Safetypinlove

The people spoken of here were the patriarchs and devout persons of the Old Testament who looked forward in faith and hope to the blessings of the Gospel…but still perished without actually obtaining it first. In verse 39 of this Chapter it goes on to explain, “They were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.” And exactly what had been promised? Namely the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. For in Matthew 13:17 Jesus speaks of these people to His disciples when He says, “For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” Or in other words, “Guys, think about it, you are witnesses to all the things your forefathers longed to be part of…but never were. But even then, their faith never faltered.”

Psalm 14:3 says it the most bluntly, “All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.” First, this shows the universality of sin…we are all sinners living in a evil and broken world. Our desires are for ourselves only, our focus on what we can get out of any situation, and our intentions usually dishonorable if we can get away with it. Like it says here, the world is held prisoner by sin…like a fish caught in a net or a bird in a snare, we’re all under the curse of sin and death. But God has made a way out…and His Name is Jesus Christ! For by placing our trust in Jesus we too can have that promise written about here…the promise of forgiveness for our sins and the hope of eternal life.

To paraphrase II Chronicles 13:12, Don’t fight against the Lord for you won’t succeed. So why do humans still think they can outwit, outmaneuver, and destroy the works of God? It just won’t happen. Or as the Lord speaking through Isaiah said, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Isaiah 46:10) Simon Peter was right when he conceded his total lack of ability to go against God’s plan when he said in Acts 11:17, “Who was I to think I could oppose God?” None of us have the capability to stop God…and it’s just plain foolishness to think we could successfully come against the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of the Universe. It just won’t happen.

In Chapter six of II Samuel King David is bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem when tragedy struck and he changed his mind out of fear and anger. He instead brought the Ark of the Covenant to a nearby house and left it there. It tells us that the owner, Obed-Edom, and his entire household were blessed by the Lord during its three month stay. So much that when King David was told about it he immediately journeyed to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. For both Obed-Edom and King David, Psalm 34:8 was relevant, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Throughout his life, King David knew what it was like to be blessed of God…and he wanted that again…for him and his people. While Obed-Edom had tasted for the first time the goodness of the Lord and now didn’t want it to leave. So much so, that he and his sons (and his entire household in tow) assisted King David to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and then remained there to minister in the Sanctuary.

It’s one thing to say I’m seeking after the Lord, and if I’m really doing it… if I’m just giving God lip service and not applying His Truth in practical ways to my life. But if I want true change within, I must seek good and not evil. I must seek God, the fountain of all goodness, and His path of faith and holiness. I must seek the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the truth, and the life. I must seek the Holy Spirit who works good in His people and is my Comforter. Finally, I must seek the unfailingly good Word of God which is full of truth, promise, and hope.

From the very beginning man was made in God’s image, the crown of His creation, and distinct from the rest of the world. But then sin found it’s way in, and with it pride, disobedience and a turning from God. And because God hates sin, we are held accountable for the consequences of our sinful actions. We shouldn’t be surprised then, for we are simply reaping what we have sown, and eating the fruit of our own evil schemes. (Proverbs 1:31) Or as the Lord said through Jeremiah, “Why do you cry out over your wound, your pain that has no cure? Because of your great guilt and many sins I have done these things to you.” (Jeremiah 30:15)

There is only One who can explain from beginning to end our universe and everything within it. There is only One Who placed and planted all we see, hear, smell, and enjoy. There is only One that can reveal future events with utter confidence…for they are all found in His hand. Yes, there is only One, and His Name is God Almighty… with infinite awareness, understanding, and insight… He is the only One.

I bet you have that go-to person when you’re stuck, confused, or seeking God’s perspective in a matter. Maybe it’s your Pastor or a trusted friend that you can always turn to for Biblical advice. We must be careful though when we seek out advice from others…for they say that the lips are the gateway to honesty or deception, and the advice we receive may or may not be wholly God’s Truth. I pray the next time you need counsel, the Lord will direct you to a wise, discerning person full of contemplative Biblical perception and moral cognition that can point you to His Truth.

Growing in the Lord and increasing our faith in Him is entirely our responsibility. Consequently, the same goes for our knowledge of the Lord. We can either invest our time, energy, and dedication in learning God’s Truth in the Bible and thereby gaining Christ-like wisdom…or we can stand idly by, our growth in the Lord stunted and barren because of our disobedience. Colossians 1:10 sums it up well, “We pray that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Growing in the knowledge of God is our obligation to live productive and godly lives… it only ending the moment we come face to face with Jesus.

Pharaoh’s answer to Moses and Aaron was quite candid…” Why should I obey a God I don’t know?” “Why should I give attention to His Voice when I don’t know who He is?” Many in the world today are saying the same things. They have no personal knowledge or personal relationship with God, so why should they obey this stranger? That’s where you and I come in as Believers…for we can introduce them to this stranger Who can become closer than a brother if they give Him half a chance.