. Yet how often do we eat our meats and forsake God's Word? Do we have the joy of “eating" the word of God?

Eliphaz told Job to lay God's word up in his heart (22:22) Job tells him, I do. We also must do the same. It is our most necessary food. We ought to hunger after it, to feed upon it, to grow in His way. We need the nourishment it gives, and it will become our guide, our rejoicing, even in the evil days in which we are living.

Do you get discouraged by the news, politics, the immorality, the wicked men of our elected officials the freedom of worship being taken away from us? Get into God's Word.

TODAY THE WORD OF GOD, IS OUR NECESSARY FOOD

The Lord tells Job that he is going to question him and he demands answers. The LORD then asks 39 questions (if I counted right) in Chapter 38. Job has not understood why he has suffered so, yet he knew his so-called friends were wrong in telling him he was an awful sinner, and that was the reason for his suffering. In chapter 31 Job says that he lived a clean life, a life of integrity, of righteousness. In Chapter one we read that even God called Job a "perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil" (Job 1:8). The word "escheweth" means to turn away from.

Because Job knew he was a man of God, he wanted to question God to know why he was suffering so terribly (read chapter one and two). In Chapter twenty three Job tells his friends (with friends like Job had, you don't need any enemies) that he would just like to talk to God and plead his case and see what God would say (Job 23:1-5). God now comes to Job and in so many words asks Job "are you the creator, were you there, are you eternal, all powerful, wise and perfect? if not Job, just be quiet, and trust in me."

One lesson we can learn from the Book of Job, is this: when we have trials, when we suffer, when we go through hard times, we need to stop and consider if sin is the cause and if so, confess and forsake it. But, on the other hand, if we know that we have been faithful to our Lord (be honest with yourself) instead of asking why and instead of saying I'm going to ask God about that someday or thinking that God must have made a mistake or if He loves me this shouldn't be happening, we need to take the lesson God had for Job. Be quiet and just trust in me. For who are we to question the Almighty God? Is not his way always right? The Lord makes no mistakes. "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should. repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Num. 23:19).

Job said what he would do if he had the opportunity (Job 23:4-6) now he is challenged to do it. But when we stand before God and see his glory, all our questions and pride will be gone and I dare say, we will as John, "fall at his feet as dead" (Rev. 1:17)

Sufferings, problems, trials, tribulations, sickness, trouble? Sure, we all have them. May we during these times, not question, but simply be quiet and trust Him,

If unbelieving man would be honest with themselves, and would desire to find true happiness, if that is really true, and they are honest, Psalm one would be a good place for them to read. The Psalmist sets before us life and death, happiness and misery and ruin. He sets before us the different character and condition of godly people with ungodly people, and the outcome of both.

In verses one to three we see the holiness, and therefore the happiness of a godly, righteous man. In verses four and five we see the sinfulness and the misery of the unbeliever or wicked man. In verse six we learn the end of both.

Let's look at both men. First a godly man is very careful of the company he keeps. Ifyou run with the hogs, do not expect to come out smelling too clean. The unbeliever can only bring us down to the mire of this old world and we will find no happiness there. Ps. 119:115 says, "Depart from me ye evil doers: for I will keep the commandments of our God." Why is it that man thinks that all the glitter, the music, the noise, the parties, will in the end bring happiness, when it's been shown time and time again that it will not. Man rejects God and becomes the servant of sin and Satan and it is only downhill from there. The word ungodly refers to one who is unsettled, aims at no end, and walks by no restrictions but is at the command of every lust and temptation. Does that sound like a happy man, or a frustrated man, finding that nothing satisfies? The scornful are these that are at odds with heaven, which is certainly not going to bring happiness even when they are sure that it will. That type of person only brings one down, it does not lift up to a higher plane of worthiness or happiness.

The godly man does not imitate, or associate with the ungodly, but keeps out of harms way by keeping away from them (Prov. 7:8). Also, Proverbs 4: 14, 15 tells us that we "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." A godly man seeks to be as close to the Lord as possible, so he will not be tempted to fall to sin.

The benefits of a godly man are not only for himself, for "he is a tree ...."(vs. 3). Not only is he refreshed, cared for, enjoys the fruit of godliness here and in eternity, but others to can enjoy his fruit of happiness. Others can enjoy the comfort of the shade so to speak, the fruit of its branches. If you are a faithful Christian, seeking to please God, forsaking all sin and sinners (except to be a witness) how many others are blessed and happy because of you. On the other hand, if you are not living for the Lord, not caring to live for him, seeking your own prideful way, selfishly looking out only for yourself, how many close to you are truly blessed by you. If you are honest, it is probably none.

