I Kings 3 - Solomon's Great Wisdom

I Kings 3

When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king; for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. (verse 28)

Message: Solomon's Great Wisdom

Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah. 

What the Lord is Saying: Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter signifies a political alliance to secure peace and strengthen ties between Israel and Egypt. However, Deuteronomy 7:3-4 states to not intermarry for the Lord's anger will burn against you. Solomon would eventually have 700 wives and those wives would turn his heart to other gods, not making wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord. What started with one wife multiplied into many wives and many problems. 

He brings this wife to the city of David (Jerusalem), The Israelites adopted from the Canaanites high places for sacrifice. David loved the Lord and walked in the way of his father David, but he also used the high places (not optimal). Solomon offered burnt offerings at Gibeon. Burnt offerings were a form of sacrifice that symbolized atonement and dedication to God, as the entire animal was consumed by fire. God wants to bless Solomon and in his dream he hears God say, "Ask and it will be given to you." Solomon responses by speaking to God, acknowledging God's steadfast love and kindness towards David, his father. David's life, though marked by sin, was characterized by a sincere commitment to God. God's faithfulness to His promises is evident in Solomon's ascension to the throne. Solomon recognizes that his kingship is not by his own doing but by divine appointment. God assures David that his lineage will continue to rule. But Solomon sees himself as inadequate. Abraham's descendants were promised to be too numerous to count (Genesis 22:17). Solomon wraps up his prayer by asking God to "judge Your people to discern good and evil." In essence Solomon's request to God is that he would be led to differentiation right and wrong. Solomon has a great responsibility and He asks God for help in this. Should all kings and people offer this same prayer it would be great for all. 

God is pleased with Solomon for Solomon doesn't ask for riches or long life or that his enemies would be conquered, but instead he asks something sort of unselfish, discernment for the decisions he is to make as king. God grants this request and "I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you." But then he also gives him more. We are to seek God and His ways and let God bestow on us riches and honor in His timing. 

In addition to burnt offerings, he also offerings peace offerings which symbolize gratitude and fellowship. 

This he has an opportunity to display this discernment when two women come to him, two harlots with each having a child, but one child dies while the other lives but the women do not know which child belong to whom and asks Solomon for their help. Solomon says he will split the child in two but the woman who knows it is his child comes forward to say “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” When Solomon sees the one that isn't willing for harm to come to the child then he knows the real mother. Thus Solomon has God-given wisdom. 

Note: This chapter is echoed in 2 Chronicles 1. 

Summary: Solomon begins to intermarry from other nations, then prays to God that He would give him discernment in making decisions and is given practice in this between two harlots and their babies. 

Promise: God desires to give wisdom to not only Kings but to all. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for giving people discernment, giving me discernment between right and wrong. We so badly still need this today. Even as we read headlines in society it seems there is difficulty in life in understanding what is right and what is wrong. There is confusion in people. I pray that we would look to you for discernment. I look to you. Most of the time I feel like I know what is the right thing to do and often I choose selfishness or personal entertainment rather than working hard. I too often want breaks and want ease. Rather than following through and finding ways to meet with others I keep choosing the easy way out. Lord, help me to not be this way. I can meet with my son and other men to help them. Lord, every day I have opportunities and I pray that I would go toward these opportunities to help others and hopefully give them the wisdom that only comes from you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

2 Samuel 13:23-39 - Absalom Takes Justice Into His Own Hands

2 Samuel 13:23-39

And Absalom commanded his servants, saying, "See now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I sat to you, 'Strike Amnon,' then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant." (verse 28)

Message: Absalom Takes Justice Into His Own Hands

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: It is 2 years later from the days of Amnon's selfish ways in raping his half-sister and then discarding her like a plaything or trash. Obviously, in that time frame David has done nothing. The picture of David here is not good. Once again, he mostly just stands by and doesn't do anything. 

This passage is rather simple. Absalom, his sister's brother, has a plan to have people go to sheep shearing in Baalhazor -- Absalom's property is probably not far (less than 10 miles) from Jerusalem. Sheep shearing was a usual occasion for feasting and holiday keeping. He invites David, the king, but he knows he will not go. With the king not going, he asks that Amnon, the oldest son and heir apparent represent David at the feast. David asks why but Absalom presses him further and he agrees. 

Though Absalom plans it out, he doesn't carry it out but instead gets his servants involved. By doing this, he always sets himself up to be the heir to the throne. He has the servants approach Amnon when he is "merry with wine" or least suspecting anything. He is killed and afterwards the servants flee and their communication to David about the event is an exaggeration as it includes a reference that it is all of David's sons. Thinking it is all his sons, David tore his clothes, but Jonadab gives David accurate information that it is only Amnon that has died. 

Absalom fled. The other sons showed up and David saw that they were still alive. David mourned for his son Amnon's death. Absalom fled and left the country for 3 years. David longed to see him.

Summary: 2 years after Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom avenges her death by killing Amnon, first getting him drunk but then he flees for 3 years. 

Promise: When leaders do not deal with injustice quickly and rightly, all sorts of problems ensue.

Prayer: God, David does some great things, but then our text here also mentions several not so great things. I suppose I am amazed at the bloodshed in this book. I am amazed of the people you guide and those that you don't. Right now, in our world there are wars going on. There is one going on right now that involves the US with Iran. I think of my friend Shiva that I have not spoken to a while and knowing someone, I hope she is safe. Protect her. Protect people and may this country surrender and keep peace in the middle east.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

2 Samuel 4 - Justice for Ish-Bosheth

2 Samuel 4

"when one told me, saying, "Behold, Saul is dead," and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood from your hand, and destroy you from the earth?" (verse 9,10)

Message: Justice for Ish-Bosheth

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: In Chapter 3, Abner died and David grieved his death. And now in Chapter 4 Ish-Bosheth has heard of Abner dying and "he lost courage and all Israel was disturbed." Saul's sons Baanah and Rechab are mentioned and that they fled to Gittaim. Mephibosheth, Jonathan's crippled son is mentioned. Then Baanah and Rechab come to Ish-bosheth and struck him in the belly. Then they struck him while lying on his bed and took his head, bringing it to David. David responded, "As the Lord lives who has redeemed my life from all distress." The one who killed Saul thought he was doing something good, but David killed him. And now these men "have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed" and so David had them killed, "and hung them beside the pool in Hebron." And then they buried the head of Ish-bosheth. 

Ish-bosheth came to prominence by Abner, not on his own. Abner, the commander of Saul's army, simply proclaimed him to be the rightful heir to be king of Israel even though it seems to have been very clear by Samuel that David was to be the king. There is really nothing special or good about the future of Israel, just in terms of Saul's descendants. And there is no mention of any of these men being men of God. Only Jonathan was one that trusted God and he willingly stepped aside for David to be king before he met his own demise. Mephibosheth is also mentioned, but he is crippled. 

And then Baanah and Rechab, two of the commanders of Saul's army decided that David would probably want Ish-bosheth killed so they went and killed him in his own home. But David had no grievance with Saul or with Ish-bosheth. And so he carried out capital punishment on Baanah and Rechab. And these tried to claim they had done the will of God. We can't force the hand of God to defend our selfish actions.

