Throne Location

Psalm 11:4 (KJV) The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

(Proverbs 12 also read)

There are some people who are fixated on the temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem as part of the end times.  They tend to also think of God’s throne being located in that temple.  They base their thinking on the mercy seat and the tabernacle which is described in the Old Testament.  I don’t think it’s realistic to think that the presence of the Creator of the universe could confine Himself to one spot in a tent or a building.  I think the idea was that that was the touch point where He met with His people.

This though seems to indicate that the location of God’s actual throne is in heaven.  I think it also indicates that in the end times if there is a temple, it will be in heaven.  Of course we have to deal with the fact that the apostle Paul talks about us being God’s temple as the Holy Spirit resides in us, but that’s a discussion for another day.

So?  When you think of the ultimate location of the throne of God and the temple of God, think of it in heaven, not in Jerusalem.  

Wishful Thinking

Psalm 10:13 (KJV) Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

This chapter in Psalms almost seems like it’s written by someone who is skeptical about the existence of God and very off target when it comes to the character of God.  It starts by accusing God of being far away.  It doesn’t work that way.  The one who has moved far away is not God, but the hesitant believer or the blatant denier.

Then we get down to this verse, which puts a target on the problem.  There are many people in the world who don’t think that God is paying attention.  The KJV here says that God will not require it.  The meaning of the word has the connotation that God is not going to look deep enough to know that there’s a problem.  It seems to assume that God is ignorant or negligent.  I would not count on that.

So?  Accept the fact that God is paying attention.  Accept that God is not going to turn his back on sin or evil.  Ultimately there would be a price to pay.  He is willing for you to trust in Jesus and let the blood of Jesus pay that price, but if not, His wrath will descend upon us.  Don’t live in denial.  

Start with a Name

Psalm 9:10 (KJV) And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

I have been slowly working through the book of Revelation and trying to understand what it’s saying.  It is an uphill grind.  The book of Revelation specializes in hiding its meaning.  Here I find a refreshing reminder of who God is and how He works with us.  Notice that there is a promise here.  It promises that God will not forsake us if we are seeking him.

But notice the condition of this promise:  We must be people who know His name.  Names were important in the period of the Old Testament.  They told you something about the person.  They laid a foundation for a relationship.  You might give different people different names and only tell your real name to an inner circle.

We see that in this verse, God has given us His real name.  In our translations it comes across as “LORD”.  Turn back to Exodus and remind yourself of how God said that this was His name and how that comes across as meaning, “I am”.  God exists.  The essence of His name is that He exists.  We are required to know that.

So?  Do you know that God exist?  Have you reached out and trusted in him?  He has promised not to forsake you.  He is.  He was.  He will be.  

First Step

Proverbs 9:4 (KJV) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

It occurred to me this morning that possibly the first step in gaining wisdom is to realize you need input from outside yourself.  I noticed that this is wisdom calling out here and accusing us of being simple.  Actually, as I have read this in the past I have breezed over it because I have not considered myself one of the simple.  Maybe that’s a first step that I need to grasp, or take, if that’s more appropriate.

As a skeptic, I asked a lot of questions.  You can ask stupid questions because you’re not listening.  I’m sure that I have my times when I do that, but most of the time I ask questions because I am listening.  Not only am I listening, but I am remembering things that I’ve heard and read before.  I like to think that most of my questions are based on either a lack of knowledge about something or a perceived inconsistency that I want to resolve.

So?  I plan on continuing to ask questions but I need to begin to assume, as a starting point, that I am not the wise one.  I need to be careful not to try to play “gotcha”.  

Priority

Proverbs 8:17 (KJV) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

I first read this in the NASB which says to “seek diligently”.  I found myself again wondering how that relates to “early” in the KJV.  The general idea is that when you get up and get started, that is when you seek God, not when the day is over or when you’re in the middle of trouble.  It brings to mind a New Testament scripture,

(Mat 6:33 KJV)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I think this is about priorities.  It tells us what our priorities should be in planning our day.  It’s not saying that you can’t find God if you wait until the crisis, or until you’re tired, or in the midst of chaos, but it is pointing out that the best way to know who God is, and what that means for your life, is to seek Him first.

So?  Start your day with a good spiritual breakfast.  Think in terms of tangents and vectors.  A small variation at the beginning of a line can make a massive difference when it arrives on target.

Gotcha

Proverbs 7:12 (KJV) Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

One of the games that we are constantly playing at my house is “gotcha”.  What this consists of is my grandchildren sneaking up on me as I am working at my desk or reading in my chair and making me jump.  That’s the normal.  At other times by coincidence I am situated where I can get them.  And as they say, “A good time was had by all.”

I noticed that after they have jumped me, I get cautious about walking through the house.  There are a number of corners, as I mentioned in this verse.  They might lay in wait around any of them.  There’s a way you can approach a corner without getting startled.  First of all, you have to be aware that you’re coming to a corner and that you need to be alert.  In life that’s where most of us err.  We don’t stop to think.  We get preoccupied.  If we think about it, we can situate ourselves so that we can at least have a glimpse of what’s around the corner before we get there.

So?  Evil is out to get you.  Accept that.  Be aware.  God is out to keep you from getting gotten.  Except that.  Be aware.  Rejoice.

A Surety Thing

Proverbs 6:1 (KJV) My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

I know I don’t need to remind you of what this is saying.  Then again, maybe I do.  This goes beyond irresponsible spending on ourselves and gets to the point where we step forward and help someone else spend irresponsibly.

If we are looking at a neighbor or a friend who is in genuine need then we have a responsibility to help.  That doesn’t mean guaranteeing loans.  It might mean a gift of cash.  It might mean a box of groceries.  It might mean some babysitting . It might be many things, but it does not mean putting your name on the line so they can buy a new car or a new home.

So?  The word of God sticks His nose in all of our areas of concern.  That is because God is concerned about all of our areas.  That includes our finances and the promises we make to others. Be careful out there.