“The Word of God Stands Forever”

The title of my writing this morning comes directly from my English Standard Version (ESV) Bible. Three verses in Isaiah to denote the eternity of the LORD.

“⁶A voice says, “Cry!”

And I said, “What shall I cry?”

All flesh is grass,

and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

⁷The grass withers, the flower fades

when the breath of the Lord blows on it;

surely the people are grass.

⁸The grass withers, the flower fades,

but the word of our God will stand forever.”

— Isaiah 40:6-8 (ESV)

No matter the beauty that comes from or that is you and me, the LORD will be more. What I see in the verses are beautiful meadows of soft green grass. There are flowers standing just above the grass to bring color and even more beauty to the eye. I imagine seeing cars stopped on the side of the road with moms, dads, and children in this field taking family photos together and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is being displayed.

Yet, this is only during a small window of time and then it is gone. Withered by the weather and the new season that has come. The green grass is now a shade of brown or withered away altogether. The flowers have lost their petals and turned to nothing. Gone from the eye to see and body to experience. It has move on to the next season and is just a memory caught in the mind or in the photos taken.

Although all of the beauty that is the meadow of grass and flowers is gone, there is one that is always there regardless of the season. There is one standing tall for all to experience. That is our LORD. His Word is always before us and guides the current and next season. Just as I am in His word this morning I am to be in His Word every morning. From God’s Word I will find the beauty that is constant and forever. His Word never fades and never turns. The Word of the LORD is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and I can stand high on its strength and beauty.

Too often we find ourselves looking other places when what is found in our eyes fade away. We tend to focus on that beauty in our eyes and miss the beauty in our hearts. The beauty of God’s Word, never withers and fades and is always and forever standing tall in our heart.

Where are you turning your eyes? Are you looking to the grass and flowers expecting them to be there always? What if you were to turn to your heart instead to find the beauty in the Word of God, as it is there always and forever?

Be Firm in Your Faith

This morning I was brought again to a passage that I have been through several times (definitely from the LORD). In my morning prayer, as I have said and continue to say, I as the LORD to bring me to the place and share with me that which I need in the moment, and this morning again He demonstrated His faithfulness to me.

The below, up to the questions at the end, are from January of 2017, and as I read and studied this morning, I thought I would post here. The LORD gave me what I needed this morning, to remember to ask for what we need and know that He will provide.

“¹¹Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” – Isaiah 7:11 (ESV)

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“⁹…If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” – Isaiah 7:9 (ESV)

I know that I struggle each day with staying true to God. With all that goes on in our lives, it is natural for us as human to look to ourselves to solve. I admit that it is difficult to trust that God has control and has a plan for everything, especially considering that we cannot “see” him. But isn’t that exactly what faith is, “firm belief in something for which there is no proof”, Merriam-Webster.

I am reminded every morning that I sit down and read/study the Word of God that he is indeed there. God has given us the answers to each of the struggles, situations, trials, and questions that arise each day. We must stand with him and he will answer (remember though, we must be prepared to look deeper as the answer we receive may not, and is likely not what we expect).

“²⁰Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” – 2 Chronicles 20:20 (ESV)

Where do you stand in your faith? Are you only there when you are in need? What if you were to be faithful in all things and stood firm in your faith, knowing that God will do what He says He will do and is who He says He is?

The Wise Will Keep it Simple and Quiet

Thank you LORD for again giving me your Word for learning and understanding. You challenge me to think and to work through things for mine and other’s benefit.

I was lead to Ecclesiastes this morning to be reminded and taught of what it means to be wise. I began my reading a little confused until I went back about 10 verses and read through the passage a number of times.

Wisdom is understanding over time and through experience. There is no need to continually announce your knowledge to the world. It is important to speak truth and pass on to others that which is known, yet, there is no need to shout nor is there need to complicate things.

“¹⁵But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.” “¹⁷The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”

“¹²The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor,

but the lips of a fool consume him.”

“¹⁴A fool multiplies words,

though no man knows what is to be,

and who can tell him what will be after him?” – Ecclesiastes 9:15, 17 & 10:12, 14 (ESV)

In the verses above I found what the LORD had for me today. I have been struggling lately with what seems to be people not listening or taking my experience seriously in my work. I seem to be ignored with what I share and it tends to wear on me as I doubt my worth in my role. What the LORD had for me today is that I do have worth thanks to the saving grace provided by Him. My role is to give the information that I know and allow others to use it where they will. I have to be more like the “poor, wise man” and work to deliver the city, yet not concern myself with whether or not someone remembers me.