Summary: Ish-bosheth hears of Abner's death and two commanders of Saul go and kill Ish-bosheth in his home, wanting a reward from David, but end up being killed as a judgment for their actions.

Promise: Let us not use the pretense of service to Christ to justify acts of evil, thinking that good ends justify evil means.

Prayer: O God, you are God and sovereign and we need to be a people that submits and surrenders to You at all times, you the Righteous One and Righteous King. Help me to honor you with my words and actions and do things in my life that are pleasing to You. I need to seek You and surrender to You first, not after I have done something, expecting you to bless it. Help me to prioritize you above all, first and foremost. Be glorified. I praise You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 11:1 - Black and White in a Grey World

Proverbs 11:1

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,

but a just weight is His delight. 

Message: Black and White in a Grey World

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: God, it has been interesting reading these words of Solomon, starting in chapter 10 and the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Lord, I believe I see the righteous as being those that are living their lives according to Your design. I see it as those individuals you have directly called as your chosen ones. The wicked are not your called ones. And so in life there is these two different types of people. And your word clearly shows that distinction while I think in our world there is a subtle move to try and take the ways of the wicked and make them to be not so wicked but more or less good. Is the world getting more gray? Yet Lord, there remains a clear distinction. 

God, maybe these Proverbs are there to help me see that distinction and remind me that it is there. Help me to read these proverbs so I can see the person I am to be. Help me to understand what the writer meant by these words and therefore what you what me to take away from them. 

This verse now uses weights and measures to make a contrast between what is good and not good or bad or unwelcome or against you. The text uses the word abomination which is a strong word Lord to show extreme dislike, hateful or morally offensive. This abomination to the Lord that is described is a false balance in this text. Other translations state dishonest scales with the Amplified even bringing in dishonest business practices. Lord, wouldn't this be obvious that you abhor what is dishonest or false? That principle seems easy, but maybe it is hard at times to call out what exactly is dishonest or false.

Right now, the first thought that comes up for me is work and our purchasing practices. In our quest to get goods and services, there is a thirst or desire to get what we need as fast as possible without having to jump through too many hoops. And I notice often it is hard to understand what the rules are and what we are permitted to do. And so we often will try to state things in the best possible way for our purposes in order to see if they get accepted. We only change when we are told to change. In essence, because the standard is unclear, we try to see what we can do. Thus, what is false is blurry. How we define what is false is blurry. I wonder if this is how we approach life at times. Rather than staring at the black and white, I look at the gray. 

Lord, you take me back to that album by Leslie Phillips -- Black and White in Grey World. As you know, I did not at the time get into her music as the rocker female lead singer was not my thing I gravitated towards and actually sort of disdained. Leslie, later known as Sam, is now seen as a person deconstructing their faith, which is now a popular term for describing people that are taking the traditional faith and revising it or changing it or even abandoning it. But I mention it here Lord because of the title track. Those lyrics voice the idea of standing out (i.e. black/white) in a world that blends.  

This world I live in Lord not only acknowledges the blending of black/white, but accepts it, then approves it and then celebrates it. It has turned grey into a stand alone conclusion. Now, black and white is no longer the standard but the exception and often described as radical. That song starts out with these words - "No distinction, no emotion for right or wrong / They tell me any choice will do / No color contrast in their dull morality / The shades of good and bad are through." 

Jesus, you have words that are now recorded in Revelation 3:15-16 to speak about this grey person - "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot...so because you are lukewarm....I will spit you out of My mouth." Ouch. Lord, those are strong words. While we venture towards lukewarm or grey, you state spitting that out. 

Lord, as I study these scriptures, I see the reminder of the opposites while I live in a world of the gray or blending. Simply identifying the black and white now is hard for I am daily being trained in only the color of grey. Help me God to stand out even if my standing out is not what people want. I want to be of your delight and so i want to be a just weight or let your truth in me be defined by You and Your definition. I will stumble Lord. I will forsake You as I have done. Forgive me for this now and in the future. Let it be glaring in my life the direction I need to go and be. As I go to church today, I thank you for that place, a place of refuge that retrains me or reminds me of your standards. I go there to get trained. And then help me to return to the arena of gray and continue to stand out. As I come across these grey moments, help me to know what is the way of standing out. Sometimes I can't see it Lord or I am blinded to it. Sometimes I don't know what is your standard. I pray for your grace to be extended to me so I can see what is the just weight. Lord, help me also to separate the sin from the sinner. I want to hate the sin, but I want to love the sinner. This is hard at times Lord. Again, I pray for your grace. Thank you Lord for calling me and taking me to this standard of living - of being. In Christ alone I pray. Amen. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 8:7-11 - Showing Mercy and Upholding the Law

John 8:7-11

7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. 10 And straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are the? Did no one condemn you?" 11 And she said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you, go your way. From now on sin no more." 

Message: Showing Mercy and Upholding the Law

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As mentioned last lesson, these verses are most likely inserted here in this text as the best place to put them as many of the original manuscripts don't have these verses, but it is believed (throughout history) that these words still belong to Christ. In verse 6 and 8, Jesus stoops down to write on the ground - both times I had a note that Jesus perhaps did this to place him in the advantage and to prevent others from speaking. Or he just took a pause. I notice this often from preachers and teachers that I listen to. Some speak hurriedly while others take a moment to pause and think about the words that are spoken. 

Jesus in verse 7 in reply to the Jewish officials (scribes and Pharisees bringing a woman caught in adultery to him to trap him) turns it back to the accuser and voices, "He who is without sin among you, let him first throw a stone at her." In other words, "All have sinned. (Romans 3:23)." It even has a similar meaning to Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, lest you be judged." First stone. 

In voicing what He did Jesus still uphold the law. He wasn't saying it was not so for he did even say a thrown could be thrown at her, but He said that if you want to enforce the Law, so be it, but start with yourself. The Bible actually prescribes this in Deuteronomy 19:15-21. "if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother." One must be sure of their accusation. 

Here, Jesus is saying that is not that simple to accuse someone. The fact that his accusers had only brought the woman was a problem as they had simply pulled the woman from where she was at in order to trap Jesus. Thus, they were not without sin and Jesus knew this, but it wasn't because He had special powers at this moment, but he saw the obvious, only one was brought - the woman. And so what resulted was the accusers left for they knew their mistake. 

And Jesus responds to the lady. He knows, meaning He does have special powers in that moment and He know that she has sinned when saying, "Go and sin no more." It seems Jesus did not do anything because the charges brought against her were improper and he also no longer had any witnesses. Either way, both with the accuser and the accused he addresses the issue at hand: sin. People sin, but we should have the goal of not sinning. 

On a side note, for many years it seemed the mantra in our country was, "Innocent until proven guilty" but in recent years we seem to have shifted to "Guilty until proven innocent." In an effort it seems to protect the accuser we seem to have moved to this sort of case. Unfortunately, it also inflicts the greatest damage on people and we are a people more and more that do not seem to have a problem labeling people and also blotting the record of the rich and famous. I've seen this most recently in an incident involving a football coach. 

