Ask For The Old Paths

Jeremiah 6:16

The Old Testament is filled with many lessons for the Christians.... It was written for our learning - Ro 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” It was written for our admonition - 1 Co 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” One such lesson is that found in the days of Jeremiah during a time of religious and social turmoil. The nation of Israel was being pulled in many directions. The Lord wanted to offer them rest for their souls - Jer 6:16 “Thus says the LORD: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'”

Using the imagery of travelers who have lost their way, the Lord calls for them to ask for the old paths. The Lord makes His plea, “Stand in the ways and see” - Jer 6:16. There is not just one path. There are many directions one might follow. “Ask for the old paths” - Jer 6:16. The ‘old way’ is often the best way. Such is certainly the case here. “Where the good way is” - Jer 6:16. Not all paths lead to the ‘good way’. In this case, the old paths led back to the Law of Moses - Jer 7:22-24 “For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.' But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.”

Jesus makes a similar plea. To strive to enter the right path - Lk 13:24 ‘"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” With a gate that is narrow, and not easily entered; where there is only one way to the Father - Jn 14:6 “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”; Ac 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."’ For there are other, broad, ways that one might follow - Mt 7:13 ‘"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” A way that many follow. A way that leads to destruction. Yet the way Jesus offers is a ‘good way’. One that likewise offers rest for our souls - Mt 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” In this case, the way leads back to the words of Jesus - Mt 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

The words of Jesus are relatively “old” by today’s standards. What happened to Israel appears to be the case with many today. As described in Jer 18:15 “But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway,”, they had stumbled from the ancient paths, to walk in other pathways. Why? Because they had forgotten God, “But my people have forgotten me” - Jer 18:15. Though God had revealed Himself and His will long before He had established a “highway” for them to follow, instead, they had turned into many of the side “pathways”.

God’s people face similar dangers today. Jesus established a “highway” for us to follow by His words, doctrine, commandments (‘learn from Me’) - Mt 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Communicated through His apostles - Mt 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ Aided by the Holy Spirit - Jn 16:12-13 ‘"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” Which the early disciples were careful to follow - Ac 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Which the Christians were commanded to follow - 2 Th 2:15 “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”; 3:6 “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” Yet there are man made “pathways” that would lead us astray. Such as the doctrines of men. We will examine this in the continuation of this lesson.

Two Great Evils - Cont.

Jeremiah 2:12-13

“Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

We will continue this lesson by asking some questions that apply to our Christian life and if neglected can lead us into evil also.

Dare we forget our God? Who through Jesus and His Spirit offers to us in this life:

1) A fountain springing up into everlasting life? - Jn 4:14 “The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."’

2) Rivers of living water flowing from our hearts? - Jn 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"

Who through Jesus and His Spirit promises to us after this life:

1) To lead us to living fountains of water? - Re 7:17 “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

2) A pure river of water of life, proceeding from the throne of God? - Re 22:1 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

-- We face a very real possibility of departing from the living God! - He 3:12-14 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”

Forsaking our fountain of living water occurs when we substitute with it “broken cisterns” that promise but do not deliver.

Consider what Judah had done, hewing cisterns that hold no water. Israel had her broken cisterns; false gods like Baal and false prophets who spoke in the name of Baal - Jer 2:8 “The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.” Israel had a false sense of prosperity, of which God forewarned - Deu 8:11-17 ‘"Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'”; Jer 2:6 “They did not say, 'Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?'” -- Israel foolishly left God for what were poor substitutes!

Are we hewing broken cisterns today...? We can be guilty of going after false gods today - Ep 5:5 “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”; Co 3:5 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Such as materialism and immorality, which is a form of idolatry. We can be guilty of heeding false prophets (teachers) - 2 Pe 2:1-3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” False teachers who have lead us into denominationalism or sectarianism contrary to Jesus' prayer and the unity of the Spirit - Jn 17:20-21 ‘"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”; Ep 4:3-6 “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Others who offer false hopes: e.g., new agers, false religions, get rich quick schemers. We can be guilty of a false sense of prosperity - Re 3:17-18 “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” We can be guilty of believing we are spiritually secure when in reality we are in grave danger of falling - 1 Co 10:12 “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” -- We can be guilty of leaving God for a poor substitute of true religion!

Adam Clarke, in his commentary, describes the two evils committed by Israel this way... “First, they forsook God, the Fountain of life, light, prosperity, and happiness.” “Secondly, they hewed out broken cisterns; they joined themselves to idols, from whom they could receive neither temporal nor spiritual good! Their conduct was the excess of folly and blindness.”

How much more would it be an excess of folly and blindness for us today.... To forsake God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, by neglecting our devotion and obedience to the Word of God! To spend more time drinking from “broken cisterns” (teachings and traditions of men), than from the fountain of living water (the living Word of God). May the unfortunate example of Judah serve as a warning as to where we get our “water”, and may we ever be open to the wonderful invitation extended at the end of the book of Revelation:

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Re 22:17)

Are you drinking from “the water of life”, or from “broken cisterns that can hold no water”...?