Prosperity, true happiness, is only in the way of the Lord. Seek to prove Him, and He will be proven true. "The way of the ungodly shall perish" (vs. 6). Which way do you really want to follow.

Do we find pleasure in God's Word? In this Psalm the man of God takes such pleasure in God's Word that it is his constant companion, meditating upon it day and night.

IT HAS BEEN SAID "IT TAKES MORE MONEY TODAY TO ENTERTAIN A CHILD THEN IT TOOK TO EDUCATE HIS FATHER." I think there may be a lot of truth to that. Mankind today are pleasure seekers. In the Bible the word used for pleasure is often the word delight. Just how are we to delight, or bring pleasure to ourselves?

"I delight to do thy will, 0 my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (Ps. 40:8). To paraphrase, I take pleasure in doing thy will, I wonder how often we take pleasure in doing God's will, or is it often a burden? How often is the attitude of doing God's will negative instead of positive, or a trial and not an opportunity? How do you look upon church attendance, Bible study, prayer or ministry; as a burden or a delight?

Psalm 119:77, "Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I might live: for thy law is my delight." The word delight here means enjoyment or pleasant. Do we find joy in the law of the Lord, is it our pleasure?

From heaven's viewpoint we read Proverbs 11:20, "They that are of a forward (twisted, perverted) heart are an abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight." God even takes pleasure in us - if we be found in the way of righteousness.

What gives you pleasure, the world and things in it and of it, or is your delight found in the things of God; His Word, His people, His will, and His way?

May we be people who seek pleasure in the things of God.

Our text verse seems kind of odd, "Serve--with fear .... rejoice with trembling?" how can that be? This seems to be a conundrum; a mystery, a puzzling question. Why would we fear in serving a loving heavenly Father? How can there be trembling in rejoicing?

Consider several other verses. Proverbs 28: 14 tells us, "Happy is the man that feareth always ...." Hebrews 12:28 "Wherefore we receive a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." We must love Him, and we do as Christians, and as his children, but in that love there is a godly fear, a reverence. Fear and love go together, for we realize that in love we enjoy an intimate relationship to or with God, but in that, we realize we have such a high responsibility to Him to serve Him, and that is where fear enters in, realizing our huge responsibility. I will stand before the LORD and he will love me, for I am his own, but I will also stand before Him so that my works (not my sins, that was judged on the cross Rm. 8:1) but my works will be judged whether wood, hay or stubble; or gold, silver, or precious stones {I Cor. 3:10-17). One will be burnt up, the other will last forever. So then why should we not rejoice, but at the same time tremble, knowing we will stand before his judgement seat (II Cor. 5:9-11).

In a good home, a good family (sad that they are few in this world of ours) do not the children love their parents and the parents love the child? But at the same time, is there not a fear the child has for the parent? Not that the parent will hurt them, but in realizing they are in love, the representative of right in the home and must be obeyed and honored? Sad to say, even many Christian homes, the parents do not take their responsibility seriously, they seek to become friends with their children, and not the parent, the child grows up showing no fear or honor toward the parent.

For Christians then who are raised such, they have a difficult time showing a fear toward God, but rather see Him just as a cosmic friend on equal terms and therefore do not see their responsibility before God as they should.

There must be a holy fear mixed with the Christian's joy. Fear without joy cannot be, but on the other hand joy without fear brings presumption.

I remember being told as a child, when I would be anxiously wanting to get outside to play in the snow, my mother striving to get me ready, and me being eager to go, would say, "be still." Sometimes I believe that we also become anxious over many things in life and the Lord tells us, "bestill."

Psalm four has been called the "Evening Hymn," so called because of verse eight. "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." David begins this Psalm in distress, calling upon the Lord to help. In verse four the Lord reminds him to be still. It's like God is saying, ''you've worked, strived, worried, grew anxious, fretted all day, now just be still cast all your care upon me” How we need to take this Psalm to heart. The words be still in this verse mean to quiet ourselves; possibly so the Lord can bring us peace?

