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Evil is Real

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Proverbs 4:1 – 27

Proverbs 4:14 warns the son to stay away from the wicked. God's word says that there are those who are evil. Their evil goes beyond the sinful nature into which we are all born. For some reason Satan has reign in a particularly ugly way in these people described as wicked or evil. It's almost chilling to read the writer's description in verse 16, "For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble." Most of us are familiar with the sleeplessness that comes from committing sin, but who could imagine not sleeping for regret of not committing sin.

The writer follows this verse with the comment that they are the way they are because they "eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence." In other words, they pursue evil. In contrast, the writer tells his son to fill his mind and heart with righteousness (verses 20-27).

In a culture that runs from God and denies His power and authority, while at the same time claiming that there is good in everyone, a non-spiritual reason for evil must be found. The easiest answer is to make people puppets of their environment. Any action, whether good or evil, can be explained (according to a Godless theory) by what a person is exposed to, and they are victims of that life. God says that even though we may struggle through hardship, abuse, poverty, anger, disease, etc., we are not trapped by those things. Jesus brings us choice. As His children we can be God centered. Because of Jesus we can leave behind what we were and become new persons. Jesus offers freedom for the future to people whom the world believes are trapped in their past.

Next time: The Pain of the Immoral

 

Proverbs

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Proverbs 1:1 - 3:35

Proverbs as a type of writing goes back almost 5,000 years to Egypt. The biblical proverbs go back to the time of Solomon about 2,900 years ago. King Solomon, you may recall, asked God for wisdom and was granted his request. Most of these proverbs were written by the king. Not all of the thousands of proverbs said to have been written by Solomon survive.

The first chapter explains that Proverbs is a collection of sage words of advice on how to live; truths and comments that we can practice, debate, or ponder even today. It is important to keep in mind that Proverbs is not meant to be a guide to living, not salvation!

Chapter one resonates with parents constantly seeking ways to communicate with their teenagers to stay out of bad company, only to be told that they (the parents) just don't understand, or "You don't trust me!" It is frustrating for parents who know how fast a simple prank can turn into a crime resulting in lifelong consequences.

In 1:20-33 Wisdom speaks. How can we define wisdom? It is not just knowledge. However wisdom can be said to be the application of knowledge in everyday life. It could be in some ways what we call "common sense". Illiterate people can have great wisdom. Senior citizens often have wisdom gained from many years of watching and learning what God does in the world.

Sadly, Wisdom laments that too many people flounder and fail because they refuse to heed her advice.

Chapter 2 says that wisdom is God-given—by itself education cannot lead one to a wise decision. Especially today, wisdom and logic may not be synonymous. Businesses today battle the balance of wisdom and experience versus education—on the one hand job applicants must have a four-year degree, but on the other hand businesses lament that applicants do not have enough experience, work ethic, or common sense.

Verse 9 of chapter 2 says that if you thirstily seek discernment and wisdom, "then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course." The cleverness of the ungodly is not wisdom and it will eventually lead to destruction (verse 22).

Chapter 3 speaks of seeking and trusting God in the pursuit of wisdom. God will grant His wisdom to the one who continually seeks Him.

Next time: Evil is Real

 

    

The Written Psalms End

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Psalms 146:1 - 150:6

Our reading of the Psalms ends with a series of praise songs reminiscent of a fireworks finale on July 4^th. Some call Psalms 145-150 the "grand doxology" of Psalms. The word "praise" is found here 46 times.

Throughout his psalms David has spoken of the threat and toil of war. Those of us today who are not in the military still serve as soldiers—against evil. We are the ones who share the gospel of Christ with the unbelievers who surround us; new members of our nation and neighborhoods who perhaps have never even heard of Jesus. Our battle is one of peace, but a battle nonetheless, for it is against the will of Satan who hopes that billions will die without knowing Jesus and the free gift of salvation.