Two Great Evils

Jeremiah 2:13

About 600 years before Christ, the nation of Judah was facing difficult times.... The northern kingdom of Israel was history, taken into Assyrian captivity. Manasseh and his son Amnon, very wicked kings, had led the nation into idolatry. Young Josiah, son and grandson of such kings, struggled to do what was right. In the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign, God called a young priest to be His prophet.... His name was Jeremiah - Jer 1:1-2 "The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.", 4-5 "Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."' A young man himself (about 20), he was hesitant to speak - Jer 1:6 "Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth."' God did not accept his youth as an excuse - Jer 1:7-8 "But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."' In his first assignment as God's prophet, Jeremiah was sent with a message to Jerusalem, recalling their past faithfulness - Jer 2:1-3 "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the LORD, "I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it incurred guilt; disaster came upon them, declares the LORD."' Jeremiah was sent with a message to the house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel, bemoaning their apostasy into idolatry - Jer 2:4-11 "Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel. Thus says the LORD: "What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? They did not say, 'Where is the LORD who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?' And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination. The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?' Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit. "Therefore I still contend with you, declares the LORD, and with your children's children I will contend. For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit." Calling for the heavens to look on in astonishment and great fear, as God accused His people of committing two great evils... - Jer 2:12-13 "Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Forsaking their God, the fountain of living waters:

1) "living water" was used to denote springs, fountains, running streams

2) As opposed to stale and stagnant water

Hewing for themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water:

1) Cisterns were tanks for rain water, hewn (cut) out of stone

2) At best, they could only offer stagnant water

3) Broken with cracks, they could not even retain water

Could we be guilty of similar evils today? To God's dismay and our own peril, very much so! To see how, let's examine closer the "Two Great Evils" spoken of in Jer 2:13.

Forsaking the fountain of living waters Israel forsook her fountain. God was Israel's fountain of living waters. Who delivered her from Egyptian bondage - Jer 2:6. Who led her through the wilderness wanderings - Jer 2:6. Who brought her into the land of milk and honey - Jer 2:7. Israel forgot her God. Beginning with her own priests and rulers - Jer 2:8. From one generation to the next - Jer 2:9. Unlike other nations that were true to their gods - Jer 2:10-11a -- Israel had changed their Glory (God) into that which did not profit! - Jer 2:11b

Dare we forsake our fountain...? We have our fountain of living waters. Of which Jesus promised during His ministry:

1) To the Samaritan woman - Jn 4:13-14 "Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."'

2) To all who believe in Him - Jn 7:37-39 "On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

Of which Jesus later revealed to the apostle John:

1) Regarding our state between death and the resurrection - Re 7:13-17 "Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."'

2) Regarding our eternal destiny in the New Jerusalem - Re 22:1 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb."

Could we be guilty of similar evils today? To God's dismay and our own peril, very much so! To see how, let's examine closer the "Two Great Evils" spoken of in Jer 2:13. In that there are more lessons and questions to ask ourselves from our primary text of Jeremiah 2:13. We will continue looking into these in our next lesson.

The Stability Of Your Times – Cont.

Isaiah 33:5-6

But what is the key to this treasure of wisdom, knowledge and salvation from the Lord which is “the stability of your times”? In our text (Isa 33:6) we find the key to this stability. It is “the fear of the Lord.” Note the NIV: “the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure”. As noted elsewhere, the fear of the Lord is essential. To having wisdom and knowledge:
1) It is “the beginning of knowledge” - Pro 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
2) It is “the beginning of wisdom” - Pro 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
To receiving salvation:
1) It is necessary to be accepted by God - Ac 10:34-35 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
2) The message of salvation is given to those who have it - Ac 13:26 ‘"Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.”
3) It is necessary for spiritual growth - Ph 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”

Why is the fear of the Lord necessary? “...by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil” - Pro 16:6 “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.” A reverence for God and His righteous judgments is an effective motivation. By departing from evil, we turn to God! “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence...a place of refuge” - Pro 14:26 “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.” When we turn to God, the fear of the Lord becomes a source of great blessings! Such as wisdom, knowledge, salvation, confidence, refuge; indeed “the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life”! - Pro 14:27 “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”

The essence of our study is this.... Those who lack stability in troubled times do so because they lack the wisdom, knowledge, and salvation of the Lord. They lack these things because they do not have the fear of the Lord! A proper fear of the Lord would prompt them to turn from evil and turn to God.... Where they would find His knowledge, wisdom, and salvation. Which in turn would provide “The Stability Of Your Times”!
With such stability, we can rightly say along with the writer to the Hebrews:
“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (He 13:6)
Won’t you let the Lord provide you with the stability you need for these troubled times?

