Therefore it shall be a witness against you

Psalms 119:57   The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.  I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.  When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;  I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.  Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.  I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.   The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!

Psalms 16:5    The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

Psalms 73:26     My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalms 142:5    I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Lamentations 3:24     “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

“Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.”

Joshua 24:15     And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve 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,

You are my portion, O Lord: These are the words of a satisfied soul. The Psalmist is satisfied with the portion received, and that portion is the Lord Himself.”

The Lord Himself is satisfaction to the Psalmist because God has come to him through His word. It isn’t as if the word of God was in one place, and the Psalmist must go another place for experience of and satisfaction found in God. He can say, “You are my portion, O Lord, and I have received that portion as You meet me in Your word and I live it out.”

He is an exceedingly covetous fellow to whom God is not sufficient; and he is an exceeding fool to whom the world is sufficient. For God is an inexhaustible treasury of all riches, sufficing innumerable men; while the world has mere trifles and fascinations to offer, and leads the soul into deep and sorrowful poverty.”

“A close connection with God that receives and enjoys Him as one’s portion also receives strength to keep His words.”

But if we take the Lord as our portion, we must take him as our king. . . . Here is the Christian complete – taking the Lord as his portion, and his word as his rule.” (Bridges)

I have said; I have not only purposed it in my own heart, but have professed and owned it before others, and I do not repent of it.” (Poole)

Do you ever take notice of how active God’s word is in your life, where you actually reflect on it at the end of the day?  It is easier to notice if time is spent in His word with a heart deep desire to humbly serve, honor, praise, glorify, follow and obey Him.  Being filled with His living word will satisfy the darkest soul and give light to their day.

Secretly serving God is not an option.  Publicly professing and owning it before others is a basic foundation for commitment and service to Him. Scripture adds to this where it says words of faith without deeds (action) is dead and are nothing more than a clanging noise.

Active faith has proclamation/profession and action.  I wait for the Lord, I hope in the Lord, I trust in the Lord, I rely on the Lord, I believe in the Lord, I believe in eternity, I believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I know I have been forgiven, I honor the Lord, I hope in Him alone, I love His word and application in my life, I keep His word, I listen for His whispers of guidance…….. All of these are proclamations and have no meaning if there is no active influence in the actions of the person proclaiming them.

Plans

“No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.” “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain”

 

Malachi 1:4
If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the LORD of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the LORD is angry forever.’”

Matthew 12:30
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Isaiah 10:15
Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!

Lamentations 3:37
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?

Proverbs 21:30
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

Psalms 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Job 9:4
He is wise in heart and mighty in strength —who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?

Job 12:14
If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open.

Job 34:29
When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?

The thoughts of man are aways looking for reasons and answers apart from God.  Our plans many times do not even give a nod in God’s direction.  We use our wisdom and experience and move forward without a thought to what God would have us do.  I speak from experience on this.  Having a great idea does not mean it is in line with God’s plan and purpose.  “Unless the Lord builds the house, the house is build in vain”.  There is one thing I do know and that is if it is God’s plan and purpose you will have peace no matter what troubles or issues arise.  And if not, you will not have peace in your heart.  Why do we move down paths without seeking God?  Why do we think our plan is better?  Why do we move down a path and then somewhere along it we invite God to come rather than making sure we are in line with His purpose?  Our plans may have the purest of intention but if we do not seek God we miss opportunity to see His hand and sovereign control and guidance.  We have opportunity to thank Him and praise Him for what we see Him doing from beginning to end.  We also have rest knowing He is in control when things seem to be going sideways. Stay in His word, seek Him each day, live for Him, and talk to Him about your plans, keep your ears open to His leading and your eyes open for the path He is guiding you to.