Psalm 46: 10 tells us, "Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." The words be still in this verse are different words than the ones used previously. They mean to relax and let go. We try to handle all our problems on our own, with our resources, our wisdom, and our know how, but in the end we fail. God tells us to let go, reminding us that no matter what, He is the one who is sovereign, His will, will be done, He will receive the glory, He will rule and reign, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, so why do we think it's all up to us? All we are called to do is to be faithful, and leave the results to Him.

In Mark chapter 4 we read the account of the disciples and Christ in a ship, and they were in the midst of a storm. Jesus was asleep, and they awoke him, in verse 39 we read, "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Can we not understand that he desires the same for us? We allow the storms of life to threaten our peace, when all we have to do is listen to Him, "Peace be still."

Are we being faithful daily to our Lord? Then quit struggling and leave the results in His hand.

William Shakespeare wrote: "Life is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." In some ways that pretty much says it all does it not, concerning this unbelieving world? Man has made a mess. We fight war with one another, as individuals and nations, we make a mess out of our world, we loot it and destroy it on every turn, and think we are in control and we can handle all our problems, mistakes and needs. Man believes he is the most glorious of evolution.

Psalm 8 lifts up, not man, but the glories of our God, His excellent name is exalted. The whole creation is full of his glory and power, his goodness and wisdom are seen on every hand. From the lowly worm to the great white sharks, from the smallest hummingbird to the majestic eagle and from angels to man, all is nourished and sustained by his mighty hand. Whether we plunge to the depths of the ocean or fly to the furthest star, he is there ruling and sustaining. In verse 3 we see the heavens are simply Gods' finger painting. Yet this same God, the God of glory, the God of creation is mindful of man (vs.4)! His greatness is too much for man to express, yet He thinks of us (Ps. 139:17). Man cannot keep his cars from running into each other, but God keeps the multitudes of stars in their place. What is man? From the Garden of Eden to today; a sinful failure, yet He is mindful of us.

This God sent his only Son to this sin cursed earth. He became a man, he left the glories of heaven, suffered in shame, seen as a transgressor and died for us on an old rugged cross, shedding the last drop of blood in his body to save us by his grace, for we have nothing to offer for our own salvation. Man is lost and is floundering in a world awash in sin. His purpose in life can and will be found only in Jesus Christ. Nothing else will satisfy and fill the void within.

Do you personally know this God that David speaks of in Psalm 8? If not, how can you continue to reject Him? Why not confess Him as Lord, repenting of your sin, for He indeed is the only hope this world has.

As you read these two Psalms, you will see that they seem at first glance to be the same, and may wonder why they both find a place in the Bible, but as you consider them you will see subtle differences.

Psalm 14 has seven verses, Psalm 53 only six. In each of these Psalms, the name of God is found seven times. In Psalm 53 all seven times the name used for God is the name Elohiym, found 2,249 times in the Old Testament meaning a divine, supreme being, sometimes it is used in speaking of an angel (Ps. 8:5) or judge (I Sam. 2:25) and false gods (Deut. 13:7, 17:3, Judges 10:6, II Kings I :6). In Psalm 14, Elohiym is found three times (vss. 1, 2, 5) and the name LORD or Jehovah is used four times in this Psalm, but found 6,749 times in the old Testament and it is always written with all capital letters. This name means "the existing one" it is the proper name for the one true God, the "self-existent" or "Eternal."

These two Psalms speaks of all who live as if there is no God. You will notice that the words "there is" in verse one are italicized signifying that they were not in the original text, but added by the translators to make the verse or words flow more smoothly in our English. We might read verse one with no harm to the text: "The fool has said in his heart, no God." In other words, those who say "no God" are living in practical atheism, even though if you asked them if they believe there is a God they would say yes. So with their mouths they would not deny God, but by their lives and actions they do deny God and as such are saying there is no God. They are corrupt in their nature and are practical atheists. These are they who would feign religion or spirituality if you will, but are very far from God. The religious rulers who would have said with all the strength of their being they believed in God yet at the same time, mocked the Lord Jesus, tortured Him, spat upon Him, and ultimately desired that He be crucified, are an example of those who say, "No God." These same people are among us today, and even will be found in our churches.

Unconverted man has no idea of the monstrous wickedness that is within him, after all he seems to be very good, he is a good neighbor, worker, etc., but he has said "no God" and therefore is a practicing Atheist. I wonder however, how many times that same attitude or character of heart is found in the believer? Remember Peter in Acts 10: 9-15? The Lord gave him a command, Peter said" ... not so Lord ... "(10:14). At another time when Jesus explained to his disciples he came to suffer and be killed, Peter answered " . . . Be it far from thee Lord: this shall not be unto thee" (Matt. 16:22). Jesus rebuked him very severely (16:23). For Peter said in essence, "no Lord."