God has not promised, But God has promised,
Skies always blue Strength for the day,
Flower-strewn pathways, Rest for the labor,
All our lives through; Light for the way;

God has not promised, Yes, God has promised,
Sun without rain, Grace for the trials,
Joy without sorrow, Help from above,
Peace without pain. Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
-- Annie Johnson Flint

The Sability of Your Times

Isaiah 33:5-6

In the days of Isaiah (ca. 700 B.C.), the kingdom of Judah was facing perilous times.... Assyria was advancing from the north, conquering kingdom after kingdom. Even the northern kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity. As Assyria drew new to Jerusalem, the people were undecided as to where to turn.... Some advocated they give themselves up to the Assyrians. Others looked to the south, believing an alliance with Egypt would save them. Isaiah was sent by God to warn the people to do neither.... The key to their salvation was to trust in the Lord, not men. The Lord would provide the stability they needed, when all seemed lost. In Isa 33:5-6 (“The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion's treasure.”) we find one such exhortation to put their trust in the Lord.... The NKJV speaks of wisdom and knowledge as “the stability of your times”; of course it is the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord spoken of here. Note other translations:

1) “He shall be the stability of your times” (NASB)

2) “He shall be the sure foundation of your times” (NIV)

Though removed from the days of Isaiah by thousands of years the counsel given by him still rings true! In troubled times, the Lord provides “the stability of your times”!

To illustrate how this is true even today, let’s begin by noticing the unstable condition of our times and the effect such instability can have on people... In the unstable conditions of today we face many disturbing things in life …. Many are common in every age - Job 14:1 ‘"Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.” We still deal with sickness, death and natural disasters. Some may be peculiar to our day and age. Threats of Terrorism, nuclear holocaust, environmental pollution, inflation, recession, unemployment, AIDS, cancer, heart disease, road rage, drive-by shootings and the list could go on and on.

The affect of such things can create, for some, anxiety and fear. Others react with depression (our age has been called the “age of anxiety” and the “age of the neurosis”). Even Christians can be affected. They may murmur or complain or they may simply exist in a state of “joylessness”. Yet some are not disturbed by such things even though they experience the same things which devastate others. They face the same financial crises, diseases, uncertainties, etc. Somehow they still find cause for great joy and stability in their lives! Why the different reaction? Is there some source of strength that some have found that others have not? I believe there is; it is the LORD who provides stability for troubled times! From our text (Isa 33:6) we learn how the Lord provides stability...

The stability provided by the Lord comes through wisdom and knowledge. “Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times” (NKJV). Such wisdom and knowledge can help us face life by guiding and protecting one from the pitfalls of life - Pro 2:6-22 “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways. So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed; none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life. So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.”; by providing comfort and confidence in times of turmoil - Pro 3:21-26 “My son, do not lose sight of these-- keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” -- God is willing to provide such wisdom to those willing to look to Him! - Ja 1:5-8 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

The stability provided by the Lord comes through salvation, “the strength of salvation” (NKJV). The salvation of the Lord can help us face death. If we know the Lord will save us in eternity, we can better face the adverse circumstances of this life. Consider the example of Paul:

1) He had a strong hope - 2 Co 5:1 “For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”, 5-8 “He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

2) His attitude as a result of that hope - 2 Co 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”; Ro 8:31-39 “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? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Yes, the wisdom, knowledge, and salvation found only in the Lord provides the stability we need for our times! Wisdom and knowledge providing stability in facing life, salvation providing stability to face death. Together they provide great “wealth” (NASB), a “rich store” (NIV).

But what is the key to this treasure of wisdom, knowledge and salvation from the Lord which is “the stability of your times”? We will look into the answer to this question in next weeks continuation.

Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth

Note: There times when a lesson is longer than two pages. This is because there is no place to break it into two lessons. Such is the case with this lesson - JMN.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1

In Ecclesiastes we find the perspective of one who searched for the meaning of life.... The "Preacher" (Solomon) examined wisdom, riches, and pleasure. He shared the fruits of his search: what he saw as vanity, and what was good. To those who are young, he offered the following exhortations:

Rejoice in your youth - Ecc 11:9 “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.”

Remove sorrow and evil from your youth - Ecc 11:10 “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

Remember God in your youth - Ecc 12:1 “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,”

Reflect upon what is coming - Ecc 12:1 “before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";”

I doubt that many young people would take issue with the first exhortation.... They gladly rejoice in their youth. They are happy to let their hearts cheer them, to walk in the ways of their hearts and in the sight of their eyes. But the remaining exhortations...?. To remove sorrow and evil, remember God, reflect upon what is to come?. Doesn't that take the joy out of youth? Not really, and there are several good reasons why we need to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”... Youth has no guarantee of the future. Death is no respecter of persons. Death frequently strikes those who believe they are invincible from accidents, disease and/or war. In the course of my youth, I saw it happen time and again. Terry King (17) died of liver cancer. Tim Heffer (15) dropped dead of a heart attack. Karen Shower’s college roommate did not wake up one morning; her bodily functions simply stopped! Two college classmates (20) were killed in car wrecks. Not to be morbid, nor to scare, but to face reality. No one is promised the future. Life is truly just a vapor - Ja 4:14-17 “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” -- As a recent bumper sticker put it: “Many who plan to repent at the 11th hour, die at 10:30”

THE LORD IS COMING... He is coming in judgment - 2 Pe 3:7 “But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”, 9-11 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,”; 2 Th 1:7-9 “and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,” There will be youths at that time who will not have the benefit of a long life; who will not have the time to change. -- Therefore, we ought to prepare for the future (which is a sign of maturity).

