The Heaton File

Sunday Morning Starters – Worship

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

Worship Is

Worship is seeing the WONDERFUL love of God through Jesus Christ.

Worship is feeling the ONENESS with fellow saints as we assemble today.

Worship is filling our hearts with the REVELATION of God’s mind to man.

Worship is joyously SINGING to a God that loves an undeserving creature.

Worship is living a life of HOLINESS to the glory of a loving Father.

Worship is understanding the INCREDIBLE gift of Jesus Christ to die for me.

Worship is expressing PRAISE to the God of my salvation.

Worship is a way of living, a way of seeing the world in the light of God. To worship is to rise to a higher level of existence, to see the world from the point of view of God. (Abraham J. Heschel, Man’s Quest for God, 1954)

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. (Acts 9:32-35)

A Great Story Of Conversion

We live in a hard world that denies Jesus as the Christ. The Bible is the full testimony of His love for man but man does not love the Christ. Two thousand years after He came men still fail to embrace the evidence of Jesus being the Son of God. This was the case when Jesus walked among men. But there were times when everything clicked and people with honest hearts saw the real power of God believing in the Christ.

The area of Lydda and Sharon was about a day’s journey from Jerusalem. Earlier Philip the evangelist had gone through this area teaching in all the cities (Acts 8:40). The city of Lydda was about five miles east of Joppa. Sharon was a plain about thirty miles long between Joppa and Caesarea. When Peter arrived in Lydda he found a man that had been infirmed eight years. Aeneas was a well-known invalid who lived with the tragedy of being bed ridden because he was paralyzed. There were no surgeries to mend him. He remained in bed for eight years. Peter only spoke to the man. Like Jesus before him Peter called for the man to rise and gather his bed. Aeneas did immediately (not like the so-called faith healers of today where a gradual faint of ‘healing’ happens). He got up and walked. And a lot of people saw it.

What happened to Aeneas was a miracle. What happened to the people in the city of Lydda and those living in the plain of Sharon was remarkable. When all the people saw the bed-ridden man walking they turned to the Lord. They had honest hearts. Their eyes saw the wonder of God’s healing power and they asked no questions. There would be no discussion about how long had the man been paralyzed or whether it was a true healing or not. They knew without a doubt the impossibility of Aeneas being healed yet there he stood. The decision to obey was immediate.

The gospel of Christ is more powerful than the healing of the man from Lydda. Sadly few people can see its glory today and turn to the Lord. This does not suggest (as many brethren believe) that no one will listen today. The reason this is a great story is to remind us that honest hearts still walk among us that will see the power of God working in their lives. Many people rejected Jesus but many people believed on Him. We should never accept the wile of the devil that people today are too hard hearted to see the power of God. Ironically the reason we are not bringing as many people to Christ today is not because the world will not listen; it is because we have failed to believe in the power of the gospel.

Philip preached and Peter showed the power of God. We need to preach and show the power of God. One day we will be talking to people from Lydda and Sharon and to our surprise they will believe and obey the gospel. You see – the gospel of Jesus Christ still works in modern America. Now that is a great story.

Western Christianity has failed in its vocation. It is be to be blamed for not evangelizing or for evangelizing only halfway. God needed men and men exploited God. (Francois Mauriac, What I Believe, 1962)

Friday Morning Reflections – Wisdom Literature

I returned and saw under the sun that — the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

Nine Eleven

Today is a day of national remembrance. It is not the first nor will it be the last. Generations living today remember the day Pearl Harbor was attacked and what they were doing when President Kennedy was assassinated. Tragedy on a national level. Grief fills the heart for the innocence of those taken by brutal measures. Questions remain unanswered. Disbelief stains the guilt of the terrible day when our nation was awakened to the realization of man’s greatest inhumanity to man: hatred. Born from the seed of evil, hatred fills the headlines every day as men slaughter one another over prejudice, greed, wickedness and pride. Jealousy brings tragedy. Anger motivates killings. Death. How to understand it all.

The book of Ecclesiastes is about living and dying. Solomon offers a frank examination of life in all its beauty and all of its ugliness. These issues have not changed since the beginning of time. What happened to our nation on 9-11 is not a new condition but the malady of the same symptom planted in the hearts of men by Satan. Evil abounds in the world in many forms and often finds itself in a holocaust of events that staggers the mind. How to understand it all.