What of our lives? Are we by our practice, living as one who is an atheist? Living in moral unbelief and disobedience, not saying that there is no god, but living that way by our disobedience and life?

Psalm 18 is a thanksgiving Psalm or song for the LORD's blessings and deliverance from enemies, particular David's deliverance from King Saul (II Samuel 22). There are some differences, but possibly this Psalm was re-written by David later in life, after he became king.

First, the psalmist gives credit where credit is due; the LORD is his strength. How often does man believe he does some wonderful or great work in or on his own strength. Man can do nothing or be anything without God. Is it not amazing, God is the very one who gives strength, knowledge, ability to the very one who rejects Him and believe there is no God. Even the atheist receives strength from God, for it is God who keeps the heart beating, the lungs pumping air and the brain sending messages through-out the body by the miles and miles of nerves. We do well to acknowledge, the LORD is our strength.

In verse two we are given nine words to identify what the LORD is to the believer. He is our rock. David knew about the rocky places where he hid from King Saul, the protection they afforded him and his men. He here compares God to such a place of contentment and security. As the hymist said," He hideth me in the cleft of the rock."

He is my deliverer. The one who makes a way of escape. Does not Paul tell us in I Cor. 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."

My God, The LORD is my God. My LORD is my perpetual, unchanging, infinitely good, merciful, gracious, longsuffering, sufficient God.

Again, He is my strength. Here the word is a little different, it literally means rock. But where the word rock in the beginning of the verse means a stronghold, or concealment, here it means stability. Do we not need a rock such as this in this shaky world we find ourselves in?

The LORD is my buckler, my shield, my defense. It is He who shields me from the enemy’s fiery darts, and helps me to stand against the devil.

He is the horn of my salvation, enabling me to push down my foes and triumph. And lastly, He is my high tower. I may be weak, but no one can take me down, for I am safe in Him.

David uses many words or titles in which to honor God when He delivered him out of trouble. We should take these words to fortify our hearts when we also face trials and troubles. When affliction comes upon us and foes seem to be round about us, we can take comfort in our God. God has many ways to help his saints. Satan suggests to our minds as he did with Eve (Gen. 3:1•5) that God is not really being good to us, or treating us right and we listen to him and fail our Lord and fall. We do well to take our verse to heart.

"The LORD is my rock," he is the one that we as saints have shelter and safety in, he is our supply, support and security. Psalm 61:2 tells us," ... when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." He is our fortress; as I Peter 1:5 tells us, "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

He is my deliverer out of all distress, grief, and temptations. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (I Cor. 10:13). My God; the almighty, who upholds and strengthens by the power of his might.

My Strength, in whom I trust; as Job 13:15 says, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him." Even though Job was under very hard and distressing circumstances he trusted in his God.

He is our buckler, or shield to protect us from the wicked one and the"... fiery darts of the wicked." (Eph. 6:16). He is the horn of my salvation. The horn speaks of strength. Christ is a mighty and able Saviour, "And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David" (Lk. 1:69).

Lastly, he is my high tower. Psalm 18:10 says,".... the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." In II Sam. 22:3 we are told that he is,".... my high tower, my refuge, my Saviour; thou savest me from violence." We have fullness of safety in the Lord, safety in trouble or through trouble, or out of trouble; the Lord is there with us.

Psalm 18:2 is one of those verses we need to underline in our Bibles, put it to memory, and think and meditate upon it when those difficult times come into our lives.

I would like to encourage you to consider the word shepherd this week. Probably you, who are reading these words, know the 23rd Psalm by heart. But, I also know sometimes those words we know the best are also the same words we tend to take for granted, or fail to stop and really realize and contemplate their significance and importance.

First, the word shepherd teaches me that He is the one who leads, and not me, I am only a lamb to be led, but not to lead. A sheep finds itself in trouble when it thinks it knows a better way than the shepherd. That grass over yonder may look greener, but there is also unseen danger; parasites, a wolf’s den, a robber's hideout, unseen by the unwary sheep, but known by the shepherd. So even though the path in which He leads me today seems a little rough (or very rough) He knows best, for it leads to a better end. The LORD is the Shepherd, He must be allowed to do the leading.

