Your best intentions can be your greatest distractions

"And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

Its interesting that although Mary received the greater blessing from Jesus' visit into her home, it was Martha who had invited him in. In verse 38 we read, "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house" (v.38). Martha recognized that Jesus was a worthy man when she welcomed him into her home and scurried about to be hospitable to her honored guest. She was well intentioned as she anxiously went about making preparations to serve Him. But as Martha was busy serving, her sister sat at Jesus feet to learn of him. Immediately after referencing this detail of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, Doctor Luke points out, "But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." To this well intentioned but frustrated woman Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful (anxious) and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

This morning I got up anxious to finish preparing my sermon. Although sermon preparation is vitally important, the Holy Spirit reminded me that I needed to do something even more important than preparing a Christmas sermon to preach on Sunday which so happens to fall this year on Christmas day. As anxious as I was to get the sermon completed, what I needed more was to spend some time at the feet of Jesus. I needed to be with my savior. I needed to talk to Him, I needed to cry out to him and I needed to hear his calm and reassuring voice telling me, "I am with you always..." But most of all I just needed to worship Him--to be still and know that He is God--that he has it all under control. I'm so glad I chose that better part which shall not be taken from me. Don't allow frustrated people that just don't get it, don't allow the things that need to get done, don't allow your better intentions keep from the very best part, which is to sit at the feet of the lover of your soul. Your best intentions are your greatest distraction when they keep you from the greatest blessing of communing with Jesus.

Be not ashamed...

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God" (2 Tim 1:7-8).

In Paul's letter to Timothy he admonished him to not be ashamed of Christ or of Paul who was in prison for the cause of Christ. It appears that Timothy was feeling ashamed to stand for Christ out of fear of ridicule and persecution. To encourage Timothy Paul reminded him of God's love, power and soundness of mind that was his from the Lord. Soundness of mind is the God given ability to think and view life from a heavenly perspective.

It was this heavenly mindedness that enabled Paul to say, "...I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). The intimately knowledge of Christ that Paul possessed and his persuasion of the eternal keeping power of Jesus enabled him to not be ashamed of Christ. As a result Paul was also willing to lay down his if need be for the sake of the gospel.

Many today name the name of Christ and are willing to serve him when it suits their interest but fail to stand for Christ--fail to stand for what is right when they fear it will cost them something. When we experience Fear about doing what is right before God and in serving the kingdom of God we need to be reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind." In other words when fear gets our attention we need to turn our attention to God. We need to exercise the sound mind that God has given us and rest in the love and power of God. God's love and power assures and persuades us that he is with us, that he will keep us, that he watches over us in this life and forever. Fear will turn to faith when worry turns to worship.

Given to prayer

"Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue...and fought against me without a cause. For my love they our my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love." (Psalms 109:1-5).

The Psalmist was is deep distress because of the adversity that he was experiencing from his adversaries. What made it extra hard on him was that those he loved, served, and cared for mistook his acts of love as being against them. As a result, they rewarded him evil for good. His response to these heart wrenching trials was, in his words, "...but I give myself unto prayer." A wise woman once said, "there is no panic in heaven, only plans." Are you going through an incredibly hard time right now? Give yourself wholly to prayer. God will see you all the way through.

Work for God's purposes not against

"I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD" (Eze 29:20).

In this passage we learn that God rules in the affairs of men. God used heathen nations to judge other heathen nations and even to discipline his own people when they went astray after other gods. Notice also that "though we do not merit anything of God by our service, yet He does not forget our work of faith and labor of love when it is wrought for Him. If He gave Egypt to a heathen king for his service in respect to Tyre, we may also expect Him to bestow a reward on those who have built gold, silver, and precious stones, into his holy temple" (F.B. Myer).

When Christians sacrifice to serve the kingdom of God for the glory of God we can count on the grace of God to work in and through our lives. Work for God's purposes not against them less you find yourself fighting against God.

"The true spirit of Christmas"

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. 8:9).

During the Christmas season we often hear about getting into the Christmas spirit. But what most people mean by the Christmas spirit rarely captures the essence of the true spirit of Christ and his incarnation. What most people mean by the Christmas spirit is nothing more than "sentimental jollity on a family basis." But what it should mean is being like Jesus, who for our sake became poor, and not just at Christmas time, but all the time.

Those who exemplify this spirit, "live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor, spending and being spent, to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others, and not just their own friends, in whatever way there seems need" (J.I. Packer). May we live daily in the true spirit of Christmas to the glory of Jesus.

Little energy for prayer little knowledge of God

"And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision...being caused to fly swiftly, touched me...And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding" (Dan 9:20-22).

In the previous meditation we learned that we need to turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God. We do this as J.I. Packer suggests by "turning each truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God."

Daniel is a great example of a man who not only knew about God but who knew God in a life changing earth shaking way. And inevitably his great thoughts and intimate knowledge of God energized him to trust and depend upon God in prayer. As a result Daniel was strong and did great exploits (Dan. 11:32). Little energy for prayer, which leads to experiencing the power of God to effect change in our world, "is a sure sign that we scarcely know our God" (J.I. Packer).

Those who know their God shall be strong...

"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries; But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits"(Dan 11:32).

There is difference between knowing God and knowing about Him. One can know great theology but have very little intimacy with God. Although you can have great knowledge about God and not really know God you can't have one without the other. We need a correct theology of God but not as an end in itself but as a means to growing in intimacy with God. Daniel writes, "but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." Concerning this passage J. I. Packer writes, "In context, this statement is introduced by "but" and set in contrasts to the activity of the contemptible person" (v.21)who sets up "the abomination that causes desolation" and corrupts by smooth and flattering talk those whose loyalty to God's covenant has failed (vv. 31-32). This shows that the action taken by those who know God is their reaction to the anti-God trends which they see operating around them. While their God is being defied or disregarded, they cannot rest; they feel they must do something; the dishonor done to God's name goads them into action." Like Daniel, those who truly know God don't just talk theology in a safe environment, they are willing to stand and preach the the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of a hostile society. "Those who know their God are sensitive to situations in which God's truth and honor are being directly or tacitly jeopardize, and rather than let the matter go by default will force the issue on men's attention and seek thereby to compel a change of heart about it--even at personal risk" (J.I. Packer).

Those who know God and not just truths about God are truly the ones who make a difference even in a corrupt and wicked society. In the light of these truths how do we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? "The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God." What is meditation? "It is often a matter of arguing with oneself about God out of moods of doubt, into a clear apprehension of God's power and grace" (J.I. Packer).

The Power of Recall

"Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." (Lam 3:20-26).

In Lamentations Jeremiah is dismayed and in grief over the fall of Jerusalem. As he remembers all the difficulties he experienced as God's prophet during a time of crisis, he became despondent and perplexed. Jeremiah has been known as the weeping prophet. But that nick name does not do justice to the kind of man that he was. Yes Jeremiah often wept before God because of the physical and spiritual condition of his people. But Jeremiah was a courageous prophet who proclaimed God's word even in the face of great hostility and opposition. Oh, there were times when Jeremiah got so discouraged that he felt like throwing in the towel. But during these times Jeremiah knew how to get a hold of God in away that God could get a hold of him. Like Jeremiah we need to learn how to get a handle on our emotions before they get a handle on us.

Why was Jeremiah so despondent and discouraged? Because not only was he thinking about the past and present circumstances he was focused on the negative aspects of those circumstances. But notice that his heartache changed to hopefulness when he shifted his thinking from his past and present circumstances to the person and character of God.

Sometimes we view God through the lens of are circumstances and jump to conclusions about God. When what we need to do is view our circumstances through the lens and in the light of who God is. How do we do this?