Even if one is blessed to live a long life, with plenty of time to change, there is another reason to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”... Misspent youth can curse your future. You reap what you sow. An important principle of life to remember - Ga 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” What you do while young can permanently affect your future. Not just your future in eternity, but your future in this life!

There is danger in the sowing of “wild oats”. Sowing the seeds of rebellion. Young people are often inclined to rebel against all forms of authority (parents, teachers, police, etc.). Yet God has ordained that we submit to authority - Ro 13:1-2 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”; 1 Pe 2:13-14 “Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” Rebellion against authority has caused many young people to spend years in prison.

Sowing the seeds of lying. Many young people don’t think about the fact that once you are caught in a lie, your credibility is shattered. Your word means nothing, you can no longer be trusted. This has adverse affects on your relationships and your employment

Sowing the seeds of stealing. Shoplifting and other such crimes are rampant among many young people. If caught, others will be suspicious and you will not be given positions of fiscal responsibility.

Sowing the seeds of fornication. Sex among young people is very popular. Yet many do not consider the "high price": sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, AIDS, unwanted pregnancy (often compounded by abortion), or forced marriages, which often lead to divorce.

Sowing the seeds of using drugs. Drugs have great potential for ruining our lives. What’s so bad about drugs? Some are illegal, and their use violates Ro 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” Many are addictive, and their use violates 1 Co 6:12 ‘"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.” Others are destructive to the body, and their use violates 1 Co 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

It has been said that “Most men spend the first half of their lives making the second half miserable.” (La Bruyere) That is why you need to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth.” When you do, then the following can be true; well spent youth can bless your future. Compare the foolish and the wise child.

The foolish child. Doesn’t remember God in his youth. Won't listen to the advice of others. Has to learn for himself. Invariably makes a mess out of his life (in health, marriage, or career). Spends a good portion of life undoing foolish actions of youth. Suffers from the consequences of his actions.

The wise child. Remembers God in his youth. Follows God's advice, and that of others. Learns from the mistakes of others. Begins life with a solid foundation and good head start. Able to accomplish more good in life. Will enjoy pleasurable memories, not bemoan his past

-- What a difference in the quality of life there can be when one makes the right

choices while young!

The wise child will show their wisdom. By learning to respect authority now (beginning with parents) - Ep 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."’ By learning to control your body (as did Paul) - 1 Co 9:27 “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” By obeying the gospel - Ga 3:26-27 “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” By growing spiritually, bearing the fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22-24 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Thus becoming an example of the believers - 1 Ti 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

-- This is what is involved in remembering God while young

No one can be “forced” to remember God in their youth.... We can only point out the dangers when one does not. We can remind you of the benefits when one does -- I hope this lesson will encourage the young person to make the right choice. But one thing is certain: God will remember...! God will bring you into judgment for all that you do - Ecc 11:9 “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.” Which is why one should “Fear God and keep His commandments” - Ecc 12:13-14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” You only live once...will you make the right choice to “Remember God In The Days Of Your Youth”?

Finding Joy in the Vanity of Life - Cont.

Ecclesiastes 2:22-24

Many people have come to the same conclusion and fallen into despair and despondency. Yet the Preacher would have us learn and know how to find true joy in life. The joy of life as the Preacher experienced. His heart rejoiced in labor - Ecc 2:10 “And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.”

The reward of his labor was the joy in doing it - Ecc 2:10.

The Preacher’s observations:

Nothing is better than to enjoy simple things and what you do - Ecc 2:24 “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,”

The ability to enjoy what you have and what you do comes from God - Ecc 2:24-25 “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?”

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to the man good in His sight - Ecc 2:26 “For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The wicked may acquire many things, but it will eventually be given to the good - Ecc 2:26 “but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God.”

Man should rejoice and do good - Ecc 3:12 “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;”

Every man should enjoy the good in their labor, which is a gift from God - Ecc 3:13 “also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man.”

The joy in one’s work is his heritage, not what may happen after he is gone - Ecc 3:22 “So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?”

Again, this is one’s heritage, and it is a gift from God - Ecc 5:18-20 “Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.”

So in the day of prosperity rejoice, and in the day of adversity contemplate - Ecc 7:14 “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.”

Thus he commends enjoyment of the fruit of one's labor - Ecc 8:15 “And I commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.”

