Today I want to share a word about how to stand before kings as I comment on passages from Proverbs 14, 16, and 22. Let’s begin by reading Proverbs 14:33-35:
Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
Most people I know are ordinary, everyday folks. From time to time, however, any of us may encounter a person of power, or celebrity. Also, we might work for such a person, directly or indirectly. So, how do we handle those encounters? How do we relate to those who exercise much greater authority or influence?
I once met a pilot of Marine One, which is the radio call sign of a helicopter with the President of the United States on board. He was an ordinary looking man who had an extraordinary job. When I asked how he handled such a position he shrugged, and said, “I learned how to fly the helicopter, and I learned how to act around powerful people. And I had good teachers along the way.”
We, too, can learn how to stand before powerful and influential people. We, too, have a teacher, a teacher who is the wisest and most knowledgeable of all, the one who is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. His Word tells us how His people in the Bible stood before kings, and how we can do so today as well, so to speak.
First, to stand before kings requires wisdom.
How do important men and women get that way? I heard a joke that claims, “Behind every big man there is a big behind!” Truthfully, leaders in significant positions usually got there because they surrounded themselves with assistants who had knowledge and wisdom.
For example, George Washington took advantage of the skills and knowledge of Von Steuben and La Fayette during the American Revolutionary War.
The key to usefulness is wisdom. The world is only concerned with success, and wisdom is a key to being successful. But what is the best source of wisdom? The Word of God, of course, as confirmed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
The Old Testament has many stories of how God’s people provided wisdom to kings: In Genesis we see Joseph counseling Pharoah. Later, Darius confided in Daniel. Nehemiah had the ear of King Artaxerxes. Esther persuaded King Ahasuerus to protect the Jews from the scheme of Haman. Each of these employed the wisdom of God in their efforts.
Next, to stand before kings requires the use of the right words.
Proverbs 16:13 teaches us, “Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.”
And Proverbs 22:11-12 also says, “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor.”
Words are important because they represent facts and truth, and our feelings, desires, and actions. People want to trust the words others say to them, especially people of influence and power.
It was a common practice for a Roman general, on his return from conquering an enemy, or from extending Roman hegemony over another land, to enjoy a victory parade held in his honor. However, as the onlookers cheered him and proclaimed his greatness, a servant rode behind him in his chariot, whispering in his ear and reminding him of his humanity.
As much as important people respect honesty, they also expect graciousness also. “Brutal” honesty is rarely appreciated, and we can say the right thing in the wrong way. To be most effective we must tell the truth in love.
We also note that to stand before kings requires purity of heart as well.
Proverbs 2:11 teaches us, “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.”
Purity is a prized quality. Ivory soap promotes itself to be 99 & 44/100% pure. Automobile engines will not run properly on gasoline that has water in it. Surgeons go to extraordinary lengths to establish and maintain a sterile field during surgery. Food that is spoiled can sicken or even kill those who eat it.
Purity of heart implies a lack of a moral stain, a lack of a social stain, and a lack of a spiritual stain. It is a tough standard, but one that generates respect. Purity of heart allows people to trust our motives and it legitimizes our words and actions because they are unadulterated by evil and selfishness.
Finally, to stand before kings requires diligence.
Proverbs 22:29 reminds us, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
Diligence is not an exciting word for the culture of the 21st Century, but it should be. Do you want to get noticed? Do you want to be influential? If so, be good at what you do.
People who are diligent and work hard achieve much. Diligent salespeople sell more than those who aren’t. Diligent builders build more than those who aren’t. Diligent writers write more than those who aren’t.
Diligent people may not achieve fame, but they do achieve influence. Joseph, Daniel, and Nehemiah were good at their jobs, and they could stand before kings unashamed. Christians are laborers together with God. How do we stand before Him today?
Conclusion.
In conclusion, none of us may ever stand before a leader of great power, but who knows? Joseph never expected to stand before a king, and neither did Daniel, Nehemiah, nor did Esther. They succeeded just like the pilot of Marine One did. They developed the necessary qualities before being summoned to the throne.
Whether or not we ever stand before an earthly king, we all stand before the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Therefore, to serve Him as best as we can, we need to seek God’s wisdom. We need to learn to speak the truth in love. We need to be pure of heart and we need to be diligent.
