Tag: Hear

26. They believe for a while

Psalms 106:12-13    Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.  But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.

Luke 8:13    And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.

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.

Exodus 4:31     And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped

Exodus 19:9     And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD,

2 Chronicles 20:20     And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Getting to a place where we see the hand of God at work in a time of trouble or trials requires faith, trust, and reliance on Him alone.  Have you ever noticed how some trials we think we can handle them on our own and they just seem to get worse the more effort we put in?  Time is running out, money is running out, love is not being returned, and finally, we get to the place where we have fully turn to God – our last hope.

God should never be seen as our last hope.  When He is placed as last hope, we have put some other hope in front of Him.  When He is placed in last hope it is not faith that brings us to Him but rather the thought “I have tried everything else, I guess I will try God now.”  Note what is recorded in Luke “But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.”  And, in Psalms “But they soon forgot his works;”

God should be our first hope, our only hope.  To have God first in our hope for trials and troubles, He must be made first in our life service to humbly honor, glorify, follow, and obey.  We must be grounded and deeply rooted in our love and desire to know and serve Him.  Our heart, mind, and soul must have an intentional commitment choice to have Him first.  What intentional actions would place God first:

Seeking and desiring to honor Him, to spend time in His word, to hear His whispers through His word, to be led by the Holy Spirit,  to follow Him, to obey Him, wanting to see His mighty hand of power and love, to be used by Him, to worship and praise Him, to be a reflection of the light of Christ, to tell others of the Good News of Christ.

When God is our last hope we are on rocky soil with no root, but when God is first in our heart, soul, and mind, our roots will be deep and He will be the first and only thought when any trials and troubles come our way.    

But they understood none of these things

Exodus 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

Acts 7:25  He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.

Psalms 106:7  Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.

Luke 9:45  But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it.

Luke 18:34  But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Psalms 78:42  They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,

Mar 4:11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,  so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”  And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?  The sower sows the word.  And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.  And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy.  And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.  And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,  but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

“They will not believe or listen to my voice”.  This is what Moses said to God when God told him to go speak to the elders. Note in Acts where Paul explained what happened to Moses – the people did not understand.

What keeps people from understanding, listening, remembering, perceiving, or grasping things of God?

Could it be a hardened heart? Weak heart? Lukewarm heart? Proud heart? Worldly heart? Greedy heart? Self-seeking heart?  Fearful heart?  Faithless heart? Yes these can all happen but why?

Being complacent and living in prosperity, not thinking about needing God.  It is a sad place to be, to think you do not need God everyday for every moment. It gets worse from here.  When we see little need for God there is no time spent in His word, no time in prayer, no time seeking to serve Him, no time to worship Him, no time to honor Him.

How do we think we will see any of His mighty works, or loving kindness, or grace, or mercy, or forgiveness, or power, or strength, or peace, or courage, or healing….. if neglecting God is the norm for our daily life.

The same neglect will void any understanding of His word and knowing how to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey.

The same neglect leaves us defenseless from the darts of satan in our lives.

“And though they said all is well, destruction came upon them unaware”

If his word is not breath, food and water for your soul there is little hope for honoring Him.  If humbly serving, following and obeying Him is not your first goal in life there is little hope for honoring Him.  If honoring Him is not the first thought in the morning and last thought at night, how will it ever happen. If His word is not feeding your heart, mind, and soul how will their be fruit.

My strength comes from the Lord.

My hope is in the Lord

My life is in the Lord’s hands

My peace, joy, and love comes from the Lord

My soul rejoices in His promises

My ears seek to hear His leading

My eyes desire to see His mighty hand

My heart loves the Lord

Walk in a manner worth of the Great Shepherd

Genesis 48:15  And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

Isaiah 53:6  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;

Psalms 16:8     I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Isaiah 30:21     And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

1 Kings 3:6    And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you.

Luke 1:6    And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:31    So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:12    we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Psalms 37:3    Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

“God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day”.  What does a shepherd do? They guide, direct, feed, tend, keep safe, lead, and care for their flock.  Not all sheep want to be led.  For a shepherd the weather can be awful and the sheep seem to have a death wish.  They have natural tendency to flock and when all seems well they will wonder away from the flock unaware of any danger.  They truly are dependant upon a shepherd for everything even though they do not recognize it.