As a Shepherd, He has the right to decide where to lead. He leads where He pleases. Although I know this time of physical difficulty was coming my way (if I did not suffer a fatal heart attack) and I felt in my heart it would be this year (2007), it was all according to his exact timing, and it happened I believe at just the right time. He led as it pleased Him.

We need to understand also, the shepherd goes before the sheep. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (Jn. l0:27). Submission is our duty, and we are not to question our commander. The journey may be long and tiresome, it may be rocky and hard, it may lead through the smooth valleys, but He will lead us to a glorious end. All paths in which He leads will lead to glory and immortality.

So let us put full trust in our shepherd, having perfect confidence, trust, assurance, even joy in adversity, that He is faithful and will never forsake. Are we not able to face all that comes our way, when we have the Good Shepherd at our side, guiding each step we take, while protecting us from our foes? So whether it's the den of lions, the fiery furnace, or the success of a battle well fought, may we always remember, it is He who is our shepherd and therefore it is He who we must allow to guide us every step of the way.

Can certain truths and verses and chapters in the Bible become old to us? Can a verse, such as John 3:16, because it is possibly the most memorized verse in the entire Bible, become common and we believe we know it and therefore there is nothing there for us anymore? This past week God impressed upon my heart my sin of taking truths for granted and thinking there is nothing new for me in them, particularly that " .... God is love" (I Jn. 4:8, 16) or to put it even more simple, Jesus loves me. I found myself thinking of the simplicity of that truth and yet I found it to be so very profound.

We think that the hymn," Jesus Loves Me" is a child's hymn or song, but why? I have found the last few days that simple truth to be very profound in my life. God is love, God so loved, Jesus loves me! Is that only for children? No, a thousand times no! It breaks my heart to think that I took that truth to be just common, with the attitude that, Oh; I know that, without really thinking it out in my mind. Jesus loves me! No matter what I do, say, or how I act, Jesus loves me! Oh the security of those three little words. I do not deserve that love, I cannot earn it, and it is entirely of grace, that Jesus loves me, God is love.

The reason I gave to you the verses to read before reading this devotional, was to spark your interest in those things you have no doubt memorized or heard all of your life and they have become common and we have the attitude that we can learn nothing more from them, or even the thought goes through our minds, I know all that. Shame on us if we allow familiarity of certain parts of the Bible to rob us of the joy of reading, studying and meditating upon them again, and again, and again.

I have heard many times people telling me the reason they do not read the Bible is because they do not understand it. To those people I ask, just explain to me if you would, why there is nothing in the verses I have listed in the Scripture reading that you can understand? We who believe we are so much advanced over our ancestors of the past century and yet we can't understand some simple Bible verses? There is enough in these few verses to keep you thinking and enjoying for weeks and months to come. I am sure that God will lead you to other verses.

As we begin this new year, may we strive with all our being, not to allow Scripture to become old to us. Go today with this musical and Biblical tune ringing in your hearts: ".... yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so."

As we look at the world, or earth today, we might say, "who would want it?" Man has destroyed the earth, or is now destroying the earth. We have polluted it and wasted its resources. Now do not misunderstand me. I am not a tree hugger, or an environmentalist that wants every plant protected from harvest or every animal set free and no animal hunted, or no fish caught, but we do have a responsibility as Christians to care for, and not destroy the earth we live upon.

But there is more than just the physical beauty (and there is much) or the enjoyment we should receive from nature itself, but there is also the moral and spiritual side in which man is destroying. How many really live a moral life as based upon the Word of God? How many are the acts of wickedness and evil exemplified each day, which would be part of our inheritance of this world if someone would not change that and overcome the evil of man and of Satan? Look into the faces and eyes of many, and do you not see a lostness, a deadness, a hopelessness there? Who wants to inherit this world? Who would want it?

Well, praise the LORD, The earth is the LORD'S. He created it and then when man to whom God had given dominion of the earth (Genesis 1:26-28) gave it over to Satan, but our Lord Jesus Christ bought it back on Calvary with His own blood. He has not taken control or possession of His property yet, but when He does so, it will be completely remade (Rev. 21, 22). I do not know about you, but I am looking forward to that day.

Revelation five speaks of the beginning of the reclamation of what is rightfully the Lord's and also as God's children, rightfully ours. We are heirs together with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16-21).