Summary: In response to the accusation brought by officials of a woman in adultery, Jesus tells them to examine themselves first before throwing stones. 

Promise: In our pursuit of justice, we also must be sensitive to mercy, when it is appropriate to do so. 

Prayer: Lord, I have not modeled this well. I am still haunted at the accusations I have made towards those that I love the most - my children and my wife. I have been a person that is too quick to find guilt in them rather than the investigations that I do now in my job when these things arise. Forgive me Lord. I feel such shame and remorse over my accusation towards my children. The regrets abound. Heal me from this and help me to move on and show them mercy and love continually. And help me in going forward to exercise mercy. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.  

TABLETALK - August 2017 Article Summaries

I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of August is about the Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation; July was the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May, Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture; January, the doctrine of God. 

Christ's Body

The Body of Christ - The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ loves the church. We are to imitate Christ and see that the Church is how Christ carries out His purposes in the world. The Head of the Church - Christ is Head of the church and he only has final authority and gives life to the church. Life is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. - The Church We Can See - Belonging to a church is not optional, for anyone. We are meant to live in a community with other believers, to hear the Word of God preached, and to grow. The Church We Cannot See - What we see is the Visible church, the invisible church only God knows because He is omniscient and that is the Church we cannot see. 

Truths about the Church from the Apostles Creed

Church Unity - The church is bigger than our local assembly; there are core beliefs among the invisible church. One People Throughout History - God has only one people; throughout the world there are people that share doctrines and truths despite their being differences in where we attend or belong. God's Holy People - By being in Christ, though we still have a fallen nature, God has set us apart as holy, as his saints. True Catholocity - God's people includes men and women from every tribe and every tongue that hold to the biblical gospel. The Apostilic Church - we are fellow citizens with all people from all tribes and tongues throughout history, united by being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets teaching, thus apostolic, with Christ Jesus being our cornerstone.

What the Church Does and Believes

Preaching Christ and His Commandments - A church needs to be committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God. Administering Sacraments - Sacraments (The Lord's Supper and Baptism especially) need to be part of a church existing, but they also need to be rightly administered. The Discipline of the Church - We need to be a people that encourage repentance to keep the church pure and set apart.

Church Leadership Offices

Prophets and Apostles - There is a foundation of how the church begins and that foundation is the apostles and prophets. Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers - Only mention of pastors in the New Testament. 

Purpose of the Church

Our Arena for Growth - It is being at church, present, that we are to be equipped, build one another up, in order to grow in maturity. Communion in Gifts and Graces - As believers joining in Christ’s sufferings we have community, exercising our spiritual gifts, in order to grow up the Body of Christ. Receiving and Giving God's Love - We come together because of His sufferings, but once we are together, we are to be about exercising our gifts to build up and grow one another, and it is done with love. 

Significant People from Church History

The Witness of Polycarp - Athanasius' Defense of the Incarnation - Thomas Aquinas and the Knowledge of God - John Calvin's Offering to the Lord - Jonathan Edwards and the Beauty of Christ

What I've learned from this study

As I finish this study now on the church body, I am left with the conclusion that church is not optional. That we must assemble with one another and that community is something we all need. First and foremost, it is important for each of us to come together regularly and agree on the principles of the gospel and that who we are is because of Christ and we are to boast in Him and what He has done for us individually and collectively. For the sake of the gospel, we are striving to be a part of the invisible church which is the church only God knows because only He knows the true condition of each person's heart. What we are doing as we assemble is meeting up with the visible church or those that we see. Yet, we must realize that there are those with us that are not part of the true church. And we are not all alike that are in the church. The church is made up of people from every tribe, every tongue, throughout history. And the church is more than one place. The invisible church I believe is made up of people in all walks of life, attending all different types of churches and denomination of churches today and in history. I think we need to be careful to avoid the temptation to boast in anything but Christ and this includes boasting that our church is the only true church. As such, we need to remember that we are all still fleshly beings with temptations and are influenced daily to live in manners more pleasing to Satan than God. This happens even in the church. But Christ is the head and we need to be centered on Him. Once we are in church, we need to submit to our leaders. A church needs to be committed to preaching the word of God and observing the sacraments - The Lord's Supper and Baptism. We need to keep encouraging the Gospel, turning from our sin, and returning to Him. And just as there is service and work in our world, it is to be present in our churches. We are all members of the Body of Christ. The church leaders that are often paid are not the only members, but we are all to be serving with the gifts that He has given us. Why? To grow me and to grow one another. This was probably one of my biggest learning aspects in this study and that is that tendency in me to be selfish. And the reminder that in serving I am to be about helping others grow. This is why ministry continues to call me in life - to talk to people at the mall, online as I do, and others face to face - and I need to do this at church as well with that Body of Believers. This is what life is really about - getting myself grounded but then also serving others to help them grow in Christ. 

Here also is a summary of the articles from Tabletalk for August 2017. 

Searching for Truth - Dr. Burk Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine) - As a pastor, when people find out he is one, they react in many different ways. Most of the time their response will be to start asking various questions. We are inquisitive people by nature and in this age, many are searching for answer's to life's ultimate questions. Pastors do have a responsibility and probably more opportunities and yet like a pastor, each Christian is a theologian and apologist. Every Christian is to always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (I Peter 3:15). As people ask questions, we must be ready to speak and the Holy Spirit will give us courage and compassion to speak the truth in love. It is the Holy Spirit that opens people's eyes and makes them alive to the glory of Jesus Christ. 

The Role of Experience - R.C. Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - We live in a time when personal experience or personal feelings have been elevated to the final criterion of right and wrong (e.g. divorce and no longer feeling like being married; homosexuality based upon the feeling of being attracted to the same sex; even Christians made decisions based upon how they feel). People always said the 4 minute mile could not be achieve, then Roger Banister in 1954 achieved it. Experience is a good teacher, but the problem is when we see it as always the final authority. Experience is not a license to disobey God. Some people claim an experience with the Holy Spirit that led them to do things contrary to scripture but this is impossible. Only the creator can be the final arbiter of right and wrong. 

Is There a God? - Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson - (Ligonier ministries teach fellow and author of many books; previously served as senior minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C.) - This question is both easy and hard to answer succinctly. First, to answer the question - "Why is there something there, and not nothing?" The cosmos, my existence, and my ability to reason all depend on the fact that life did not and could not come from nothing, but requires a reasonable and reasoning origin; time + chance = reality is impossible. Second, this God is the biblical God for 2 reasons: God grounds what we know of the cosmos and His existence is the only rational basis for rational thought and communication. Atheists must borrow ultimately from the tenets of the Bible to even define their thoughts. What is good, true, rational, intelligible, and beautiful has no substructure. Even my conscience is fabricated as is "meaning." The Atheist has traded what is plain to them and repressing what they deep down know to be true: Romans 1:18–25. Our hearts are restless until we find him and begin as the Bible begins with, "In the beginning, God..." 

