09/14/2021
As Christians we need to behave different from the worldly, and in times of joy, or trouble, we should always trust in the Lord our God, and rejoice in the company of fellow Saints who follow Jesus. Those in the world will turn to other men when they are in trouble, and look to their kings and governments to provide for them, and feed them, when they are hungry, but ungodly men who hold out one hand with food or help, will extend the other for payment, and those who celebrate in the world, do so with the unbelieving who drink to excess, revel in sexual sin, and sing songs espousing lies against God, Jesus, and Their commandments.
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!”
Psalm 40:4 ESV
We see it all to often, a famine, or plague, comes on a people, and they rush to their cities, their kings, and cry out for help from men who are no different from them. Kings get sick, and hunger knows no friend. If men do come with aid from afar it is never complete, or without a price, and they do so with hidden motives, but when God comes He is more than able to save us, and asks only that we turn from our false gods, and love Him in return. In His goodness we can trust completely.
“Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
Psalm 34:9-10 ESV
Even in the face of death we can trust in God because He will not abandon us, and will walk with us to the very door of death, and beyond its threshold, but all the while He will protect us from evil. Death has no sting for us, and He comforts those He calls His own.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 ESV
Physical Death is only an enemy of those who do not know God. They have no trust in what awaits them beyond death’s door, so every famine and plague terrifies them; they quake at the thought of all manner of evil, and see its shadow as it lurks around every corner. Any hope, even in a lie, attracts them like a moth to flame, but for God’s children there is always hope…
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”
Psalm 46:1-3 ESV
Death holds no terror for the believer…
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
And believers see clearly the truth, and not the lie that Satan presents to the world…
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV
So when the world celebrates in some fashion it does so in the streets with burning, drunkenness, and lewd behavior. It does so in its houses with orgies, and abominable behavior. It calls a lie the truth, and the truth a lie in song, and deed. However, those who believe in God, and His Son Jesus, celebrate God’s salvation, provision, and healing, by doing so in righteous behavior, and by singing praise to His truth, His steadfastness, and His goodness.
“O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.”
Psalm 59:17 ESV
Do we trust in God without wavering, face death without fear, and sing His praise as we should? Is our behavior true to our profession of faith, and heritage in Christ?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for being true to your Word, and trustworthy in all you have said, and every promise you have made to us. Thank you for being our defender, our strong tower, our provider, and healer. Thank you for guarding us against the evil, and sinful behavior that runs rampant in the world. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us, and who sent your only begotten Son to live, die, and be resurrected, so that our sins would be redeemed, and we would be worthy of spending eternity with you. Praised be your name for the peace and rest we have in you, and that grows in us as our faith increases. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for these are of the world, and it is our desire to be your children, and citizens of Heaven… your Holy Kingdom. Wash us clean of sin with the blood of Jesus, and open for us the gates of glory that we might reside there eternally with you our God… Almighty!
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:1-8 ESV
Rich Forbes