So, back to our text in Psalm 24. We can be assured it is our Lord's. We speak of living in heaven forever, and how He is building a mansion for us there. Well, he certainly is building us a dwelling place (John 14), but not a twenty or thirty-room mansion you may dream about (why would one person need such a huge place? He is building for me a honeymoon cottage there and I will be enjoying both the heavens and the new earth forever! After all, my husband to be (Jesus Christ) will be ruling over this earth and the Jewish nation from the new Jerusalem, why would I want to stay exclusively behind in heaven? I want to be with my Lord and Saviour, my husband!

But who will inherit this place? Psalm 24:3, 4 "... He that hath clean hands and a pure heart ...." Do You?

In Psalm 26 we see the believers walk with the LORD. It will be a walk of righteousness. Failure? Yes, no doubt. Sin? Most definitely, but our walk, our practice, our lifestyle, will be that of righteousness. It will not be our habit, or the usual for us to sin. David said, "... I have walked in mine integrity...." We might say, "Whoa, wait a minute, back up the truck, was it not David who committed adultery, and then murder, yet he says he is righteous and lives righteously."

What might be said is true, but overall, David lived a godly, righteous life. All Kings of Judah were compared to him as to his righteousness, and they did not come up to his standard. David stood apart; he was willing to stand corrected. David's sin was heinous, but it was like a lump of coal on new fallen snow. He had a walk of righteousness. He had a deep trust in God. I am not writing this to give anyone an excuse when they sin, or to say, well I mostly live right, no, not by any means. But what I want us to understand a believer, although capable of the worst of sins will be ready to confess and forsake, and continue living for the Lord. A pretend Christian lives for the Lord for a while; or at least it looks that way, but soon we begin to see more and more sins in that persons' life and we understand, here is an individual who is an unbeliever rather than a believer.

What makes the difference? The believers life is a life of trust (vs. 1). A little boy, during a program at church was to sing, "Trust and Obey" but he misunderstood the words and he sang: "Trust and OK" Well, he got it wrong, but he was right. Trust and it will be OK. The middle verse in the Bible is Psalm 118:8, and it says, "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Just some trivia. The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117, the longest is Psalm 119, with 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after Psalm 118. If you add these numbers, you get 1188; Psalm 118:8. God is the center of the Bible! If man will just trust in Him, and the true Christian will have a lifetime of trust.

Secondly, the Christian is careful of the company he or she keeps (vss. 4, 5). You cannot live with hogs and expect to stay clean. If you walk with Satan's crowd, your Christian walk has as much of a chance to prosper as a snowflake on a hot stove. Far too many fail because we stand around, or stay around temptation. Do not be like the little boy, who when told he could not have a cookie, stood gazing at the cookie jar. When asked what he was doing he said, "resisting temptation." There are places and people you need to stay away from.

Third (vss. 6, 7) keep a close account with the Lord. You cannot confess your sins too soon, for we know not how soon it will be too late.

We are not a nation of waiters. We want things now. We speed through yellow caution lights because we do not want to wait through the red light. We push and shove to get in front of the line, because we do not want to wait. We push the speedometer to 60, 70 or 80, because we are in a hurry, and we get there five minutes quicker. We fuss and fume because someone in front of us is going so slow (at least I often do). But as we consider these things, they are all sinful. The Bible tells us often, wait.

"Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee" (Ps. 25:21), "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way ...." (Ps. 37:7). "For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth" (Ps.37:9). Does not the Lord make the wait worth it? Psalm 59:9 tells us,"... I will wait upon thee: for God is my defense."

The word wait carries in it the fact that it is to be with expectation, or a looking forward with hope and expectation, especially of what the Lord is going to do and bring to pass. "I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope" (Ps.130:5).

Our position is to wait, our outlook is to be of good courage, our support in this is the Lord, and we must persevere in this as the Psalmist tells us twice in our text, wait. To be sure, the Psalmist is not telling us to just put your feet up, take your rest and do nothing, let God do and provide, but instead as we are busy in our service, and maybe seeing no headway, wait on the LORD, and he will bring his will to pass.

As we plant our gardens, we must wait for the fruit, and only God can cause our gardens to produce. But we also realize, we have the responsibility to prepare the ground, to plant the seed, to till the soil, or pull the weeds, but we wait upon him for the good results. We must also do the same in our spirit. Noah obeyed the Lord in building the ark, but he had to wait on the Lord for the flood, and the drying of the earth after the flood. The church is instructed to go and teach all nations, but we must wait on the Lord for the results. Jesus reminded his disciples (and us) in John 15:5, "... for without me ye can do nothing." So whether it be in good times, or bad, in fruitful times, or times of drought, in sickness or health, we continue doing those things he has called us to, and we wait on Him to bring to pass his will in it all. I must be faithful, but truly the results must be left up to Him.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint" (Isa. 40:31). See, when we wait upon Him we do not lose energy on senseless worry.

