Scripture: Psalms 37-39; Acts 26 (7/27/2010)

Say, have you heard the latest? Psalm 37 was written a few days ago by that young whippersnapper David, the son of Jesse. Did you see what he wrote? It seems the boy doesn’t have a care in the world. Maybe his real name is Alfred E. Newman, the grinning "What, me worry?" Mad Magazine kid. Obviously David hasn’t paid much attention to what is happening these days in this country, or for that matter, in the world. Look at some of the things he wrote. Tell me if you don’t agree that he has his head in the clouds and is out of touch with reality. This is just a part of what he wrote:

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. But the wicked shall perish, ... into smoke shall they consume away.

For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. ... when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. In summary: Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Keep Trusting! God is bigger than any politician. The wicked ones will have their day.

Those verses could have been written recently, yet The Word of the Lord abides forever (I Peter 1:23) and is as valid today as it was 3,000 years ago when David wrote it at the direction of the God Who knows the future. There are many Satanically-controlled wicked men and women in power around us. They think they have their plan all worked out and, after years of preparation, are finally the victors. Won’t they be surprised when they stand before the Judge of all men!

Psalm 38:15 and 22 are an encouragement for those who trust the Lord, to know He hears us: For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

The Apostle Paul, possibly the greatest preacher and missionary the world has ever known, was no different than the wicked rulers among us today. Acts 26:10,11 are part of his testimony: ...many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. It sounds like parts of America today. Dearborn, Michigan, for example, where Islamic law seems to have become operative. Like Trenton, NJ, where Gideons were forbidden to pass out Bibles to Nottingham HS students.

Paul is giving his defence before the rulers of his day, powerfully arguing that Jesus is the only Savior from man’s sin. Surely he could see the conviction on the face of King Agrippa when he said: King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. What power he had in preaching Christ to the political leaders of his time.

Fearlessly he pointed convicting fingers in the faces of the wicked, forcing them to see themselves as God saw them, at least, for a minute. How easy it is today for us to keep our fingers in our pocket and say nothing. It would be good if we got those fingers back into action, since both our leaders and we will stand before the judgment bar of God to give account.

Our leaders are a reflection of the nation. Collectively, if we look in that mirror, the sight we see staring back at us is not a pretty one, is it!

II Chronicles 7:14. If you don’t know it from memory, please look it up. Our nation swings on that hinge! May the Lord bless us as we rededicate ourselves to being salt and light in a wicked nation in these last days. Philippians 4:5b-7: The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

~ Br. Jerry Tyson

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2 (7/28/2010)

Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

There are many things that I love, but I would have to say singing for the Lord is one of my most favorite. Sometimes when I am driving to work, I hear a song about the Lord and I get so excited singing to Him about His goodness. I am sure I look like a crazy woman because I go from singing to screaming! Ha!

When is the last time you sang His praise? When is the last time you sang to the Lord and gave it all you had? God definitely wants to hear you sing!

~ Kate Umali