God does not remove the plans of evil men when they carry out their acts. Many would blame the Lord for the evil that happens. If this were true then we will have to blame Him for the evil we do. The hatred that draws men to kill thousands does not come from a heart that serves the Creator but a heart that is filled with the hatred of fellow man. Solomon addresses the question of the why in Ecclesiastes and shows that often the folly that comes upon man is the series of life events uncontrolled by the hand of God but measured by the natural course of life. Why do young people die? What explanation can be given for happy and wonderful people to be taken in the bloom of life? Why did 9-11 happen and so many innocent people die? How to understand it all.

There is a measure of life that is uncertain. Events befall us for reasons unknown. Solomon reminds us that for all that life offers the uncertainties of the events that come upon us are without warning. This does not remove the sorrow and heartache we feel when faced with the catastrophic loss of over three thousand people. We mourn. Hearts are heavy. Lives are remembered. Life goes on. Evil abounds. How to understand it all.

The apostle John writes, “For God so loved the world.” This is the only answer we have. It was the gift of God that offers us the only hope. Jesus came to take away our tears and sorrow. He offered himself on a cross that we can live. Death is horrible and we dislike its remembrance. In Christ we know that death will not have the victory. The tragedies of life will continue. Events like Pearl Harbor and 9-11 will happen again but beyond these days a great day is coming. A day when death and evil will be destroyed for good. Victory will be gained in the promise of He who loved the world so much He gave His only begotten Son to give a message of hope. That is how we can understand it all.

This is a direct act of hope to look through the cloud and look for a beam of the light from God. (Jeremy Taylor, Holy Living, 1650)

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Epistles of Paul

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Comforting Words

The end of the world is going to be in a hairs breath of the blink of an eye. In other words it will be so fast no one will know it happened until it is over. As a thief in the night without warning Jesus’ return will be incredible and powerful with the holy angels of God shouting forth the arrival of judgment upon a world filled with sin. No one knows the day including Jesus Christ. What a day that will be.

Waiting for the coming of Lord is filled with the continued march of death. The first century disciples were amazing people. They lived with the knowledge of Jesus’ return as if it would happen at any moment. While they looked for the coming of the Christ they had concerns for people who died. What will happen to them? Will they be forgotten in the coming of the Lord? They were so filled with the excitement of the return of Jesus, death was a real struggle to understand. Today we live in the continued presence of death and rarely think about His return. We should regain the spirit of the early disciples.

Paul wanted to assure the brethren that God had not forgotten their loved ones. FIRST death is nothing more than a sleep. Death normally brings fear and uncertainty. Christian’s know death is only a transition from mortality to immortality. When we think of death as sleep we realize that it is peaceful slumber with a ‘waking up’ on the other side. That is joy.

SECOND, there is hope in death. When life leaves the body it is not the end but the beginning. For those who live without God life is meaningless and death is greatly to be feared for it brings nothing. The child of God realizes that death is the beginning of something wonderful. Hope inspires life to live for death so that life can be realized in dying. The sleep of death is the awakening of our spirits in the presence of God. Now that is something to live for.

THIRD, because we believe Jesus Christ is the son of God and He arose from the dead – all of God’s saints will be raised in the final day in victory. Death does not change the place of the child of God in the resurrection. If anything there is a sense of priorities. Paul goes on to explain that when the Lord comes again those who died in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still living will be raised to meet Him in the air. The dead rise first; the alive will raise second. Why? Because that is the will of the Father.

FOURTH – here is the really exciting part: we will ALL be together with the Lord. Death does not keep us from our brethren. We are united with all the saints who have passed through the veil of death and we will all share together in the glory of God. Death is nothing. It is defeated. It is not to be feared. The lake of fire will contain death and hades and we will never again live in fear. So today we can remove the fear of death because nothing will separate us from the love of our Father.

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the knowledge that we have hope beyond measure that takes away the fear of death. Hope reigns supreme in the knowledge that whether by death or the coming of the Lord we can comfort one another in the knowledge that we will be with the Lord forever. Praise God for His grace and His mercy. Lord come quickly.