The Preacher’s conclusion is:

Eat and drink with a merry heart - Ecc 9:7 “Go, eat your bread in joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”

Express your joy in how you live - Ecc 9:8 “Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.”

Live joyfully with your wife whom you love - Ecc 9:9 “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.”

Enjoy your youth, yet remember you will be accountable - Ecc 11:9 “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.”

Therefore remove sorrow and put away evil, for youth is short-lived - Ecc 11:10 “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth - Ecc 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";”

Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is your reason for living - Ecc 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.”

Life “under the sun” is vanity... Without God, there is no meaning in life. Without God, you will not be able to truly enjoy your time on earth. Life “under the sun” can be filled with joyful experiences and joyful memories.... With God to guide us in keeping our priorities in life straight. With God to bless us with the wisdom and ability to enjoy what good there is in life. To find joy in the vanity of life, remember your Creator, fear God, and keep His commandments. Today, that especially means to pay heed to His Son and our Savior... - He 1:1-4 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

Finding Joy in the Vanity of Life

Ecclesiastes 2:22-24

“What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.”

An intriguing book of the Bible is Ecclesiastes.... Attributed by many to Solomon - Ecc 1:1 “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”, 12 “I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.” Describing his search for meaning in life - Ecc 1:13 “And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven (or under the sun). It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.” His search pertains to life “under the sun”.... A phrase used 29 times in 27 verses suggesting a look at life from mostly a worldly point of view - Ecc 1:3 “What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” His message may seem to be rather negative.... A major theme is the vanity of life (vanity used 35 times in 29 verses) – see Ecc 1:2,14. Yet he mentions such words as joy (3), enjoy (3), enjoyment (2), rejoice (4), joyfully (1). In fact, this book provides counsel on how to get the most out of life...to find joy in a life that is vanity! (cf. Ecc 2:22-24)

To find such joy, one must first face the reality of the vanity of life. The Preacher’s experience:

The vanity of pleasure - Ecc 2:1 “I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity.”

The vanity of industry (labor) - Ecc 2:11 “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”, 22-23 “What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.”; 4:4 “Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The vanity of human wisdom - Ecc 2:15 “Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity.”

The vanity of all life - Ecc 2:17 “So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The vanity of leaving an inheritance - Ecc 2:18-21 “I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.”

The Preachers observations:

The vanity of earthly existence - Ecc 3:19-21 “For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?”

The vanity of acquiring riches over family - Ecc 4:7-8 “Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.”

The vanity of political popularity - Ecc 4:16 “There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The vanity of many dreams and many words - Ecc 5:7 “For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.”

The vanity of loving abundance - Ecc 5:10 “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”

The vanity of wealth without the gift of God to enjoy it - Ecc 6:2 “a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.”

The vanity of wandering desire - Ecc 6:9 “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

The vanity of foolish laughter - Ecc 7:6 “For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity.”

The vanity of injustice in this life - Ecc 8:14 “There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.”

The vanity of the days of darkness - Ecc 11:8 “So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.”

The vanity of childhood and youth - Ecc 11:10 “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

The Preacher’s conclusion:

As stated in the Prologue - Ecc 1:2 “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

Prior to describing his search for meaning - Ecc 1:14 “I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.”

Many people have come to the same conclusion and fallen into despair and despondency. Yet the Preacher would have us learn and know how to find true joy in life. The joy of life as the Preacher experienced. In our next part of this lesson we will examine how the Preacher found true joy in life.

The Price and Prevention of Adultey

Proverbs 5:1-23

Occasionally I hear very disturbing news: someone I know has committed adultery… Someone who I thought was devoted to their spouse and their Lord. In some cases, it is a preacher, elder, deacon, or Bible class teacher. Sometimes leaving a spouse and children to live with their adulterous partner. My reaction is usually, “What are they thinking...?” How can they do such a thing to their spouse and children? How can they turn their back on the Lord who died for them? Do they not know the terrible consequences of adultery? Though not a pleasant subject, it is necessary to be frequently reminded of the terrible price of the sin of adultery. How one can prevent the sin of adultery? One of the best places to turn to is the book of Proverbs. In Pro 5:1-6 (please read), we find a warning against the bitter end of adultery.

Continuing with Pro 5:7-14 we are told of the price of adultery. It can cost your wealth. Solomon pleads with his children to stay away from the immoral woman - Pro 5:7-8 “And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,”. His first reason: “Lest you give your honor to others...” - Pro 5:9a. He reiterates: “Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner.” - Pro 5:10. -- Alimony and child support can eat away at your finances.

It can cost your physical health. Solomon’s second reason: “...and your years to the cruel one.” - Pro 5:9b. He adds: “And you mourn at last, when your flesh and body are consumed.” - Pro 5:11. Bacterial STDs (for example, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea) are often brought on by immorality; viral STDs (for example, genital herpes, Hepatitis B, AIDS) are incurable. -- Sexually transmitted diseases can eat away at your body.