I. The Power of Recall:

Once again Jeremiah shifted his thinking from his past and present circumstances to the person and Character of God. He said, “"Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope…” It says here that his soul was remembering the hard times and it brought him down. But then the prophet shifted his thinking. He writes, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope…”

It’s amazing how God created our minds. So precious, so powerful and yet so vulnerable. God has given us the ability and supercharged that ability when we got saved, to be able to recall to our minds glorious truths that will lift us up out of the dungeon of despair and bring us to a place where we experience his hope, love and mercy.

Success in the Christian life, overcoming debilitating emotions, and freedom from habitual sins, all hinged on the power of recall. But this power, although it is given to us by God, must be exercised and developed.

Have you noticed that the list of the armor of God found in Ephesians 6, by which we do battle against the enemy of our souls, are primarily defensive. But there’s one definite offensive weapon that is crucial to our success in the Christian life and that is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The power of recall is energized by the spirit but the Spirit works together with the word of God. But sadly may Christians are not giving the Spirit much to work with because they are not daily filling their hearts and minds with the word of God. Notice what Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Are we spending time with the Lord? Are we allowing him to reveal himself to us through his word and storing up those revelations in our hearts so that they can be recalled in life’s battles against sin and debilitating emotions? We spend far too much time on trivial things and very little time with the Lord.


II. Focusing our minds on the Character of God:

Notice also not only the power of recall to lift us up and change our thinking, but what Jeremiah recalled.

1. “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed..." (The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;)

2. “…because his compassions fail not…” (…his mercies never come to an end…)

3. “They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.”

4. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."

Our heartaches will change to hopefulness through the power of recall and when we learn to shift our thinking from our past and present circumstances to the person and character of God.

III. Preaching to ourselves:

Notice also in verse 24 that Jeremiah was not only calling to his mind glorious thoughts about God but he was also preaching to himself. It’s been said that most of our unhappiness comes from listening to ourselves rather than talking to ourselves.

May we learn like Jeremiah to exercise and develop the power of recall, to focus our minds on the character of God in his relationship to us and may we quit listening to our negativity and begin preaching God’s truths and promises into our lives.

The delight of the Lord

"Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD" (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

We live in a world that takes pride in educational achievements, power and wealth. Although there is nothing wrong necessarily with anyone of these things, none of them in themselves impress God or bring God's blessings. We can have all those things, power, wealth and advanced education and slip in the shower and break our necks. All the wealth in the world cannot secure our future in this life or the next and neither can it bring present satisfaction to our eternal souls. Only Jesus can bring eternal security and satisfaction to our lives. "The Psalmist proclaimed, "The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want."

If you have been reconciled to God by faith in the redemptive work of Christ, and you have wealth, power and a good brain, thank God and use them to spread the fame of His name in the world.

If you want to boast about something boast in that you know God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and live for the things that matter to Him. Love others sacrificially, seek justice in the world and live righteously before God and you will be a delight to the Lord.

Have you lost your way? Ask for the old paths...

"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein" (Jer 6:16).

In his inaugural address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt admitted that the U.S.A. had lost its way. "We don't know where we are going," he said, "but we are on our way." Through Jeremiah the Lord admonished his people to consider the paths before them and "ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein..." The people of God had forsaken the ways of the Lord and chose to walk in the ways of the ungodly nations around them. This road (pattern of living) that they were walking on was a road that was leading them to destruction. And the Lord, in His graciousness brought them to a fork in the road where they had the opportunity to repent and get on His path which leads to rest.

The Lord said to His wayward people through Jeremiah, "Ask for the old paths..." For the people in Jeremiah's day the old paths represented the way that God revealed to their ancestors through Moses and others how to live for and worship God. The old paths are not the old fashion way of doing things. Its not about keeping the pews rather then chairs in the sanctuary because its the old fashion way or because it the way we've always done things around here. The old paths is not the traditional way of doings things or the contemporary way of doing things, its the biblical way of doing things. Have you lost your way? Ask for the old paths and walk therein.

God is watching over His word to perform it

"And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 'Jeremiah, what do you see?' And I said, 'I see an almond branch.' The LORD said to me, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it'" (Jer 1:11).

Before God gave Jeremiah a vision, He asked him, "what do you see." And Jeremiah responded, "I see an almond branch." What is the significance of this vision? An almond tree was the first tree to bud in the spring, it was said to "watch for the spring." Using that well known analogy in Jeremiah's day to focus his thoughts, the Lord responded, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.'

Like an almond tree that was the first to welcome the spring, to watch over it, the Lord is watching over his word to fulfill it in the lives of his people. Now this can mean blessing or judgment depending on whether or not we are walking according to His word or contrary to it. God is watching over his word. Everything that He says he will perform. Every promise He makes he will fulfilled. Don't stray from his precepts, stand on His promises.

In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength

"For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not" (Isaiah 30:15).

When the Lord gave this exhortation through the prophet Isaiah the people of God, in fear of their enemies (Assyrians), had turned to Egypt for security. In doing so they not only experienced further oppression from Egypt but forfeited the help that only God could give them. Despite their rebellious ways, the Lord called them to repent of their sin and turn to him again, but they would not. What a God we serve that even in our rebellious ways the Lord calls us to return to Him in repentance that he might deliver us from our backward and destructive ways.

In God's call for His people to turn to him again we find a key to experiencing the strength of the Lord. The Lord said through the mouth of Isaiah, "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." We must learn to get away from all the clamor of this world and get alone with God. Through the Psalmist the Lord exhorts us to "Be still and know that I am God." Take the time to get quiet enough to hear the voice of the almighty and know with great confidence that he is a trustworthy God.

Is the Lord waiting on you?

"And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him" (Isaiah 30:18).

Despite the fact that the people of God looked to Egypt for help and despised the true word of God, the Lord longed to be gracious to His people. But in Isaiah's day and in our day as well the Lord holds back his blessings and waits before he demonstrates His graciousness to His people. What is He waiting for? He waits for His people to wait on Him. After declaring to God's people that the Lord waits to be gracious unto you, Isaiah wrote, "Blessed are all they that wait for him." When we are waiting on the Lord we quietly and confidently look to him for help. We trust that he will answer our prayers in His good time.

When waiting on God remember also that perhaps God is waiting on you to trust in Him, to persevere in prayer, or to repent of all known sin in your life. What might the Lord be waiting on you for before he releases his blessings upon you life?

When facing adversity run to God in faith rather than the world in fear

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering (make an alliance), but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion" (Isaiah 30:1-3).

When the Assyrians came against Judah, in fear they looked to Egypt for help and protection. They sought counsel in the face of adversity but not the counsel of the Lord. And the result was that the protection and shelter that they sought from Egypt turned to shame and humiliation. In other words they had run to Egypt to buy protection but ironically they returned to their original oppressors.

Its been said that many who profess Christianity live like practical atheist. And there is no area in our lives that shows that we live like practical atheist more than in our prayer life. Our prayer lives is the greatest mark of dependence on God. How do you handle adversity? Do you run to God in faith or do you run to the world in fear? Woe to us if prayer to a faithful God is our last resort rather than our first and greates resolve.

Lean upon Jesus

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." (Isaiah 26:3-4).

When problems and troubles arise in our lives we have a tendency to focus on and become obsessed with them. As a result we often become fearful, anxious or filled with worry. Its been said that worry doesn't take the sorrow out of tomorrow it takes the joy out of today.

In this life we can expect problems. Jesus never promised the absence of problems. Instead he has promised to give us peace in the midst of our storms (John 16:33). But in order to experience the peace that Jesus promises we must not simply try to quit obsessing over our problems. The more we try not to think about our problems the more we tend to be consumed by them. We must rather transfer our focus from our problems to God and trust him to see us through. Lean upon Jesus.