Psalm 30 is a song of praise and testimony of what God had done for the Psalmist in lifting him up when he was down (vs. 1) and his enemies were not able to have victory over him. The Lord had healed him it seems when he was near death (30:2, 3), so David praises God.

However, in the midst of this Psalm he also speaks of his own foolishness beforehand when things were going well. He found himself depending on his own prosperity rather than trusting in God. He speaks of his arrogance and his trusting in self, rather than trusting in the Lord. Deut. 8:11-20 warns Israel of this very sin. They were warned that when they were prosperous, when things were going well, and they began to think that they had gotten their wealth by the works of their hands, they were reminded that it is God that giveth the power to get wealth. By becoming proud in what they thought they had done, they forgot God. David realized that at one time, he had done the same thing and he realized he was acting the same as God's enemies.

In Psalm 10, quoting God's enemies, the Psalmist writes in verse 6, "He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity." David had that same attitude at one time before the writing of Psalm 30, he was prosperous," ... I shall never be moved."

Having said all this, let me now say, possibly one of the most dangerous places we can be is in the place of peace, prosperity and safety. For in such a situation, we forget that our Lord is the one who has brought us there, and we forget God and depend on our prosperity. Maybe we are now seeing the results of that kind of thinking in America today. Just because we are prosperous today, there is no promise for prosperity tomorrow. Success can be intoxicating, causing us to forget who gave us the strength to be that success, and we become fools, thinking it is all up to us.

God may very well be working in someone today to cause you to wake up in these days of uncertainty, and to realize, prosperity of life must not be trusted in, that we can never fail or fall (remember, it was said of Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae that they were too big to fail). We must be certain that we are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ who made us prosperous and not in the prosperity itself. Then we can say as Paul, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Phil. 4:11) or Heb. 13:5, where he says: "Let your conversation (life style) be without covetousness: and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Two little words in our text, found some 218 times in the Scripture are very important words. They change everything. They are just two simple words, but mean so much. What are the two words that I am speaking of? The words "but I."

In verse four of Psalm 31 we read that David's enemies laid a trap for him. In verses seven through nine he states he is in trouble. In verse ten he says his strength faileth and in verse eleven, that he was a reproach. Verse twelve tells us that he was “Forgotten as a deadman .... I am like a broken vessel." In verse thirteen his enemies are trying to kill him. We sure don't see a very happy picture do we? Things look very bad. There does not seem to be much hope. It all changes in verse fourteen, and the Psalmist begins with the words: "But I ...."

So many things are against David. Instead of him dwelling on all the negatives, he begins to look at the positives. Take note of the following verses. Verse fourteen, " but I trusted in thee .... Thou art my God." Verse nineteen, "O how great is thou goodness ...." Verse twenty-one, "Blessed be the LORD: for He hath showed me his marvelous kindness .... " and verse twenty-three says, " ... the LORD preserveth the faithful ...." David finishes this Psalm with verse twenty-four: "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD."

The next time you are facing obstacles, you are tried, possibly suffering rebukes and your enemies seem to have the upper hand, perhaps you might say as David, "... but I trust in Thee." Those two words should make all the difference in the world. "I feel so forsaken, so lonely, but I know God said he would never leave me nor forsake me" (Heb. 13:5). "I don't know what I'm going to do, I have so many needs and problems, but I know he has told me to cast all my care upon Him for he careth for me" (I Peter 5:7).

Friends, we must not dwell on the negative, but look to our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him we have all the hope in the world.

Israel, of course, was that chosen nation, but very often they turned from Him and He had to bring curses upon them rather than blessings. We are not a chosen nation as Israel, but the LORD was followed, and His Word was used and adhered too much more in our past. We have now turned our back on God and have utterly forsaken His way and His word and we are experiencing God's withdrawal of blessings and protection.

All who put their confidence and their very lives in God's hands through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will indeed be blessed of God. Those who refuse to do so and turn their backs to Him and His Word will not be blessed but receive judgement, and we are certainly seeing that in the days we live. It is stressed by many that our largest problem we have in America at this time is our economy. It is not. Our largest problem is our morals. We have forsaken God. Capitalism without morals is wickedness.

