Judges 16-18

If the story of Micah of Ephraim was indicative of all the people in Israel it gives evidence to how quickly faith can disappear in the face of opposition.  The longer the people of Israel were settled in the Promised Land the more they forgot about God.  Micah’s story shows the dilution of the faith in one God that allowed the creation of a cast image to stand in for God and the self appointment of priest by the wealthy.  I face similar struggles every day.  Will I water down God’s word when he convicts me to speak and justify it by thinking “Those words won’t help that person”?  I don’t always like God to be big and in control of everything, because that means I may have to do something I don’t want to do.  I have to apologize for something I didn’t do.  I may have to turn my cheek.  I may have to hold back my opinion on a certain subject.  There are a number of challenges that I face in walking my faith (though no more than most believers around me, and far fewer than believers in persecuted countries).  I need to make sure that I don’t fall into the same trap that Micah chose.  Making God in my image and appointing men who will agree with me to be my advisers.

Stuart

Proverb 18

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe." That is not only the message of a popular praise hymn. It is also found in the 10th verse of this passage in Proverbs. But it is only half of the words of wisdom. The rich imagine that their wealth offers them similar protection. But that is merely a figment of their imagination. Nothing in this world offers anything close to the security and safety of our God.
Stuart

Judges 13-15

The first few chapters tell the story of Israel’s fall into persistent weakness and their restoration by God working through weakness.  While this part of Judges introduces a character who is not weak but very strong,  Samson’s parents were living in the weakness of childlessness.  Their contemporaries may have even considered this couple “cursed” by God with no children as the primary indicator.  Their future in Israel was uncertain because they would have no heir to receive their inheritance.  It looked like the name of Manoah was destined to be forgotten in Israel.  The fact that God chose them indicates their faith and righteousness.  The description that they had never had children indicates that they are not newly-weds.  Such a description doesn’t mean Manoah and his wife were in the age bracket with Abraham and Sarah, or Zechariah and Elizabeth but it doesn’t preclude an advanced age either.  God sent his angel to this hardworking couple to bring them good news of great joy for all the people of Israel.  Not only would the family of Manoah have a son but God would use that special son to begin the liberation of Israel from their Philistinian rulers.

Stuart

Psalm 71

I'm not sure why the subject of being aged in this psalm never attracted my attention before. Maybe this should become my psalm now that "I am old and my hair is gray...". Verse 7 is the challenge to be set before all Christians: are we living with God as our defender? Do we have his perspective on defense or are we limited to our own definition? God's ultimate deliverance is into his throne room.
Stuart

Judges 10-12

This section introduces us to Jephthah, the illegitimate son of Gilead.  He shared a few traits with Abimelech son of Gideon in that his birth was outside of his father’s marriage.  But that was all the two judges shared.  Jephthah was willing to be used by God whereas Abimelech sought to rule that which was not rightfully his.  Jephthah kept his vow even though it was a terrible price to pay. Abimelech was blood thirsty and selfish throughout his life.  There are positive traits that Christians should imitate from Jephthah’s life where as Abimelech offers no redeeming examples.

Stuart

Psalm 70

"How great is God!" That should be the message we say when we think of the salvation God has graciously given us.
Stuart

Judges 7-9

Gideon was chosen by God to lead Israel as his instrument, but not as a king.  Gideon knew that and because of God’s display of power that he witnessed firsthand Gideon sought to follow God’s law.  But he failed.  From the gold of the spoils that he collected he had an image fashioned that brought sin into his house and to all of Israel.  Gideon is an example to us that no matter how many victories God works in our lives, when we begin to walk in our own strength we will most certainly fail God.

Stuart

Judges 4-6

Deborah was a prophet and a judge for a time in Israel.  The people came to her to settle their disputes.  Her place of judgment was a tree between Ramah and Bethel.  Deborah may have judged Israel for the 20 years that Jabin oppressed Israel.  Then one day the prophet received a message from the LORD.  She called Barak to her and gave him God’s marching orders.  There is no reason to believe the Barak was a military mastermind.  Barak may have been a shepherd farmer just like most others in Israel.  What may have distinguished Barak from his countrymen was his faith in God.  Though he insisted on Deborah’s presence to carry out God’s plan he did not waver in any other way.  From the weakness of ten thousand shepherds following a tentative general and a female prophet God brought about a victory and liberation for Israel.