Can't buy me love

"If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house he would be utterly despised" (Song of Solomon 8:7b ).

Recently, I read of a rich man who stated that one of the sad things about being rich was that it was difficult for him to find a loving companion whose main reason for being interested in him was not his money. He knew that a love that money can buy isn't true love. Therefore he desired a companion that would desire "him" not his money.

The Beatles had it right when they sang, "Say u don't need no diamond rings and I'll be satisfied, Tell me that you want those kinds of things that money just can't buy, I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love, Can't buy me love, love, Can't buy me love." The beloved in the Song of Solomon declared, "My beloved is mine, and I am his" (2:16). In the same way God desires for you to know that he loves you, that you belong to him and He belongs to you. Give those you love what money can't buy, namely yourself. Elizabeth, I am yours and you are all mine!

Solomon's love song

"I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me" (Song of Solomon 7:6-10).

The Song of Solomon is one of the least preached books of the bible. One reasons why the book is so rarely taught or preached from in bible believing churches is due to its content. The Song of Solomon describes the love, deep affection and sexual intimacy experienced by Solomon and his bride in vivid poetic language. Because of this some preachers have chosen either not to preach on it or to view the Song as primarily an allegory of God's love for Israel or Christ's love for the church. This allegorization of the book, which has gone on for centuries, arose from the belief that a more literal interpretation was unsuitable for the Holy Scriptures. But the Song gives no indication that it should be read in any but a straightforward way.

Although our society has perverted God's gift of sexual intimacy, the fact that the church views it as a taboo has not helped Christian marriages. Christian marriages need the wisdom of the Song to keep the fire of love burning hot in their relationships.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy yout

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth..." (Ecc. 12:1). In Ecclesiastes Solomon has written about his search for the meaning of life based on an earthly perspective. In others words the conclusions that he has reached for the most part are based on what he physically observed and personally experienced through out his life. One of his conclusions that he reaches in the book of Ecclesiastes was that "childhood and youth are vanity" (Ecc 11:10). He said this because young people for the most part possess much energy, passion and strength to go after their hearts desires (Ecc. 11:9). But if their energies, passions and strengths are not governed by the fact that one day they will have to give an account to their creator, they can end up wasting their youth on trivial pursuits.

Young people want to be free to experience pleasure. There is nothing wrong with wanting to experience pleasure and have fun. God created pleasure. But freedom to seek pleasure and have fun without boundaries leads to bondage. Solomon wrote, "Remember thy Creator in th days of thy youth." Don't wait until the years rob you of the passion, energy and strength that you possess to live for God. Jesus deserves the best of our lives. Remember Jesus when your young. Seek to please him in all you do. Anything less will be a waste of your youth.

Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

"If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie" (Ecc. 11:3).

Solomon likens life (from an earthly view) to falling rain and a tree that lays on the ground after it falls. When rain falls to the ground it evaporates. When a tree falls down to the ground it rots. In the same way our lives on earth will cease and we will be buried in the ground. James wrote, "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." We are born, we live and we die. But is that it? Although there is great wisdom in realizing how short life on earth is, it's not the whole story. When seekiing to understand and make sense of what Solomons is saying in Ecclesiastes, we must not only keep in mind that he's looking at things from a worldly point of view, but we must also interpret what he is saying in the light of the clear teachings of all of scriptures. The Psalmist wrote, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" Psalm 90:14). And the author of Hebrews wrote, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

Life on earth is short. But if that understanding is not balanced with the fact that we will all stand before God when life on earth comes to an end, we might choose to live for the here and now and not for the sweet by and by. Solomon concluded in Ecclesiastes that living for all that is in the world is vanity. Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. The great missionary C.T. Studd captures in the following poem what it means to not waste your life:


Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ‘twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

"God has created us to be restless until we find our rest in Him"

"A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns." (Ecc. 1:4-7).

Is life simply an endless cycle of events with no beginning and no end? Does life just go round and round with no real meaning or purpose? This is one view of life that Solomon presents in the book of Ecc for our consideration. Many who believe in this cyclical view of life have accepted a philosophy that says, "You only go round once in life; you might as well grab for all the gusto." Solomon did not only present this view of life he lived for this way of life and in the end he concluded, "...Behold all is vanity..." (Ecc. 2:4-11).

Nothing in this world will satisfy. God has created us to be restless until we find our rest in Him.

Live life for what's above the sun not under it.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest" (Ecc. 9:10).

The book of Ecclesiastes describes Solomon's search for the meaning of life apart from divine revelation. The key phrase to understanding the book is "under the sun." In other words, Solomon is looking at things in life from an earthly perspective. The conclusions that he reaches in the book on various aspects of life are based on his earthly wisdom, observations and life experiences. Therefore, his conclusions must not be taken as divine truths that we are to fully accept and apply to our lives. There are some truths in many of Solomon's conclusions that are based on his earthly observations, but because they're merely earthly observations, they must be carefully examined in the light of all scripture. Solomon's conclusions contain truths, half truths and completely false statements. And because they lack divine revelation his conclusions about life are filled with cynicism. If this book is nothing more than a earthly perspective on life, why did God include it in the cannon of scripture? "Its purpose is to save us from walking the same dreary path of frustration, pessimism, and meaninglessness. If the wisest and richest man could not find fulfilment "under the sun," what chance do we have?"

The Apostle Paul wrote, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Apart from the hope we have in Jesus Christ, life would be utterly meaningless. Live life for what's above the sun not under it.

The vanity of living for what's under the sun

"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun" (Ecc. 1:1-3).

Written by Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes presents a cynical perspective on life. Solomon, as many know, was a man that was blessed of God with wisdom that exceeded all men. When he could have ask God for health or wealth he asked for wisdom instead to lead God's people righteously. And God was so impressed with Solomon that he not only gave him wisdom in abundance but he also gave him great physical blessings as well. What is wisdom? Wisdom is the ability to make godly decisions that lead us down the path of righteousness, fruitfulness and satisfaction before God. Early in his reign Solomon valued above all things under the sun to know and apply godly wisdom to all of life. But as Solomon got older he did not get wiser. His priority later in life became the pursuit of pleasing himself rather than pleasing God. Solomon used his physical prosperity provided by God to go after many wives which captured the affections of his heart. A.W. Tozer wrote, "Many come short, being satisfied with the works of God rather than hungering for and reaching on to God himself."

After years of living for everything under the son, Solomon's life became empty and vain. You will waste your life if what you live for and how you think is all about what's under the sun and not above it. Find your satisfaction in God himself.

How an ant can make us wise

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest" (Prov 6:6-8).

In this Proverb the sluggard is admonished to consider the ant in order to gain wisdom. What can the lazy man learn from the ant? First of all the Proverb says that the ant has "no guide, overseer or ruler." In other words the ant doesn't have to have someone looking over his shoulder telling him what he has to do. In the same way, when a wise person sees that something has to get done, doesn't wait for someone else to do it. And they certainly don't expect for someone to do for them what they should do for themselves.

It is also said of the ant that it, "Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." In others words the ant prudently makes preparations for the predictable future. Do you have a problem with laziness? Consider the ant and learn to carry your own weight.

Seek first to be wise not happy

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom..." (Prov 3:13).

In this Proverb we learn that happiness is a byproduct of finding wisdom. What is wisdom? Wisdom is the ability to make godly choices. But many people today are pursuing happiness at the expense of making wise choices. We disregard the truth and what is the right thing to do in God's eyes because we want to be happy now. And although we might experience temporary pleasure from choices that are devoid of wisdom they end up bringing more unhappiness and regret to our lives.

