"W" Words Of Wisdom
1. "In The Beginning Was The Word"
I started in the book of John recently that begins, "In the beginning was the Word..." and the chapter continues with John the Baptist, the witness and "voice of one crying in the wilderness" to the Light who "was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." (John 1:10) I noticed all these words, and more, in the first chapter that began with the letter "W". I was praying about a new theme for our daily devotions and wondered if I should write on these "W" words. Then, in Sunday school the lesson was on Noah and we saw how he walked with God, witnessed and worked, then waited in the ark, and worshipped. I feel like God is leading me to talk about these "W" Words of Wisdom. I don't think I have ever used a single beginning letter as the focal point or topic of our devotions, but we will see where God leads us with these "W" Words of Wisdom.
2. Who?
As we begin our quest into the "W" Words of Wisdom, I want to start with the basic questions, Who?, What?, When?, Where? and Why? We are beginning with the "Who?" of the Word of God. John 1:1 tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14) We find the "Who?" in the beginning and He is never ending. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8) John tells us Jesus is the great I Am.
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)
"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9)
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John10:11)
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" (John 11:25)
"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46)
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
3. What?
Our second question... What? What is the Bible? What is the message so important that God has preserved His written Word for thousands of years? The gospel message of the Bible is that Jesus, God's only begotten Son, was sent from heaven to give His life on the cross, and be buried, and rise again to save lost sinners. Paul tells us that we are saved by faith through hearing the Word of God.
"8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:8-17)
God's Word doesn't stop with salvation. One of my favorite verses and the theme of my devotional web site is Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." As a lamp unto my feet, God guides my foot steps, and as a light unto my path, He shows me the path that I should take. Praise the Lord for His wonderful Word!
4. When?
"When?" is our question of time. How do we define time with a God who is infinite? Our human minds can't fathom how God always was, always is, and always will be. The Bible begins, "In the beginning God..." in Genesis 1:1. The last book, Revelation 1:8, tells us, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." We can also turn to the last chapter of Revelation, verse 13, and read, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Something I find interesting about time and the Bible is found in II Peter 3:8 "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." God created the heavens and earth six thousand years ago. Revelation 20 tells us that Christ will reign a thousand years. Since God created the heavens and earth in six days and then rested on the seventh day, I believe that our six days are about up (six thousand years) and we are getting close to the seventh day (one thousand years) of rest. I saw several internet posts telling about how people were getting prepared for the coming hurricanes, but they are not prepared for Christ's return. We don't know the day or the hour, but we better be ready, because it could be today!
5. Where?
If you are writing or reading a story, it is good to know where it is taking place. Well, the Bible begins with the creation of heaven and earth, so that covers everywhere. After reading about the creation, we find that we are in a paradise in the Garden of Eden. But, Adam and Eve sin against God and are driven from their perfect home to work and sweat and make a new home for themselves. Most of the Bible takes place in the Middle East, and the Children of Israel, God's chosen people, are given The Promised Land by God. After four thousand years, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is born in the little town of Bethleham. Jesus was rejected by His own people and opened up the way of salvation to the world. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) We have this promise, that God loves us no matter where we are, as time and distance can't separate us from His great love, nor can any other thing.
"34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:34-39)
And after our life on earth is over, through faith and believing on Jesus to save us, we can go to be with the Lord where He is!
"1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:1-6)
6. Why?
Our question today is two-fold. First, why do we have the Word of God. Paul answers the question for us in his letter to Timothy.
"15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:15-17)
For the second part of our question, we are asking why Jesus came to die for us. I believed David asked this question in Psalm 8.
"1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." (Psalm 8:1-5)
I have these verses hanging above my computer and I often think on these questions. "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars,... What is man, that thou art mindful of him?" Why does a holy, almighty God think of lowly man? There is only one reason... because He loves us! From the beginning God wanted to have communion with man, but man broke that bond of fellowship. "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3:8) To restore the broken bond, God gave His Son to die in our place. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." (I John 3:1)
"4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2:4-8)
7. The Word Of God
We have looked at several questions about the Word of God and today I want to ask you a question. Have you ever considered that the Bible really is God's Holy Word? I have read a few good books and there may have been some that I thought how it would be good to meet the author. But as I read the Bible I read with sincerity because I know it is true. I read with passion because I know the love and the blood that was shed for me. I read with understanding because the Holy Spirit dwells in my being and opens up my heart to know more about my Savior. I read with compassion because my Lord has compassion on His followers. I read with faith, because Christ saved me through the hearing of the precious Word. I read with anticipation because I know that Jesus is preparing me a place in heaven and when my last breath has ended He will lead me to my new home. And sometimes I read in sorrow as I think about those who refuse to hear. Are you listening?
