Thursday, September 6, 2018

Truth endures forever (Psalm 1, Psalm 19, 2 Timothy 3:1-4:8)


Why should humanity pay attention to the Scriptures? Why should I diligently read, study and meditate them? Because what is seen is not all, but what is unseen is. And death is not the end. It is true that death swallows all. It is also true that there is resurrection after death as our Lord Jesus rose from the dead on the third day as the firstfruits. In fact, humanity is lost and fallen into darkness and blindness as victim of the malevolent devil, not knowing who they really are. There is a God who is so lovingly compassionate and merciful that he offers his hand for the lost and fallen. We have Scriptures preserved as means to learn and know who God is. Knowing God leads us to know who we are, what we are, and why we are. Not only the Scriptures given, but the universe for revelations and instructions. The world contaminated by the lie always opposes the truth which the Scriptures and the universe speak and teach. 

“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.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

The Righteous vs. the Wicked (Psalm 1)

“Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” (Psalm 1:1-6)

There are only two kinds of people, the righteous and the wicked. Unfortunately, there is no gray area, so we cannot belong to both but must be one of them. The righteous shall rejoice and delight in the law of the Lord, meditating his word day and night and produce its fruit in season like a tree planted by streams of water. Not so the wicked. They shall wither and be blown away like chaff. Furthermore, they shall not stand in the judgment of God, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” (Psalm 1:6)

The question is how to delight in the law of the Lord, meditating day and night. We’re living in a busy and demanding world where so much attractive and seductive things are going on. Earn money and enjoy life, says persistently the world. Come, eat and drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die. Sounds right and compelling. But that’s wrong! However, many succumb to the lie and philosophy of the world. Not so the righteous! Because they know it is not true. Their conscience tells that such a fatalistic saying is exactly opposite of what the Creator says.
So, they say “No” to the wrongs and then come to the law of the Lord and find delight and rejoice in him. They reject to walk in the step of the wicked, nor stand in the way that sinners take, nor sit in the company of mockers. It is a so significant step because otherwise it is impossible to delight in the law of the Lord. No man can serve two masters, God and mammon, says our Lord Jesus. It is so pertinently illustrated on a cross where the Lord Jesus was crucified for the sin of the world. No death, no resurrection. No sacrifice, no life. We first have to reject any wicked things and are drawn nearer to God in his holy of holies, being united and having the wonderful fellowship with him.

The Heavens and the Skies Speaks Loud (Psalm 19)

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:1-14)

Nothing exists without being made that has been made. Humanity is still groping in darkness, wanting to know what it is and why it is, the universe and man. It is still unknown and hidden to man, even though many kings and the wise have been trying hard to find out, even after all the scientific discoveries and technological advancements, It is a mystery which only God can reveal. The psalmist believes that the heavens and skies are made and put in their positions by his hand. The vast universe is running its course in order and harmony according to the will of the Maker. It doesn’t make sound but speak loud on the works of God. The sun stands still hundreds of thousands of years, relentlessly pouring out light energy and making the earth warm. It never and ever be out of course.
“It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.” (Psalm 19:6)

The psalmist says the sun is like a bridegroom and a champion which suggests the Lord Jesus Christ. So, the visible universe is the manifestation and illustration of the mind of God. He speaks through which he made. He is like the sun which never stops showering the warmth of love. Perfect is the law of the Lord. God made all things and pronounced good. God didn’t make the universe wonderful and beautiful for themselves but for the instructions and revelations of humanity. The immovability and unchangeability of nature gives man strength and joy to trust in him and eventually leads to the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of him. The law of the Lord enlightens, strengthens, and warns man to pay careful attention to the Creator. For he made man in his image and in his likeness. 
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverb 1:7)

Follow the Way of the Lord To the Cross (2 Timothy 3:1-4:8)

This is truly the last days and ever nearer to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The lies and facades of humanity are rampant and ever increasing. People succumb to money and selfishness, bowing down to mammon, self-exaltation, polarity, exclusiveness, self-indulgence, and pleasures of the world, whereas the love of God grows cold. The false teachers infiltrate into the ranks of churches, shamefully and disgracefully deceiving and depraving the mind of man. But they will not get very far because their folly will be clear to everyone (2 Timothy 3:9). What shall we do in the last days? Apostle Paul charges his son in the faith, Timothy, to continue to follow the way of the Lord demonstrated in his life as well. That is, face persecutions and sufferings.

“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.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
“Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction,” says Apostle. Time has come that people refuse to listen the sound doctrine, the message of the cross. Not only careful search and study and understanding of the word are required for the preacher, but great patience and careful instruction are. We’re called for the good fight, not a fight with flesh and blood, but the fight for the cause of Christ Jesus our Lord. 

September 6, 2018
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