WHEN IN DOUBT...SHUT YOUR MOUTH

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. --1 Corinthians 8:1-3

To My Daughters,

Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. This is such a wonderful principal to apply in all the decisions we make.  The bible says that without love we are nothing and whatever we might do...even those things that look good and right from the outside are in vain.  Love is always needed to see the whole picture.
  
Knowledge leads to pride, thinking we know better we run ramrod over other people's beliefs and feelings. We run ahead of God and their conscience and weaken their faith.  In fact, a know-it-all really just advertises his ignorance because someone who really does know a lot also realizes how very little he really does know.   Knowledge, Paul said, puffs up, but love edifies.

Today, as in the Corinthian church there are many situations in our lives that are not black and white.  Thou shalt not kill...pretty black and white.  Do not be drunk with wine...but a little is good for the stomach.  Not so black and white. How much can you drink then and still be in God's will???  Here is where the rubber really meets the road.  Paul says not to use just your knowledge in such matters but use your love.  Consider not only what is lawful for you...but what would be the best for others.

 Chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians speaks to the larger issue of our liberty in Christ.  Paul urges us not to put a stumbling block in front of our weaker brethren. He is speaking in regard to the eating of meat that was sacrificed to idols.  I will speak to the drinking of alcohol...an example that is easier for us to understand in today's world.   Having a glass of wine in front of a brother who has struggled with alcohol abuse in the past is not loving.  He might use your liberty in Christ to go against his conscience, be emboldened to drink and could, therefore, be adversely affected by your liberty. 

Each one of us have weak areas where it is easy for Satan to gain a foothold.  For one it might be alcohol, for another lust, for another greed...I could go on but I will spare you.  I might have a personal conviction that I will not do this or that because I know the end of doing this particular thing would lead me down a path where I know I am weak and sin would most likely result.  It would not be a good thing for me to go against my conscience in this. It is kind of similar to someone who is on a diet and going against their conscience eat a small piece of cake.  Harmless, right...a few spins on the exercise bike and the effects are mitigated.  Unfortunately, food is a weak area for them and because they now feel they have blown their diet consume the entire cake.  NOT SO EASILY MITIGATED.  I do not want to do this to another brother or sister in Christ. God places various convictions on our hearts to hedge us behind and before from ourselves...from our own flesh.  Talking someone out of a conviction  that God has placed on their heart is never a good thing.  

How do we know then when to bear with the infirmities of our brethren in love and when to speak the truth to them in love.   (notice that the word love is used in both instances...love is always needed)  Here is what I do...I pray...I ask God what to do in all the different situations I face.  I ask for His wisdom which is peaceable, pure, gentle and willing to yield.   And here is the most important part of my message...WHEN IN DOUBT...I SHUT MY MOUTH.  I trust that the Lord will lead them...just as He does me.  

A relationship with Jesus is moment by moment surrender to the prompting of His Spirit in your life. It is not a set of rules and regulations.  It is asking Him what to do and how to handle each situation you face.  Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  Put Him first.  Love those around you with the love He has shed abroad in your heart.  Immerse yourself in His word.  It will right your thinking, align your will with His, and correct what misunderstandings you might have.  God will guide you in all situations and if He is leading you will be walking in love and building up the faith of those around you. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths.--  Proverbs 3:5-6

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.--1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Love
Mom

Wisdm’s Cost…

 For in much wisdom is much grief,

And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.—Ecclesiastes 2:18

The way I see it there are two sides to this verse.

The first is that it is very true that the more godly wisdom you have, the more you will understand the world around you and the more you will see how very far it falls short of perfection. Evil becomes evident and sorrow for how things are becomes your constant companion. 

On the other hand, this same sorrow fills you with a holy longing for the Lord’s presence and for heaven where there will only be perfection continually.  Not only that, we who believe have the Spirit of God dwelling in us by whom we can cry out Abba, Father.  He is our strength, our song, our shield and our exceedingly great reward.  From Him and through Him we get the help we need to see us through this world and into the next. 

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."—Revelation 21:1-5

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.

10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16:9-11

As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;

I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness—Psalm 17:15

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.—Romans 8:18

Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.—Romans 8:23-25

Praying Like Jesus…

 And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.—Job 42:10

I have to confess that this…one of the last verses in the book of Job…stopped me dead in my tracks. Do I pray for those who are not “for” me?   My answer was a “qualified” yes.  I do bring them before the Lord daily, but sadly my heart is often not in it.  I pray for the people who ARE “for” me with fervency, but how often do I ask the Spirit of God to help me to pray for my enemies with the same fervor?  My prayers for my enemies usually come at the end of my prayer time and are half-hearted at best.  I do want the Lord to restore my losses as He did Job’s, but what I want even more is His love poured out in my heart for those people that I don’t want to intercede for.  

