Called – Page 3 – Praying Pint

13.n. “Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.”

Zachariah 7:8 And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry. “‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land they left behind them was so desolate that no one traveled through it. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.’”

2 Kings 17:13-15    Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”  But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God.  They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.

2 Chronicles 33:10   The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention.

Nehemiah 9:29     And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey.

Proverbs 1:24-32     Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,  because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,  I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,  when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.  Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.  Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,  would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,  therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.  For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;

Jeremiah 44:16     “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you.

Hebrews 12:25     See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

They refused to listen; they resisted the warners; they exhibited open contempt for them. They willfully were ignorant and would not consider nor want to understand. What level of contempt is it when a person sets their heart hard as stone so that their ears are deaf to the Word of God? Do you ever wonder if people consider the Word of God a burden? Is this why they harden their heart to God? Think about this. The Word of God proclaims a righteous, pure, and holy Creator God. It proclaims the fall of mankind. It exposes the sinful nature of man. It proclaims the separation between God and man due to this fallen sinful state. It proclaims God’s wrath, anger, and judgment. It proclaims God’s grace, mercy, and love toward mankind with promises of restoration, redemption, and salvation. It proclaims blessings. It is a guide and restraint to the sinful nature of our hearts. It proclaims the wonders and mystery of God. It proclaims the promises of God. It proclaims warnings. It yields hope, joy, peace, refuge, courage, power, kindness, forgiveness, and rest for those who have open hearts, minds, souls, and ears to hear, believe, obey, and trust in what God proclaims. It also yields hardened hearts, minds, souls, and ears to those who defy, deny, and resist what God proclaims. It promises eternity in heaven for those who believe. It promises eternity in hell for those who do not believe.

Is it a burden to live for God? Is it a burden to live holy, righteous, and pleasing to the God of all there is? Is it a burden to live to honor, glorify, worship, magnify, and praise to God? Is it a burden to live in loving kindness? Is it a burden to live showing mercy and grace to others? It is not a burden but a blessing to be loved by God and in a restored relationship with Him. What is the alternative to our lives should we choose to deny and defy God? Isn’t the true burden of life trying to live as though God does not exist? Every day Creation screams out the existence of God and every day the heart of the deniers must harden more and try to make sense and purpose of this life. Every day the burden of denial becomes heavier and heavier. The denying soul will find that the burden of life brings no pleasure or satisfaction even though they search diligently for it in the things this world has to offer. The Word of God is not a burden. It is a wondrous blessing from God to His creation.

8.d. This calls for a mind with wisdom:

Revelation 17:6 When I saw her, I marveled greatly. But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come. This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while. As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction. And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”

Oh my, this is a bit of a mystery, isn’t it? Five of the seven Kings have fallen, one is, and another is to come. The beast appears to have been destroyed by the Antichrist, and the are ten kings yet to come into the perfect plans of God. They come into their power for a short time and they come to make war against Jesus. A war they cannot win but they have the delusion of being able too. In these short verses, we see the beginning and the end of the tribulation period through the lens of seeing the doom of those who lead both the political and religious activities throughout the world. We know the power of Jesus Christ and wonder how they could ever think such thoughts. However, we don’t have to go back very far into our lives to understand we too were like this lost and without hope until the grace, mercy, and love of God pierced our hearts. We were called and chosen as all mankind is. I find it hard to explain why one heart and mind are open to receive the grace of God and others are not. We do well to remember to live in a manner that honors, glorifies, follows, obeys, and trusts Jesus Christ. Our Christian walk is not a walk to be taken lightly for we are a child of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Find time each day to set aside time to grow in His Word, pray, and actively be a light in the world pointing to Jesus Christ.

136. But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Kings 3:23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead’; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.’” And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.

Exodus 14:31    Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Joshua 4:14    On that day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.

1 Samuel 12:18    So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

Proverbs 24:21     My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,

Ecclesiastes 7:19    Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

Ezra 7:25    “And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach.

