Psalm 111:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
When we think about wisdom and understanding, we usually link it to our education. And especially today in America, we put an emphasis on education. The government spends billions of dollars a year in public education, many families spend thousands to educate their kids in private schools, and college tuition and student loan debt are both higher than they have ever been. Yet, how much of this education has anything to do with God?
A fear and understanding of God, His Word, and laws is where wisdom begins. Godless education will lead us to be more and more foolish. This is why we should “Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Everything we learn should be channeled through the prism of God’s Word and Wisdom. And furthermore, we need to learn to fear Him, because He is our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Law-giver, and Heavenly Father. Those who fear the Lord are the wisest beings on our planet, no matter their education status! ~~~~ Proverbs 21:31 – The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
This verse teaches us two important principles: 1.) we should be prepared for the evil that may come against us, but 2.) ultimately, safety is from the Lord. This verse has a great deal of reflection on our nation and military today. We no longer use horses much in military tactics, but we do have a very well prepared system, and I am very grateful for this. We have the preparation part in America right, but are we still relying or even considering the Lord for our safety? Our nation is receding away from Almighty God, and progressing closer and closer into the teeth of danger. Our military may be prepared, but if we continue say evil is good, and vice versa, we are asking for trouble from the evil forces God will allow and may even bring against us.
But our lack of trust in God has little to do with the brave men and women who prepare themselves, and put their lives on the line for our freedom and safety. And we thank you! Capital Baptist Church thanks and appreciates all who have served in our military, police, fire, and other public service positions. God bless you for your sacrifice and service to our country and community. Thank you! ~~~~ Joshua 1:8 – This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
This is the only time we find the word “success” in the King James Bible, but I think it is a very fitting place to put it. God promised Joshua success as leader of the nation of Israel if he would stay with the law of the Lord and never depart from it. The truths of God’s Word are eternal and transcend into this day as well, and anyone who follows it will have a life of success and blessing today.
Notice the three things God tells Joshua to do with His Law: 1.) It should not depart out of his mouth, 2.) He should meditate in it day and night, and 3.) Observe to do according to all that is written therein. Do you have this close a relationship with God’s Word? Is it what you talk about, is it written in your heart and mind, do you spend time reading and thinking on it, and do you practice what it says and teaches? I cannot think of a person with this close a relationship with the Bible that is not successful in many areas of their life. And success does not mean money and prosperity, it means in this case the blessing and providence of the gracious hand of Almighty God. I want this kind of success in my life, and I hope you do to. We know where to find it! ~~~~ John 4:35 – Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
I have always enjoyed harvest time of year. I grew up in a little farming community in eastern Illinois, where the only busy time of year was harvest time. I have always thought that corn fields are the prettiest when they are golden and ready for harvest.
Jesus references harvest time in this verse, but He is not talking about the fields, He is talking about souls. Jesus did not come to help people with their physical needs, He came to help our spiritual needs. Jesus is far less interested in our temporal bodies, he is interested in our eternal souls.
Jesus tells us to lift up our eyes and look on the fields of souls, instead of keeping our eyes on physical fields. God wants us to see into the far more important realm of eternality. And when we do, we will see the same thing He did: that the harvest is beyond golden, but white and needing to be harvested. So Friend, look beyond the beautiful harvest season and see the souls surrounding us that need the Gospel, while there is still time for the harvest.