God’s desire is that none should perish, but that all should come to eternal life in His Son.  He died for me when I was yet His enemy.  If I truly want to be conformed into His image, than I must do likewise.  A servant is not above His master.  

Father…Give me Your heart of love for those that hurt me daily and live toward me as if my heart were impervious to pain. Help me to intercede for them as my Jesus does for me.  Help me to pray for them Your richest blessings. 

12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,

And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,

Because He poured out His soul unto death,

And He was numbered with the transgressors,

And He bore the sin of many,

And made intercession for the transgressors.—Isaiah 53:12

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.—Romans 8:31-34

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.—Matthew 5:44-48

Living in the Light of the Glory of God….

 1 I will sing of mercy and justice;

To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.

Oh, when will You come to me?

I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;

I hate the work of those who fall away;

It shall not cling to me.

4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;

I will not know wickedness.

5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,

Him I will destroy;

The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart,

Him I will not endure.

6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,

That they may dwell with me;

He who walks in a perfect way,

He shall serve me.

7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house;

He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.

8 Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land,

That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.—Psalm 101

In verses 1-4 of Psalm 101 David expresses beautifully his personal commitment to live righteously before God and keep His statutes. He speaks further in verses 5-8 about the lives of those who live in his kingdom. I am going to focus on the personal side here.  

I gotta confess that I shy away from speaking with such a firm resolve to live righteously as David does here, because I know that my own miserable reality is failure.  I do want the same things that David desires for himself in these verses, but, no matter how firm my resolve is, “I” fail.  

Here is the thing though...only Jesus fulfilled all of these perfectly. I AM insufficient to the task, but He is not. I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  I won’t get it perfect on this side of heaven, but each day as I behold the glory of my Lord, I will be transformed a little bit more into His image.  So today...like David does here...I will purpose in my heart to live perfectly before the Lord my God. He will perform my vow for me and perfect what concerns me.  

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.—2 Corinthians 3:18

Good Advice from Jeremiah…

 4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.—Jeremiah 29:4-7;10-11

As I read these words from Jeremiah 29 my heart rejoiced in its wisdom. Jeremiah’s advice to the Jewish exiles in Babylon was good not only for them, but also for us as we face the inevitable trials that accompany life in this fallen world. Beloved…This world is not our home.  As believers we are sojourners and pilgrims here on this earth. Our hope is in heaven.  We walk by faith, not by sight.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.—Hebrews 11:13-16

Father….Help me to live as Jeremiah advises.  By Your Spirit may I surrender to whatever situation You, in Your wisdom, have allowed in my life and make the best of it.   May I press forward and not back.  

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Help me not to complain but to trust You…

Trust Your purposes…

Trust Your car and Your provision….

Trust Your timing.  

Trust that that You will see me through and will use all in my life for my good and Your glory. 

Oh Father…remind me to pray…to turn my pour heart upside down before You. You are my refuge and my very present help.  Write these words from Philippians 4 that parallel Jeremiah’s on my heart. parallel Jeremiah’s. 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].—Philippians 4:4-8 AMP

Beloved our Hope is in Him.  Look to Him and to Him alone for your help.  Fill your heart with His word, live in His peace and accept His will for you.  Take to heart God’s beautiful promise in verse 11.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Notes on Job Chapters 32-37

 Job 32:1-5 Job's friends cease from speaking because Job is still considering himself righteous. He is not admitting to any secret or protracted sin in his life.  Elihu...the youngest of the four comforters and one who has not spoken before can't keep from speaking now.  He is angry at the other three because they did not provide Job with a real answer and yet condemned him.  He is angry at Job because Job was justifying himself rather than God.

Job 32:6-22 Elihu says that he has held off from speaking because of his youth.  Now, however, he can't hold back.  If he does not speak, he will burst.  Elihu also implies that he will be speaking God's words.  This will be confirmed later on.  I am seeing a big red flag here...how about you?  Since the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God, Elihu would be better off if he kept quiet.  Elihu thinks he knows something.  We all have to be so careful here.  So many of us are quick to judge situations and circumstances we see in the lives of others without knowing all the facts...without having walked a mile in their shoes. We speak without a heart of love for the person we are trying to help.  Arrogance and pride are so easy for me to see in others...so much harder to see it in myself.  Praying that God will show me because I do not want to be an Elihu!!  Ever!  Praying that I will also pray more and speak less!