Wisdom is to be shared, but as noted in the verses above, it is given and then let to sit. I have to remember that being loud, is not getting it done, as when someone does not want to hear, it does not matter the volume. Loud words to the deaf are just noise that mean nothing. I have to remember to give my information and allow others to search themselves to find the need for it and come to me when more is desired.

I also have to remember that there is no need to go into prolonged detail. As the old saying goes, “K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Silly”. Give the information in the way that others can and will learn from it, all others. Keep the words few. Why use 10 words when 5 will do just fine.

I ask the LORD daily for discernment in my bible study and for the Him to reveal to me that which He has for me. This morning He did just that. I am to be content in the wisdom He has given me. I am to share it quietly and simply for all to have the opportunity to benefit. I cannot be concerned with recognition in this world, as my reward is in heaven.

How are you working with what you know? Are you shouting it from the rooftops and using many words? What if you were to give to others quietly and keep it simple and then letting it sit?

Concern Yourself with Good

This morning as usual, I read the entire chapter or full titled section to gain context for my study. I found it more challenging this morning as I read through Proverbs 24 as I was looking for the context and not just allowing the verse/stanza to speak for itself.

“¹⁹Fret not yourself because of evildoers,

and be not envious of the wicked,

²⁰for the evil man has no future;

the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

— Proverbs 24:19-20 (ESV)

The above is where I was led this morning for my Bible Study. Proverbs is always a good and interesting place for me be. It is really, in my view, a collection of what to do and what to stay away from. Even the introduction in my ESV Bible indicates that it is a “collection of Israelite wisdom literature”. The verses and stanzas can stand by themselves in a lot of cases.

I am to concern myself with good and know that evil and wickedness will be taken care of by the LORD. When I am presented with evil and wicked, I am to move on and turn to good with my attention and focus. Yes, there is a time for me to work to overcome darkness with the light of the LORD. He will give me those opportunities as I seek to do the Will of the LORD. But, I am also to remember that if/when the LORD is not accepted, I am to move on.

“¹⁴And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. ¹⁵Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” – Matthew 10:14-15 (ESV)

There is no kingdom gain from the continued concern with the evil and wicked. I will only waste away as I try to change them as after all, I cannot, only the LORD can. I plant seeds of the LORD and then He takes over to grow in the heart. Once I have completed my work, I am to move on to the next.

Yes, I can and should continue to pray that God’s Will be done in the heart of the evil and wicked. I am to ask that the LORD continue to do His work. But, I am to move on and not concern myself with more work, once my work is done. I am to move on to the good and devote my concern there.

So, as noted in verse 19 from Proverbs 24 above, I have to “fret not” with regard to that of the evildoers and the wicked. I have to move on to the good and do the work the LORD has for me.

What is your thought on interactions with the evil and wicked? Are you pouring and concerning all of yourself into them? What if you were to plant the seed and then move on to the next good, allowing the LORD to grow the seed?

Steer Clear of Revenge

This morning my study of the word “will” continues and I am lead to Proverbs 20 where I find a quick verse related to what I believe is revenge and the need to avoid.

“²²Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’;

wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”

— Proverbs 20:22 (ESV)

The thing is that there is also that when wrong is committed against one, their should be justice in kind. Isn’t this a bit of conflicting information found in God’s Word?

“²³But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, ²⁴eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” – Exodus 21:23-25

NO it is not. You see, the in kind justice is just that, justice. In the time of Exodus, the justice was delivered through the justice system of the time. Just as it is today in this world. Justice is delivered through out court systems and following the strict laws of man accordingly.

When I am looking at the verse from Proverbs, I see justice to be carried out by the judge, God. I have to look back at realities that I am not to judge and that I am to leave that up to the LORD to take care. Whether or not someone committed evil against me is not for me to retaliate. I am to give such things to the LORD and give Him glory and honor, knowing and understanding that He will deal with the evil.

Here is the rub that, when I look inward, really gets me through this process of giving things to the LORD for His justice to be delivered. Not only was I wronged by evil and the evil action done to me, but I got my feelings hurt and want an irrational response to get back at the evil. I want to have the evil repaid with evil that was done to me. I want revenge or to avenge. I am not in the mood to wait for the LORD to take action over the course of time, and maybe even after I am long gone. I felt pain and I want to witness the pain inflicted back.

But, I have to remember that the LORD has a plan and my timing is not in line with His. He had a reason to allow the evil to impact me. He has a plan to deal with the evil. He is the judge and will deliver the justice that is deserved and that is in line with His plan. I am to give it all to Him and allow Him to deliver the justice that is due. I have to remember that it is His wrath that I have been saved from and that sin (evil done to me) will feel the weight of His wrath in the end.