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelation 3:20 & 22)
8. Wandering In The Wilderness
As we continue with our "W" Words Of Wisdom, I decided to write on "Wandering In The Wilderness". As I thought about it I remembered a devotional that I had written after Susanna got married. Here is a rerun from 2011.
"And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old." Joshua 14:10
I went with Susanna one afternoon to find the Register of Deeds office to get a copy of her marriage license so she could take it to the social security office. After the social security office, she will be able to change her name on her driver's license, and then she can change her name on her other business affairs. (We found out that all these little steps have to be taken in the right order.) Anyway, the building was on the corner of two one way streets. The entrance is on one street and the exit on another street. We knew about where it was, and even saw it once, but because we were one block over, going the opposite direction we had to go around the block to get back to where we were supposed to be. We were still one block short when we made our turn, so we had to circle around again. I could not believe the time we spent, first dealing with detours, and then one way streets, before we finally arrived at our destination on the entrance side of the building. We were a little frustrated that we spent so much time getting to a place which was such a short distance away. As we kept going in circles I thought about the Children of Israel. They wandered around in the wilderness for 45 years. Think of all the time that was wasted. Are we getting to our destination or are we wasting our time wandering around? God's Word can help us find direction for our lives. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
9. A Wicked World
It didn't take long for God's wonderful world to become a wicked world. Genesis 6:5. Just six chapters into the Bible we read, "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." And our holy, righteous God was grieved at the wickedness of mankind. "And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them." (Genesis 6:6-7) If you look at a generation time line of people between Adam and Noah, you can see that there were people still living in Noah's day, who could possibly have known Adam. And Adam knew God. We may wonder how people could have fallen so far, but God's word tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" There is a lot we could say about the wicked, but instead, I want to look at Noah. "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." (Genesis 6:8) For the next few days, let's focus on this man who "found grace in the eyes of the Lord." We don't have to read many headlines to see that the world continues to grow more and more wicked. It is easy to get discouraged when we look at the sinfulness of the people around us. But, since we, too, found saving grace in the eyes of the Lord, let's try to learn from the life of Noah and be a witness to a sinking world.
10. Noah Walked With God
Let's continue where we left off yesterday, with the story of Noah.
"8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." (Genesis 6:8-12)
Noah walked with God. God walked with Adam and Eve in the beautiful garden of Eden, until they sinned against God and broke the fellowship. "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" (Genesis 3:8-9) In this example we see that sin can come between us and God. To walk with God we need to keep our sin confessed and live according to His Word. Our next examples come from Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" To walk with someone we must be in agreement in the direction we are going. A few years ago the workers in our office would take an afternoon break and walk together. There were several directions we could take, but in order to walk together, we all had to be in agreement on the way we would go. To walk with God we must be in agreement with God and walk as He directs our path. Another way we must agree is in our timing. When we walked in the charity walk everyone started together but some walked at a very fast pace, while others took a leisurely stroll. When we walk with God we need to be on pace with Him. Sometimes we want to get ahead of God and make things happen faster than God has planned for our lives. Then there are other times when we sit around waiting, just waiting, for God to move in our lives when we have not begun our journey. God was able to use Noah because he walked with God. Our first step in being used by God is to walk with God.
11. Noah Witnessed For God
My daughter and her two children were in the car with me this morning when I was on the road I grew up on so I decided to show my grandchildren where I used to live. The first house I called "Home" has been long gone, but the memories are still there. Later this evening when I stopped to pick up a couple barbecue sandwiches for our dinner I passed what used to be the pizza place where Mike first introduced me to pizza 41 years ago. I started thinking about all the other places, 220 Seafood, the first Thomasville Hardees, and such that have been gone for many years. Driving home I tried to think of any of my "first" places that are still around. I remembered the church that my Mom and Dad were married in, and I grew up in, Hughes Grove Baptist Church, and it is still giving out the gospel message. I thought of all the different churches that I went to in my fifty seven years and they are all still standing as a witness for God. All the wealth and riches of this earth will pass away in time, but God's Word will never fail. "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." (Luke 21:33) "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (II Peter 3:10) God's Word is a witness of the judgment that is coming, just as Noah was a witness for the judgment that was coming in his day. "And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;" (II Peter 2:5) Noah was a preacher of righteousness, and we need to carry a faithful testimony to the world today.