Job 33:1-7 These words of Elihu are so filled with Elihu that I must put them here.  No words of explanation are needed.  His own words testify to his pride and arrogance.


1 “But please, Job, hear my speech,
      And listen to all my words.

 2 Now, I open my mouth;
      My tongue speaks in my mouth.

 3 My words come from my upright heart;
      My lips utter pure knowledge.

 4 The Spirit of God has made me,
      And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

 5 If you can answer me,
      Set your words in order before me;
      Take your stand.

 6 Truly I am as your spokesman[a] before God;
      I also have been formed out of clay.

 7 Surely no fear of me will terrify you,
      Nor will my hand be heavy on you.

Job 33:8-33 Elihu responds to Job's claims of innocence and also to his claim  that God was his enemy.  The two did not add up.  God is gracious.  He is not your enemy, Job, says Elihu. 

Job had also complained that God did not speak to him.  Elihu responds by saying God speaks to us in various ways (dreams, visions, special messengers) and that God does not need to defend his actions before man.  Elihu claims to be God's messenger to show Job that God is not whimsical. He does what He does because He wants to direct Job away from the pit and restore him back to Himself. Elihu is implying that Job was not hearing from God because Job was not listening. Job should listen to one as Elihu to teach him wisdom. God was using Elihu to get Job back on a godly path!  Truly I feel for Job here. 

Job 34:1-35:16  Elihu proclaims God's justice.  He is angry at Job because Job has said that God had taken away his justice and that it does not profit a man to delight in God.  Elihu says that God is not manipulated by man's actions and does not do wickedly nor does he pervert justice.  God also does not show partiality.  Elihu says that Job is sinning by how he is speaking about God.   He counsels Job to wait on God and to be patient....


Job 36:1-37:24  Here is where Elihu very clearly claims to be speaking for God.


2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you
      That there are yet words to speak on God’s behalf.
 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar;
      I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.


Elihu then goes on to speak of God's goodness, greatness and majesty in His dealings with man be they righteous or wicked and in his dealings with nature. His advice to Job is to stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.  In view of such greatness what can man teach God.  


Applications for us...

If you can get beyond Elihu's arrogance in Chapter 33 (a big IF) he does say some pretty insightful stuff. 

Here are some verses that spoke to my heart.


Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.

Why do we contend with God?  The Lord is sovereign.  He can do what He wishes...He is God.  That sounds pretty frightening but not if we remember that God sent His Son to die for us when we were still His enemy. He has proven His great love for us.  Rest in His love...allow Him to complete the good work He began in you. 

33:14-18  God does speak to us in various ways to keep us from our own purposes.  This is ALWAYS a blessing.

33:19-22  God also speak to us through trials.  Pain has a purpose.  In these verses Elihu tells Job that his suffering is not punishment but to keep him from going in a direction that is harmful.  

Job 33:23-26  I see Jesus in these verses.  Read them for yourself and see what I mean.  

“If there is a messenger for him,
      A mediator, one among a thousand,
      To show man His uprightness,
 24 Then He is gracious to him, and says,

      ‘ Deliver him from going down to the Pit;
      I have found a ransom’;
 25 His flesh shall be young like a child’s,
      He shall return to the days of his youth.
 26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,
      He shall see His face with joy, 
For He restores to man His righteousness.

Jesus paid the ransom...He can give us new life and render to man His righteousness.  WOW! WOW! WOW!  Jesus is the gracious One.  He is our Deliverer. 

Job 33:27-28  I see Jesus also in these verses...the gospel is evident.  Read them and see once again for yourself.


27 Then he looks at men and says,

      ‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
      And it did not profit me.’
 28 He will redeem his[b] soul from going down to the Pit,
      And his[c] life shall see the light.


Man must first admit that he has sinned and God will redeem him and his life shall see the light!  Can I hear another WOW!!

Chapter 34 again shows us Elihu's arrogance.  We also see that he does not speak accurately in regard to what Job has spoken.  In this he bears false witness against Job.  The application for us in this is to listen carefully and speak only truth.

This verse spoke to my heart:


“For has anyone said to God,

      ‘I have borne chastening;
      I will offend no more;
 32 Teach me what I do not see;
      If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’?


