Imagine That

(Pro 6:18 KJV)  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

At this point we are half way through a list of things the Lord hates.  At this point we come across something that our modern culture is working hard to say does not exist.  This has two cultural beliefs we need to challenge.

The first is that man is born in sin.  One of the cardinal truths taught in the Bible is Original Sin.  It has various forms but they all focus on the belief that man is born with a natural rebellion against the things of God and a attitude of self-centeredness.  Our schools and all public voices would claim that is a hang-up that Christians have and that people are basically good.  This is a foundational difference.

The second is that the behavior that is being pushed today is wrong.  Whether it is letting criminals go free or grooming children, they see nothing wrong with it.  No activity is wrong unless it violates something they have their mind set on.

So?  God has standards.  He is serious about them.  We need to seek to abide by them and admit that there are many who glory in the evil that is all around us.  The second is harder than the first.

L’Chaim

(Psa 21:4 KJV)  He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

It seems like David is getting autobiographical here.  I assume that David wrote this.  That is what the first line of the chapter tells us and I assume the statement is included in the Hebrew text.  He is talking about the king.  He is the king.  

He is asking for “life” (2425b).  This is a broader request than to stay alive, although it includes that.  If you saw Fiddler on the Roof you might remember the song, “To Life”.  The phrase they us is “l’chaim” which is based on this word for life.  In that sense it is a call to a full and satisfying existence.

But I think it goes on from their.  To me this is another example of Old Testament Bible verses that point us to eternal life.

So?  The Bible is consistent, from beginning to end. 

Long Range Promise

(Psa 16:10 KJV)  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(Proverbs 4 also read)

There are two levels of hope expressed in this verse.  The first is what David is applying to himself.  He has the assurance that God will not “leave” (abandon NASB) (5800a) his “soul” (5315) [nephesh] to “hell” (Sheol NASB) (7585).  This is one of the indications in the Old Testament that God offers eternal life to believers.  If David has that hope then we have it multiplied.

The second hope was a future prophecy for David but is a past assurance for us.  David switches from himself to the Messiah.  This is one of the prophecies that are brought out to point to Jesus rising from the dead.  When David died and was buried it became clear that he was not talking about himself.  Looking back we see the basis for our hope in the resurrection.

So?  As Paul implied, death has no sting for us.  It is a promise grounded centuries before Jesus was born.  It is still a promise today.

Pilate Watches the News

(Joh 18:38 KJV)  Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

If I had not read the entire passage I might be tempted to think that Pilate had been reading the New York Times or watching CNN.  This is a question that I find myself asking in different ways on a constant basis.  Pilate was waxing philosophical and it might be good for us to join him.

Step a bit beyond the theological.  We know that Jesus said He was the way, truth and life.  We know He is the only way to salvation, but what about deciding whether to boycott Bud Lite?  I use that illustration because I don’t drink and have no problem boycotting something I never use.  Thus we get to the philosophical.  

As Christians we have a charge to constantly live our life in the moral lane.  We are responsible to determine truth in everything we do.  That is often impossible because our sources of information are totally corrupted or warped beyond recognition.  It doesn’t seem like there are any exceptions any more.  It is obvious in the news.  It is overwhelming in the weather projections.  It even pops up with overzealous pastors when they get going.  The only way we can know how to respond to what we are hearing is if we are standing on the truth that we know we can cling to.  Common sense is only possible if we stand on solid ground.

So?  I know I repeat myself.  Imagine living in my head and having to listen to my lectures on a constant basis.  Read the word.  Know God’s specific standards and general principles.  Wrestle with truth.  It will sharpen your baloney meter. 

Swings

(Psa 13:1 KJV)  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

(Proverbs 2 also read)

As I read through this chapter today I noticed the mood swing of David as he wrote.  I said to my self, “This could be me.”  If you have your Bible read through the chapter.  It is only six verses long.  Then see if you agree with me when I say we have all been there.  In fact some of us may be there as we read.

Feel free to ask the question.  Feel free to ask any question.  That is something we forget about God and David keeps reminding us.  We have a living relationship with the God Who Is.  Think of the mood swings of David.  Think of Moses arguing with God.  Think of Paul and his thorn in the flesh.  For that matter, think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was pleading with the Father to take the cup from Him.  

Take the time to listen for an answer.  And keep reading.  Maybe the answer comes in the next verse.  Maybe it will come if you will pause and let the Spirit whisper in your ear.

So?  Rejoice in a living relationship with a living God. 

Fashionable

(Psa 1:4 KJV)  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

(Proverbs 1 also read)

People who are serious about serving the Lord are often identified as conservative or traditional.  You hear such terms as fuddy duddy and stick in the mud.  I think we should bear those labels with honor and good humor.  We should also feel compassion for those who are like the “wicked” (7563) described here.

Stability is a good quality.  Stable people are for progress but only if the progress is an improvement.  They are not in favor of change for change’s sake.  It is such a part of our life.  Think of fashion.  I think fashion is a great example of planned obsolescence.  It is to separate those who can afford to keep wasting money from the frugal.  Back in the days when men wore ties as part of their Sunday outfit you could tell who was cool and who was not by the width of their tie.

So?  The things that are eternal never change.  They may be expressed differently at different times but the underlying pattern does not move.  Live by the eternal. 

You Are Not the Only One

(2Pe 3:15-6 KJV)  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

(Proverbs 31 also read)

Have you ever felt like there was something wrong with you because you could not understand what you were reading in the Bible.  In this verse Peter is sharing your pain.  He is specifically referring to the writing of the apostle Paul.

That being said, just because we don’t understand it does not mean we can’t figure it out.  Keep reading and thinking about what you have read.  Listen to others.  Sometimes they answer questions you have never verbalized.  Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit.

So?  Hang in there.  If everything came automatically there would be no need for all those commentaries out there.  Actually, I am not sure there is any need for them anyway.  Most of what they tell you is their opinion.