12. Noah Worked As God Commanded
Last spring Michael, Mom, and I had a short trip planned to see the Noah's Ark exhibit in Kentucky. Well, Michael broke his hand and then our car was totaled in a wreck, so we cancelled our plans and did not get to go. I think it would be really interesting to see how massive the ark really was. For a youth activity one time we had the young people to measure our fellowship hall and mark it out on graph paper. Then they converted cubits to feet and graphed out the size of the ark. We were all surprised to see how much larger the ark was than our building. I have often wondered how long it must have taken for Noah to build the ark. He didn't have the tools, man power, and conveniences that construction crews have today. We read in Genesis 6:3, "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." I believe that this is God's timeline, 120 years, for Noah to get the ark built, the animals gathered, and all the food and supplies they would need to sustain them for a year. The sixth chapter of Genesis gives us the dimensions and specifications of the ark. And verse 22 ends the chapter, "Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he." Noah worked hard to prepare the ark, and then God saved him. In the New Testament Jesus did according to God's will to prepare for our salvation. We can't work for our salvation. Jesus did the work for us and saves us through faith by His mercy and grace. But we must believe on Him and confess our sin. Just as God instructed Noah to work in building the ark, Jesus has given us instructions to work in His fields.
"35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:35-38)
13. Noah Waited On God
Because Noah was faithful to walk with God, witness for God, and do the work God commanded, he and his family were safe in the ark when the rain fell. I have mentioned before how sad it must have been for Noah and his wife, and his three sons and their wives as they faced the fact that no one else believed in Noah or his God. Noah had brothers and sisters. (Genesis 5:30) Noah had aunts and uncles and cousins. (Genesis 5:26) These people lived hundreds of years, and some of his ancestors may have known Adam and Eve. Okay, back to our lesson... Noah and his immediate family had prepared what they needed and the windows of heaven were opened.
"13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.
16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in." (Genesis 7:13-16)
"The LORD shut him in" so there was nowhere for Noah to go, so he waited. His family waited. The animals waited. They took care of each other, and they took care of the animals, and they waited out the storm. We all go through storms from time to time and sometimes God delivers us from the storms. But there are some storms that come into our lives when all we can do is wait out the storm. We can pray. We can try to encourage ourselves in the Lord. But, sometimes we just have to wait on the Lord. One of my favorite Psalms is 27:14 "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Waiting is hard, but sometimes all we can do is wait on the Lord.
14. Noah Worshipped God
Have you ever experienced sea sickness? I have. I am also a little claustrophobic. I can't imagine being closed in the ark with all those animals for almost a year.
"15 And God spake unto Noah, saying,
16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.
17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
18 And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him:
19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Genesis 8:15-22)
Noah worshipped. After receiving salvation from God above, he worshipped. Before closing, I want to look at how the next chapter begins. "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea;..." (Genesis 9:1-2) I believe that all the animals on the ark ran just as far from Noah as they could. I don't know if animals were afraid of mankind before the flood, but after all the time on the ark they sure were afraid of them now. Hebrews 11:7 tells us that Noah was afraid before the flood. "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." But, when it was all over, he worshipped. When you are afraid of the storm, keep trusting the Lord, and worship Him.
15. A Warm Welcome
Michael and I have been going to Pine Grove Baptist Church in Archdale, NC for 30 years. I know that because our son, Joshua, just had his thirtieth birthday and the sweet people at the church gave us a baby shower, way back then. Over the years we have grown to love the people there like family. Tomorrow is the Lord's day and I want to encourage you to go to church and worship the Lord. I also want to give a little reminder to you who are church members to give a warm welcome to visitors who may want to try your church. I read an article about why people don't visit a church more than once and one of the common answers was that the people were not friendly. Well, I don't think anybody could say that about our church. The people are very friendly, to each other, and to visitors. If you don't have a home church, and you live in the High Point area of central North Carolina, we would love for you to come for a visit. It would be a joy to have you come and we will be sure to give you a warm welcome. "For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;" (I Thessalonians 3:9)
16. "Watchman, What Of The Night?"
"Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?" (Isaiah 21:11) Since I first began thinking about all the "W" Words Of Wisdom, these questions have echoed through my mind. Towns in Bible days were built with surrounding walls as a safety precaution and the watchman held his post high up on the wall. A good example is found when David waited for the news of the war against his own son, Absalom. "And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near." (II Samuel 18:24-25) King David was told the news that his son had been slain in the battle. The best example of a watchman that is prevalent for us today is found in Ezekiel 33:1-9.
"1 Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."
As we watch the news of the fighting and follow the devastation of the earthquakes and hurricanes we might soon hear the world calling out, "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?" How might we answer? We hear of "wars and rumours of wars." (Matthew 24:6) "Watchman, what of the night?" "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." (Luke 21:11) "Watchman, what of the night?" "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (II Timothy 3:2-5) We have been set as watchmen upon the wall, to warn the world of the coming judgment of the Lord. Are we doing our duty? Will the blood of our family and friends be on our hands?
17. Willing But Weary
Pastor Jack Tripp preached a sermon recently and part of it was about being willing, but weary. I would really like to use the entire 30th chapter of I Samuel, but to save space I will tell the story. When David and his men were away from their homes in Ziklag the Amalekites invaded and burned Ziklag and did not kill their families but carried them away as captives.
