Believe - Therefore Speak - Psalms 114-116

Psalms 116:10-11 (ESV)

I believed, even when I spoke:

“I am greatly afflicted”;

I said in my alarm,

“All mankind are liars.”

The unknown writer of this prayer/song makes some bold, sweeping statements in these two verses.   One verse speaks of the writer and how he is characterizing his own dedication to God.  The other verse is speaking, again, by the writer, but what his impression is of others.    His own assessment is that despite suffering he is holding on to his faith.  In the midst of his suffering he boldly will continue to speak.   In 2 Corinthians 4:13 Paul quotes this part of the psalm to speak to his own boldness, despite his being question as an apostle.   This is how the writer depicts himself.   He is a bold proclaimer of truth, despite those around him that would cause him ill for speaking that way.   But he pivots to thought he has discovered that “all men are liars.”   He contrast them with his own statement of truth.  He is drawing a distinction about those in faith and those who are not.   It is true that all men lie.  That includes believers.   We don’t know what “lies” he is referring to.  However, perhaps he is speaking about his suffering.  Perhaps he has learned that he can speak bold about God because the persecution he is suffering is all based upon lies from mankind.   The things they might be saying about him are untrue, therefore he is even bolder with the truth.  The truth that is sure here, is that in the midst of persecution and being surrounded by lies, he is bold to speak God’s truth.  That is a lesson we should live.   

God Keeps His Promises - 2 Chronicles 6-9

2 Chronicles 6:1-6 (ESV)

Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. But I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.” Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. And he said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying, ‘Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel; but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’

God keeps His promises!  When God says He is going to do something, we can be assured He will.   It is trusting in these promises of God that separates some from others.  Note what Paul said about Abraham:

Romans 4:20-21 (ESV)

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Notice what the writer of the book of Hebrews said about Moses:

Hebrews 11:23-26 (ESV)

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

Abraham left his home land because he believed in God’s promises.   Moses refused to hang on to this earth because he believed God’s promises about another place (God’s future kingdom).   It is belief in God’s promises that separates some from others.  

People Matter to God - Numbers 25-28

Numbers 26:59 (ESV)

The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister.

To God, connecting generations to generations matters.  When the nation of Israel came out of Egypt, God wanted to bring them into the promised land. However, the disobedience of the people caused God to tell them that only those 21 years of age and younger would come into the promised land. The reason of their rebellion, was that they were fearful that the peoples living in the promised land would attack them and their children. So God, in His sovereignty, made sure that they did not enter the promised land, but their children would.  In this section of Numbers, God commanded Moses and Joshua to do a census of the people, because it was those children under 21 who are now the nation of Israel.

In the above verse, we have the connection of Moses and Aaron to the tribe of Levi. God provides it so that we can see it matters to Him who leads His people.  People matter to God. These are not just names thrown into the Bible. These are people who have significant connection from one generation to the next. We may not like to read passages of just names and numbers. But those names matter to God. He knows exactly who our parents are, and who our children are. We can rest assured, He will accomplish His plans, based upon people whom He chooses.

Give The Grace Given To You, To Others - Philemon

Philemon 1:25 (ESV)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

The entire book of Philemon is about practical forgiveness.   To give forgiveness to others you must have grace in your life.  This is the reason why Paul closed out this book with the above statement. 

The story behind this book is that Paul was in prison in Rome.   A run-a-way slave is placed in prison with him.  Paul, of course, uses the opportunity to share his faith with this prisoner (Onesimus) and the man comes to Christ for forgiveness of his sins.  The ironic and sovereign hand of God in this story is that Onesimus was a run-a-way slave from Paul’s friend and brother in Christ, Philemon.  Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and then ran for the hills.   But he was apprehended, placed in the jail RIGHT NEXT TO PAUL, Philemon’s friend.   Is that not a beautiful story of God’s moving in the lives of others.  Once Onesimus comes to Christ he is no longer defined by his past, he is now a brother in Christ to Paul AND TO PHILEMON.   So this letter was written by Paul and sent to Philemon in the very hands of Onesimus.   Paul asks Philemon to receive him and forgive him.   This is why Paul writes:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philemon needs to give grace to Onesimus in the same way grace is given to Philemon by Christ.  Paul knows how hard it will be to forgive.   But he also knows that it is the very grace given to us by our Lord for our wrongs, that enables us to forgive those who wrong us. 