Typically when we make unwise choices because we want to be happy now (i.e. trading in your used car for a new one you can't afford) you find a way to talk yourself into it. You lie to yourself and say things like, "Everything is going to work out." But when you've been paying that car note for 12 months and you still have 48 more months to go happiness moves out and burden moves in. Seek to be wise first and happiness will follow and stick with you.

Seek not to offend, but above all stay true to God

"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10).

Paul the Apostle did not tell people what they wanted to hear in order to court their favor. Paul desired more to please God and serve him. But we must understand what Paul is saying in Gal 1:10 in context. There was a lot of pressure on Paul to preach a false gospel to gain the favor of the Jews. But Paul would rather die than to compromise the gospel. When it came to the gospel Paul was unashamed and unapologetic about making it clear that there is only one gospel that saves and that is that "Christ died for our sin according to the scripture and that he was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3-4). And Paul declared that this glorious gospel saves a man by faith alone in Christ alone apart from the works of the law (Gal. 2:16).

It was in the context of making clear what the gospel is and why he would not compromise it, even under the pressure that came from the Jews who believed in the law, that Paul wrote, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10). Once again, Paul was not going to water down the gospel just to fit in with the Jews or anybody else that did not agree with it. But this does not mean that Paul used the truth (bible) like a baseball bat to beat people over the head with it just prove that he was right. Notice that Paul also wrote, "Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" (1 Cor. 10:33). Paul preached the gospel and lived his life in a way as to not unnecessarily offend those he was trying to reach with the gospel. He wrote, "To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22). For the sake of the gospel and the souls of men we must, like Paul, seek not to offend. But above all we must stay true to God himself and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Must I empty handed go.

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (1 Thess 2:19).

Soon and very soon we are going to see the king. The coming of the Lord draweth nigh (James 5:8). Are you ready to meet him? Are you ready to stand in the presence of the Lord? Paul said that his hope, his joy and crown of rejoicing was to see those he preached the gospel to, those he ministered to in the presence of the Lord at his coming. When we see Jesus face to face all the earthly cares and the possessions that many of us live for will mean nothing in the light of the glory of our savior. The only thing that will matter to us on that day is what we have done with the great salvation that we have received while on the earth. As the old hymn goes, "Must I go in empty handed, must I meet my savior so, Not one soul with which to greet him, Must I empty handed go.

God has no greater controversy with his people than this...

"Brethren, pray for us" (1 Thess 5:25).

In one of the shortest verses in the entire bible Paul makes the following request of the believers in Thessalonica: "Brethren, pray for us." In this verse Paul was asking the Thessalonian believers to pray for him and his co-laborers. In this same chapter we also find Paul encouraging these believer to "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17). And 1 Thess 3:10 we see also that Paul did not just encourage others to pray for him. He said of himself and his fellow workers, "Night and day praying exceedingly."

There is no doubt that Paul believed in the power of prayer and that his practice of prayer was one of the keys to his powerful ministry. A.T. Pierson wrote, "God has no greater controversy with His people today than this, that with boundless promises to believing prayer, there are so few who actually give themselves unto intercession." Let us be those few who do not just talk about prayer but who talk to God in prayer.

Trust in God's promises rather then your own plans.

"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now." (Gal. 4:28-31).

Paul states that Isaac was a child of promise, because God promised Abraham that he and his wife Sarah would have a child despite their old age. But after years passed without a child they decided to take matters into their own hands. Abraham had a child with Sarah's servant Hagar. Paul stated that as this son of Abraham's plan(Ismael) was born after the flesh and persecuted him that was born after the Spirit so it was in his day. Paul was likening the Jews of his day, that trusted in their self righteousness, as being the persecutors of those that trusted in Christ.

Interestingly, Ishmael's literal descendants, (Arabs), also continued to hate the Jew and persecute them until this day. Over three hundred millions muslims of arabic descent surround the nation of Israel today. And the majority of them would like to see Israel wiped off the map. The conflict that exist between Jews and muslims is one of the fruits of Abraham coming up with his own plan rather then trusting God's promise. Trust in God's promises rather then your own plans.

Save, Sanctified and Sent

"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world" (John 17:14-18).

In the real Lord's prayer Jesus prays for those who are not of the world. Those who are not of the world are those who have trusted Jesus as savior and Lord. Jesus wasn't just praying for his disciples. In verse 20 he prayed, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." If you are a believer Jesus' prayer applies to you as well.

Notice also that Jesus prayed that as the father has sent him into the world even so has Jesus sent us (the saved) into the world. Do you live your life with a consciousness that you have been sent by Jesus into the world as God sent Jesus into the world? Jesus said, "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me." Jesus said that He came to "seek and the lost." Every morning that we wake we need to be reminded that the reason we are still breathing God's air--the reason why we are still on this earth is because we have been sent by Jesus to do the will of God. Live as a sent one.

How to receive life and health from God's word

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh"(Proverbs 4:20-22).

The bible declares that the word of God is alive and powerful. God did not give us His word to simply inform us but to transform us into the iamge of His son (2 Cor. 3:18).

In Proverbs 4:22 we read concerning words of wisdom, "For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." How does the wisdom God's word provide life and wisdom? Proverbs 4:20-21 give us the following keys: Notice that verse 20 says, "attend to my words." This means not just to pay attention, but to apply yourself to the word. Secondly, verse 20 says, "incline your ear." This means to be persuaded by the word. Thirdly, verse 21 says, "Let them not depart from thine eyes." Don't lose sight of the word. Lastly, verse 21 says, "Keep them in the midst of thine heart."

Hide God's word in your heart. Take time to memorize and meditate on the living and powerful words of God. "And ye shall be like tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth it's fruit in it's season. His leaf also shall not weather and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

Pray the scriptures

"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:11-12).

If you're struggling with how to pray I want to encourage you to get into the word of God. The scriptures ought to be a constant reminder of our needs, the needs of other and what we should be praying to God for. Jesus said, "If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).

Notice here that Jesus promises answers to prayers that flow from a heart where God's word abides. If you are just reading the word of God to fulfill some kind of quota and you are not abiding in Jesus then you will continue to struggle in your prayer life. Another issue is not only that we don’t rely on the scriptures, but that we don’t depend on the Spirit to help us to pray. But my focus in this devotional is to encourage you to allow the word of God to guide your prayer life as you take time to not only get into the word of God but allow the word to get into you. Take time to ponder, personalize and pray the word of God.

I've found the prayers of Paul particularly helpful in guiding my prayer life. For example, in 2 Thess 1:11-12 Paul prayed for others in the church to be made worthy by God of their calling. Are you praying for God to make you worthy of you're calling (salvation)? In addition to being worthy of their calling Paul prayed that God would "fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified..." We need to pray regularly about what we have resolved to do for God in faith that we might know His power and bring glory to His name. Paul said "To this end we always pray for you..." Do you pray regularly like Paul or is your prayer life no more than giving God a Christmas list? Learn to pray the scriptures.

Blind Spots

"He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse" (Prov 28:27).

In his book entitled "Radical" (Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream) David Platt writes, "We all have blind spots--areas of our lives that need to be uncovered so we can see correctly and adjust our lives accordingly. But they are hard to identify. I can think of at least one glaring blind spot in American Christian history. Slavery. We look back on slave-owning churchgoers of 150 years ago and ask, How could they have treated their fellow human beings that way?" What's the answer to that question? How could professing Christians justify treating men, women and children like animals? They were blinded by wealth and materialism.