Is the Bible the Word of God? - Dr. Michael J. Kruger (President & Professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC) - Skeptics often question the Bible, calling it fanciful stories, but it is a Spirit book and "the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God" (I Cor. 2:14). (1) - Scripture itself has divine qualities - it convicts (Heb. 4:12–13), it encourages (Ps. 119:105), it comforts (v. 50), and it brings wisdom (v. 98). All others have woven together a single, coherent message. (2) - God worked through man to reveal His word at the correct time; despite much scrutiny, the words are proven to be historically reliable. (3) - It is a book with words that people have been using, trusting, reading, and applying for thousands of years. Jesus even said: "Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35).

Does God Care? - Dr. John Blanchard (1932-2021; apologist and teacher; director of Popular Christian Apologetics) - Atheists say no God; deists say God marks the field and watches from the grandstands. Yet the Bible says differently. After Adam and Eve sinned he said, "Where are you? (Gen. 3:9). And then he would send a redeemer to rescue them. And throughout history, God's care for his people is recorded. "He delivered them from their distress (Ps. 107:6)." Despite all Job went through he stated to God, "your care has preserved my spirit (Job 10:12)." We often don't treat God well and then David asks, "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?" (Ps. 8:4). Hard to comprehend and yet "because He cares we can cast all of our anxieties on him." (I Peter 5:6-7). And as He cares for us we are tasked to take care of others, of "orphans and widows in their affliction" (James 1:27). 

Is Jesus Really God? - Dr. James R. White (author, director of Alpha and Omega Ministries) - Read the words of Jesus and the writings of the disciples, in their context, and Jesus being God is the conclusion. (1) Jesus at His trial. When the chief priests were trying to find testimony to put Jesus to death - "Are you the Christ?" "I am. You shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power." The priests heard this statement and accused Jesus of blasphemy (Mark 14:55-54). Looking further at Psalm 110:1 - My Lord (Jehovah) says to my Lord (Adonai). David is writing and Adonai is a person of authority and based also on 110:5 - The person of authority is the Messiah. And Daniel 7:13 - There came on like the Son of Man, like of human descent - Not merely a man, but the Messiah. (2) Jesus defending the healing of a man on the Sabbath by stating both He and His Father (God) are able to work on the Sabbath showing God His Father and Himself equal with God (John 5:10-18). (3) Jesus states he has authority over life - and states He will lay His life down and take it up again or rise again (John 10:17-18). (4) The disciples speak - Titus 2:13 - God and Jesus Glory appears; 2 Peter 1:1 - God and Savior are righteous; John 12:41 - His Glory; This language is not merely of a man. He is worthy. We cannot be neutral about Jesus. He is worthy of our praise. 

Is There Only One Way of Salvation? - Dr. James N. Anderson (Associate professor of theology and philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary) - "Have it Your Way" was the Burger King Slogan of the 1970s and as in consumerism this same message is brought into our thinking of how we achieve heaven or the afterlife or acceptance by from God. Yet, Jesus was clear - only those that believe in Him have eternal life (John 3:14-17). It is a clear message from Jesus. He said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (14:6; Matt. 11:27). As CS Lewis says - Either He is Lord over all, or He is Lord at all. The charge is arrogance to the Christian and yet we do mean that all other religions are wrong. And yet we are a people that often wants to negotiate in matters of life and death. In medicine, it seems ludicrous to not accept the cure for a disease and yet we all think we know best. Yet, God will not compromise His truth. His way is the only way as is voices by His apostles (Acts 2:39; 4:12; 16:31; 20:20–21; Rom. 10:9–17; 1 John 2:22–25; 4:14–15; 5:12–13). Yet, it must be that we truly do not understand the problem - that we are sinners standing under the righteous judgment of God, unable to make adequate atonement for our sins. Only Jesus removes this enmity between God and man, bearing the penalty for our sin (Rom. 5:6–11; 2 Cor. 5:18–21; 1 Tim. 2:5–6). 

Is God Unjust - Jared S. Oliphint (Phd. student in philosophy at Texas A&M and Th.M. student at Westminster Theological Seminary) - In the garden, Adam took the bite of forbidden fruit and God introduced earthly justice, resulting in his death, though it was a delayed sentence. But God also showed grace and mercy, two new ideas. God's people ask God to end betrayal, slavery, exile, and death. God's justice is fulfilled on Good Friday. Ultimate rest from injustice will be found in a new, eternal home. 

Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People? - Dr. Greg Lanier (professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary) - Bone cancer in children, terminal cancer, abuse of a neighbor's child, terrorist bombings, hurricanes devastating entire islands. Important to distinguish between the head/intellectual side and heart/emotional side. Does the suffering of good people disprove God? 1. The question assumes there is "good" and "evil." Thus, a standard, hopefully a Godly one that determines right and wrong. "Evil" people do not think they are themselves evil. 2. Presupposes that suffering matters because humans have a unique dignity over animals and we are not randomly on this earth. Rocks and trees do not suffer. 3. There can be good reasons from God for suffering (punishment for sin Judges 2:11-15; display God's justice Rom. 9:19-26; driver sinners to repentance Ps. 119:71; the death of Jesus accomplished the good of salvation Acts 2:22-24; 4:8-12). 4. Despite evil and suffering, God is still benevolent to people. The idea of "do good, receive good, do bad, receive bad" does not hold true. Despicable people can prosper. "the sun rises on the good and the evil; rains on the just and the unjust Matthew 5:45." In other words, God's ways are not man's ways. It is inevitable, thus our response together, with one another, is to comfort one another with the loving comfort we have received from God (2 Cor. 1:3-7); grieve with people (Rom 12:15); bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2); and point people to Jesus who will wipe away every tear and one day all will be fixed (Rev. 21:4). [My observation: the conclusion is God knows best and He is in control. I still think sin is evil and has far reaching results on mankind that go even beyond quid pro quo in which there is a favor for a favor. And in general man thinks they know best always and always wants to be in control.]

Are the Bible and Science Compatible? - Dr. Keith A Mathison (professor of systematic theology at Reformation Bible College) - The issue here is how one defines the Bible and science. If one is a book of fairy tales and the other a book of facts, then obviously there will be conflict. Christians believe God is infallible. He reveals himself through his works that we see and read about in His Word. He is always truthful so if we think there is a conflict then the problem is our interpretation. Because humans are fallible, if there is a problem it is always man, never God. Science is not to blame. Science reveals to us the works of God. General revelation is God revealing Himself through His created works. Special revelation is God revealing Himself through His word. Between the two there is no conflict. For example, some find in scripture words that infer the earth as a flat disc and yet if it is true that it is a sphere based upon what we see and what science says, then the problem is our interpretation. How we interpret is always the cause of misinformation. Science and scripture are compatible unless we make them incompatible. Science is not the problem. False philosophies masquerading as science is the problem. As usual, it comes down to interpretation.   