1 Corinthians 1:24    but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30    And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Colossians 2:2   to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I am always amazed at the power of God in the lives of men of God who have humbled themselves before Him and live to honor and glorify Him. God does amazing things in the lives of those who are called to His purpose. I wonder if we look at these examples and say this is not going to happen in my life, I am not like one of these great men. Are we limiting God in our life? Are we saying God has changed and will not be active like this in our life? Is it possible we are just coasting along and happy with a lukewarm walk this God?

God does not change, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What are we to do to see the hand of God in our life? We have been given all things (wisdom and Knowledge) in Christ. We have been given many great and precious promises in His word. I will never leave you or forsake you. I seek to prosper you, not to harm you. Cast your burdens on Me and I will give you rest. I gave my only Son to redeem you. I will be your rock, fortress, refuge, strength, courage, hope, joy, peace, and rest. I am God and there is no other. I created you. I created all there is in heaven and earth. I know the cattle on a thousand hills and the hairs on your head. A sparrow does not fall to the ground without Me knowing. I am the Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end. I love you with steadfast love. I will create a new heaven and earth. I create a home for you. I can do more than you ask and much more than you can imagine. I am just. I chose you before creation to be with Me. I am retiring to my Father so that where I am you may be also. I stand at the door and knock and everyone who opens that door will be with me. I will lead and guide you. I am the bread of life. I am the living water.

If we would just have faith the size of a muster seed we would see great and powerful things of God in our life. We would not walk with lukewarm hearts and minds but with seeing hot desire to humbly serve, honor, worship, glorify, follow, and obey Him. Maybe then we would see the wisdom and knowledge of God permeate our lives.

God, please forgive my lack of faith in your power, strength, and love for me.

17. We have only done what was our duty

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

2Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Ephesians 3:1 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Luke 17:11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17:9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

I read this in Compelling Truth and share it with you this Thanksgiving holiday time.

There are so many reasons to thank God, and yet it is a far too rare practice for many. Complaining and grumbling come all too easy for us. Rather than look at what is lacking in our lives, may we learn to thank God in everything realizing that God owes us nothing and yet has graciously given us all things in Jesus Christ. Jesus pointed out both the importance and the rarity of thanksgiving when only one of the ten lepers that He healed returned to thank Him. We would do well to imitate that one former leper. For in a spiritual sense, we are all born lepers with the disfiguring and alienating disease called sin. Yet, Christ voluntarily took on the punishment due our ingratitude, the bruises due our iniquities, and the stripes due our sins.

We have done and can do nothing to deserve these gifts. We are forever debtors to God and to His grace which reached its zenith in His sacrificing His only Son for our salvation. The eternal life that we have received through faith in Jesus deserves an eternity of gratitude.

Until there was no remedy

“Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD.”

“But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.”

Hosea 11:2 The more they were called, the more they went away;

Acts 7:51    “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

Deuteronomy 29:2-4      And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: “You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land,  the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders.  But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.

2 Kings 17:13-15     Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.”  But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16     The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place.  But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy.

Nehemiah 9:30    Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not give ear.

Isaiah 30:9-11     For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD

Jeremiah 44:16-17     “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you.

Zechariah 7:11     But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.

John 3:19     And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light

It might be easy to think these verses refer to the lost sinners who do not know God, but these speak to those who did know God and rejected His leading. When we neglect His word and the need for it to meet each day we become complacent coma and our ears become deaf to His instruction and leading. Soon the path we are on is one that looks good in our own eyes. We are void of God’s word. Our mind is being led by what we think is right and not by the word of God.

It is a dangerous slope to neglect His word and think for a moment we can find light, refuge, hope, rest, refuge, peace, or strength to fight our internal sinful nature and attacks from satan. Neglect is a choice. Neglect, whether we want to admit it or not, is a choice saying I don’t need His direction or His word in my life today, “I’ll be ok today”. This slippery slope is hard to climb back up because first it must be recognized as a self centered and self trusting sin. If this is recognized, repentance (turning away) is a choice.