When we learn to do things God’s way, we can stand before anyone without fear, but especially Him!
Thanks so much for visiting with me today! I'll be back soon with another word from the Bible that we can share together.
Today, I want to share a word about the blessing as I comment on Genesis 27:26-29. This passage reads:
Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed! May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers and may your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”
We all seek approval in our lives. In particular, we seek the approval of our spouses, and before them, the approval of our parents. The actor Burt Reynolds said, “In the south you’re not a man until your father tells you that you are a man.” We seek affirmation from those whom we love and respect.
The Jewish concept of blessing speaks to this need for affirmation, and it also challenges us to bless our children and other loved ones. It also reminds us from where we should seek our own blessing as well.
First, a blessing includes a meaningful touch.
In the 21st Century, we must be careful with touching others. An unwanted touch is a battery, which is a crime. In this case, however, we are considering family and close friends, among whom an appropriate touch communicates acceptance.
A handshake, or a hug, or a hand on a shoulder is an intimate gesture which demonstrates warmth and love. This can be especially comforting to those who are hurting or have suffered a loss.
To avoid touching someone is to distance yourself from them. Sometimes we decide to do that, and other times people, like the lepers of the Bible who cried, “Unclean, unclean,” distance themselves from us.
In truth, people need an intimate touch. A church that I know has a ministry which sews quilts for patients undergoing chemotherapy, whose immune systems are compromised. The ladies who sew those quilts can’t hug those folks being treated for cancer, but they can provide them with the warmth of a quilt in the place of a physical human touch.
Next, a blessing includes a spoken message.
The spoken word is a powerful form of communication. James 3:2-12 tells us,
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Words can be used to create deep and lasting wounds if they are intemperate and harsh. They are like bullets; once they are fired, they can’t be recalled, and they can cause massive damage. On the other hand, when we share positive words with our loved ones, we will edify them and encourage them.
In many ways, our words become a self-fulfilling prophecy, like what happened one day when a teacher asked a young student what he wanted to be when he grew-up. He said, “I want to be possible when I grow up.” The teacher was confused and asked him to explain, and he said, “My parents always tell me I am an impossible child. So, when I grow up, I want to be possible.”
We can’t ignore bad behavior, but we must also compliment good behavior.
In addition, a blessing includes attaching high value.
Low esteem is epidemic in humanity. People often feel bad about themselves, and they get plenty of help in person and by way of social media from people who criticize them. One appalling case of this was a school girl whose classmate wrote on her desk, “We all wish you were dead!”
In contrast to this, the Hebrew word that we translate as “bless,” literally means to bow before or to kneel before. It is evidence of the high value one has placed on the one being honored. How do we do that today?
Believe in our hearts and develop an attitude of cherishing the ones we love.
Communicate that attitude by our words and actions.
Spend as much time as possible with that person. Love is often best spelled as T.I.M.E.
One thing we must avoid is the myth of “quality time.” In terms of relationships, quantity has a quality all its own.
Also, a blessing includes picturing a special future.
A significant part of a blessing is the casting of a vision for the future. Children grow up, and spouses and friends continue to mature. Moving forward in life is a key to fulfilling God’s plan for each of us. A running stream has sweet water, while a stagnant pool is distasteful, to say the least.
We need to ask God for a vision for our loved ones. We need to seek His face to see what those we love could become, what they could achieve, and how they can become the best servant of God that they can be.
The greatest US Army recruiting slogan of all times was, “Be all that you can be!” This is what we should want for our loved ones and also for ourselves. God will give us this vision if we ask Him! And then He will help us achieve it!
Finally, a blessing includes an active commitment.
Endurance is a vital characteristic for success in many aspects of life. Nothing that is good and lasting is easy, simple, or quick. This is especially true in the area of relationships.
Many young men today think it is a sign of manliness to conceive a baby, but nothing could be further from the truth. Seeing that child grow-up to be an upstanding citizen is more the case.
In fact, providing for those we love until they become mature is the human equivalent to the “chesed,” or stubborn love of God we see in the Hebrew Scriptures. Even when God saw Israel abandoning His teachings and His Way, He sent His Uniquely Begotten Son, Jesus, to save them.