Who Are You to Judge? - Gregory Koukl (president of Stand to Reason and author of Tactics and Story of Reality) - "Judge Not" (Matthew 7:1) is often misunderstood. To judge is to find fault. True moral guilt (admitting our fault) though is central to the Christian message. It seems acceptable to warn people that they may be caught by the law if they are breaking it (i.e. speeding in a car). Secular society believes that no one is allowed to pass judgment of any kind. Morality is now a matter of personal opinion. And yet this is not really true because judgment is warranted when it suits the secularist. Again, the complaint is against absolute truth. Often the thought is people want to be left alone. The best way to counter this is by asking questions. Ask "What do you mean?" This helps you understand what people are feeling as it is possible an apology is in order. Clarify that the standard is God's standard. Can also say, "Are you saying it's never right to point out a wrong? If so, they why are you doing it with me right now?" However, we are not trying to catch people in a fault or be clever, but we are aiming to have people recognize their sin, so that this will turn from it and toward the mercy of God. 

Is This Life All There Is? - Dr. Bruce R. Baugus (Associate professor of philosophy and theology at Reformed Theological Seminary) - God has put eternity in man's heart (Eccl 3:11). In each person is a deep seated sense that there is more to this life than this life. Humanity is fascinated with the afterlife; it is a cardinal principle of every religion. It is why living only for temporal pleasures rarely satisfy. Epicureanism (300 BC) argued that pleasure was the chief good in life; this is the way of living many Americans are in today. And yet the sense of eternity is stamped on our hearts. Jesus constantly spoke of the dilemma of man - 2 eternal states - a glorious kingdom of peace and a dreadful place of outer darkness. He issued sober warnings of each. And as such He asks people to receive Him by faith or reject Him. "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). 

Marriage as Two Pilgrims - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (Associate pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - The Christian marriage is different from other marriages around us: “they are heirs with you of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7). Our marriage is centered on Christ and eternity. Our goal is the same as every Christian, but we go forth with it side by side. We are one flesh as Ephesians 5:28 says, “Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.” As such, when one hurts, the other hurts, injuring a spouse is injuring both; encouraging a spouse is encouraging both. And each one know the other person's weaknesses, strengths, temptations and knows how to encourage the other person. Thus, we go forward as coheirs and co-laborers united in one flesh. 

The Fruit of Patience - Robert Rothwell (Associated editor of Tabletalk and resident adjunct professor for Reformation Bible College) - I struggle with being patient. But I would like to be patient. My problem is a fear of the unknown. If I know what is going on, then I don't have to wait. Yet, waiting reminds me of my utter dependence on God and His Word. Examples: Abraham brought on more struggles taking on Hagar to get a son instead of waiting for Sarah. Instead of waiting for Samuel, Saul lost his kingdom when he offered sacrifices at Gilgal. Fear brings impatience, doubt, fear, and often greater sin. The ancient Israelites waited 400 years after Malachi to hear from God again, and awarded with the Messiah. We wait on eternal life. But in me waiting doesn't mean God is not working. He is working, but moving according to His perfect plan and purpose. He is working according to His plan, not my own. I can be patient. 

Shining God's Glory - Melissa B. Kruger (women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church (PCA) in Charlotte, NC) - Two thoughts come to mind this morning - reading the Mark Stuart book and the meaning behind the song, "Never Gonna Be as Big as Jesus" and the reality in that song that we don't need to try. Jesus is who He is. I am who I am. I'm never going to be as big as him. So no reason to try. The other idea was at the end of the Sunday School lesson was not asking for opportunities but seeing the opportunities God gives me. They are there. Then I read this article that Melissa gives us about cleaning silverware with tarnish and a simple way of using aluminum foil and a bowl of water and dish detergent and waiting and in time, the tarnish would be transferred from the silverware to the foil. This is what Jesus did for us. Our sin got transferred. He took our sin and now we can shine of the glory of God. But am I shining? I'm not. I'm living in this state of misery and not shining. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For our sake - he made him to be sin...so that in him we become the righteousness of God." The tarnish has been transferred. And I can shine the righteousness of God. I don't have to scrub myself clean. He made me clean. He did all the work. And now I can shine by loving Him, His truth, walking in His ways, and living in obedience to His commands. 

Discipleship and Growth - Jonathan Leeman (editorial director of 9Marks; elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - Everyone disciples. Everyone leaves a dent on someone - toward righteousness or wickedness. What impact will I have? "Today, I want to help others follow Jesus." (1) Begin with love. We follow people who love us. (2) It works through instruction and imitation. "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ (I Cor. 11:1)." "Speak the truth in love...to grow...build up one another (Eph. 4:15, 29)." (3) Discover differences in one another. "God arranged the members in the body as He choose (I Cor. 12:17-18)." (4) It is churchwide. Everyone needs each other (I Cor 12:21). (5) Do it to equip others to do the same (2 Tim. 2:2). 

Finding Contentment Through Boasting - Tyler Kenney (Digital content manager at Ligonier Ministries) - A condition of our fallen hearts is instead of rejoicing when we see God's goodness to others, we become envious, antagonistic to their happiness and discontent with our selves. All people experience this but the Christian knows they should respond differently for God has given us every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3) and we are to be content since we have all things (I Cor. 3:21; Phil. 4:11). Knowing and doing are different but the Holy Spirit is there to equip us. In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul addresses a problem the church has in rallying behind a certain preacher stems from a worldly desire to exalt themselves through association. By favoring a certain leader, the people are trying to puff themselves up (I Cor. 4:6). Some boasted in Paul, some in Apollos, some Cephas, some Christ (I Cor. 1:12). Thus the world pulls us to divide our allegiance - be it sports, leaders, even preachers. Yet, Paul reminds people that we are all essentially nobodies and yet God is pleased to call us all His own. No one is to boast in men, but only in God; this is where true contentment lies. I Cor. 1:29-31 - no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

The Need for Rural Ministry - Kyle Borg (Senior Pastor of Winchester Reformed Presbyterian Church in Winchester, Kansas) - Author ministers in community of rural America, in Kansas, in a town of 551 people. He wonders if church associations are focused on rural America though it still makes up 15-20% of our population. In these cities, substance abuse, poverty, suicide, broken families, tragedy, and danger effect people at a larger proportion than those in the big city. Rural ministry is worth our time. We need to include these cities in our mission work and church starting endeavors. 

Keeping the Faith in a Faithless Age - Albert Mohler (President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky) - (Note: I noticed online that this article was published in 2004.) - The Christian church is no longer the center of western civilization and right and wrong are being redefined. It seems modern people act as if God did not exist. The church must speak from the words of Scripture. 

A Time for Confidence - Stephen J. Nichols (President of Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida, chief academic officer at Ligonier Ministries) - Paul was one of the most intelligent people to ever live. He has every reason to have confidence and yet he counts all as loss for the sake of Christ. He never focused on Himself, but all instead on Christ. As we admire Paul and who He is and what He did, we can always see that there is someone else behind the scenes that is working everything out in Paul's life; and this is the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. The doctrine of justification is one of imputation. This teaches that our sin gets imputed to Christ. And Christ's righteousness gets imputed to us. In the presence of God we are now clothed in Christ's righteousness. In His passive obedience, He paid the penalty for our sins; in his active obedience He lives a perfect life. Thus, this is why not a day should go by that we don't rejoice in the Gospel. John and Charles Wesley are examples of men trying to get to God and then discover that Christ has done it all for them. In response, Charles wrote a hymn, And Can It Be. What made Christianity such a problem for Rome in the 1st century was its monotheistic stance and its desire to proselytize. Thus, being a Christian impugned you to death at any time and the death of Christians became a sport. Despite the fact that they lived exemplary lives, they were hated because of what they believe. Christus was hated and put on a cross and Christians are disliked even today. We still hold onto the truth of Gospel for we know it sets us free. 