Expect To Suffer For Him - John 19-21

John 21:24 (ESV)

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

It is only at the end of this long gospel account that John reveals his name, as the author of the book.  He has not announced himself for the first 21 chapters.   There would be nothing wrong with that, as we can see from Paul’s many letters, or Luke’s account of both his gospel and the book of Acts.  

John, at the end, does want us to know he wrote it and that he can be trusted with the facts of the book.   The world disregards the Bible accounts, as though there are make-believe stories, conjured up in the minds of religious fanatics.   However, John boast that his testimony is true.   The Greek word of testimony is martyria.  This is where we get our English word martyr.   As prophesied by Jesus, John was one of the few apostles who were not put to death for their testimony of Jesus.   But that does not mean he was not a martyr.   Note what he said at the beginning of his book, Revelation:

Revelation 1:9 (ESV)

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

He was banished to a small island and held captive until his death, by natural causes.  But he was there because he spoke of Jesus.   As we bear witness of Jesus, we should expect some mis-treatment by the world.   

Peter said it this way:

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)

Suffering as a Christian

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Paul said it this way:

2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Don’t be surprised if you suffer for beating witness of the Light.   The Dark (world) hates the Light (Christ).  

Opposition From The Same Side - Amos 5-9

Amos 7:10-13 (ESV)

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said,

“‘Jeroboam shall die by the sword,

and Israel must go into exile

away from his land.’”

And Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.”

The title in this section in the ESV is “Amos Accused.”  The priest, Amaziah, accuses Amos of king of Israel.  Remember, at this time the kingdom was divided.  Israel and Judah were separate.  Amos is prophesying to the wicked kingdom of Israel to the north.  The priest (Amaziah) was from Bethel, the capital city of Israel, in the north.  The northern kings were all wicked.  None of them worshipped God.  So, when Amos is attacked and accused it is because he is standing up for righteousness in a wicked environment.  He was not afraid to stand tall in this slouching world around him.  

A key thought in this passage is that when one stands tall in a slouching world, one will be accused and attacked.  And the attack might come from those who call themselves believers.   The sad part of this is that Amaziah was supposed to point others to God, just as Amos was.  They were supposed to have the same mission.  But Amaziah slipped into the political and expedient world of the flesh and pleasing God.   Don’t be surprised if those type of people will falsely accuse you if you stand up for righteousness.  Even the most good intentions could camouflaged to look like it is helping leadership (in this send the king ... Jereoboam). 

Wickedness might look like a priest protecting a king, but it is still wickedness.  

Don’t Be A Battering Ram With God’s Word - Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:12 (ESV)

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

People have a hard time listening to correction.   In Proverbs a constant theme of Solomon's admonition is this arena of listening to God's Wisdom when it is presented by a "wise reprover" and coupled with a "listening ear."   This combination is such a great thing Solomon compares it to seeing a fine earring or fine gold jewelry.   Gold sells.   Put gold on something and you get someone's attention.  We see it from Madison Avenue all the time.   Look at a bill board or a TV commercial or a magazine ad and you will see many with sparkling jewelry and shinny ornaments.  It attracts our attention.   It shows something refined and it shows us something of value.   In this proverb Solomon uses the same thought to demonstrate not some material and temporal possession but an eternal and remarkable event ... someone listening and applying God's truth from someone who has skill to deliver it.   It is a matter of importance that Solomon draws attention to the fact that someone is not simply listening to God's Word but also that God's Word is being delivered in a wise way by the "reprover."   Sometimes it is in the delivery that we see fruit.   God's Word needs to be delivered to the ear in a manner worthy of God's Word.   We can't simply fling the Word around and use it as a battering ram on those who need to hear it.   A wise reprover invites a listening ear.   Yes, there are some who won't hear us because they reject the truth of God's Word no matter how it is delivered.  But there are far too many who are beat over the head with God's Word and they find the method offensive more than the truth.   Make sure you take as much care in the delivery of God's truth as you do the importance of the delivery.   Maybe there would be more listeners and others would see the beauty of them hearing and responding.