Stuart

Psalm 69

David is in trouble. It may have been his own foolishness that landed him in this situation but he knows that there is only one way out; by God's hand. God is famous for the many times that he rescued his people. That is not only a testimony of God's power it also bears witness to the weakness and sinful tendencIes of those who follow him. How does our heavenly shepherd know where to search for the lost sheep of his flock? The same place he found their parents; living in rebellion, befriending the world, chasing after other lovers. Every generation keeps returning to the same cesspools of sin. And God faithfully returns to the same traps and frees those whom he has called his own.
Stuart

Judges 1-3

Chapter 1 describes the failure of the generation that followed Joshua. They failed to expel the evil people inhabiting the land of promise. Scripture does not say exactly why they failed but I think it was because they were satisfied with something less than what God had intended for them. They rejected God promise in order to settle where they were. After the compromise of that generation the following generation forgot about God. They probably never heard about God's promises from their parents. So they completed the process that their predecessors started by rejecting God. They no longer worshiped Him or sought his favor. I need to learn a lesson from the beginning of judges; never compromise on God's promises, and never forget about God.
Stuart

Matthew 26-28

I wonder if the room where Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover hosted more than Jesus' group? Surely there were a few large gathering areas around the city. There is nothing to indicate that they dined alone, and equally nothing to say they didn't. I just wonder how many gathering places Jerusalem had. I wonder if there were other Jewish families gathered in the same room with this rabbi and his disciples. If there were did they notice the deviation from the sedar? Did they wonder why Jesus added the extra bread? I'm sure the disciples were equally curious.
Stuart

Psalm 68

To many people the idea of God is like an old feeble grandpa who sits on the sidelines watching the events of the world unfold. But this psalm paints and entirely different picture. It is a picture of God who is engaged in the lives of his people. The psalmist offers thanks to God for carrying our burdens each and every day. He will receive the gifts that are offered to him, and stays near to his people. He is neither feeble or merely an observer. He is the friend to those who put their trust in him.
Stuart

Matthew 23-25

In chapters 24 and 25 Jesus explains the facts of life after his return to heaven.  Though he doesn't mention his death and resurrection in this part we know that it is implied.  He describes two traits that he wants to see in his disciples; ready for his return, and busy doing his work.  He tells three stories to get these points across; the 10 virgins, the three servants, and the two flocks.  In each story he encourages his followers to keep focused on his return; the bridegroom, the master, the king are all descriptions of who Jesus is.  Each story hinges on the arrival of the central character.  Yet Jesus wants his people to be busy as they wait.  We should be doing whatever task it is that he have led us to undertake.  For some of us that is in vocational ministry, while for others the work his caring for the sick.  We will each find ourselves in an occupation and we need to convert that job into kingdom work.  No matter what it is we need to reach out to the people around us and serve them in Jesus' name.  That challenge is just a great to me as to anyone else.  As you wait for Christ's return keep busy in his work.

Psalm 67

Who is responsible for right judgment? Who provides the ethical guidance for every nation on earth? Who has provided the food for the whole world? There is no single man or group of men responsible for the abundance that we see. It is all from God's hand. That is the message of this psalm.
Stuart

Matthew 20-22

In the Bible study I led last night I touched on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the last week of his ministry(Matt 21:1-11).  I wonder what the Romans thought of this procession?  Did they even notice it?  Maybe the soldiers couldn’t distinguish the “royal procession” from the usual pre-Passover crowds making their way into the city.  We have the perspective of the Gospel writers but not from those disinterested Romans who were stationed in this “primitive” part of the empire with the purpose of ensuring the flow of taxes to Rome.  Jesus attracted crowds, but in this case the multitudes were already present for the Passover celebration.  Maybe the Roman soldiers had grown accustomed to the incomprehensible shouts in Aramaic whenever the crowds gathered in Jerusalem.   Since the Romans didn’t act I believe they could not distinguish how God was unfolding the final days of his plan of redemption from the rest of the day’s events.  Maybe they were preoccupied with the insurrection in which Barabbas was involved.  Maybe there were new troops arriving who needed to be oriented to the “strange behavior” of the Jews.  Even though Matthew says the whole city was in an uproar none of the Gospel writers mentioned a Roman response to the clamor.  I wonder what Pilate was doing five days before Jesus would stand in his court room?  I wonder when Herod Antipas arrived in the city for his version of celebrating Passover? 