Romans 3:22b-26 - Justification from the Just God

22 for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. - Romans 3:22b-26

Message: Justification from the Just God

Time: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16 year old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. Persecution of Christians wouldn't begin until AD 64. The church was experiencing times of relative peace. From where he wrote, Corinth, was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idol worship.

What the Lord is Saying:

As I read the text here today from Romans 3:22-26 what jumps out to me is I have sinned but I have been redeemed by the work of Jesus Christ. My committed sins are now overlooked by God because Jesus and His word demonstrated true righteousness. And I can be justified before God by my faith in Jesus. This is the gospel. My sin is real but God's work is greater. 

This continues to be the message of God that is overlooked. Instead people cry out continually that God is love. But people often miss what this means. They believe that God's love means that He freely accepts everyone and the notion of sin is not even in the equation. However a person wants to define their lives for God, though, He accepts them. The problem for the world I believe is the line between --what is evil and not-- is shrinking and so--what is acceptable behavior--is narrowing. But overall culture thinks that sin is not in the cards. As I talk to people about faith, the first order is to help them see their sin. For the gospel really only holds meaning if people can acknowledge that they are sinners and not perfect and in need of a redeemer. 

We know that God is just (Deut 32:4). While the Lord forgives iniquity or sin He still pronounces people guilty (Numbers 14:18). I love crime drama movies and genre film noir. The motif of those movies is generally about a wrongdoing and how that crime gets found out or exposed. In all of us, we need this. We need to see that crimes are not simply forgiven but their is punishment for a crime. I think in society it is not that we don't want this to happen but instead we have blurred the lines as to what is actually sin. It is horrible when a guilty person in life escapes their sin. Our society it seems right now has gone too far in that direction and is now acting as the judge of the sin they have branded, but God is the judge. We need to play by His rules. 

God is full of mercy in that He does not want anyone to perish (Psalm 86:15; 2 Peter 3:9). Some will take this to mean that man is therefore involved in his or her salvation because for God to choose would mean that He doesn't want all people saved. But it goes back to the idea of can man really make himself righteous and He can't. Only via God's righteousness can man be righteous. There is no good in me. The only good comes from God. So submit to His plan for being made righteous which is the meaning of today's passage from Romans 3:22-26. We are justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. I can't make myself righteous. 

In God's mercy He has made the way for me to be accepted. Justice has been served because Jesus is the Lamb of God; He is my sacrifice. He is my substitute. He is my redeemer. Verse 26 states that He is just. God punished sin through Jesus on the Cross and then Jesus conquered sin by rising again. The punishment was in full and it meant something because He rose again. 

Promise: God can always be trust. He is both just and the justifier. I must be defined by His truths. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for this truth, another reminder of tying this all together for me. I am unworthy. I am a sinner. You are the Savior. In your timing, You chose me and you provided the fulfillment of my salvation in Jesus Christ living a perfect life, dying and being punished for sin and then defeating it by rising again. Help that truth to become simple in my life and transferable to others. I want to testify of You continually as you enable me. Help me to rest in You each day and allow You to work. I can't manufacture your love or your ways in my life, but as your child, I can walk by faith. 

Question: Take a moment, and based upon this lesson, write out the gospel message. 

Mark 12:1-9 - The Parable of the Tenants

Mark 12:1-9
1 Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: “A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. 2 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. 3 But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. 4 The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head. 5 The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed, 6 until there was only one left—his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’ 7 “But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 8 So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard. 9 “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.

Message: The Parable of the Tenants

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem, as he has predicted 3 times his death and resurrection. He comes in on a colt and pronounces a judgment on the chief priests and scribes and elders at the temple about them not following their mission to make welcome the Gentiles at the temple. These leaders question Jesus' authority. Jesus communicates to his disciples that they are to have faith in God - to come to God by prayer in faith and then to forgive those that transgress against them. We are to be a people of faith and then forgiveness.

Now Jesus takes a moment to share a parable. This parable is in line with some of the subjects that he has been addressing, namely the importance of those individuals over are in charge of other individuals. In the 1st Century, it was common for landowners to hire tenant farmers to take care of their vines on their behalf. Isaiah 5:1-7 tells about a song about the Lord's vineyard. In that story the vineyard is judged for failing to to yield the proper fruit - a message that is sort of similar to the curse that Jesus pronounced on the fig tree as well as the chief priests and scribes.

This story speaks of the owner of the vineyard hiring tenant farmers to take care of his vineyard while he is away. But, the tenant farmers did more than just take care of the vineyard, they began to take ownership of it. Thus, they expanded their responsibility to include a sort of claim on it. In so doing, as the landowners servants came, he was beat up and sent away. And the landowner sent others, but they were also beat up or killed. Finally, the landowner sent his son but the same thing happened to the son, this time murdering the son. Jesus then says in response to this - What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others. 

• The servants represent the old covenant prophets - these prophets were rejected often by the leaders of the ancient covenant community
• The landowner is God himself 
• The tenant farmers are the kings, priests, other leaders, including what could be called today the church. 
• The landowner sent His Son (Jesus), but he is received with even more hatred than the prophets. 

This is an interesting lesson because Jesus is talking more about service (Mark 10:43-45) and forgiving others (Mark 11:25). The focus is on others. The tenant farmers were given one tasked, but they expanded it to include other responsibility and in so doing they lost their chief task. They became like the chief priests and scribes and began using the temple in a way they had wanted.

I think for me I look at the application of this passage to be the importance of remembering my first love and remembering how God has called me to live and act in this world. I need to be careful about getting too big for my own britches and taking ownership of what he has simply put me in charge of. And I need to always bring it back to Jesus, His Son, and even those that he has sent. Again, the focus is not on me, but others.

Summary - Jesus brings a parable to his people to remind them of the message that God has sent His Son to redeem people, and yet the Son will be rejected. People don't want the solution that Jesus provides. They want their own selfish solutions. He continues to get his disciples ready for what is coming - his death which will involve his complete rejection and scorn.

Promise: People will do whatever is necessary often to please themselves and get their own way. As God puts us in charge though of his vineyard, this world, we have a responsibility to respect his leadership and do what He asks.

Prayer: Lord, I love you and you are the Lord and King. I am your vessel. You have created all and so no matter my situation I need to serve you. Give me the strength and power to continue to share Your love with others. God you are in charge of all and I praise You for your love for us, but I must submit and surrender to You continually. I must trust Your ways. Keep me ever mindful of what you are teaching me to have faith in you, forgive others, and serve people.

Psalm 101 - Godly Resolve

Psalm 101
¹ I will sing of lovingkindness and justice,
To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
² I will give heed to the blameless way.
When will You come to me?
I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.
³ I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not fasten its grip on me.
⁴ A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will know no evil.
⁵ Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy;
No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.

