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
©
2011-2018 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.
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