As Paul reminds us, “Even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!” That is truly an enduring love!
Conclusion.
The Hebrew concept of blessing included: A meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching high value, picturing a special future, and making an active commitment to the one being blessed. When we do those things for the ones we love, they are encouraged, enriched, and edified.
God does these same things for us, also. The concept of blessing was not created by the Hebrews; it is a part of God’s own being, and it emanates from His personality.
As wonderful as a human blessing is, just think how much greater and how much more wonderful the blessing of the Almighty God of the Universe is. And the most exciting and encouraging thought of all is that He offers that wonderful blessing to us, His people!
To reach our potential is Christ, seek the blessing of God! He will not deny it to His children!
Thanks so much for visiting with me today! I'll be back soon with another word from the Bible that we can share together.
Today, I want to explore how to reach our potential in Christ as I share a word about the stages of Christian growth as I comment on 2 Peter 3:10-18 This passage reads,
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
People generally grow in stages and mature. If you've ever taken a human growth and development class, you'll know that there are different periods in our growth as humans. There's the prenatal period in the womb and then the neonatal period about the time of birth and then infancy childhood, pre-adolescence, adolescents, young, middle, and senior adulthood. In each stage, there are indicators of how growth is coming about in the life of a person in the physical, mental, moral, and emotional realms. And if no evidence of growth is apparent, particularly with children, concern and action soon follow.
Likewise, the truth of the matter is there are similar stages or similar periods of growth in the life of a Christian. Too often, however, we allow ourselves to cease growing and become stunted. We should not let this happen. Let's look at the stages of Christian growth beginning with what happens when we fail to grow.
The Learner Stage
Usually, we fail to grow because we've not exited the learner stage, and the learner stage is the beginning of our growth in Christ. We see that in 2 Peter3:17-18. This is where it all begins in learning about how to be a Christian and learning what it means to be a Christian. It cannot be skipped. This stage, this period of our lives has to happen.
Babies are not born knowing how to walk. They have to learn to walk. Babies are not born knowing how to speak. They must learn to speak. Babies are not born knowing how to read or how to count. They must learn these things. Babies are not born knowing how to control their emotions. Everyone must learn these things. If we skip learning these things, the result will not be good.
Spiritually, we see the case of Apollos. Apollos was found in the book of Acts as a leader in Christian churches, but he started out as a powerful orator, a powerful speaker, an influencer in his day, but he was not a Christian. He did not understand salvation in Christ, and he was speaking very eloquently and convincing a lot of people of things that weren't correct. Priscilla and Aquila had to take him aside and teach him what it meant to be a Christian and then once he was turned loose after that, he was able to use that ability for God's glory and for God's honor.
So, what should we learn? Well, first, we should learn salvation that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that Jesus provides us that salvation through his acts on the cross. We also need to learn the Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Once we understand the Scriptures and know what the Scriptures say and we start applying them to our lives, then we can learn the fruit of the Spirit and live that out. Galatians 5: 22-24 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and we don't learn those things naturally. We must learn them in Christ and what it also says is that we need to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, and we don't know that naturally. We must learn that through growth in Christ.
We also need to learn spiritual maturity. Ephesians 4: 11-14 tells us,
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
We must learn spiritual maturity. We also need to learn how God has gifted us. 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 and other places in the scriptures tell us that God gives us gifts for ministry, but we must learn what those gifts are.
All these developments take time and take work. It does not come easy. It's against our fleshly nature to learn these things and usually it helps to have a mentor who guides us and helps us. I had a mentor in our church, a man by the name of Ed, who helped me a great deal and I owe a great deal of debt for him, but I also had a mentor in my workplace by the name of Rich, who was a Christian man. He showed me what it was like to live out his Christian faith and live an honorable godly life in a secular environment. Both of these men were very powerful in my lives and showed me how many things I needed to learn but it often takes many years of step-by-step change.
Think also about Paul. Paul was already a scribe of the Law. He knew the Old Testament scriptures, which by the way, was the Bible of the New Testament church, yet according to the scriptures God took him apart for three years to teach him more fully by the Holy Spirit what those scriptures meant now in the New Testament era. So, we need to all become learners.
We also must become workers, also. We need to enter into the worker stage.