Feared of dying? Were you feared of being born? (Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1943)

Wednesday Morning Meditation – Psalms

Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. (Psalm 3; A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.)

The Imprecatory Psalms

The setting of this psalm is declared by the writers of old as a sad time in the life of David when he must flee his own palace hiding himself from the wrath of his son Absalom. 2 Samuel 15 seems to fit the occasion which David finds himself. One of the unique characteristics of this psalm is the language employed by the psalmist in verse seven. This is striking and for many uncomfortable to have such rough language contained within a book of praise. These psalms are in a group called the “Imprecatory Psalms.” These writings bear the resemblance of coarse, hard language vividly seeking a terrible fate to fall upon the wicked.

There are a number of imprecatory psalms. Psalm 10 talks about breaking the arms of the wicked (v15). Psalm 11 seeks the Lord to rain coals, fire and brimstone and a burning wind upon the wicked (v6). Psalm 18 rejoices in David standing on the necks of his enemies in triumph showing their disgrace for being conquered. Psalm 21 speaks of the Lord burning up the enemies and destroying the offspring from the face of the earth with arrows pointed right at their faces (vv8-12). Right after this David says, “Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength. We will sing and praise Your power” (v13).

Psalm 55 continues the chorus of vengeance upon the enemies of God when David contemplates death seizing them going down alive into hell. “Break their teeth in their mouth, O God” is how David shows the righteousness of the Lord against evil doers (Psalm 58:6). He also begs for them to be like a snail that melts away as it goes or like a stillborn child of woman who will never see the light of day (v8). Psalm 109 is filled with imprecatory implications against false accusers. Psalm 137 is very vivid: “O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us! Happy the one who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock” (vv8-9; See also Isaiah 13:11-18).

Paul reminds us of the nature of God that He is a God of goodness and a God of vengeance (Romans 11:22). Often we tend to forget the character of scripture when the Lord is bringing forth terrible punishment on those who disobey Him. Every imprecation is rooted in the covenant curses previously announced by God. The psalms are filled with the goodness of God and the vengeance of God.

It should not be surprising there is a lot of imprecation in the New Testament. John 3:16 is a good example as well as Mark 16:16. Matthew describes the judgment scene with the clear language of imprecation in Matthew 25:41. Be impressed with the imprecation of God. It is real.

The God of wrath is the God of love vindicating Himself in the death of those who will not live in love. (Gregory Vlastos, Christian Faith and Democracy, 1939).

Tuesday Morning Early Start – Important Doctrines

Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

A Simple Rule

Evil is not invisible. The temptation of Eve was clearly evident as a tree planted in the midst of the garden. Her understanding of it was far more than eating the forbidden fruit. She knew they should not touch it lest the temptation be so great they would partake. Satan’s wiles allowed her to look more closely at the tree and embrace the belief that a little rebellion would be allowed. She was wrong. A simple rule was broken. She saw that it was good and before she knew it she and Adam had eaten the fruit. In fear they hid. They did not commit murder, adultery, idolatry or telling a lie. They ate a fruit. As benign as it may have seemed their actions led to expulsion from the garden and the penalty of sin.

Sin has an inviting attraction. Paul’s warning understands the nature of what causes us to be overwhelmed by evil. It can be assumed that as long as we do not find ourselves the victims of the major sins of scripture we are safe. Big sins come from small sins leading to greater rebellion. Walking on a rooftop is harmless but when you see a woman bathing it should be a warning to turn away and leave. David allowed an innocuous event to lead to adultery, lying and murder. The lesson should be learned that anything that has a shape of evil should be avoided.

A daredevil is someone who seeks the thrill of getting as close to death as possible escaping at the last moment to the applause of adoring fans. They show a carefree disregard for danger. Many die at the last moment when things go horribly wrong. Daredevil Christians are those who are deceived in believing they can tempt a roaring lion and escape unharmed. The simple rule is to stay out of the jungle. Why would anyone place themselves in a place of danger when it comes to Satan?