⁶ My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me;
He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me.
⁷ He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;
He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me.
⁸ Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
So as to cut off from the city of the Lord all those who do iniquity.

Message: Godly Resolve

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: From Joseph Benson -

I will praise thee, O Lord, as for all thy other excellences, so particularly for those two royal perfections of mercy or lovingkindness and justice, or judgment, which thou hast so eminently discovered in the government of the world, and of thy people Israel; and I will make it my care to imitate thee, as in other things, so especially in these virtues, which are so necessary for the discharge of my trust, and the good government of thy and my people.

I will give heed to the blameless way — I will manage my affairs with wisdom and integrity; which are the two chief qualifications requisite for all men, and peculiarly necessary in princes, whose example is wont to have great influence on the morals of their people, and who can with no dignity nor consistency punish the crimes of others, if they be guilty of the same crimes themselves. When will you come to Me? — And be with me to assist me to execute this my purpose. I will walk within my house — I will conduct myself in my family and court, as well as in my public administration of the affairs of my kingdom, with the integrity of my heart — Sincerely intending and desiring to please and glorify God, and to set before the members of my family, and all my subjects, an example worthy of their imitation.  

I will set no worthless thing before mine eyes — If any ungodly or unjust thing be suggested to me, whatsoever specious pretenses it may be covered with, as some reason of state or worldly advantage, I will cast it out of my mind and thoughts with abhorrence, so far will I be from putting it in execution. I hate the work of those that fall away — From God, and from his laws. It shall not fasten its grip on me — I will neither imitate nor endure such works nor such workers.

A perverse heart — or a man of a corrupt mind and wicked life; shall depart from me — Shall be turned out of my court, lest he should infect the rest of my family, or be injurious, or an occasion of offence to my people. I will not know no evil — I will not own nor countenance such a one, but will keep all such at a distance.

Whoever secretly slanders his brother — Such as by secret and false information's, and accusations of others, seek to gain my favor, and to advance themselves by the ruin of others; him will I destroy — From my family and court. No one has a haughty look and an arrogant look — Those who think highly of themselves, and look down with contempt upon others, or treat them with insolence; or, whose insatiable covetousness and ambition make them study their own advancement more than the public good; will I endure — In my house nor among my servants.

My eyes shall be upon the faithful — I will endeavor to find out, and will favor and encourage, men of truth, justice, and integrity, men of religion and virtue, who will be faithful, first to God, and then to me and to my people; that they may dwell with me — or converse with me, in my house, and counsels, and public administrations. These he would use as his familiars and friends, employ them in the domestic services of his palace, and advance them to public offices and stations in his kingdom. He who walks in a blameless way — In the way of God’s precepts, which are pure and perfect; is the one who will minister to me — In domestic and public employments.
 
He who practices deceit — That uses any frauds or subtle artifice to deceive, abuse, or wrong any of my people; shall not dwell within my house — Though he may insinuate himself into my family, yet, as soon as he is discovered, he shall be turned out of it. He who speaks falsehood — Either to defend and excuse the guilty, or to betray the innocent; shall not maintain his position before me — I will certainly and immediately banish him from my presence.

Every morning I will early destroy all the wicked of the land— That is, all that are discovered and convicted; the law shall have its course against them; and incorrigible offenders shall suffer as it directs. So as to cut off from the city of the Lord all those who do iniquity — “I will use my utmost diligence to reform the whole nation; but especially the place of my peculiar residence, which ought to be an example to the rest of my kingdom: taking care that all offenders be severely punished in the courts of justice; and, if there be no other remedy, cutting off those evil members, who have got an incurable habit of acting wickedly.”  

Promise: Remember what Christ has done and be empowered by thankfulness to stand firm against sin.

Ecclesiastes 8:10-11 - Presuming upon God's Kindness

Ecclesiastes 8:10-11
¹⁰ So then, I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is futility. ¹¹ Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.


Message: Presuming upon God's Kindness

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I have studied chapter 8 of Ecclesiastes yet. My first reading of these verses sees a view of the wicked buried, in their graves, gone. And there is a connection with them and the holy place, the temple gathering. They have died and they are forgotten now. The outcome of evil deeds is not executed quickly. The wicked know this. Their hearts are given fully to do evil.

Insight from TableTalk for today, August 12, 2015 -- If a society's justice system is known for it inefficiency and for taking far longer than necessary to deal with the criminal element, the criminal element is emboldened.

This is a troubling thing with criminal acts. It is tough to see how long it takes some to merit any consequences, to the point that we expect God to deal with the criminal activity immediately, even at times outside of the justice system. 

But, am I not thankful that there are not quick consequences and it is his kindness that leads me to repentance.

Promise: Just may seem to be delayed, but it always comes at the right time. Our just God will set things right, so we have ample reason to trust in Him.

Romans 9:14-18 - Justice and Mercy

Romans 9:14-18

¹⁴ What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” ¹⁸ So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

Message: Justice and Mercy

Time:  This book was probably written between 56 and 57 B.C. Paul was in Greece, probably Corinth when he wrote. It was sent to Gentile believers, but also believers with a strong Jewish element.

What the Lord is Saying:

Again, we are staying with the theme of Destiny or the doctrine that God not only has foreknowledge of future events in the lives of His called ones, knowing their salvation before hand but that He Himself has predetermined their salvation beforehand. It is God determining an outcome before the event has occurred. It is one thing to write about a historical event, documenting that it happened, but scripture doesn't simply document that something happened, but rather it states that God made it happen. 

I think we read the Bible and often don't realize what is going on. When something happens, do we just think that God has allowed that to happen (meaning He could have intervened) or do we think that he makes certain things happen and others he doesn't involve himself with. Do we think that God starts us off and then only intervenes if we ask Him to intervene? 

But, the biggest event in any person's life is whether that person will be saved. Does God simply know in advance that a Christ follower will choose Him or does He do the choosing on behalf of the individual? 

Often on the streets we help people understand grace and mercy. When a homeless man comes up to you and asks you for a meal, if you give it him, he has neither earned it nor can he pay it back. By giving it to him you have been gracious. If you are traveling on the road and you are speeding in your car and the police officer stops you, but chooses to not give you a ticket, though you deserve it, he has been merciful toward you. Compassion is being aware of someone's suffering and desiring to relieve the suffering. 

Paul in Chapter 9 of Romans talks about the purposed life of Esau and Jacob and mentions that while in the womb each had a predetermined outcome in life.  This purpose was not based upon what they had done, but based upon a calling. God chose the Israelites, simply because. It is human nature to think that we are chosen based upon someone seeing something in us and then choosing us based upon what they saw. God's choosing may be defined as random. My thinking is God has a purpose and that purpose is only known by Him. 

In Chapter 9 Paul states, God has "mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires." This is saying that we yield to God and his mercy is based upon His desire. People from all walks of life have been shown God's mercy, from the poor to the rich. And people from all walks of life have been hardened. No matter what I think we all end up with the "why" question, wondering why so few believe or why so few have faith even thought Jesus said the road is narrow, but why did it have to be that way. The struggle I think is not that God isn't in control, but questioning his outcome for things. There are so many today that live, on the surface, good lives and it is hard to look at them and realize that their eternal outcome does not appear to be with God. That they would end up being annihilated or eternally punished or separated from God is a difficult outcome to realize they have. I can think of family members, friends, strangers, and can also see how wired they are to not even think about God or to think about God in a very narrow way, putting God in a box. So it is hard to think that those people are that way because of God's hardening. 