Since these psalms are so full of David's praise for God and His works, here is a fun project for you to try as you read them. Jot down all of the things King David says that God does, has done, will do, provides, has provided, will provide, the things that God is, etc. After finishing the list, stop and think for a few moments — Is there any need or fear or joy in your life that the list of David's praises doesn't cover? (maybe other than that new laptop, Lexus, townhouse, big raise, and surround sound system—I tend to be just a tad materialistic) Have fun with this last section of psalms—next we begin considering many words of wisdom that are surprisingly useful a couple of thousand years after they were written.

This article is titled "The Written Psalms End" because songs of praise to God originate in our hearts and minds every day. Those included in the canon of Scripture are beautiful and thought-provoking, but no more important to God than those flowing from our own hearts.

Next time: Proverbs

David’s Dependence on God

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Psalms 138:1 – 145:21

David asks God to fulfill His purpose for the writer (vs.8). Self-assured Americans often rebel at such thoughts. There really is a desire in the human heart to be god. The amusing phrase "I only want one thing out of life—my own way!" really is true even of Christians who fight that old battle of wanting to please and follow God, while at the same time wanting to rule our own lives. Those times when it is really hard to ask God to fulfill His purpose for our lives, we just need to recall the total love that our God has for us. Jesus showed us God's love in His willingness to be among us and to die for us "while we were still sinners", as Paul said (Romans 5:8). His purpose for us will never be anything that does not result in the very best for us.

In these psalms, David reflects almost every feeling one can have about God; every fear of one's enemies; every joy at seeing God in our lives. It is a joy to read the lines, not interpreting, or explaining them—just relaxing in their words of confidence in God, no matter what the world holds for David. Think of the king's life as you read his words that reach the heights of praise, the depths of concern, the frustration at his enemies' successes, and the unending trust that God will do good in his life.

Next time: The Written Psalms End

Give Thanks For…

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Psalms 135:1 - 137:9

Psalm 135 may inspire in the hearts of many Christians the question of "Who gets the credit in my life?" The psalmist looks at the many and mighty events in his nation's life, and in his own life, and cites God as the doer of all things in behalf of His loved ones. Praising God for the things that He does in our lives is not conceited, or arrogant, or presumptive. It is just giving God the glory that He deserves for the wonderful gifts that He gives or works in our lives. If there is one phrase that every Christian might try to avoid using, it would be "That was lucky!"

Psalm 135, verse 4 says that Israel was chosen as God's treasured possession. We, the Gentile adopted children loved by God, are also His treasured possession. What a neat thought!

Psalm 136 is another psalm that has been read responsively in many Christian worship services.

Psalm 137 expresses the grief of the believers taken to Babylon. Have you ever left a home that you loved? Perhaps there was a job change or a need to live closer to aging parents. Though the change was for a good reason, there was a feeling of sadness attached. For the Jews, dragged to exile in Babylon, there was not only the regret of losing a beloved home, but the departure was dictated by an enemy. In addition, the conquered homeland was God's chosen place for His people. The enemy had destroyed Jerusalem, the city that God had declared to be His own. On top of it all, the enemy called on them to "cheer up" and sing the songs of their faith that was so wrapped up in the place that had been taken from them.

In 137:8 the NIV uses the term "happy". This really should be translated "blessed" which has a wider range of meaning than "happy". The one who destroys Babylon will be "blessed" because in what he does he will be a tool of God against His enemies. The destruction of Babylon would be a right and just event.

Next time: David's Dependence on God

While Ascending to Jerusalem

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Psalm 120:1-134:3

Psalms 120 through 134 are "ascent" psalms because they were sung as the congregation ascended to Jerusalem for feast days. Jerusalem is situated on high ground, so it was always necessary to "go up to Jerusalem" as is often said in the New Testament. "Ascent" may also refer to the fifteen steps up to the temple in Jerusalem.

The third pictures the writer in the safe gates of God's city, Jerusalem. Just as the first three songs have themes that link them with one another, other songs are linked in their themes, building on one another.