An old saying suggests that if you play with snakes don’t be surprised when you get bit. Unless we abstain from even the appearance of evil we should expect to be bitten. A simple rule is to remove any form or shape or fashion of evil from our lives and it will greatly decrease our being harmed. Flirting turns to adultery, a social drink becomes drunkenness, small lies become larger lies, and a casual curiosity can become an obsession. Preventive brushing today will keep truth decay from appearing later. Building a strong resistance to Satan can be done when we inoculate ourselves with the grace of God to resist the evils of tomorrow. A simple rule so often not followed.

Someday, in years to come, you will be wrestling with the great temptation, or trembling under the great sorrow of your life. But the real struggle is here, now in these quiet weeks. (Phillips Brooks 1835-1893, Perennials From)

Monday Morning Coffee Break – Life With Jesus

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:1-16)

The Five Women

Genealogies are not always the most exciting parts of scripture to read. Trying to pronounce the names is a challenge by itself. Seldom are there any great stories found within the litany of names but often wonderful gems of information will be lost when ignored. Matthew’s account of the genealogy of Jesus has a lot of embedded stories of old that are well worth the telling. Women are rarely mentioned but five women are listed in the story of Jesus.

Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah. She was married to Er, the oldest son of Judah. Er was so wicked God slew him and Tamar married his brother Onan. Failing to carry on the seed by Tamar God killed Onan also. Judah promised his younger son, Shelah to her (as was the custom) but this never happened. In the course of time Judah’s wife died and he sought comfort among his shepherds. Tamar heard Judah was there and dressed as one of the harlots. Seeing her (not knowing she was his daughter-in-law) Judah went in to her and conceived twins. This was not discovered until three months later when Judah was confronted with the evidence of his union with Tamar. Later she bore Perez (ancestor of Jesus) and Zarah. Tamar’s story is found in Genesis 38.

Rahab is a very familiar story. When the children of Israel came to the promised land to begin the conquest her city was first on the list. Jericho would be a prize city dedicated the Lord. Before attacking the city two men came into Jericho and lodged at the house of Rahab the harlot. The king of the city heard of the spies and ordered Rahab to give up the men. She told the king she did not know who they were and they had escaped. As soldiers sought for the two men in the countryside Rahab hid them among the flax on the roof of her house. Before going to bed that night she implored the men to protect her from what she knew was coming. Her great faith in God was remarkable as she asked for the men to save her family from death. Later as she let them down by a scarlet cord (her house was on the wall) and the men told her to hang the same cord through the window and she would be saved when the attack came. Her deliverance came as promised by the Lord. Her story is found in Joshua 2 and Joshua 6. Later the writer of Hebrews will speak of her faith (Hebrews 11:31) and James would use her as an example of faith and works (James 2:25).

Ruth was a Moabite. She had married Mahlon son of Elimelech as a Gentile bride. When her father-in-law and husband died she chose to remain with her mother-in-law. It is in this story the wonderful statement is made by this young lady to Naomi, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). Ruth would eventually marry Boaz a rich relative of Naomi and take her place as a grandmother of David the king of Israel.

Bathsheba is a tragic story. David was home from war and saw her bathing on the roof top. Taking her into his home the king committed adultery with the wife of Uriah, one of his mighty men and a Hittite (who happened to be off at war fighting for the king). When David was told Bathsheba was pregnant he brought Uriah home to cover up his sin. Failing to do so the king ordered Joab to put Uriah in the heat of battle and withdraw securing the death of this noble soldier. David comforted Bathsheba in the death of her husband and later married her. The deed was not unnoticed by God who sent Nathan the prophet to unveil the whole plot before David. The house of David would suffer greatly because of this sin. The child conceived would die and the rest of David’s life would be fraught with sadness. An interesting point about including Bathsheba in the list of Jesus’ genealogy is her name is not mentioned. She is referred to as the wife of Uriah. There is consequence to sin that often will continue after death. God reminds us of the far reaching penalty of sin. See 2 Samuel 11-12.

Mary is the highly favored one who was blessed to bear the Son of God in her womb. There is so much to say of this beautiful maiden. Her faith was so strong in the possibility of the impossibility and this faith carried her all through life. She was privileged to watch Jesus grow from a tiny baby to manhood and then the horror of the cross. Blessed by other children her life was filled with her devotion to God. Of all the people who stood at the cross she knew with no doubt her son was God yet she said nothing. Her last record by the Holy Spirit is found in the early church. What a Bible class teacher she must have been.