It can cost your mental health. You will be filled with self-recrimination: “How I hated instruction, and my heart despised correction! I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!” - Pro 5:12-13. You will not forget what your parents, teachers, preachers, and true friends told you. As you recall the violent affects of divorce on your spouse (and on your children who will likely suffer the worst), you will berate your stupidity! - Mal 2:16 "For the man who hates and divorces, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless." -- Your conscience can eat away at your peace of mind.

It can cost your reputation. As suggested by these words: “I was on the verge of total ruin, in the midst of the assembly and congregation.” - Pro 5:14. People do not take lightly the sin of adultery - Pro 6:27-35. Can a person be trusted who would lie to their spouse? -- Your unfaithfulness can eat away at your reputation.

Adultery destroys one’s wealth, body, soul, and reputation. Forgiveness is possible (1 Co 6:9-11), but many affects of adultery continue throughout one’s life. It is better for one to take to heart the prevention of adultery. Love your spouse. Rejoice with the wife of your youth; be enraptured by her love - Pro 5:15-19 “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.”; Ecc 9:9 “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.” Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church - Ep 5:25,28 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” – “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Wives, learn to love your husbands - Ti 2:3-4 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,” Why be enraptured by an adulteress (adulterer) and seductress (seducer)? - Pro 5:20 “Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?” One’s true character is revealed by their immorality. If they commit adultery with you, they are likely to commit adultery against you! -- Enraptured love is commanded, which means it can be learned (and relearned).

Love Your Lord. The Lord is omniscient, and sins will have their effect - Pro 5:21-23 “For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.” He sees all - Pro 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” God will judge fornicators and adulterers - He 13:4 “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” When one sins against the Lord, their sins will be exposed - Num 32:23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.” How much better to love the Lord, and be loyal to Him. He looks for those loyal to Him - cf. 2 Chr 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars."’; Mt 22:37 “And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Joseph’s devotion to God prevented him from being tempted – see Gen 39:7-10. The Lord blessed Joseph because of his faithfulness – see Gen 39:21; 41:50-52. -- Those who love the Lord foremost, love their spouses forever!

The price of adultery is terrible.... Which too many learn by sad experience. Which all can avoid by heeding God’s Word. The prevention of adultery is possible when our love is in the right place.... Loving the Lord with all our heart. Loving our spouses with God’s blessing. Do not destroy the lives of so many with misdirected affection...!

The Labor That Fails

Psalms 127:1-2

“A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. 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. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

There are things in life that most people desire such as a good family life, protection from violence, success in their work, victory when there is war, worship that pleases God, and churches that flourish and grow. -- For such things people expend much time and energy to attain. Yet our effort alone will not ensure that we obtain such things.... Consider what is written in Psa 127:1-2 where the keynote is the word “vain” (used three times). Solomon’s theme is “that human enterprises only succeeds by the divine blessing” (JFB) -- Not all labor succeeds; there is “the labor that fails”.

In the Psalm, several examples are provided; elsewhere in the Scriptures we have other examples when not all labor is successful. Let’s first consider the examples in the Psalm, such as in our families. Good homes are certainly desirable. There are blessings to being part of a large family. There is nothing wrong with desiring such. However, good homes require God’s blessings. In Psa 127:1, the word “house” may refer to the temple, but the context suggests it refers to the home or family. A large family is indeed a blessing from God - Psa 127:3-5 “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Not to imply that a small family or no family is a curse. For there may be times when it is God’s will that one be single or have a small family - 1 Co 7:7,32-35. Yet without God’s involvement, our effort will fail. It is necessary that we invoke God’s blessings our efforts. This also involves not putting family over God! - Mt 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”; 22:37 “And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” If we put family before God, then our labor regarding our family will ultimately fail!

The principle also applies in our security. Protection from violence is desirable, which is why cities had walls, with watchmen standing guard. Providing security is part of providing for one’s family - 1 Ti 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” True security requires God’s protection. Unless God is our guard, efforts to protect are vain - Psa 127:1b “Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” While providing locked doors and security systems, don’t leave out God! - Psa 121:1-8 “A Song of Ascents. 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.” Any labor to provide security without looking to God for help will fail.

Solomon then applies the principle in our work. God would have us to work with our hands. To walk properly toward those who are outside - 1 Th 4:11,12 “and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” To provide for those less fortunate than us - Ep 4:28 “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” True success requires God’s favor despite efforts to work long and hard - Psa 127:2 “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Our efforts will be little more than gathering and collecting for others - Ecc 2:26 “For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.” We must therefore not put our jobs before God! - Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” If we want to succeed in business (where we can enjoy the fruits of our labor), then seek to succeed with God first! Otherwise our labor is in vain.