Scripture uses metaphors of us being like sheep.  Lost and in need of a loving shepherd.

“ there is something a little disheartening about being described as a sheep. It is difficult to admit our likeness to animals that so depend on a shepherd for survival. We are much more accustomed to being shepherds in control than sheep so in need of leadership. Yet, when it comes to our relationship with God, Jesus understands our human tendencies better perhaps than we understand ourselves. When it comes to our faith, we are very much like sheep in need of a shepherd. Like sheep, we have the tendency to follow. Like sheep, we often confuse true leadership with the kind offered by hired hands (shepherds who are in it for the wrong reason). Like sheep, we are endangered by those who prey on our vulnerability, the spiritual wolves. Like sheep, we are perhaps most vulnerable to ourselves and our tendency to wander away from the care of the shepherd and the safety of the flock. We certainly need a good shepherd, like Jesus, who is willing to care and sacrifice for us. Accepting that we are indeed like sheep is the hardest part for many people. It is our human nature to want to be in control of our lives. Yet, to be a follower of Christ, we must accept our spiritual likeness to sheep and our need for a good shepherd. As we continue to ponder the great news of the resurrection, may we be ever aware that to fully experience Christ, we must allow Christ to be the shepherd of our lives.” Tracey Allred

We do well to walk worthy and by the leading of our great shepherd.

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.

How can they call upon God?

“who swear by the name of the LORD and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right.”

Genesis 4:26  To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 26:17-18    You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice.  And the LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments,

1 Kings 18:24    And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD,

Isaiah 63:19    We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.

Joel 2:32    And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.

Acts 2:21    And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Romans 10:13    For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

Those who have called on the name of the Lord and  believe and trust in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross and have repented of their sin are saved, born again, a new creation, in-dwelt with the Holy Spirit, are called children of God, are promised eternity with God in heaven where there is no more tears, pain, or death.  All of this is by faith in the one and only God.

Talk about a life saving decision with an eternal consequence!

Do you remember who it was that spoke to you about God’s love through Christ?  Loran Witlash, a truck driver for HyVee food store spoke of Christ to me while unloading his truck when I was 15.  My wife’s uncle spoke of Christ to me while taking me fishing when I was 22.  My neighbor invited my wife and I to an evangelistic service when I was 23.  Joe Schultz the evangelist spoke sin, forgiveness, redemption, and repentance.

I still remember each of these men in my life.  I thought Loran was a little different because he spoke of the need for Christ the whole time we were unloading the trucks and he never swore.  Harold, my wife’s uncle, was a wise man who was very successful, respected, and spoke of Christ.  Rich, our neighbor, I don’t remember him speaking of Christ before he invited us to hear the evangelist, but there was something I saw in how he acted.  Our interactions were nothing more than passing moments of hellos, waves, and seeing how he interacted with his wife and children.  Rich and his wife then became our friends and almost everyday spent time with us in scripture explaining the new life we had begun.

We never know who is watching our lives and will see light of Christ.  When we speak of the love of God and need for Christ we will never know how God will use this to soften a heart.  We never know how a life may be changed for eternity through what we say and how we act and the time we invest.

One thing is for certain and true – “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”

God’s word

Psalms 119:140  Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.

Psalms 119:128    Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.

Psalms 12:6     The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Psalms 18:30     This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

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

Proverbs 30:5    Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Romans 7:22     For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,

1 Peter 2:2   Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

2 Peter 1:21     For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12   For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

2 Timothy 3:16    All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Note scripture with references to God’s word:

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless;  he shields all who take refuge in him.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart.

Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed 

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

“In the word of God there is no error or sin. It is pure in its sense, pure in its language, pure in its spirit, pure in its influence, and all this to the very highest degree – ‘very pure’.” (Spurgeon)

God’s word is living, active, convicting, judging, saving, empowering, encouraging, pure, true, Holy, knowledge, wisdom, training, correcting, enlightening, giving purpose, equipping, food for the soul, perfect, flawless, giving hope, promise, peace, refuge, blessings, shielding, forgiving, accomplishing, never passing away, enduring, spoken by God, given by God,  and inspired by God.