Is your desire for comfort and stuff blinding you from the spiritual and physical needs of others? God blesses us not so we can fall in love with the blessings, but in order that we might be a blessing for Christ in our world.

Is your religion real or worthless?

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness" (Prov 31:26).

In Proverbs chapter 31 we are given a description of a virtuous woman. Among the many qualities that she possesses it is written that, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." She doesn't just speak her mind. Before she opens her mouth she thinks and prays about what she's going to say. She ask, "How would Jesus want me to respond?" When she opens her mouth wisdom comes out because wisdom is already in her heart. Also, it is said that "in her tongue is the law of kindness." In others words kindness characterizes her speech. James writes, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (James 1:26).

One of the best ways to measure the purity of your christianity is by what comes out of your mouth. What's been coming out of your mouth lately?

Welcome the wounds of the wise

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful"(Proverbs 27:6).

A sign of wisdom and spiritual maturity is being open to receive correction from a friend even when it stings. Proverbs 9:9 says, "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

How have you handled the loving rebuke and constructive criticisms of a friend? Do you love him or hate him for it? Proverbs 9:8 says, "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee." Do you even have a friend that feels that you have the capacity and maturity to receive correction or a rebuke? A wise man might feel the pain of a rebuke, but he will view it as the faithfulness, loyalty and love of a friend. Will you rather that your friend tell you the truth in love even if it hurts, or lie to you so you can feel good? Welcome the wounds of the wise. Thank God for faithful friends.

Increasing in wisdom

"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning" (Proverbs 9:9).

One of the great characteristics of a wise person is that they are eager to continue to learn. You will cease to be wise when you no longer have a willingness to learn the ways of God and apply them to your life.

Some claim that they don't read the bible because they can't understand it. Apart from the Spirit of God we will not understand the things of the God. The Apostle Paul wrote, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). If you have been born again the Spirit of God resides in you to teach you and enable you to live a godly life. When the spirit teaches you something he's also expecting you to apply it. If we don't apply what we are learning we won't increase in wisdom. "The way to understand the parts of the bible you don't understand, is to obey the parts you do understand. Understand?" (Adrian Rogers).

God is more concern with your holiness than your happiness

"Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon u. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord." (Proverbs 1:24-28).

I read a story about a woman who mocked the Faith of her neighbor, who occasionally invited her to her church. One day when the woman was going through some difficulties, she said, "I'm going to pray to this God my neighbor keeps talking to me about." When it appeared that God did not answer her, she became angry. When she saw her neighbor she said, "If your God is real, why didn't he answer my prayer like you claim he does?" Her neighbor responded, "Perhaps He was busy taking care of His regular customers."

When you pray keep in mind that God is more concern with your holiness than He is your happiness. Are you walking in the fear of the Lord?

Wisdom says, "Look not thou upon the wine..."

"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things"(Proverbs 23:29-33)

In the Proverbs you will find instructions, wise sayings and principles that will help you to make godly decisions. Our lives will be summed up by the decisions and choices that we make. Therefore its incumbent upon us to make wise choices. The wisdom of the proverbs is the wisdom from above, which will help us and teach us how to make right decisions. Wisdom is the skill that enables one to make godly decisions to live life successfully.

When it comes to alcohol, what is the wise choice? In Proverbs chapter 23 we are given instructions on the destructive, mind altering, sinful and addictive effects of alcohol. Because of these effects wisdom says, "Look not upon the wine when it is red..." In other words, don't be fooled by its deceptive appeal. Wisdom doesn't encourage us to drink in moderation. Wisdom says, "It's poison--don't even go there."

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice" (Ps 55:17).

Many of us would admit that although we recognize our need for prayer (or at least we say we do) we struggle to spend adequate time praying to God. Martin Luther, the great reformer once said, "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the Devil gets the victory through the day...I have so much business, I can not get on without spending three hours daily in prayer."

Luther sensed his need for God and it showed in his prayer life. But if you're struggling in your prayer life I don't suggest that you raise the bar as high as he did. One of the keys to an effective prayer life is to be persistent and consistent. If spending two of three hours on your knees in prayer every morning works for you, go for it. But if you don't do well praying for an extended period of time, I suggest that you spend a few minutes at a time in focused prayer as the Psalmist did in the morning, at noon and in the evening.

In the morning spend a few minutes praising the Lord. At noon time take a few minutes to petition the Lord for personal needs in your life. And in the evening spend a few minutes in intercessory prayer for the needs of others.

Think great thoughts, give high praise and pray big prayers unto God

"Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp" (Psalm 49:1-4).

The Psalms were not written to entertain a crowd but to worship a holy God. Although there are many Psalms of lament they were not written to just simply sing the blues. The Psalms express deep contemplations and meditations of the heart about life and about God. These contemplations and meditations were written down and put to music with the ultimate intent of worshipping God. David wrote many of these Psalms. And one of the reasons why he did great things for God was because he thought deeply and worshipfully on God and as a result had great faith in God. I've heard it said, and I agree, that we live in the information age. We can get on the Internet and search and find information on just about anything we want to find information on. But although many people know a lot about many things, very few people know anything very deeply. If we desire to grow in our faith and knowledge of God we must think and meditate deeply on God through His word. And the book of Psalms is a great place to begin.

Read the Psalm not simply to gain information about God, but to grow in intimacy with God. The Psalms call us to draw near to God and seek his face with all our hearts. Therefore when you read the Psalm you must do so in the context of a relationship with God. This means that you must first of all ponder what they have to say about God. The Psalmist wrote, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:16). If we get still enough, if we pause enough to think and ponder the beauty and greatness of the God of the Psalms, we will like David grow in our faith and confidence in Him.

We must us personalize and pray the Psalms. When you come across a passage or verse in the Psalms that speaks to your heart, personalize and pray it back to God. Keep in mind that the Psalms are not simply songs that are sung, which tell us something about God. Many of the Psalms are prayers that are prayed to God. For example, in Psalm 63 David wrote, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice” (Psalm 63:1-7).

Do you desire a closer and more intimate knowledge of God? Ponder, personalize and pray the Psalms from your heart. Let the Psalms help you, by God's Spirit to think great thoughts, give high praise, and pray big prayers unto an infinitely worthy God.

God my exceeding joy

"Judge me, O God, and plead my cause...O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 43:1-5).

Psalm's 43 teaches us that no matter how we're feeling or what we're going through we can pour out our souls to God and he will hear us. The Psalms also teach us that when we are down, oppressed or in turmoil, we need to not only petition the Lord, but we need to be reminded of who He is. We need to Plead before God for help, but we need also to praise his name. We need to pour out our souls to God but we need also to see God.

The Psalmist proclaimed, "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee..." (Psalm 43).
In his deep mourning and oppression the Psalmist knew that what he needed was not just deliverance from his problem but he needed to be brought into God's presence. God was his exceeding joy. When you're down, worried or fearful tell God about it and pray also for God to bring you into the joy of His presence. Depression will turn into delight and fear will turn to faith when worry turns to worship.

The fountain of Life

"How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Ps 36:7-10).

In this beautiful Psalm God is praised for His excellent love. And the Psalmist declares that those who see and know the love of God will put their trust under the shadow of His wings.

Where did God most excellently display his love for the world to see. The apostle Paul wrote, "For God commendeth his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). When we were separated from God because of our sin and deserving of His eternal wrath, Jesus went to the cross to die in our place that we might have eternal life (Romans 6:23).

People have imagined a fountain of youth that one must find and drink from to live forever. We don't have imagined that a fountain of youth exist. Everyone who knows and puts their trust in the love of God demonstrated by the cross of Jesus will drink of the river of His pleasures which flows from the fountain of His life. "For with thee (God) is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:10).