The Worker Stage
2nd Timothy 2.15 says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." Working in the kingdom of God for the glory of God is a stage that we should all progress to.
We all know more about God than we use. Hebrews 5.11-14 says this,
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
You see God expects us to not just absorb knowledge and absorb new attitudes but also to live them out and to work them out for his kingdom's glory. He expects us to use the gifts we've been given. 1st Timothy 3.14-15 says, “I hope to come to you soon but I'm writing these things to you so that if I delay you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God which is the Church of the Living God, a pillar and buttress of truth." Paul told Timothy the way to do that is to stir up the gift that is in us as we serve him in the kingdom of God and out in the world. Muscles that are not used wither in atrophy and skills that are not used wither in atrophy and spiritual gifts that are not used are still there but they're not powerful. They're not exercised and made strong.
We are all workers together with God. When our children grow up, we expect them to be productive citizens if they're able to do it. If they mature, if there's not a developmental issue with them, we expect them to be productive. We expect them to work, and God expects us to work too. So, what should this work be? Acts 1:8 says that we are going to be witnesses for Christ in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria into the uttermost parts of the world. Matthew 28:18-20 says that we are to make disciples of all peoples. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came that we might have abundant life, and we need to help people find that abundant life in Christ. So how do we do these things?
First of course we need to learn. We need to learn but secondly, we need to answer God's call. Romans 12 says that we need to become a living sacrifice. We need to put ourselves on the altar for God. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us we need to use our spiritual gifts. We need to yield ourselves to God and allow him to work through us as workers together with him for his righteousness and for his kingdom's glory.
The Leader Stage
The next stage and the final stage and one that not everyone enters into in a public way is the leader stage. 1st Timothy 3 beginning in verse 1 says,
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
This is the latest stage of development, and it incorporates the other two, the learner stage and the worker stage. To become a leader, you must first be a follower. Missionaries who enter into a new culture have to do so as a learner. Pastors who come into a new church have to learn the church and the culture around that church before they can be true leaders. And of course, also if you've learned but not put into effect what you have learned then how can you be a leader and lead others to do that? So, you have to be a learner and a worker to become a leader.
Leadership requires the highest standards to which we all must adhere. We must have good reputations, mature characters and an orderly lifestyle and family life. Many would be disqualified from leadership by their lifestyle. Maybe they've gone into debt or maybe they have a sin that inhibits their witness from being a good one. And this has the greatest potential and responsibility as well because a leader's influence is a tremendous force for good or evil. We can contrast the clergy abuse scandal with the moral authority of someone like Billy Graham.
Leadership is not to be taken on lightly and it is not to be exercised lightly. Not everyone is called to be a pastor or teacher or leader of a large or even small ministry. However, we are all called to lead by example as witnesses for Christ. So, we all need to mature to the point where we can lead someone to Christ by our example as being a witness.
Acts 1:8 says that we will be witnesses for Christ and that is both prophetic and prescriptive. We will be witnesses for Christ whether we want to be or not. And the question is what kind of witnesses will we be? If we have not learned Christ, and if we have not been workers for Christ and with Christ, it's hard for us to be a leader, and it is hard for us to be a leader by example in our witnessing if we haven't learned these other things also and brought them into our lives.
Conclusion
These are what I consider the three stages of Christian growth. The learner stage, the worker stage, and the leader stage. No parent wants their child to remain in the cradle. All parents want their children to grow and to mature and to become fully fledged adults who are able to control their lives well and to be able to be productive in society and neither does God want us to remain in our cradle. He wants us to grow also.
Our God wants us to grow and develop into mature adult believers. And if we do, we certainly will find the abundant life that Jesus promised us in John 10:10. In that verse, Jesus said, “The thief comes to kill, steal, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life and they may have it more abundantly.” We can reach our potential in Christ and find that abundant life as we grow in the stages of Christian growth in Christ. I hope that you will do that. I hope that you will not stay in the cradle but that you will grow. I hope that you will not drink milk but eat meat. I hope that you will not lead people astray but, like Apollos after he met Priscilla and Aquila, that you will lead people to the throne of Christ.
Thanks so much for visiting with me today. I'll be back soon with another word from the Bible we can share together.