"4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (I Samuel 30:4-6)
David and the 600 men pursued after them and when they came to the brook Besor, 200 were so faint that they could not go over the brook. They found an Egyptian servant in the field who had been left behind by the Amalekites and gave him food and water and he told them how to find the people. David and the 400 with him recovered all their wives and children and flocks and herds and spoil that had been taken. When they got back to the brook Besor the wicked men of the group did not want to share their spoil with the faint men that had been left behind.
"23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
26 And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;" (I Samuel 30:23-26)
David sent of the spoil to Bethel, Ramoth, Hebron, "and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt." (I Samuel 30:31) Today I want to encourage you who are too weary to fight the battle. Be faithful and remain by the stuff! God will reward you for your faithfulness!
18. Wasted Wages
Today I want to look at the little book of prophecy of Haggai. God sent him to call the Children of Israel to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem. I want to focus on Haggai 1:5-6. "Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." Our "W" words for today are "Wasted Wages". The people were neglecting the house of the Lord and all of their efforts towards living were in vain.
"7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit." (Haggai 1:7-10)
I know that this was a specific message for the Children of Israel, but I want us to think about wasted wages. Does it ever feel like you are putting your money into a bag with holes in it? There are many times that we live paycheck to paycheck, stretching every dollar to make ends meet. Are we putting too much of our money into areas that don't matter? Jesus told His followers to lay up treasures in heaven.
"19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
Look at another Old Testament prophecy, found in Malachi 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." I believe God's Word teaches us to put His work first in our lives and He will supply our needs and the reward for our labor will follow. "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." (Matthew 16:27) Don't put your wages into a bag with holes.
19. Whirlwinds Or Whispers
Sometimes, as Christians, we look around at all that is happening in the world today and we pray that God will step in and do something. We want God to move in a mighty way. We think that people are not listening and maybe God should send a whirlwind to stir things up a bit. Well, God can send a whirlwind if that is His will. But, God may be trying to speak to us in a still small voice, and we are just too busy and too loud to listen. And, actually, I would rather God speak to me in whispers than in whirlwinds.
"9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." (I Kings 19:9-18)
20. Wonderful Words Of Life
Mom and I had a nice, albeit, short trip to see my sister Linda on Tuesday. The weather was beautiful and it was warm enough to walk in the edge of the water and let the waves roll in over my feet. And though I would have loved to stay a little longer, we visited a short while and started on the three and a half hour drive back home. Mom and I often take day trips and I enjoy our time and conversations together. We usually spend part of the time talking about the Bible and this time I told her about the "W" Words of Wisdom I am using for our devotionals. She offered a great suggestion, "Wonderful Words Of Life". These Words are wonderful because His name is Wonderful. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) His Words are wonderful because they offer wells of living water to whosoever will. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) His Words are wonderful because they show us the way. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) And these Words are wonderful because they can wash us white as snow. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18) "Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life..." Written by Philip P. Bliss in 1874.
"Wonderful Words Of Life"
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.
Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.
Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
Wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven.
Sweetly echo the Gospel call,
Wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
Sanctify us forever.
21. Weeping In The Wee Hours
Yesterday we talked about the Wonderful Words Of Life and had a very up-lifting devotional. But you know as well as I do that we don't always live on the mountain tops of life and daily living doesn't always feel so wonderful. I am thankful for God's Word and His promises. I can thank Him when things are going well. And I can thank Him when trouble comes and brings me to my knees. Because when I am on my knees I am at my Savior's feet and He can lift me up. Our title is "Weeping In The Wee Hours". Darker days bring nights that are even darker and after a long hard day sometimes all we can do is cry ourselves to sleep. But, there is hope! "Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:4-5) God gives us the promise that one day He will wipe away all our tears. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4) What a day that will be!
22. "Not Willing That Any Should Perish"
As I sat at my computer to finish our "W" Words Of Wisdom devotional, I wondered which one I would choose. I thought about our weapons for our Christian warfare. "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)" (II Corinthians 10:4) We could have gone back several years and talked about the song we sang with our children, "Why Worry When You Can Pray?" I also thought about Romans 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." I wanted to end our topic with something that would be most helpful and I remembered II Peter 3:9-10, where we read that the Lord is "not willing that any should perish." We look around at the sinful world and wonder why God tarries His coming, but the answer is found in the longsuffering and love of our Lord. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." I have heard it said since I was a small child that the world will come to an end. But it seems like things get worse and worse each day. We want to ask, "Why?" but God is longsuffering and He is waiting for men to come to Him. God wants all to come to Him and be saved. Are you one of His own?
"1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Timothy 2:1-6)
