Trust His Word

May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,

   your salvation, according to your promise;

then I can answer anyone who taunts me,

   for I trust in your word.

Psalms 119:41-42

This weekend at the Miss Universe Pageant the wrong contestant was named the winner. Apparently, Steve Harvey, the popular comedian, mistakingly announced Ms. Columbia the winner when in actuality is was Ms. Philippins. A very awkward moment indeed. We here politicians say things and then the pundits come out and rate the truth of what was said. I'm sure you have heard the old joke, "How can you tell when a politician is lying? When the lips are moving?" The point is that it is hard to trust most people's word. 

In contrast to that we have the Lord and his Word which we can trust. 

"They are not just idle words for you - they are you life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." Deuteronomy 32:47

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

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

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16-17

BRACE YOURSELF FOR GOD

"Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
 "Who is this that darkens my counsel
     with words without knowledge?
 Brace yourself like a man;
     I will question you,
     and you shall answer me.""
 Job 38:1-3

After everybody speaks, Job, the friends and the young know-it-all, God answers... I wonder if Elihu was taking a breath, getting ready to share a little more of his wisdom and God cut him off? 

What would I do if God just kind of popped in on a discussion about God I was engaged in? I think that is a healthy way to approach some of our conversations about God and his ways. We do have the Bible that speaks to us in truth about God. Even there I worry. 

I don't worry about the Bible being true, I worry about the way we sometimes approach the Word of God. I think the problem with some theologians is they believe they have the wisdom within themselves to judge the validity of the Scriptures. They don't approach the scriptures in humility. It's not just professional theologians who act as if they can, by their own wisdom, canonize Scripture. Sometimes we do. 

The point I am trying to make here is that God, does want us to brace ourselves in Christ, because one day, we will answer him. As you walk with God this week, remember that God has spoken to you through his word, the Bible. His word is true and relevant for you. You may not understand the end from the beginning or why your life is going the way it is, but, you can know God is still God and he reigns whether we discern it or not.

Father, open our eyes to see you in our lives. Thank you that you reign over all, you reign in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

KNOW SCRIPTURE, BECOME WISE: II Timothy 3:14-15

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." II Timothy 3:14-15

I few years ago I was greeting people as they entered the church and there was one man who was in bad shape. His clothes were worn and dirty. His face was unshaven. He looked like someone living on the street. I began to see him attending regularly and he committed his life to Christ. He began to change. He is now on staff at that church! He wasn't a street person but his life was a wreck and knowing Christ changed him into a productive person. He has a great wife and family. Living his life by faith in Christ Jesus has given him the wisdom to live a godly life.

Sometimes we forget that wisdom comes from following the truth taught us in Scripture. I am blessed that my mother and grandmother always made sure we went to church. I can not remember a time when going to church was not a part of my life. I can not remember a time when acting like Christ and obeying the Scriptures was not part of the conversation concerning how I lived my life. Really, if there is any success to my life it is when I have tried to live my life in a godly manner by faith in Christ Jesus. 

I encourage and exhort you to continue to seek Christ and live by faith in him. We know he tells us in the Bible to love as he has loved us. So, how will you do that today?

Father, help us to live through faith in Christ Jesus today! Praise be to you in us today!