Yes, I know that the pain of the evil done will affect the way I think, but I am to steer clear of revenge and love. I am to display love and give the delivery of justice to the LORD and allow Him to do so in His way and in His time. He will deliver me from the pain and fill me with His glory to be shown to the world.

What is your approach when you experience evil done to you? Do you go to the seeking revenge? What if you opened your heart and allowed love out, turning things over to God so that He can deliver the justice according to His plan?

Wisdom, Get Her and Keep Her

“⁷The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,

and whatever you get, get insight.

⁸Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.”

— Proverbs 4:7-8 (ESV)

This morning I was reminded that wisdom is referred to as her, and for good reason. As men we are to love our wives as Christ loved the church. We are to get her and love her and devote to her fully and completely and solely. And when we do, we will grow together more and more devoted to one another. As the man or husband we are to leave our families to be with her as our family. Devotion to her in this manner is immense and as a husband of 28 years, I would have it no other way.

Before my devotion to her, I had to first get her. With wisdom, it is no different. I have to first get her and then I can devote to her. I have to seek her out and strive to know her and once I do, I will devote to her and grow. I will gain more of her each day with my devotion to her.

There is a saying, “Getting to number one is the easy part, staying there is where things get hard”. The same can be said for wisdom. I am concerned that we are currently in a world where information is so readily available, that we are mistaking it for knowledge and wisdom. I am not sure that we are seeking to really know things and are resting on the idea that we find the information we were looking for and then “forget” it as we move on to the next thing. This is the “getting to number one…” easy part and are only reaching the pinnacle and then falling back down.

I have to remember to place value in “staying” number one. I have to devote to wisdom and not just gain information. I have to dig in and care for what I learn. I have to commit to it. I have to cultivate it. I have to cherish it. Wisdom is her.

I see the parallel to Lori. I see that I have devoted to Lori. I dig in a care for Lori. I committed to Lori. I cultivated with Lori. I cherish Lori. These are the ways I keep Lori and not just get her. And the same goes for wisdom. All of these are the way to keep her and not just get her.

What are you doing to get wisdom? Are you only focused on getting her? What if you first get her and then devote to, care for, cultivate with, and cherish wisdom to keep her?

Worth in All

There is worth in all. Yes, all. As a follower of Christ, it is up to me to find the worth and bring that out.

I know, how can I say that there is worth in all when there is clearly evil in the world? I am not going to argue only explain what I mean, provide evidence in God’s Word to back it up.

“³I will not set before my eyes

anything that is worthless.

I hate the work of those who fall away;

it shall not cling to me.”

— Psalm 101:3 (ESV)

First, let’s take a look here at what David says. He says that he will not look upon thing that are worthless and that he hates the “work”. Notice that he is not speaking of the person, only the things. So as we consider the worthless, it is derived from the things, not the people. Man is precious. He is the greatest creation of God.

“²⁶Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” “³¹And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:26&31 (ESV)

Man was created by God, not just to be in existence, but to be the top of the chain, to “have dominion” over all else on the earth. And not only was man created, but he was created in the image of God and upon completion, God recognized him as “very good” not just good as with all else.

David saw that things may be worthless and that they can and should be put away as when identified. I see this as the looking on as there is value there. Worth is there somewhere as we look. At minimum, there is worth in the person from the perspective that man is precious in the eyes of the LORD and there is worth in the person.

I know what you are thinking, what about those who are evil, even just a couple verses down in Psalm, there is reference to destruction of slanderers and others. Well, to that I will say, there should always be the first response to save the person through the power of the LORD and His Word. And it is realized that they will not come around, then adverse action is taken. But, that does not mean there I not worth there. Doing away with the evil is not doing away with the person. We give it all we have and then, and only then, we move on to remove from our eyes and allow the LORD to deal with them in His way.

“¹⁴And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. ¹⁵Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” – Matthew 10:14-15 (ESV)

It is not up to me to judge. I am to look and work to find the worth in all. Know that there is worth in all. I should separate the man from the action and at look closely to find the worth as it is there. Remembering that the LORD created man as His pinnacle creation and therefore there is always worth to be found.

What is you view of worth in all? Are you lumping all things together and taking action as though they are all together? What if you were to look for the worth in all and recognized that it is there and that the LORD will take action otherwise?

Wait on and Trust in God Only

I am human and a man and therefor I believe it is my responsibility to make things better. I am in control of things and by my work I am the thing that gets me and us through things that happen to get in the way. Well, as I child of God, I have to remember that it is really He that does such and I have to wait on and trust in Him only.

“¹For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

²He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

“⁸Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us.”