Stuart

Psalm 66

The last five verses of this psalm are testimony of how God answers prayers. When we confess our sin and speak to him on his terms then he responds with overwhelming abundance of answers. He also pours into our lives a continuous stream of his unwavering love. A love which brings peace, casts out fear, and leads to freedom.
Stuart

Matthew 17-19

When Jesus went up the lonely mountain with Peter, James, and John I'm sure that none of them expected what happened to Jesus. The glorification that came upon his physical being that the three apostle fell t the ground in fear. Jesus did three things to help them through this glorious encounter with divinity. He came near to them, then he touched them, finally he spoke these words, "Don't be afraid."
Those three actions are identical to what John recorded about his vision on Patmos in Revelation 1:17.
Stuart

Psalm 65

How quickly can a message circle the earth? Jules Vern wrote about a trip around the world in 80 days. That is a feat that David couldn't have imagines. But could Jules Vern have imagined a message circling the globe in just a few minutes? Daily I receive messages from all over the globe. We are seeing verse 6 of this psalm answered in seconds what the psalm writer might have imagined taking a life time. But whether the news spreads in seconds or years the focus of the message always has been and always will be our God; the one who serves his people.
Stuart

Matthew 14-16

When Jesus taught, healed, and fed the 5,000 he was suffering terrible emotional turmoil.  He had heard of John’s death maybe a few hours before.  He probably was able to spend the time of the boat trip in prayer, but that may not have been all that he wanted or needed.  When the group landed the people saw the sail and learned that it was Jesus and his disciples.  So the needy came to him.  Jesus worked amidst his sorry to serve the needs of the people.  Then when everyone was satisfied Jesus was able to spend the time in prayer that he had sought since hearing the news of John.  That is a powerful example to me of how to live out Paul’s repeated command to consider others more important than yourself. (1 Corinthians 10:24, Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:3-4)

Stuart

Psalm 64

There are many aspects regarding the nature of God that are mysterious to us. His ways and thoughts are so far beyond our abilities that if words existed to adequately describe that part of God we still couldn't grasp them. And since we are made in God's image there are parts of our lives that are mysterious as well. What moves our emotions and our thoughts are mysterious to other people.  David was baffled by those who sought his life. I am baffled by those who reject the Gospel story. I know people who are baffled by the way that I think. So David was accurate; "the heart and mind of man is a mystery." (Verse 6)
Stuart

Matthew 11-13

Twice in this section Jesus mentions the target audience for his teachings. In 11:25-26 he offers a prayer of thanks for God's great reversal. In the past God's message was controlled by the educated. Jesus is offering his message in simple ways so that the simple can grasp it and the wise are confused by the simplicity. In 13:11-17 Jesus explains that those who have committed to following him are receiving the message of the Kingdom while those who remain uncommitted gain nothing from his words. Through the two passages Jesus defines his target audience; those who are NOT wise in their own eyes and those who are willing to surrender everything to Jesus. I need to repeatedly ask myself if I am conformed to Jesus' expectations.
Stuart

Psalm 63

God is our ever present help in our times of need. But I don't know that I always recognize my times of need. I think that I fail God by seeking to do things solely on my own. I say I want to pray and then forget what I was praying about. I want to follow his lead but allow myself to get caught up in my focus. I need to join with the psalmist in verse 8; clinging to God and allowing him to keep me safe.
Stuart

Matthew 10-11

There is a cost to following Jesus. It will cost us our relationships that do not conform to Jesus' call. It will cost us our privacy. But there is also the promise of a great reward. Though Jesus doesn't expound on it here, he does state that the promise will be given to those who give even a cup of water.
Stuart