Note the words of warning given in these scriptures – how sad to be in a place where the daily need of God in our life is not even a thought, unless things are going bad. How sad to be there so long that it would be said “there was no remedy”.

Be assured, neglect of His word does not end well. It leaves open to be influenced by culture or what seems right in our own eyes. Reflect on this. If you are finding this is the place where you are at – recognize, repent and choose to start fresh. Choose to keep His word active in your day. Seek and desire to hear God’s leading and direction. Above all humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow and obey Him in all that you say and do.

Until there was no remedy

“Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD.”

“But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.”

Hosea 11:2  The more they were called, the more they went away;

Hosea 11:7    My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all.

Deuteronomy 29:2-4      And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: “You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land,  the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders.  But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.

1 Samuel 8:7-9     And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.  According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.

Jeremiah 44:16-17     “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you.  But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, and prospered, and saw no disaster.

Acts 7:51     “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16    The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place.  But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy.

2 Kings 17:13-15     But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God.  They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.

Nehemiah 9:30     Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not give ear.

Isaiah 30:9-11     For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; …let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”

John 3:19    And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Luke 13:34    O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

God is slow to anger and is full of grace, mercy and love. This is fully displayed in and through Christ “for while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” I wonder if we’re guilty of living in this grace, mercy, and love of God disregarding His word, resisting the Holy Spirit, not hearing or following or obeying His leading, rejecting truth for lies, replacing being a humble servant to Him for self, coveting what the world has to offer, seeking satisfaction for the heart and soul through everything other than Him and His word, and giving no thought to honoring, worshiping, glorifying and praising Him through what we think, say, and do.

Do not mistake the steadfast love of God for acceptance of complacency, neglect, self satisfaction, busyness, resistance and rejection or the Holy Spirit’s leading, and lukewarm commitment to Him.

Can you hear the warning given in Scripture? Can you understand the heart of man leads toward a path away from God? Do you recognize the choice set before you?

I will show you

Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 15:7 And he said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”

Nehemiah 9:7 You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.

Isaiah 41:9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

Isaiah 51:2 Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him.

Joshua 24:2-3 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac.

Luke 14:26-33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

It is one thing to be chosen and another to obey. Being a christian is a choice of all who are called. Likewise, listening to His whispers to our soul, obeying the word of God, , and following His leading and call on our lives is a choice.

Abraham was called and told to leave his place of comfort with his family(s). He obeyed and left on the promise that God would lead Him to where he was to go. He did not wait once he heard God’s calling.

Abraham had a chosen to first be near to God and had reverence of Him. Without this choice there would have been no hearing God speak into his life. Abraham then chose to obey God’s leading in his life with only the words of “go to the land I will show you”. There was no map and clear plan all laid out. There were no pictures of what the land looked like. There was no directions to follow so that he would know how to get from point “A” to point “B”. Abraham chose to act immediately. He did not wait until he could confirm everything was in place and the destination and directions were clearly laid out.

Our lives are made up of choices every single day. We can choose;

to be near to God or far away

to have reverence of Him or just passing thoughts

to want to listen to Him or turn deaf ear

to learn more of Him or neglect learning of Him

to read His word or neglect it

to honor Him or disrespect Him

to serve Him or just ourselves

to follow Him or be led by others

to worship Him or things of this world

to obey Him or disobey

to have faith in Him or trust in self

to pray to Him or not

to wait on Him or move forward on our own

to trust Him or in others

to cling to Him or in other things

to rely on Him or self

to desire Him or seek satisfaction from other things

to read His word or neglect it

to proclaim the gospel or keep silent

to love Him or have a luke warm feeling toward Him

to sacrifice to Him or keep for self

to speak of His power or be silent

to be content in His hands or be anxious and worry

to encourage others because of who He is or be silent and leave them in despair.

It is clear, we make choices everyday and they will have immediate and eternal consequences in our life and the lives of others.