Five women. Genealogy of Jesus. A lot of great stories. Women who show a lot of different backgrounds of the common person Jesus came to save.

Christ did not love humanity. He never said that He loved humanity; He loved men. (G. K. Chesterton, Twelve Types, 1903)

Sunday Morning Starters – Worship

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?” says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, “In what way have we despised Your name?” (Malachi 1:6)

Reverence In Our Worship

The seventy year captivity of Israel was in response to the people of Israel following after the gods of the nations around them. God had warned them emphatically the punishment to come upon them if they turned to other gods but they rebelled against Him and He sent them into bondage in another nation. The history of the Jews following captivity was characterized by the absence of idol worship. For all practical purposes the punishment did its job. However, the devil is always going to find another door to enter and he began to urge the people of God to be more consumed with themselves than the true devotion to the Lord. He convinced them of the pride they had in giving up idols and they could feel good about themselves all the while taking their hearts away from God.

Malachi the prophet bemoans the spirit of the people of God as the Lord charges them with the failure to give devotion to Him. The hearts of the people were only going through the motion. There was no deep desire to serve God. They did what they had to do and often not even the best they could do. Sacrifices were marginally offered and often a pale comparison to what the law required. The lack of love on the part of the people was evident.

Worship to God has always required a full heart of devotion. There are many words to describe worship. It suggests adoration, love and respect. It is easy to become like those Malachi writes about where the hand does what is required but the heart is far removed. True worship comes from the spirit of devotion and the truth of God’s word. Spending time to honor God is not a time to offer the maimed sacrifices of our lives but the best we have.

The church today does not worship idols and for that we are ‘proud.’ Often in our smug hypocrisy we gather on the first day of the week and go through the commandments avoiding the idols of other churches content in the knowledge that we are the one true church. Worship ends about twelve o’clock dull and we return to our homes happy in the failed knowledge we have done our duty. Praise God. Ho hum.

The Lord asks, “Where is my reverence?” Worship is not going through motions. The heart of our worship is the worship of the heart. Reverence is found in the deep respect and love for who God is and what He has done. Our worship today should not be the offering of lame excuses upon altars of apathy but glorious honor to the only One who is deserving of praise, honor and glory. Today is the day He raised His Son from the dead. This first day of the week is HIS DAY and we should honor Him, praise Him, loudly acknowledge our dependence on Him and GIVE HIM GLORY TODAY. God is so good. Today is a day of reverence. Let our worship today be filled with the awe of our God. Let us give reverence in our assemblies today.

God is of no importance unless He is of supreme importance. (A. J. Heshel, Man Is Not Alone, 1951)

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Now these were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur; from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori; from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh; from the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph; from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun; from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu; from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi; from the tribe of Joseph, that is, from the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi; from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli; from the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael; from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi; from the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. (Numbers 13:4-15)

The Unknown Ten

There are many names to remember in scripture telling great deeds of courage, faith and devotion to God. Enoch was not for God took him; Noah and the ark is a popular story of grace; Abram appears on the scene to plant the seed for the nation of Israel; Moses becomes the icon of the Law of God for the Jews; David is the courageous shepherd king; and the list could go on. Early in childhood the names of the twelve apostles are memorized along with the Judges of old. Names – lots of names to remember. Names that tell stories. Stories that tell the character of the men and women of God.

Ten of the most famous names of scripture (who are never remembered) are Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi,  and Geuel. Do you know whose these leaders are? They were chosen because they showed great skill in leadership among the people. The ten names were heads of the children of Israel who bore the responsibility of one of the greatest undertakings in the history of men. “These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua” (Numbers 13:16). Twelve men were sent into the land of Canaan to spy out the land and bring back a report. Only two men believed the land could be taken with the power of God. Joshua and Caleb would enter the promised land forty years later but the ten men that spied the land with them would die in the wilderness.