As you read through this section of fifteen psalms don't limit each to only itself, but look for relationships between them—perhaps even write down the points of each. By doing this the subtle differences between the individual songs may become clearer.

Psalm 127 begins by emphasizing the Lord's part in building "the house". Without Him, all is in vain. Without God's watching eye, men who guard the city "stand guard in vain." How much of what the world does is in vain? The psalms tell us often that those who depend on anything or anyone except God will fail.

Psalm 130:3 says that if God kept track of our sins we would be hopeless, but he does not. He chooses to forgive. God does not keep a record of sins. When our sin is forgiven, it is gone! No matter how much Satan tries to torment us with our past, God says that it is forgotten! The psalmist, almost a thousand years before Jesus' birth, knew that man's only hope was God's mercy. The singer didn't know how God would provide salvation, but he knew it was true. He trusted the unknown promise of God.

Yet, today, after Jesus has revealed salvation, there are millions who refuse to see or believe. Faith is confidence in the God whom our physical eyes cannot see. As Jesus said to Thomas after the resurrection, "…blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Psalm 132 is based on David's desire to build a temple for God—which God allowed his son Solomon to do.

Next time: Give Thanks for…

God’s Word

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Psalm 119:1-176

This psalm is written in 22 parts, each headed by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Within each part each line begins with the same Hebrew letter. This is called an "acrostic" psalm.

The writer wants to know how our ways can be blameless. How can we seek God with all of our hearts and walk in His ways? He points to the simple answer that knowing and keeping God's word will keep us from sinning against God. God's word is at the center of this psalm. Knowing it, keeping it, believing it, trusting in its promises, and storing it in our hearts will keep us in God's will.

All that the psalmist says is true, but what a load of work!

St. Paul struggled to keep God's word when he was a Pharisee persecuting the followers of Christ. Later, as a teacher of the gospel, Paul reflected on the impossibility of obeying God's word (see Romans 7:14-25), and on the ultimate solution to his dilemma.

As a young monk, Martin Luther believed that he was saved by obeying God's word and, when he failed at that, confessing every sin and doing penance for each. When Luther read St. Paul's answer to this dilemma of obedience, he said that it was as if heaven's gates had been thrown open to him.

The psalmist also recognized that he could not perfectly obey God's word. He knew his need for God's saving grace, and received that grace through faith, just as we do today.

Saving grace is ours in Christ. We obey God's word and follow it as our "guidance system", but it is in Christ that we have the gift of salvation. It is in Christ that we are able to call God our Father. Because of Christ we can eagerly strive to know and keep God's word out of our love for Him and our desire to please Him.

But we cannot grow alone. It also takes the love and power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, reminding us of God's word and the guidance and comfort that it provides. As Luther said, the Spirit calls us, gathers us together, makes us holy, and teaches us His ways.

Next time: While Ascending to Jerusalem

Two Ways to Fear God

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Psalm 111:1-118:29

Psalms 111 and 112 speak of fearing God. What does it mean to fear God? As Christians, we are invited to be near God, to trust Him for everything. This has also been the message of the psalmists. So, we have to conclude that fearing God is not the same as fearing an enemy or a scary movie. "Fear" in our relationship with God would be better expressed as "awe". How can we not hold God in awe? In doing so we honor Him, demonstrate our respect, and our worship. Those who do not belong to God, however know another fear—the fear of His anger and His justice. In these psalms, the author speaks of both kinds of fear.

Psalm 113 returns to the pure praise of God.

Psalm 114 asks the Red Sea why it split apart; the mountains and hills why there was an earthquake; the Jordan River why it flowed backward. Even nature cannot refuse the God who created its rules.

Psalm 115:2-8 expresses the truth only one God is real. Most of God's people, though, often turned away from Him to worship stone idols, seeking a god that would obey their commands. Though they were taught the truth by leaders like David, Moses, Abraham, and others, pressure from other cultures influenced thousands of Israelites and some of their kings to turn to false gods.

Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23 during a confrontation with His enemies (Matthew 21:40-44), confirming that He fulfilled the words concerning the "capstone" (or cornerstone). The psalmist probably interpreted the capstone as the nation or perhaps King David. However, some parts of this psalm were fulfilled finally in Jesus. (How many verses are familiar to you concerning Jesus or even songs or worship services?)

As were many psalms, Psalm 118 was recited by the priest and congregation during worship. The people shouting greeting to Jesus on Palm Sunday quoted verse 26, so this psalm was well known to them. Knowing these things about the psalm, that was almost a thousand years old at Jesus' birth, certainly makes it even more meaningful and intriguing.

Next time: God's Word

God’s People in Need

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Psalms 105:1-110:7

Psalm 105 and 106 retell the story of God's people—their need, their rescue, their rebellion. Then begins the story of how God so often saves His people from their adversaries, and even the whims of nature.

Many people reject Christ because they believe that Christianity will take away their freedom. The opposite is true. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30) Sin is the real taskmaster in the world. It takes away the choice to do and think God-pleasing things. Before Jesus delivered us, we were trapped as slaves in a sin-filled existence that could lead only to death. Even the best of intentions could only lead to destruction. Psalm 107 reminds us that only God could break the chains and bars that kept us separated from Him and His mercy and love. Verses 28 through 30 sound very much like Jesus calming the storm at sea for His disciples.

Psalm 108 and 109 are ascribed to David. In them we see the return to a personal cry of pain and praise, asking God to take down the enemies of the king. David wants his enemies defeated but also adds in 109:27 "Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O Lord, have done it." While we can't identify completely with the psalmist's call for retribution, we can see that he wants it to be a witness to his enemies of God's reality.

Jesus quoted verse 1 of Psalm 110 during an encounter with His enemies, affirming both its messianic intent and David's authorship. (see Matthew 22:41-45, Mark12:35–37; Luke 20:41–44) As in other parts of the Old Testament (especially the writings of the prophets) there is more than one meaning in the words of the writer, one that he fully understood and one that was made more clear by Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection.

Next time: Two Ways to Fear God

Not Forever Silent

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Psalm 101:1-104:35

Some believe that Psalm 102 originated during the years of exile in Babylon, but that doesn't seem likely because the situation then wasn't all that bad. Many exiles even chose to stay there when offered the chance to return to Jerusalem. Whoever he was, the singer continues in the same pattern as many of the psalms: "I lament my condition and I cry to God because I believe that He has cast me out from His presence, yet I praise Him."

The psalmists believe intensely that even when they cannot sense the mercy of God He is still their only hope—and also believe that He has allowed their dilemma. Though Psalm 102 laments God's apparent silence, Psalms 103-104 praise Him as Creator of the entire world, and acknowledge His guidance and protection.

On the other hand, unbelievers then and now have a different view. In the psalmists' day people preferred to create their gods in the form of themselves, with all of their weaknesses, jealousies, and sin. They wanted gods that they could control and use.

In our culture, many people want to be god. American culture seems to teach us that it is our duty to be in control of our own fate; create our own "breaks"; take care of ourselves. Some see asking God for guidance and protection as the chief weakness of Christianity. Those who have to rely on God are somehow less competent and unwilling to accept responsibility.

According to the world, no one should "need" God. A prominent evolutionist once wrote that he believed totally in the accidental evolution of life, not because it could be proven (he said that it could not), but because the only alternative was to believe in a special Creator, and that was too absurd to consider. How wrong the gods of our culture are. Verse 18 of Psalm 102 says that though the psalmist lamented that God was silent for the moment, future generations would read that He rescued His people. God is in control even when He seems silent.

Psalm 103:6 begins a wonderful description of God and His love for mankind and His authority in the world that continues though Psalm 104.

Next time: God's People in Need