Psalm 62

What do we tend to do as we accumulate wealth? We depend upon what we've accumulated. But the same principle applies to every "thing" that we accumulate. One person collect awards and soon finds himself depending on awards to determine who he is. Another person collects friends and values herself only as a friend. Maybe I collect education and trust in what I've learned. You may collect promotions at work, but is that how you gain confidence? All of these "things" are challenged in verse 10 of this psalm. Trust in God alone. He is the only one who can truly honor and define you.
Stuart

Matthew 8

As Jesus came down from the top of the mountain Matthew says that he was surrounded by crowds.  But the further Jesus walked the thinner the crowds became until there was no one in front of him except the solitary figure of what, many would say, used to be a man.  A form disfigured by leprosy and cast aside by the people.  He acknowledged Jesus authority over his past and surrendered to his compassion for the present.  Jesus healed him and in doing so the man was no longer isolated from the people.  But Jesus didn’t stop with the healing because the man was still unable to approach God’s temple. Jesus instructed the man to obey the letter of the Law so that he could be made clean.  There was still a need for a sacrifice; Jesus had not yet made his. (Matthew 8:1-4)

Jesus continued his trip from the mountain and as he entered Capernaum he was confronted by another solitary figure.  This man stood out from the crowd because of his military uniform.  He was a commander who knew how to lead.  His experiences had probably taught him how to recognize a good soldier as well as a competent leader.  He recognized Jesus as the latter and came to him not with the authority of Rome but as a fellow human who was too weak and helpless to conquer the enemy dwelling in his very household.  Seeing the compassion in Jesus this leader acknowledged Jesus authority over his servant’s life and surrendered to his compassion. He implored to the commander of the universe to act with compassion for the lowest in his house; his servant. (Matthew 8:5-13)

Jesus and his closest followers climbed into a boat to cross the sea of Galilee.  Jesus gave in to his exhaustion and slept.  Even when the storm around him was churning he slept in peace because God was in control.  But those young men whom he was disciplining to overthrow the spiritual powers of the world would only look at their surroundings.  They couldn’t image so great a peace as to sleep contently in this midst of such violence and danger.  Even after he calmed the storm Jesus’ disciples focused on the miracle over nature rather than Jesus persistent peace while in the tumult.  (Matthew 8:23-27)

After his mountain top homily the people were astonished by his words of authority.  Over the next few chapters Matthew begins to focus on Jesus’ actions of authority.

Stuart

Psalm 61

Have I promised to give something to God? Is there something that I should daily be committing to the Kingdom? Should I speak my surrender every morning? Should I remind myself of all that I owe God every day? And when I focus on the gifts that I am to give back to God do I keep track of the surrender of the sacrifices? The promises to God were mentioned twice in this psalm. That is something to remember.
Stuart

Matthew 5-7

The last illustration that Jesus offered the people in his sermon on the mount was that of two houses.  Being a carpenter Jesus had probably helped in the construction of houses.  There were surely times where the house was build too close to the creek bed. When the creek flooded the foundation, or even the whole house, was washed away by the water.  Maybe he helped build a house on a hill top in Nazareth, but because of the sure foundation there was never a concern during the windy nights that a wall might collapse.  Jesus may have had experienced building or repairing those three houses build with no foundation.  And in that process of seeing how important a physical foundation is for house structure he also God’s teaching of the need for a spiritual foundation as well.   A foundation that will enable a believer to embrace the pain of suffering in order to honor our savior.

Stuart

Psalm 60

In the last two verses I see a powerful truth that I need to integrate into my life; how I view the world around me. "Human help is worthless." This is true not because of the selfish motivations or sin that permeates our lives. It is worthless because no matter how hard we try we fail. Only God can bring about something good that lasts. We can only produce an image of good, but nothing good. All of the good in people is because of the residue of God's image or the Holy Spirit himself working through us.  Those outside of the faith see the good works that God's people do and attribute it to the people because they refuse to accept God. So their sin-stained minds reach the conclusion that since there is no difference between a Christian and a pagan then the pagan is just as capable of good work as the Christian. That explains why most godless humanitarian aid fails miserably in accomplishing the same goals and Christians doing the very same thing.
Stuart