Now let’s see how the principle of this Psalm is applied elsewhere... In our battles; when war is inevitable, victory is desirable especially when attacked by evil aggressors. Governments therefore build armies and weapons to defend themselves. However, victory does not depend upon might alone, nor does preparation alone guarantee success in battle - Pro 21:31 “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” Armies and weapons are not sufficient to ensure victory - Psa 33:16-17 “The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.” We must also look to the Lord as our help and our shield - Psa 33:18-22 “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” Many greater nations have fallen in the day of battle because of their arrogance and pride. A nation cannot hope for victory unless God wills it.

Now let’s apply the principle to more spiritual themes, as in our worship. God desires that we worship Him. As Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well - Jn 4:23 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” It is our duty that we proclaim His praises - 1 Pe 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” But not all worship is acceptable. There is worship that is an abomination - Pro 15:8 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.” There is vain worship, based on commandments of men - Mt 15:9 “in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" Such worship is labor that fails to please God.

Finally, consider the principle as it applies in our congregation. We are encouraged to labor for the Lord. A labor that is not in vain - 1 Co 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” A labor that God will not forget - He 6:10 “For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.” Success does not come from labor alone. God is the one who gives the increase - 1 Co 3:6-7 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” He is the source of any sufficiency that we may have - 2 Co 3:5 “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,” While we work as though it depends on us, we must pray as though it depends on God (for it does!).

Whatever our endeavor (labor), it will fail unless God is involved... Will we look to God to build our families? Will we look to God to deliver us from evil? Will we look to God to bless our work? Will we look to God as our shield and protector? Will we look to God to guide our worship of Him? Will we look to God to give us the increase in His Vineyard, the church? Remember the words of Solomon...

“Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;”

“Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.”

“It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.”

To ensure that our labor not be in vain, this prayer by Moses should be our attitude:

“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” - Psa 90:17

Are you looking to God to establish you in all your labors...?

They Shall Still Bear Fruit in Old Age - Cont.

Psalms 92:12-15

That God can and does use the elderly should be rather apparent as we have looked at the elderly God used, especially when we take a few moments to consider God’s use of older people in the Bible.But what about today? We'll now consider God’s use of older people in the church today as we continue this lesson.

There is always a need for “elders”…. Did God not design the local church to be overseen by elders? - Ac 14:23 “And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”; Ti 1:5-9 “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you-- if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Men who were older, capable of teaching and leading the flock? Men who were to serve as overseers and examples of God’s flock? - 1 Pe 5:1-4 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” Yet many male members seem to retire from active service in the church about the same time they retire from secular work! Around age 65, which is rather young compared to the examples we saw! Just when they might be useful to the Lord, they are retiring! If unqualified to serve, why not spend a few years growing and developing the necessary qualifications (if possible), and then serve? Many young men who want to preach prepare themselves in just a couple of years, why can’t older men do the same?

There is always a need for older women. Who will do what Paul commanded in Ti 2:3-5 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” To be “teachers of good things”, especially to teach the younger women how to love their husbands, love their children, be good wives and homemakers. Sadly, many women stop teaching when they reach the age they are commanded to teach! Don’t feel qualified to teach? Then prepare yourself! Commit yourselves to learn God’s word, and in a short time you will be prepared!

There is always a need for service the elderly can provide. Some examples:

Hospitality and benevolence - many elderly are financially secure, able to do what many younger families cannot.

Edification and evangelism - with so much time on their hands, why not use it to study with others?

Even the most infirm can do things like send cards, make phone calls, spend time in prayer and fasting - Lk 2:37 “and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.”; 1 Ti 5:5 “She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,” -- I heard of one invalid who spent her time praying for the sick, for those involved in teaching others, etc. From our text we see what else the elderly can and should do:

“To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock...” - Psa 92:15

To proclaim God’s strength to the next generation - Psa 71:17-18 “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

To recount God’s mighty works to the next generation - Psa 78:1-8 “Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.”

God can certainly use people of all ages who are willing to prepare themselves to be of service to Him and who are willing to present themselves in service to Him. We may retire from secular jobs, but not from our service to the Lord...! Certainly physical infirmities may limit what we can do, but only death can stop us from doing what we can! Is the problem really one of physical infirmities, or spiritual laziness...? We can’t stop the aging process, but we can be renewed inwardly daily! - 2 Co 4:16 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” Our problem may be related to our youth-oriented culture where the wisdom and experience of the elderly is not respected. Where our society is too quick to put the elderly “out to pasture”. Other cultures reflect the scriptural norm... Where the elderly are revered, their wisdom and experience appreciated. Where the elderly continue in roles of influence and leadership, even to death. I believe the righteous can and should “still bear fruit in old age”. I hope that this lesson will encourage the elderly to reexamine their usefulness to the Lord and His church. Let the attitude of “Paul, the aged” be your attitude as well:

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” (Philippians 3:12-15)

They Shall Still Bear Fruit in Old Age

Psalms 92:12-15
“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

A goal for many people in life is a happy retirement.... They spend years saving and planning for the time in which they retire. They look forward to the free time to do what interests them. But is the concept of retirement applicable to the kingdom of God? We may rightly retire from secular jobs, what about our service in the church? Granted, physical infirmities may sometimes be a hindrance, but is such a valid reason for “retiring” from the work of the church? In Psalms 92:12-15, we find a description of the righteous in which they are described as palm trees and cedar trees flourishing in the house and courts of God. -- Note vs. 14: “They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing” This passage certainly suggests that there is a place of service for the elderly in the work of God. They are able to “bear fruit” and remain “fresh and flourishing”, despite their old age. That God can and does use the elderly should be rather apparent, especially when we take a few moments to consider God’s use of older people in the Bible.