Wait on the Lord

"Show me thy ways, O LORD, and teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day" (Psalm 25:4-5).

There are many blessings promised to those who learn to wait on the Lord. For example, in Ps. 27:14 the Psalmist exhorted, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." What does it mean to wait on the Lord. After the Psalmist prayed for God to show him His ways, teach him His path, and lead him in His truths, he said confidently, "for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

To wait upon the Lord means that we do not make a move until we are sure that we have clear direction from God. And we do that first of all by knowing what God's Word says. God will never lead us to do something that contradicts his word. When we wait on the Lord we do so by also trusting that his way is best.

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy

"Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God...who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy" (Ps 147:7-11).

The Psalms express the heart felt cries of men who feared and trusted in the mercy and grace of God. Every human emotion is seen in the Psalms, but in the context of a relationship to God. There are Psalms of lament and of thanksgiving. There are Psalms that express confidence in God and Psalms that question God.

The Palms are not only songs that give praise God but they also reveal our desperate need for God and bring us to His grace. The Psalms teach us that no matter what we are going through we can run to God and hope in His mercy. In fact, the Psalmist declares that the Lord takes pleasure in his children when they run to him and want to share everything in their lives with Him. What an amazing God we serve.

When I Consider thy heavens...

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest (care for) him?" (Psalm 8: 3-4).

Voltaire, a French philosopher from 18th century wrote, "God made man in his image, and man returned the favor." Judging by Voltaire's disdain for the word of God, he obviously did not have a correct view of God himself. But there is certainly a lot of truth in his statement. There are many today that have a distorted image of God. Even Christians are loosing a sense of Holy reverence for God and do not stand in awe of who he is. The Psalmist wrote, "Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him" (Psalm 33:8).

The implications of a shallow view of God is a shallow Christianity that makes very little impact for the cause of Christ in our world. Notice what helped to give the Psalmist a high view of God and a humble view of himself. He wrote, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest (care for) him?" (Psalm 8: 3-4).

In addition to reading and meditating of the scriptures, which is an absolute must, do you take time to look up--to admire--to ponder upon the glories of God's creation?" Consider His heavens and the works of God and stand in awe of him.

Set apart for God himself

"But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him" (Psalm 4:3).

In this Psalm the godly are exhorted to know in their hearts not just in their heads one of the most profound truths that one could ever know. This realty that the Psalmist David speaks of is true of every one who has trusted Jesus as Lord and savior of their lives. The glorious truth that we are exhorted to "know" is that "the Lord has set apart him that is godly for himself." Do you know that? To know it doesn't mean to just give mental assent to it, but to be convinced of it to the point that it renews your mind and transforms your life. Paul wrote, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:20). The saved are set apart not just to serve God, but for God himself. Do you know that this is true of you?

"One of the results of being convinced of this is found at the end of verse 3 where David writes, “the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” If I meditate on the truth that I am set apart by God… for God… then having confidence that He hears when I call unto Him seems to be a logical outworking of Scriptural truth" (LCM).

May the reality that we've been set apart for God himself lead us to shun all worthless and meaningless pursuit to enjoy and treasure fellowship with Jesus. Commune with him, walk with Him and live to glorify His name.

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food"

"Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12).

What kind of testimony do you have before God? Job had a testimony that God could brag about and that put the devil to shame. Concerning Job, the Lord said to Satan, "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" Job was not sinless but he was blameless. There was not an area in his life where Satan could accuse him of dishonoring God.

What kept Job from backsliding away from God. Job said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." There is absolutely no way that we can keep from backsliding unless we recognize that as food is vital to the nourishment of our bodies, the word of God is even more vital to the nourishment of our souls.

when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold

"Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:8-9).

Job was on top of the world until suddenly his life was turned upside down. While Job was in this furnace of affliction God seemed awfully silent. But God's silence does not mean His absence." Job knew that God was not unaware or unconcerned about what he was going through, but was using it to purify his life.

Whether we like it or not our faith is strengthen not so much in prosperity, but in adversity. God allows adversity in our lives for our ultimate good and His glory.

It been said that when God puts His own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much." Trust him to bring you through shining forth like gold.

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another..." (Job 19:25-27).

When Job said the above words he was going through some heavy trials and tribulations. And what made it worse for him was that he had three friends that, rather than lifting him up and encouraging him, kicked him while he was down. Its been said that the Christian army is the only army that shoots its wounded. That statement contains much hyperbole, but there is certainly some truth to it. And it was certainly true of Job's friends. Job called them miserable comforters and God agreed with him. Its good to have good friends who will help carry our burdens but we can't always depend upon others. Thankfully Job did not totally have to rely on his friends and neither do we. Despite Job's severe trials and his unsympathetic friends, he could say with great confidence, "For I know my redeemer liveth...Whom I shall see for myself."

If you've been born again you too can say with great hope and confidence, "My redeemer lives." The author of Hebrews wrote of our redeemer and savior Jesus Christ, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25)." Are you going through tough times right now? Your redeemer lives! He's seated on the throne of heaven making intercession for you. He will see you through and one day you will see him face to face and declare, "it was worth it all."

Pray for your sons and daughters

"And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually" (Job 1:4-5).

Job was a man that was exemplary in his integrity and righteousness before God and man. In addition, Job did not only care about his own testimony before God, he had a sincere and genuine concern for his sons and daughters standing before God. When his children were out from under his watchful care, he made intercession before God on their behalf continuously.

When our children are beyond our reach they're never beyond the reach of God. And by faith and prayer we can move heaven on their behalf. Pray for your sons and daughters.

Moving the hand that moves the world:

But there's a power, which man can wield
When mortal aid is vain'
That eye, that arm, that love to reach,
That listening ear to gain.

That power is prayer, which soars on high,
Through Jesus to the throne,
And moves the hand which moves the world,
To bring salvation down.

J. A. Wallace, quoted by Arthur Wallis, In the Day of Thy Power, p139

More than a reason for hardship we need God's revelation of Himself

"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place...for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him." (Job 2:11-13).

Life is not always a bed of roses. Like Job we have and will experience loss, suffering and deep anguish in our lives. Many people often ask when they are suffering, "Why me?" There are scriptural answers to these questions, but we will not always know what those answers are this side of heaven.

Job started off praising God when he first experienced the great heartache and pain of loosing his children. But after some time his faith wavered and he began to ask the question, "Why me?" His "why me" questions caused him to lose the focus he had on the Lord, which led him to curse the day he was born. But later when God showed up he didn't give Job a reason for hardship but a revelation of Himself (Job 38-42). And it was that knowledge of God that lifted Job from his despair. When you can't understand God's hand learn to trust His heart.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power

"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance (conviction); as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake" (1 Thess. 1:5).

Paul was an effective witness for Jesus Christ. God used him to turn many "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God" (Acts 26:18). What made Paul such an effective witness? Paul wrote to the believers that he led to Jesus, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power..." In other words, it wasn't Paul's own communication skills that persuaded men to turn to Christ, but the power of the Spirit that was at work in him and in the hearts of the hearers.

Paul also wrote that the effectiveness of his gospel ministry was in the Christ like manner in which he lived his life before those he was ministering to. What about you? Is your witness for Christ more than mere words? Pray for the power of the Spirit to make you a bold witness for Jesus in words and deeds.

Totally abandoned to God

"But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head..."(Est. 9:25).

Esther was an orphan girl that God raised up to the position of queen in the Persian empire. When her people were facing extermination, Esther's cousin Mordecai encouraged her to plead for her people. She was fearful at first, but when Mordecai suggested that God had made her queen for such a time, she yielded to God's will. And before she did she said, "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me...I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."