Our God is the One who sees.  We see through the mirror darkly.  We do not know anywhere near what God knows about our circumstances.  Neither do we know His purposes.  Ask God to show you those things that are not right in your life...that are not pleasing to Him.  Trust Him and wait on Him in whatever situation you are in...He is the God that performs all things well. 

Should He repay it according to your terms, (vs 33)


Do you really want God to do things the way you want Him to?  God is my Father...I am but a child...not knowing as Solomon said how to go in or go out.


Thus ends 32-37...on to 38-42.  Some of my favorite chapters. 

My Jesus…

My Jesus...

My Jesus gentle, humble, meek and full of compassion…
My Jesus, who condescended to come in to this world as one of His creatures.  
My Jesus who willingly gave His life so that I could live forever in Heaven with Him.  
My Jesus, my strong Deliverer. 
My Jesus, my Rock, my Stay and my Support….
My Jesus, the One whose way is perfect and who makes perfect all that concerns me…
My Jesus, the One who performs all things for me.  

My Jesus is FULL OF COMPASSION…

My Jesus condescends…He bends low…He stoops…He heals the brokenhearted…He makes the crooked places straight and He makes a way in the desert.  

A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench;--Isaiah 42:3

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young.--Isaiah 40:11

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”--Matthew 11:28-30

Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.--Isaiah 53:4

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord
And the praises of the Lord,
According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us,
And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies,
According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
8 For He said, “Surely they are My people,
Children who will not lie.”
So He became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction He was afflicted,
And the Angel of His Presence saved them;
In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;
And He bore them and carried them
All the days of old.--Isaiah 63:7-9

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.--Matthew 9:36

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.--Matthew 14:14

And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.--Luke 7:12-15

When Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and Jews who came with her, also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit, and was troubled, and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. ( John 11:32-35)

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.--Matthew 18:11-13

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!--Matthew 23:37

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”--Luke 7:13

Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,  saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. --Luke 19:41-42

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.--2 Corinthians 8:9

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.--Hebrews 4:15-16

For Surely There is a Hereafter…

Do not let your heart envy sinners,

But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

For surely there is a hereafter,

And your hope will not be cut off.—Prov 23:17-18

If you are anything like me, you might find yourself as you go about your day focusing on and caring about things that have no eternal value.  All the world is truly a stage and very often we can get caught up and entrapped in its trappings. We forget truth and begin to live as the non believers around us...for ourselves and not for God. 

Beloved...don’t envy sinners...sin brings nothing but despair and death.  Instead, be zealous for the Lord all the day long. For surely there is a hereafter and our hope will not be cut off. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.  Lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. Desire instead, the pure milk of the word and grow in His grace and knowledge as you meditate on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy.  

Oh Father! Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your good and right way.  Oh, that I would be wise!   May my soul follow hard after You and may Your right hand uphold me.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.—Colossians 3:2-4

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

And wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.—Psalm 37:1-4

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

Who delights greatly in His commandments.—Psalm 112:1

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.—1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Lord Gives Light…

10 You who love the LORD, hate evil!

He preserves the souls of His saints;

He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous,

And gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous,

And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.—Psalm 97:10-12

There is so much in these few short verses!  

The upright in heart love God and obey Him. Their lives are devoted to doing His will and living for His glory.  Loving God means hating evil because our God is holy.  In God we rejoice and to God we give thanks. Our God protects us, preserves us and delivers us out of the hand of the wicked.  

Verse 11 is where my heart focused this morning.  The Lord gives us light for our path and puts gladness in our hearts.  My spirit testifies with the psalmist here. No matter what might be happening in the world or in the microcosm of my life, my heart can still rejoice and give thanks to His holy name.  My Beloved has accepted me. I belong to Him and Him to me.  My true home is in heaven with Him. 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.—Romans 8:18

As I read verse 11 these three verses came to mind. 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.—Ephesians 2:10

18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun,

That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is like darkness;

They do not know what makes them stumble.—Proverbs 4:18

Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.—Psalm 119:105

Warren Wiersbe says that the image in verse 11 is that of the sower. The Lord plants light like seeds so that His people will not always walk in darkness. Moreover, what He plants will eventually bear fruit.   

Beloved, the Light of Life shines on the believer’s path. He goes before us and is with us. His joy is our companion as we obey Him and walk in those works that He prepared beforehand. He will show us the path of life.  In His presence is fullness of joy and at His  right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,"

Even the night shall be light about me;—Psalm 139:7-11