There must have been a great excitement among the people as they approached the land of Canaan. Leaving Egypt far behind they longed to be a people free from the bondage of slavery. God had delivered them time and again overcoming impossible odds to save His people. Spread out in a vast land of milk and honey Canaan was theirs for the taking. The twelve men that spied out the land were awed by the beauty of the land of promise. They had never seen anything like it. The bounty of the land was incredible. Giants lived in the land with large cities. It was a land of spectacular views overflowing with a cornucopia of prosperity. God has promised the land to them. They had only to go up and take it.

Twelve men walked the land of Canaan. Ten men walked with hearts of fear. Two men saw the glory of God. Returning to the people the ten caused fear in the hearts of Israel with the stories of giants and death and destruction. Joshua and Caleb sought to rally the people with words of hope and courage. The people followed the advice of the ten and paid with their lives. Only Joshua and Caleb would see the land of promise again and be inscribed in the monuments of faith as faithful men of God. But what of the ten? Their names are forgotten. Bible classes seldom require students to learn their names. They perished only to be remembered in a chapter of shame for their disbelief in the power of God.

There are two kinds of names in the world: names that will be remembered and names that will be forgotten. These are not names of famous leaders of history, inventors, adventurers, soldiers, scientists or heroes of men. The names that will be remembered are names written in a book of life inscribed by the hand of God. Many men live in such a way as to be remembered in the annuals of history. Sadly most men live to engrave their names on marble instead of the heavenly parchment of God’s book. These names will be forgotten. The names of the faithful (like Joshua and Caleb) will be echoed in the halls of judgment when the Lord calls them forth to eternal salvation. The names of the ten will be forgotten because of their unbelief along will all those who fail to inscribe their names in the roll of blood given to us by Christ.

Where is your name?

Sometimes the pinnacle of fame and the height of folly are twin peaks. (Anonymous)

Friday Morning Reflections – Wisdom Literature

Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. (Proverbs 19:27)

The Hearing And The Doing

One of the first acts of life is the unconscious reaction to knowledge. As an infant, we may not fully understand the reasons why but we respond to words learning how to focus, speak and walk. Throughout adolescence we continue to respond to instructions learning how to take care of ourselves in the vast library of knowledge. Somewhere along the way we learn an ironic lesson of hearing knowledge but refusing to act on that knowledge. It gets worse the older we get. A spirit of rebellion enters our minds as we believe there is no need to listen to others for guidance. We become our own volume of knowledge and like Sinatra, “I did it my way.”’

The root of man’s failure has always been the inability to follow wisdom. This has been a problem on many levels. If man follows the wisdom of man it is foolishness. When man stops listening to the one who made him it is foolishness. Wisdom or knowledge is power. Refusing to follow knowledge will always end in disaster. The history of man is littered with the fragments of misery when knowledge is rebuffed.

Man has always enjoyed a healthy respect for his own knowledge rejecting the wisdom that is from above. The message of the proverb is the senseless act of listening to wise teaching with no intention of profiting by it. Whenever an answer is needed for a complex problem an expert is called in for consultation. It would be folly not to heed the wisdom of one who is well versed in the field of knowledge needed to solve the problem. The nature of man can only be answered by the One who is well versed in the needs of man: Creator Jehovah. Sadly, most reject the will of God. How tragic that all the answers of life are contained within the word of God and so few attend to its message.

The Bible is the mind of God revealed unto man. Everything we need to know about life is found in this simple revelation. Written by men across an array of generations the unity of purpose is clearly evident as the work of the Holy Spirit. No writing of man can come close to its content of wisdom. The single volume of knowledge that will empower man with an eternal glory is reviled as a book of myths and fairy tales. Paul writes that faith will come from a hearing of the word of God and without this message there can be no knowledge. The inescapable conclusion is the measure of our faith is determined by our knowledge of the word of God. Reading the Bible is not to garner stars in our crown for how many chapters we read each day but the power of change that takes place when we embed the teachings of Jesus Christ into our hearts. When we stop listening to the word of God we commit a most foolish act. Let the words abide in our lives. Let them change the character, refresh the spirit and make us in the image of our Father. Never cease from listening to the words of God. Live the words. Act upon its message. Let faith be seen in our living the knowledge gained in a study of His word.

Faith seeps out as knowledge seeps down. (John Haynes Holmes, Religion Today, ed. A. L. Swift, 1933)