— Psalm 62:1-2&8 (ESV)

God is my refuge and my redeemer. I have to remember these things. I have to do the work that He has for me, yes. But, it is just that, the work He has for me that he prepared ahead of time. The work He has for me is for my good.

“¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

I have to wait on God to give me the direction for that work and trust that it is enough for me. Yes, there will be things that distract me, like riches and things and places. God will provide that which I need and not those things of distraction. I have to stay focused on Him and the work and things He has for me and know that is enough.

“¹⁰Put no trust in extortion;

set no vain hopes on robbery;

if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

¹¹Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this:

that power belongs to God,

¹²and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his work.”

— Psalm 62:10-12 (ESV)

When reading verse 12 above, it would appear that it is through works that we gain from God. But we have to look at where those works come from, Him. It is not the works that lead to our gain, it is because of our gain that we complete the works of the LORD. We have the works thanks to Him and those works are tailored specifically for each of us. And that is where the waiting and trusting come in. I have to wait on God to provide me the works He has for me and then trust in Him that these works will be enough for His glory to shine brightly for the world to see.

What is your view of waiting on and trusting in God? Are you anxious and looking to do things on your own? What if you were to wait on Him and trust that He will provide that which you are in need of to bring glory to Him?

Praise Him, He Protects You Always

That the LORD protects me is not something new or finally discovered. Yet, it is something that is often forgotten. I am aware that the LORD protects me from my enemies and the destruction that would come from them. I know that He is there with me always. But I do forget that always means always.

“⁴My soul is in the midst of lions;

I lie down amid fiery beasts—

the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

whose tongues are sharp swords.”

“⁶They set a net for my steps;

my soul was bowed down.

They dug a pit in my way,

but they have fallen into it themselves.”

— Psalm 57:4&6 (ESV)

Above we see that whether sleeping or awake, the enemy is all around me. They are ready and waiting to devour me, yet regardless of the situation I am in at the time, the LORD is with me and He is protecting me. And this is where I have to remember to praise Him for His protection.

“5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!”

“9I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations.”

— Psalm 57:5&9 (ESV)

It is a simple thing that we are delivered and then give thanks for that delivery. The thing is we are being delivered always and for that I have to remember to sing praise to the LORD for that delivery. Whether I am asleep or awake, the evil one is after me and he is looking to destroy me. The LORD is my protector in all those times and will not allow anything to happen to me that is not in accordance with His plan. My delivery from the evil one is a constant. It is always occurring, even when I am unaware. I must give praise to the LORD for He is protecting me.

Where are you giving your praise? Are you praising only in those times when known dangers are there and you are delivered? What if you were to realize that the LORD is always delivering you whether the danger is known to you or not?

Teach so They Return

I am reading in Psalms again this morning, chapter 51. As I look at my bible, I have been in this chapter a lot over the years. It is no wonder why, the title of the Psalm is “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God”. Although this morning it is not about me as I have been reminded.

Yes, I look to the LORD for guidance in my life that I might live a life pleasing to Him. I take action to do the work that He has assigned for me. Not for my glory but His.

“¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

And those works are to lead to others growth and learning and lead them to or back to the LORD. Those works are just that, works, not just actions. Righteous actions are important, but those actions are between the LORD and me and do little for the advancement of the gospel in their own right.

“¹⁶For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.”

— Psalm 51:16 (ESV)

The action of sacrifice or burning offerings to the LORD are for me and for others to see in me. I am to demonstrate proper action with the LORD and my faith. But I am also to do the work of Christ and that work is to spread the gospel to those I interact.

“¹³Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.”

— Psalm 51:13 (ESV)

I have to teach as Jesus did. I have to guide others in the Word of the LORD. When I do, those will have the opportunity to come to and/or return to the LORD. They need to be led back to the LORD who they have wandered away from They need to see in me that it is okay to be with and about Him. It is acceptable to worship the LORD. It is where they belong and that the LORD wants them there for His glory. The LORD wants to be there for them. The LORD wants to the relationship with them. The LORD is grateful for their return to Him.

I forget on the regular that my role is to teach. Whether in my role at my worldly job, or in the work I perform for the LORD. I am to teach. I am to give to others that which will benefit them. I also have to remember that I cannot make them accept that which I bring to them. My role is to teach them and then encourage them to accept and use that which they have learned. With the LORD that is no different. I am to teach so that the Word of the LORD reaches. I am to encourage the exploration and continued learning of the Word of the LORD. I am to lead them to the LORD and turn them over to Him to work on their heart. I am to teach them so they have the opportunity to come to Him.

What is your role with the LORD? Are you the constant recipient and are you just taking on actions for yourself? What if you leaned into the work you are called to do and teach so that the sinners will return to the LORD?