Matthew 1-4

I wonder how many times Joseph awaited another dream as he raised God’s son? From the time Mary explained her pregnancy until Joseph took his small family back to Nazareth Joseph had at least three dreams prompting him how he should act.  Did he ask God for more dreams as young Jesus began his education?  What dream did he desire as he and Mary searched Jerusalem for their 12 year-old son?  Did Joseph grow in frustration during Jesus’ silent years because God had also stilled Joseph’s dreams?  Before he married Mary Joseph was described as righteous man.  I wonder if it was Mary who shared those words with the Gospel writer as she reminisced about her dead husband who had been so instrumental in Jesus’ formative years?  

Stuart

Psalm 59

There must have been times that David looked out the door or window of his house and noticed one of Saul's guards nearby. He may have thought that the king was ensuring the safety of his daughter but eventually David learned the true point of Saul's vigilance. He was seeking the opportune time to kill David. David watched Saul's henchmen move about his house. And when he saw them he turned his fear and anger into an opportunity to praise God. David trusted in God's plan, even when he couldn't see it unfold. From David's example we too can walk the same path he took as he trusted God with his life.
Stuart

Joshua 22-24

In the closing chapters of Joshua the tabernacle seems to drop out of prominence in the story.  There are only infrequent occasions where the ark or altar are mentioned.  But the priests are continually a part of the activities of Israel.  Yet the central activities of the people never seem to stray too far from in front of the tent of meeting.  And when the eastern tribe set up a reminder altar the people’s zeal for worshiping God alone is displayed.  Yet all of the people acted with wisdom; they determined to true meaning of the reminder altar and praised God that he had led his people to act in accordance with his will.  Joshua died in peace.  He was confident that the good work that God had begun in Israel would be brought to completion as the generations continued to grow in the faith in the God of Israel.

Stuart

Psalm 58

I wonder when David ben Jesse looked at the rulers and questioned their judgments? Was this young David in the service of King Saul as he caught his first glances of Saul's court? Was this David the general? Or maybe David the fugitive? Perhaps it was David king over all of Israel who had neglected the overseeing of his judges too long? We don't know when or why David asked. But we do know that he was still trusting in God to move in his life. To bring about justice and to honor his promises. I believe that David was never disappointed with God. He may have been hurt or confused but not to point that he would reject his God.
Stuart

Joshua 15-21

Chapters 15-19 continues the descriptions of the division of the Promised Land. Chapter 21 focuses in on how God had fulfilled every one of the promises that he had made to Israel. God still keeps his promises today. Believers can rest in the knowledge that he will one day send Jesus back to claim his disciples.
Stuart

Psalm 57

The psalm ends with a call for God to display his greatness and glory. But this not a demand for a proof of his power. This is an adoration. The psalmist is calling on God to display to the world what his eyes of faith have already witnessed. From the proper perspective God small movements of providence are glorious displays of his unending greatness. When God rearranges a hopeless situation so that a person of faith is either released or vindicated then thanks are offered from the faithful and the rebel is left looking like a fool completely confused. God's greatness should never be underestimated.
Stuart

Psalm 56

When Jesus spoke about God's love for his people he reveals that God has counted the hairs on our heads(Matthew 10:30). Here the psalmist indicates God's concern with our sorrows by declaring that he counts our tears (vs 8). If God is aware of our tears he will equally be aware of the troubles that produced those tears in our lives.
Stuart

Joshua 13-15

I have heard a number of believers express their bewilderment as they read the Hebrew Scriptures when they encounter the genealogies.  Since the names don’t clearly express the family relationships the lists seem to present very little meaning to modern believers.  I believe one of the lessons of the genealogies has to do with the idea of inheritance.  In this section of Joshua there are numerous towns and cities mentioned.  Just like the genealogies I get lost in the details without realizing just how much God was giving to Israel as their inheritance.  In a foreshadow of eternity God had promised Israel houses they did not build and gardens they did not plant.  The list of cities conquered and bequeathed to Israel give us an idea of how generous God is to his people.  This is similar to how the genealogies tell us of his faithfulness to the generations of the faithful.