Esther did receive favor before the Persian King and saved her people, but not before leading her people to fast and pray before the King of kings and Lord of lords. Esther is an excellent example of what it means to be totally abandoned to God. And because she was, the Lord mightily used her.

When we surrender to God's will and rely upon Him in prayer with total abandonment, we can trust that He will have our backs--that God will be with us and accomplish his purposes in us and through us for our good and His glory.

God resisteth the proud

"So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself" (Esther 6:6).

Haman is the epitome of a prideful and self centered man. When the King of Persia learned that Mordecai had uncovered an assassination plot against him, he desired to honor him. Therefore he called Haman in and asked, "What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?" Being the man that he was, Haman thought the King wanted to honor him. Therefore he suggested that he be paraded around in royal apparel on the kings horse, while being hailed as the man the king delighted to honor.

Haman's bubble was busted when he found out that Mordecai, who he hated, was the man the King wanted to honor. In addition to finding out that Mordecai was the man the king had in mind, Haman was given the responsibility to publically parade Mordecai around to his humiliation. Later Haman would be hung on the gallows that he built to hang Mordecai. "God resisteth the proud, but he gives grace to the humble" (James 4:7).

Who will stand in the gap?

"They forgat God their Savior, which had done great things in Egypt; Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible (awesome) things by the Red Sea. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them" (Psalm 106:23).

Although God freed Israel from bondage and did many miracles before them, they rebelled against Him. God would have brought judgment by allowing the enemies of Israel to destroy them had not Moses stood in the breach through intercessory prayer.

A breach speaks of where a fortified wall, designed to keep the enemy out, has been compromised. A breach is a gap that allows the enemy to penetrate and get inside the fort to bring ruin and destruction. Our nation has turned away from God and are churches have been weakened by the onslaughts of the enemy. Who will stand in the gap? Who will pray?

God is going to call your number...

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14).

Due to Haman's influence, the King of Persia made a decree that called for the destruction of the Jewish people. Upon learning of the coming genocide, Mordecai appealed to Esther, who had providentially become queen, to go before the king to plead for her people. She advised Mordecai that going before the King without first being invited could put her life in jeopardy. But Mordecai, who trusted in the promises of God to preserve his people, reminded Esther of the Lord's strategic providence to place her in the position that she was in to accomplish His purposes. He said, "...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? By faith Esther was willing to put her neck out to fulfill God's plan for her life and as a result her people were saved from annihilation.

Esther faithfully and humbly served the Lord before becoming queen. Although she had what many women in her day could ever dream to have she never forgot who she was. She could have long forgot about her godly cousin Mordecai and lived "the good life" but instead she continued to submit to his godly wisdom. No doubt God placed Esther in position as queen because she had proven herself faithful. Jesus said, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much" (Luke 16:10).

Do you realize that God has you on this earth, in this hour for his divine purposes--for such a time as this? Trust that he is able to strategically place you where he desires to make an eternal difference and be willing and ready for your life to count. God is going to call your number. Will you be faithful?

The devil is out to destroy you

"And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus." (Est 3:5-6).

Haman, an evil and prideful man was given a high position by the King of Persia. In his time men in his position were revered as gods. But Mordecai, a devote Jew, refused to bow down to Haman. As a result, Haman hated Mordecai and his people and sought to exterminate them. But by the providence of God Haman's murderous intentions and diabolical schemes were discovered and defeated.

God's people today also have an evil adversary and his name is Satan. The Apostle Peter exhorted the believers in his day to,"Be sober, be vigilant for your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is out to destroy you. God is able to make his schemes against you to work for your good, but you must remain under God's authority. "Submit yourself therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee for you" (James 4:7).

Are you on God's active or inactive list?

"And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD" (Nehemiah 3:5).

When Nehemiah heard that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruin he prayed for God to make it possible for him to go to Jerusalem to repair the walls that were broken down. When he arrived in Jerusalem he shared the burden of the Lord with God's people and they united together to rebuild the walls.

In chapter three Nehemiah was inspired by the Spirit of God to list the names of the families that worked side by side to repair the walls which helped to keep the enemy out. Sometimes we get bogged down by reading list of names in the bible. But the reason we find these list of names in the bible is because God takes notice of what people do in his name and he honors them.

There is a repeated phrase that is found in the list of the families that worked to build the walls and the phrase is, "And next unto him." This phrase refers to the fact that the families that worked on the walls worked next to each other. And this was one of the keys to why they were able to accomplish the work of repairing the walls. In the same way if the Church today is going to effectively do the work of the Lord each member must take their place and work side by side with there fellow brothers and sisters.

Notice also that not only did the Lord inspire Nehemiah to list the families that faithfully worked side by side building the walls but he also listed the people that refuse to work. He wrote, "...but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD." When it comes to God's work are you listed as active or inactive?

Seasons of extraordinary prayer

"The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven..."(Nehemiah 1:3).

Nehemiah was not a prophet, priest or King and yet God used him to not only rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down, but to bring great spiritual and social reformation to his people. Nehemiah was born during the period of Israel's captivity to the Persians.

Under the Reign of Cyrus the King of Persia, he allowed the Hebrew people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and restore the worship of God. Around 49,000 Israelites accepted the call to return to Jerusalem and despite much opposition they were able to rebuild the temple. But after a number of years the walls of Jerusalem, that helped to keep Jerusalem from being over run by the enemy, fell in disrepair. The opposition that the Israelites were experiencing, along with their sinful deeds contributed to their neglect of the walls. The neglect of the walls by the Jews made them vulnerable to the enemy and in danger of being destroyed, along with the temple.

When Nehemiah, a cup bearer to the King, heard about the grave conditions in Jerusalem, his heart was broken and he sat down and began to weep. But Nehemiah didn't just weep. With great anguish of heart Nehemiah fasted and prayed for a number of days to the God of heaven. God heard the prayers of this one man that cried unto God with great anguish of heart, and God moved the heart of the King of Persia, who gave Nehemiah the opportunity to travel to Jerusalem. With the help and backing of the king, Nehemiah made it to Jerusalem where he led the people to repair the walls of Jerusalem. From the moment he arrived in Jerusalem he was met with much opposition, which continued during the building of the walls. But Nehemiah kept on praying and leading the people to keep on working and in a record 52 days the walls were repaired; followed by a period of spiritual revival among the people.

The great preacher Jonathan Edwards shared these thoughts on the revival in New England in 1740: “It is God’s will through His wonderful grace, that the prayers of His saints should be one of the great principal means of carrying on the designs of Christ’s kingdom in the world. When God has something very great to accomplish for His church, it is His will that there should precede it the extraordinary prayers of His people; as is manifest by Ezekiel 36:37 and it is revealed that, when God is about to accomplish great things for His church, He will begin by remarkably pouring out the spirit of grace and supplication (see Zechariah 12:10).”

Where are the Nehemiah's today who in anguish of heart pour out their souls in prayer unto God to bring spiritual awakening to the lost and revival to the church. If we do not see in the church today believers in great anguish crying out to God in seasons of extraordinary prayer over lost souls and the weakness and powerlessness of the church, we can not expect to see a revived church or a great harvesting of souls. The condition of our world, the lost and the church is calling for seasons of extraordinary prayer. May God begin to remarkably pour out the spirit of grace and supplication and raise up some Nehemiah's today.

Going all out for God

"All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern" (1 Chron 28:19).