Today I want to share a word about how to reach our potential in Christ by knowing some truths to hang on to as I comment on the 73rd Psalm. Let’s begin by reading verses 1-17:
Truly God is good to Israel to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth. Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children But when I thought how to understand this it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
When hard times come upon us, we naturally ask, “Why?” Or, “Why me?” That answer is often hard to come by here on this earth. We will ultimately get an answer, but it will probably be once we arrive in Heaven, and then we won’t care! Until that time, however, we are left to work through our own hard times; therefore, as we live in this imperfect and fallen world, we need some truths to hang on to. We can find these truths in Psalm 73.
This Psalm begins with the first of these truths: God is good!
Since we know that God is the ultimate authority in the universe, it is natural to blame Him when things go wrong. He is like the captain of a ship, responsible for everything, right? Yes, He is, but He is more than that. He is good. In fact, in the original Hebrew, the Psalmist says that only God is good. We know that all have sinned, and fallen short of God’s glory, but we have hope, because God is good to His people, those who relate to Him and bow their knees to Him.
This one truth should encourage us and give us a firm foundation to stand on. Like the stirrups of a saddle or the corrugations on a metal step, the fact of God’s goodness means that we have a way to stand in the midst of difficult days.
The next truth is found beginning in the second verse: appearances are deceiving.
Attractive facades are everywhere we look. People spend more money than they make. People will report that everything is fine, when it isn’t. People exaggerate success and they minimize defeat.
On the north side of the DMZ at Panmunjom, in Korea, in full view of the south, the North Koreans have built a massive and beautiful city, but it is all fake. The buildings along Mainstreet in both Disney Land and Disney World look like they have two and three stories, but that, too, is all fake. Beautifully crafted, and very convincing they are, but fakes they remain. And that is the way many lives are today: impressive facades, but empty on the inside.
People also seem to be able to thumb their noses at God. They reject His way, they reject His people, and yet, they seem to get along just fine. We will see that isn’t true, but it appears to us to be true.
Like the Psalmist, we can stumble over the things that we see. Like he was, we can be deceived by what we see, and we can become jealous, we can feel foolish, and we can be very hurt. We must remember that appearances can be deceptive, and, we need to hold onto another truth revealed in verses 17-20:
I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
The third fact that the Psalmist would have us hold onto is that God will repay.
God owes no person; He gives, He does not borrow. He always pays what He owes us, whether that be good or bad.
Years ago, there was a commercial for automobile oil filters that admitted that their product was more expensive than their competitors’. They also asserted, however, that their filters were more effective, and that they would prevent engine failures more often than the cheaper brands. The actor, who was playing the role of a mechanic shop owner, gave a tagline that said, “You can pay me now, or you can pay me later.”
The Bible tells us elsewhere, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, whatever a man sows that also will he reap.”
God will dispose of the wicked. He will allow then to fall on their own, or He will knock them down Himself if that proves necessary. The wicked, therefore, live in a dream world, but someday, reality will crash into their delusions, and they will experience a harsh truth.
The final truth we find in Psalm 73 is that God gives comfort.
Verses 21-28 tell us,
When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
When we are hurt, we push God away and we jump to unhelpful and unhealthy conclusions. Like a wounded animal biting the veterinarian who is treating it, we lash out against God.
Instead of pushing God away from us, however, we must draw closer to Him. We must make Him our refuge and our strength. We must make Him our source of spiritual supply.
We may not know why things happen, but we can know that God is always with us, and that He holds our hands as He guides us through life’s highs and life’s lows as well. He forgives us our outbursts and He changes our hearts. He is steady and firm when we are unstable and weak.
When we are struggling with life, we need to take a lesson from boxers. They know that engaging your opponent in a clinch is often safer, for a time, than standing apart and trading blows. God is not our opponent, though we often treat Him as if He is. Still, being in a clinch with God is far safer and far more encouraging than standing apart from Him! If we let Him, He will comfort and encourage us!
In conclusion, when we are confronted with tough times, let us resolve not to ask, “Why?” Instead let us resolve to ask, “How?” How can we grow closer to God. He is the only good One and He will give us what we need.
Thanks so much for visiting with me today! I'll be back soon with another word from the Bible that we can share together.