Everyone deserves to be punished for their sin. As verse 14 says, "There is no injustice with God." God's justice is always served, for the Christian it is served in the atonement of Jesus for their sin. For the non-Christian it is still served for they have earned their condemnation. There is never injustice. 

So I yield to this verse. It is not simply a Pauline verse, but the message is clear throughout scripture. I do want to say I don't understand it, but I yield to it because I have no reason to not believe it is true. But, it remains difficult. Not that God has mercy and hardens, but that so few have received mercy. 

Would God's power be demonstrated if the majority of people were saved? Our world is merit based. We like this. We like hard work to merit good pay. We like hard work to merit good grades. When a baby is born with a defect, we don't understand it. When a baby is born to a family in which the parents have engaged in drugs and other things that are not God's commandments, then we feel better, not because the baby has received it and deserves it, but because it just makes more sense to us. 

Promise: God has "mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires."

Psalm 137 - Waiting for Justice

Psalm 137
^1-4 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion upon the willows in the midst of it we hung our harps. For there our captors demanded of us songs, and our tormentors mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?

^5-6 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget her skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.

⁷ Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it, raze it
to its very foundation.”
^8-9 O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, how blessed will be the one who repays you with the recompense with which you have repaid us. How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

Message: Waiting for Justice

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

One of the many complaints I hear about God is why has not justice occurred with "X" situation. In this life, people are accustomed to seeing wrong-doers paying an immediate penalty or seeing a consequence for their actions. This Psalm is a good encouragement regarding awaiting justice in a particular situation.

In the beginning, in verses 1-4, we should expect things to be uncomfortable ("we sat down and wept") as we wait.  The psalmist did not forget Jerusalem when the people were in exile (5-6); similarly, we should not forget the city of God as we go about as strangers in this world. If we forget the Lord’s kingdom, we will be tempted to compromise so that we do not feel like strangers, and we will lose our expectation for our Creator to set things right.

Here it is asked that the sons of Edom experience the same hurt and devastation they experienced, namely, "dashes your little ones against the rock." We can pray that people would experience justice from God in the same way we have experienced justice. Today, we can pray that the cross of Christ that paid for our sins would hit hard in everyone's lives.

Promise: Sin is so serious that it must be repaid in kind. The cross of Christ did this for us.

Romans 9:17-18 - God's Will and His Mercy

Romans 9:17-18 - 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

Message: God's Will and His Mercy

Time: Romulus founded ancient Rome about 753 BC. By 600 BC it had become a wealthy, flourishing city with a monarch. Around 500 BC, the monarch was overthrown. A republic resulted and after war, Rome became the only great power in the Mediterranean, succeeding the empire of Alexander the Great. Before and after the birth of Christ, Rome's dominion continued to expand to about two thirds the size of the continental US. At the time Paul wrote, Rome had a population of about 1,000,000. Most were slaves. It was a vast empire, but had many religions present. It is unknown how the church started in Rome, but Gentiles and Jews both were involved. Paul was writing to address a problem, but he wanted to be there and perhaps, make Rome his base for his missionary journey's

What the Lord is Saying:

"For Scripture says"
Scripture here is personified. Paul is stating here that when Scripture speaks, God speaks.

"to Pharaoh, For this very purpose I raised you up"
People everywhere believe there life is in their control. Their lives are their own. But, could it be that God designates and plans what kind of a life a person will have? Did Pharaoh assume that everything he did in his monarch was by his own free choice for his own human purpose? Through Moses, Pharaoh had a divine purpose. And this purpose he wasn't even aware of.

These are powerfully strong words. God had a purpose in the life of Pharaoh. From the words of Romans 1:21, Pharaoh was a man that, "knew God, but did not honor Him. He did not give thanks to God. He became futile in his speculations. His foolish heart was darkened (hardened)." God had a purpose in Pharaoh rejecting God.

"I raised you up to demonstrate"
The Greek word is endeiknumi. It is to make known the character or significance of something by auditory, visual, gestural, linguistic means. It is to point out, to demonstrate, to put on display, to prove, to show proof, to show forth, to show oneself, to give visible proof, to show in anything and implies an appeal to facts. It is like Pharaoh is to act as an index finger in pointing to God.

I'm not sure we can really comprehend or that we even take the time to realize what is going on here. God is using a man that has no care for God. This is a man that has no desire to make God known. And takes the things of God and laughs at them and calls them no big deal. How often to we center around the pious and religious and call out that they are the ones pointing us to God.

Is it possible God is using someone like Obama for His purposes?

"to demonstrate My Power in you"
This is a quote from Exodus 9:16. This is God's purposes. It is to demonstrate His Power in us. It is to demonstrate His might, His capability, His ability, His strength. God uses all sorts of people to demonstrate His power. But, I'm not sure if that means that every person is used. Each person has a purpose and this was clearly Pharaoh's purpose.

"and that My Name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth."
His power is to be known, but His name is to be proclaimed. Mark 3:13-14, when Jesus called the disciples, it is for 2 purposes. "That they might be with Him" and thus witness to His power "and that He might send them out to preach" and thus that His name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth. 

"So then He has mercy on whom He desires and He hardens whom He desires"
Paul with the words "so then" is speaking a conclusion. Paul used the words "so then" back in verse 16 so he is giving a direct conclusion simply based upon the words and message of verse 17. There is a mystery in God. We must surrender to Him and accept His hand of providence. Accept His ways. We are such creatures in that we always want an explanation. This will come out further shortly in verse 21 when Paul gives us the example of the potter and the clay. But, God has mercy on whom He desires. I can definitely see how that verse can cause problems in people's lives and specifically problems with an atheist who wants a clear cause and effect for everything in life.

There is no injustice God. What there is in God is mercy and compassion.

That mighty act of God in delivering Israel from bondage in Egypt demonstrated two great truths. He delivered Israel to exhibit His sovereign mercy on [those] whom He desires, and He raised up and destroyed Pharaoh to exhibit the corollary truth that He hardens those whom He desires. Only His divine desire determines which it will be. - preceptaustin.org

God has sovereign will and this means that God acts as He sees fit.

In Exodus, it mentions that Pharaoh's heart was hardened and it also mentions that God hardened Pharaoh's heart. There is still the free will of man. Even though we can't comprehend this with our finite minds, the two still exist. God is sovereign. Man has free will. They work in concert with one another. Again, I return to Romans 8:28 and rewrite it that "God causes all of man's free will to work together for His sovereign purpose."

Promise: It is not that God has mercy on those who He foresees will believe and hardens those who He foresees will not believe. It is not that God has a knowledge then of our free will and then makes a decision, otherwise the notion of justice is moot. We cannot locate God's reasons for election. He chooses those to whom He will show mercy and we must trust God in this.