Before David died he put down in writing, as God gave him understanding, the plans for building the house of the Lord. One of the reasons for putting down what the Lord showed him in writing was in order that his son Solomon would know how to carry on the work of building the house of the Lord after David's death. What David set out to do for God wasn't ever done haphazardly. David had a clear plan from God that he wrote down. He did his part in gathering all that was needed for the construction of the temple. What he could not do himself by God's decree, he left for his son to do with detailed instruction for how to get it done.

When David wanted to build God a house, God would not allowed him to construct it because of all the wars and blood shed that David participated in. God said he would allow his son to build it. But David had to do something to honor God. He couldn't just do nothing. So he gathered all the material and made all the preparations necessary for Solomon to build the house of the Lord. David was the kind of man that didn't do anything half way. He did everything for God with passion, and zeal. He gave it all he had. He went all out. When he knew what God wanted him to do he did it with all his might and heart. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Col. 3:23).

Unity that overthows the kingdom of darkness

"All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king" (1 Chron. 12:38).

The mighty men of David's army were successful in battle because they were united--they fought together and never broke rank. No matter how hot the battle, they stood as one against the enemy and prevailed. And the key to their unity was their singleness of purpose, which was to make David King.

"Let us learn to keep rank, shoulder to shoulder, and in step, with our brethren. Too many like to break the ranks, and do God’s work independently. Fifty men who act together will do greater execution than five hundred acting apart. There is too much of this guerilla fighting. Unity is strength; and in their efforts to overthrow the kingdom of Satan it is most essential that the soldiers of Christ move in rank and keep step" (F.B. Meyer).

Unity among us Christians that overcomes the Kingdom of darkness, can only be achieved when our singleness of purpose is to exalt the name of Jesus and advance his kingdom not our own. Let's fight the good fight of faith shoulder to shoulder for the fame and glory of our King and Savior Jesus Christ.

What is the highest goal of the gospel?

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Pet. 3:18).

What would you say is the highest goal and greatest blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the salvation that He provides? Before reading on think about and answer that question in your own heart. Your answer could reveal whether or not you have truly believed the heart of the gospel. In 1 Peter 3:18 we find both the heart of the gospel and the highest goal of the gospel. The heart of the gospel is that Christ suffered and died on the cross for our sin (1 Pet 3:18), and was raised again from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). On the cross where Jesus suffered bled and died, he absorbed the curse of sin that we deserved and satisfied the wrath of God on our behalf. Christ crucified for us in the flesh is the heart of the gospel, but it is not the final aim of the gospel. Peter wrote that Christ suffered to "bring us unto God."

The apostle John wrote, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). "In other words, the gift of the gospel called eternal life, is not the mere extension of every earthly pleasure. It is the extension and perfection of the pleasures of knowing God and his Son Jesus Christ" (John Piper). More than escaping hell, more than gaining heaven, God himself is the greatest blessing of the gospel. "If we do not see Him and savor Him as our greatest fortune, we have not obeyed or believed the gospel" (John Piper).

What is your life saying about Jesus?

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the world" (Acts 1:8).

Before Jesus' ascension he revealed to his disciple that the prime directive for why they were being left on the earth was to "be witnesses" unto Him by the power of the Spirit. While I was meditating on Jesus' words, "and ye shall be witnesses," a couple of Jehovah witnesses rang my door bell. I admire the courage that a J. W. has to go door to door. But is that what Jesus meant when he said, "ye shall be witnesses unto me?" Notice that Jesus didn't say, "and ye shall "do" witnessing, he said, "and ye shall "be" witnesses. A witness is not simply something a Christian is suppose to do, its who they are suppose to be. Do you realize that most unsaved people do not come to believe in Jesus unto they first come to believe in a follower of Jesus? What is your life saying about Jesus? "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Forward your burdens to God.

"And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel...thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God" (2 Kin 19:14-16).

After receiving a threatening message concerning an Assyrian invasion and knowing about the many nations that the King of Assyria had destroyed, Hezekiah the King went up to the house of the Lord and prayed. While praying, he took the threatening letter and spread it before the Lord. In other words, he didn't answer the letter. Instead, he forwarded it to God and trusted him to answer it. Forward your burdens to God.

"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. 4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. 5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. 6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call" (Psalm 20).

Asking is the rule of the Kingdom

"And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him" (1 Chron 5:20).

On more than one occasion someone has said to me, "If you needed help, why didn't you just ask?" The answer to that question most of the time is pride. God is always ready, willing and wanting to help his children. But we have to ask for help. Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11).

"Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom. If you may have everything by asking in His Name, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is" (C. H. Spurgeon). James wrote, "Ye have not because ye ask not." If asking is the rule of the Kingdom, why do so many Christians admit that they have an inadequate prayer life? The answer is pride. When you truly recognize your need for God, you will pray.

We need more than the instructions of a man, we need intimacy with the father

"And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him" (2 Kin 12:2).

Jehoash did right in the eyes of the Lord as long as Jehoiada the Priest was their to instruct him. But later in his life we learn the following from the word of God: "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass" (2 Chron. 24:17-18). Jehoash followed the instructions of Jehoiada, but his faith in God was not passed on to the King. Jehoash followed the instructions of Jehoiada but it doesn't seem that he ever develop any intimacy with Jehovah. Jehoiada gave him instructions but he could not give him intimacy--he could give him rules but he could not give him a relationship with God. Therefore, when Jehoiada died, the King was easily influenced by those around him to turn away from God, who he didn't know personally, unto idols.

In order to influence the next generation for Christ, we must do more than teach them rules. We must encourage them to develop their own relationship with God. And in addition, if we desire to stay faithful to God, we must be sure that we are not simply following the instruction of a man, but we must grow in our intimacy with the father. If we desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus we must not only be under the preaching of God's word, but we need to get in the word, on our knees and pursue God for ourselves.

To do right in the eyes of the Lord and stay right, we need the help of others. Thank God for those who take time to teach us and encourage us in the Lord. But we need more than the instructions and encouragement of others who know the Lord. We need to know God for ourselves, we need to learn to preach to ourselves and encourage ourselves in the Lord. Do you know him?

And the man of God wept

"And he (Elisha) fixed his gaze and stared at him...And the man of God wept. And Hazael said, "Why does my lord weep?" He answered, "Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel" (2 Kings 8:11-12).

When Hazael came to Elisha on behalf of the King of Syria to inquire about whether or not he would recover from his sickness, Elisha began to weep. He wept when he saw Hazael, because God had revealed to Elisha that Hazael would become King of Syria. And as king, Elisha also knew, by God's divine revelation that Hazael would inflict great evils against Israel. Elisha wept when he saw Hazael because God gave him eyes to see deeper into his life and destiny.

The author of 2 Kings makes it a point to write, "And the man of God wept." So too will men and women of God today weep if they are close to the heart of God and have been given eyes to see what God sees when he looks at the souls of men. When Jesus entered Jerusalem before his crucifixion, Dr Luke records, "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:41-44).

Jesus, knowing the judgment that would befall Jerusalem because of the their sin and rejection of the messiah, wept over the city because of what he knew would happen to its residents. Where are the Elisha's today? Where are the preachers today that will not only preach on the judgment that is to come upon all who are lost and without Christ, but do so with anguish in their hearts and tears in their eyes.

While D.L. Moody's was on an Evangelistic tour in London, he was visited by several British clergy men. They wanted to know what made this poorly educated man from America such an effective evangelist. Moody had the men look out the window of his hotel and asked them what they saw. Each man took turns describing the people they saw in the park. When Moody looked out the window at the people down below, tears began to roll down his cheeks. Then the men asked, "What do u see, Mr. Moody? He replied, "I see countless thousands of souls that will one day spend eternity in hell if they do not find the Savior."

Ask God to give you eyes to see the lost souls of people around you, and for boldness to share Jesus with them.