Neglect and complacency to His word rejects the full purpose and plans of God for our life.

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.”

Beginning of wisdom

“So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”

Psalms 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

 Job 28:28     And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

 Proverbs 9:10    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.  

 Proverbs 1:7    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

 Ecclesiastes 12:13     The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Psalms 1:3    He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

 Deuteronomy 4:6     Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

 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.

 John 13:17     If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

I know “fear” can be misunderstood so I have copied this for a reference to help understand the meaning intended: “The Hebrew verb yare can mean “to fear, to respect, to reverence” and the Hebrew noun yirah “usually refers to the fear of God and is viewed as a positive quality. This fear acknowledges God’s good intentions (Ex. 20:20). … This fear is produced by God’s Word (Ps. 119:38; Prov. 2:5) and makes a person receptive to wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 1:7; 9:10)” (Warren Baker and Eugene Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament, 2003, pp. 470-471”.    Without this reverence and respect for God, His word will be meaningless, His promises empty, His salvation rejected, and His purpose seems foolish.  Without this reverence and respect, our heart is hardened and though we may read or hear the word of God it will have no place to root in our heart.  Proverbs says the beginning of all wisdom is fear (reverence and respect) of the Lord.  The verses today speak of those who have this reverence and respect of God and those who do not.  Hold tight to this reverence and respect.  With this as a firm anchor in your life His word will have great impact and purpose in your life.

Punished us less than deserved

Psalms 103:10  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Daniel 9:18-19     O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.  O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.

Ezra 9:13     And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this,

Job 11:6    and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

Ephesians 2:4-7     But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 45:6     that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Isaiah 43:25    “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Micah 7:18     Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Jeremiah 31:34     And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

It is hard to understand the grace and mercy of God if we do not have a means to judge our sinfulness.

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of examining the Word of God. Examination requires the use of our minds, and the Bible exhorts believers to use their minds to honor God.” “If we fail to eat well-balanced meals on a regular basis, we will eventually suffer the physical consequences. What is true of the outer man is also true of the inner man. If we do not regularly feed on the Word of God, we will suffer spiritual consequences.” In order for us to apply God’s directions to our every-day lives, we must first listen carefully as God speaks to us personally through His Word. Like Samuel, we should say, “Speak, [Lord,] for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10, emphasis added).One of the most amazing aspects of Scripture is that it is alive and active, not dead and dull. Indeed, God still speaks today through the mystery of His Word. The Holy Spirit illumines our minds to what is revealed in Scripture. The Holy Spirit makes us “wise up to what is written, not beyond it.” (Hank Hanegraaff)

We do well to read His word and seek understanding, knowledge, and wisdom from it.  We gain insight into His holiness, our sinfulness, His power, our weakness, His truth, our lies, His peace, our anxiousness, His joy, our dread, His love, our lack there of, His promises and purpose, our disbelief and lack of direction.  His word is a lamp unto my feet and comfort to my soul.

In His presence

Psalms 100   Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!  Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!  Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!  For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalms 32:11     Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalms 66:1   Shout for joy to God, all the earth;

Psalms 66:4     All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.”

Psalms 95:1-2     Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!  Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Isaiah 24:14-16     They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD they shout from the west.  Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; in the coastlands of the sea, give glory to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.  From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One.

Zephaniah 3:14     Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Luke 19:37     As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,

Psalms 67:4     Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.

Psalms 68:32     O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord,

God first. God only. God above self.  I read these verses and am reminded of the gene that was deleted in my birth.  I have joyfulness but if I were to sing, it certainly would not be joyful to anyone hearing it.  There were and are those who are gifted with this ability, however it is the heart, mind and sole that burst forth with joyfulness in what God has done, is doing, and will do.  Wise is the man that numbers his days and chooses to joyfully humble, honor, serve, follow and obey.  Our change is on the inside and is reflected on the outside.  Have a joyful day in our Lord and savior.