Consider Moses and Aaron. They were chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage at the ages of 80 and 83 - Exo 7:7 “Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.” They were already past the normal life span - Psa 90:10 “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” (written by Moses Psa 90:1a “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.”)

Consider Joshua and Caleb. Joshua was given the charge of leading the conquest of Canaan, during the last thirty years of his life (he lived until he was 110, Josh 24:29 “After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being 110 years old.”). Caleb was also very much involved in the conquest while in his eighties - Josh 14:6-11 “Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.' And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.”

Consider Daniel. He served God from the days of his youth, for over 70 years! - Dan 1:21 “And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.” He was well over eighty when he served as one of three governors over the kingdom of Babylon - Dan 6:1-3 “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”
He was well over eighty when thrown into the lions’ den – (Dan 6:4-27); Prospered in the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian – (Dan 6:28); and received a series of visions – (Dan 8-12).

Consider Zacharias and Elizabeth. These were the parents of John the Baptist. They were “both well advanced in years” - Lk 1:7 “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” Yet he was serving in the temple, and she gave birth to John!
Consider Simeon and Anna. Two elderly people who bore witness to the Christ child when presented to the temple to be circumcised - Lk 2:25-38. Anna was at least 84, and had been serving God “with fastings and prayers night and day”

Consider Paul, the aged. As he refers to himself in Phile 9 “yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you--I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus”. Yet we know at this time in his life, he was busy writing letters (Eph, Col, Phi, Phe), even while in prison; traveling, visiting, encouraging churches, when he was released from prison.

There are many other examples of how God used those in their “golden years” to serve Him. These we have considered certainly illustrate how the elderly can “still bear fruit in old age”. But what about today? We'll consider God’s use of older people in the church today in our continuation of this lesson.

The Art of Confessing Our Sins - Cont.

Psalms 51:1-19

As we continue this lesson we will consider what David ask for in addition to forgiveness, as an example for us. As we confess our sins we should look to God for more than just forgiveness! We should also ask for a complete renewal and total restoration! We should also ask for a return of “the joy of salvation” (that joy experienced when we first obeyed the gospel! - Ac 8:35-39 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

As we consider further David’s confession of sin, we find it proper to resolve to offer further service (13-17) David resolves to teach other sinners and transgressors - Psa 51:13 “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.”

He resolves to praise God for His righteousness in delivering him from sin - Psa 51:14-15 “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.”

Knowing that God delights in something more than animal sacrifices - Psa 51:16 “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.” A broken spirit and contrite heart is what really pleases God - Psa 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”; Isa 66:1-2 “Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”; 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Such resolution is in keeping with true repentance for God desires more than just forgiveness, but total restoration - Psa 51:6 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” And zealous service is indicative of true repentance, as taught in 2 Co 7:10-11 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” As we confess our sins we should look beyond obtaining forgiveness for past sin. We should look beyond obtaining present joy and gladness of heart -- We should be making commitments regarding future service!

Finally, as we come to the end of David’s psalm, we find that “The Art Of Confessing Our Sins” includes that we pray for God’s purposes, (18-19) “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.” David offered a prayer regarding God’s purposes. That God would fulfill His purpose for Zion - Psa 51:18. That God would be pleased with Israel’s sacrifices - Psa 51:19. -- Thus his confession of sin ends with a desire for that which pleases God. As we confess our sins we should not be selfish, praying for only our needs. What about God’s desires? His purposes? -- As Jesus taught us in “The Lord’s Prayer”, it is important to pray for God’s will as well as our own (cf. “Thy Will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”).

I hope I have not made the practice of confessing sins sound complicated.... Certainly there are occasions where a simple “I have sinned...” may suffice as illustrated in the prayer of the tax collector - Lk 18:13-14. Yet if we desire to be less self-centered in confessing our sins, we can follow David’s example...
Appeal to God’s mercy and lovingkindness
Acknowledge our sins to God
Understand where we are and where God wants us
Pray for renewal and restoration
Resolve to offer grateful service
Pray for God’s purposes

By praying as David did, we are sure to experience two things: forgiveness itself and the joy of forgiveness. -- As David expressed in Psa 32:1-5, written after receiving forgiveness for his sins. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” The Christian who confesses his sins is the truly happy individual (“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven...”), for they have the assurance of salvation (see 1 Jn 1:9). Have you confessed your sins to God today?