Lying lips of slander

Psalms 120:1 In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

Ezekiel 2:6 And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

“When we are slandered it is a joy that the Lord knows us, and cannot be made to doubt our uprightness he will not hear the lie against us, but he will hear our prayer against the lie.” (Spurgeon)

“It is of little use to appeal to our fellows on the matter of slander, for the more we stir in it the more it spreads; it is of no avail to appeal to the honour of the slanderers, for they have none, and the most piteous demands for justice will only increase their malignity and encourage them to fresh insult.” (Spurgeon)

The Light of God’s word

Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

Ephesians 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

2 Peter 1:19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

Psalms 19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

Psalms 43:3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me;

Psalms 18:28 For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.

Job 29:3 when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness,

We can know, as we walk the road of life, the word of God will make our steps clear.We would not know where to step without the guidance of God’s word. It is possible to walk the path of life not knowing where our steps fall. We don’t know if our foot will step on good ground or dangerous ground; we are not self-aware. God’s word will be a lamp to our feet. Simply said, the Bible should help us walk the way God wants us to walk. Think of all the different words we use to describe how a person walks: stroll, saunter, amble, trudge, plod, dawdle, hike, tramp, tromp, slog, stomp, march, stride, sashay, glide, troop, patrol, wander, ramble, tread, prowl, promenade, roam, traipse, mosey, and perambulate. Just as different words show that there are many different ways to walk, God’s word has many different ways to light our paths.

How are we to walk? “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” – “they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness” – “and to walk humbly with your God” – “walk in the light as He is in the light”. None of these are possible without the light of God’s word lighting our way.

“Thus is our passage in a dark and perilous way irradiated by the lamp and light of the word. But except the lamp be lighted – except the teaching of the Spirit accompany the word, all is darkness – thick darkness. Let us not be content to read the word without obtaining some light from it in our understanding.” (Bridges)

“One of the most practical benefits of God’s word is guidance in the acts of daily life; it is not sent to astound us with its brilliance, but to guide us by its instruction.” (Spurgeon)

The word of God is light and brings light; it doesn’t make things darker or harder to understand. It is a book of LIGHT.

A father’s instruction

“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.”

Psalms 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

Proverbs 4:1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

Proverbs 4:10-17 Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.

Proverbs 5:7 And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 6:20-35 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

John 15:3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

There is much we do when we are young men and women that as we grow older make us somewhat ashamed at now. The thoughts we had, actions we took, and things we did were influenced by our own sinful desires or that of others. Sometimes we got away with it and other times not so fortunate, at least that is what we were thinking.

I have seen young men and women who have never leave this type of life. They never learn from it, but rather, grab hold and then continually try to justify what they are doing well into their mid to later adult life. I wonder how many times they rejected wisdom, teaching, knowledge and instruction on a different path for their life. Yet they choose to continue.

“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD.“

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak“

I have seen others who can never forgive themselves for what they have done.

They know the thoughts that led them into the action they took and only a few years later, when knowledge and wisdom and instruction started to break through their heart, they see very clearly how selfish, mean, prideful, conceded, rude, and destructive they were.

This is where the gospel of Jesus Christ is so meaningful.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him“

“Your sins are forgiven.”

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”

“By faith you are saved, not by works, lest any man should boast“

God removes our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west”

There is a forgiveness from God, through Jesus Christ, that cleanses our heart, mind, and soul. Satan will tell you this is not so. He will tell you you are not good enough. He will lie to you and say your sin is far to great and God will not forgive you. He will bring up past sins and tell you over and over again you are worthless and not forgiven. Yet God says:

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.“

Do not continue to walk in the ways of your youth. Run to God, who is the author and finisher of life and able to completely forgive us. Repent and ask for forgiveness of sin and know that HE HAS FORGIVEN YOU! Believe it, cling to it, rely on it, and trust in it always.

Choose to follow this new path of light. Continue to feed your heart, mind and soul with His word. Learn to respect and reverence His perfect purpose and plan for your life.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”