Let's just apply this verse, not to a nation, but to the individual. An individual, who has chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his God, is and will be blessed. A man may choose the riches of this world, the prestige of high office, the power of position, or the popularity of the multitudes, but if he has forsaken the Lord, he cannot be blessed, but only curses await him. He may have success, but it will be fleeting, he will not hold onto it, he will soon perish.

Man seeks blessings, or happiness and fulfilment in all the wrong places. "Of the Rock that begat thee thou are unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them .... and said I will hide my face from them" (Deut. 32:18-20). Happiness is not found in circumstances, people, or things, but in the Lord, in holiness and obedience. "Blessed are the poor in spirit .... blessed are they that mourn .... Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness .... blessed are the pure in heart .... Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake .... Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you and shall say all manner, of evil against you falsely, for my sake" (Matt. 5). We seek the wrong things for blessings and happiness.

So, back to our text verse. Our nation has turned its back on God. We see evil all around us, even, sad to say, in our churches. Evil is what takes place when God is left out. Evil basically is the absence of God. Evil is not something in itself, but it is instead the absence of something. That something, or someone is God. God is pure, and God is light. Evil cannot exist where there is God. But we have turned our backs to God and have thrown him out of our lives and so evil exists and grows stronger and our nation is cursed, rather then blessed and lives are destroyed. What do you need to do today to once again enjoy the blessing of God?

The week before we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection, we celebrate the entry of Jesus Christ as he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. A day in which He presents himself as king to Israel. A day which the crowds cry out and praise Him as the Son of David, as their king, as the one who came in the name of the Lord (Matt. 21:5-11).

The triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the temple would have been something to see and hear. The temple area consisted of 33 acres. At this particular time of year (during Passover) there would have been more than 200,000 (some say as many as two million) pilgrims visiting Jerusalem or the temple for the Passover. Can you imagine the size of the crowd which was crying out, "Hosanna, Blessed is He, who comes in the name of the Lord?" Can you imagine the sheer magnitude and noise of it all? Such acclamation, such glory, such praise, such adoration, yet in spite of it all, Jesus wept as He looked over Jerusalem.

This week is called "Passion Week," so called because in Latin the word "passion" means suffering, and it was a week of suffering, culminating in the crucifixion.

But why on this day, the day Christ was recognized, the day he rode triumphantly, why did he weep? Even with all the shouts of praise and worship, Jesus knew they had rejected and would reject Him, which came to pass a few days later when the crowds cried out, "crucify Him, crucify Him." Jesus also knew that in a few years the beautiful temple would be destroyed and the Jewish nation would be scattered. Scattered not to return for about 1900 years, because of their sin and rejection of Him as their Messiah.

Today is an exciting time if you follow the news from Israel and the Middle East. It sure looks as though it will not be too long before Christ rides triumphantly into Jerusalem once again, but this time he will be on a horse, and he will put down His enemies and will sit on David's throne and rule with a rod of iron. What a day that will be!

The world seeks psychiatry, psychology, medicine, drugs, and alcohol. What they need is a taste of the LORD. The Psalmist tells us to "... taste and see ....” and you will find, "... the Lord is good ...." You know, I find that just smelling food is not enough, just seeing it is not enough, I must taste and partake of it before it does me any good. So it is with our Lord. We need to be in His Word, partaking of it, before we are helped and nourished. The unbeliever tries all the world has to offer, but he goes away hungry and unsatisfied. God has everything mankind looks for, but he looks everywhere else and goes hungry.

Heaven and earth abound in the goodness of God, "... open thy mouth wide and I will fill it" (Ps. 81:10). A life of faith finds hope, joy, fullness, completeness, and all sufficiency in all that God has supplied. The unbeliever is constantly searching to appease his appetite, but that which is carnal cannot satisfy.

The latter part of our above text says, "... there is no want to them that fear him." The word "want" could be translated, lack, decreases, or have a need. Did not God promise us"... my God shall supply all your need ...." (Phil. 4:19)? That does not just include financial or physical, but whatever need, you have, you will not lack as you fear (reverence, honor) Him. The Lord may not give luxuries (sometimes he does) but His promise' s bind Him to supply the necessities. "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread" (Psalm 37:25) written by David in a Psalm of confidence in God.

Verse ten of Psalm 34, sums it all up: "... they that seek the LORD shall not want (lack) any good thing."