Stuart

Psalm 55

The psalm writer examined the life in the ancient city and found it wanting for righteousness. Violence, riots, crime, trouble, destruction, oppression, and fraud are the words used to describe ancient Israel. I find it interesting that I can use the same words to describe modern America. The sinfulness of man has not changed in 3,000 years. Likewise the presence and protection of God has not changed either. Nor has his ability to protect and deliver. Two wonderful traits that we need to cherish.
Stuart

Joshua 10-12

The plan for Joshua and the army of Israel as they invaded the Promised Land was spelled out by God in 10:8; “I have already given you the victory.”  The victory was assured, but the work of battle was not completed.  Joshua and Israel marched to confront the armies of the five kings and surprised them.  Israel was not intimidated by their foe because they took God at his word.  He had declared victory and Israel moved forward in faith.  They may have struggled, some men of Israel may have died in the process, but God’s word was proven true and reliable once again.  Modern Christians face some of the same opposition but we walk under the same promise as Joshua and the army of Israel.  God has assured Christians of victory; not a political victory, but a spiritual one.  There may be struggles and some may die in them, but God’s word will be proven true and reliable again and again.

Stuart

Psalm 54

There can be no question that this psalm was written by someone who had experienced the work of God's providence before. In verse 7 he attributes God with previous rescues. He understood that his enemies were defeated because of God's handiwork. So shall all of our enemies meet their end. Because of God's past work in his life the psalm writer knows exactly what he needs to do; he sets his petition before God. Then he awaits God's deliverance.
Stuart

Psalm 53

Those who pay attention to God receive the fruits of God's attention. That is one message of this psalm. The opposite is equally true; those who ignore God will have their needs ignored by God. God doesn't play the "quid pro quo" game. He always gives in super abundance as a reward for following him. But he completely abandons those who neglect him. But his rejection is never his desire.
Stuart

Joshua 7-9

Joshua led Israel in the destruction of Jericho followed by the destruction of Ai.  The army of Israel followed God’s orders to slay every person in the cities.  Regardless of gender or age.  No one was spared.  This seems like the work of a calloused uncaring deity who’s only purpose is to advance his people.  But when we read the book of Joshua we must remember to keep the words of the Law in mind.  Through Moses God told the people of Israel about the lifestyles of the people of Canaan.  Those living in the land of promise were the one who served calloused and ruthless gods.  It was their practice to kill the innocent, to abuse their bodies, and to live in gross perversions.  These pagans put no value in the lives of people and honored wood, stone, and precious metals above all else.  God was delivering through Israel the judgment that centuries of evil deserved.

Stuart

Psalm 52

It would be a terrible epitaph; "Here lies one who did not depend on God for safety." Scoffers may point to those who have been persecuted for their faith, but most of them would speak only of their honor for their suffering. Even in the face of death the faithful continue to hold fast to God's presence. Their grave stone will say; "Blessed are those who die in the Lord."
Stuart

Joshua 4-6

After the circumcision at Gilgal God proclaimed that the disgrace of Egyptian slavery has been removed (Joshua 5:9).  What was the disgrace and how did God remove it?  Slavery is one of the worst devaluing and humiliating inventions of inhumanity ever created.  But from my perspective God had freed them from the condition of slavery over 40 years earlier.  What was it about entering the land that God had promised Abraham that was the defining moment of release from the shame.  Was it because their inheritance was about to be restored to them?  Maybe it that in God’s eyes the land was already theirs.  Perhaps God saw the obedience and faith of the Israelites at that time as the victory that would overcome the world?

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus

Joshua 1-3

The people of Israel made a promise in Joshua 1:16. "We will do everything you have told us and will go anywhere you send us." Every act will be in obedience to God's command. Every step will be in God's direction. They said this knowing that God was sending them into the midst of giants with the marching orders of; attack them, defeat them, kill them all, and destroy all records of their culture. But they also knew that through their obedience God was intent on bringing them home.
Stuart

Psalm 51

God is a creator. Not only is that evident from all that we see around us but also from what God has placed in us. I think put in us the concept that he is the creator. We can look at a problem and we know that "someone" should be able to solve the problem. I think that is true among those people who don't believe or have never heard of him. In this psalm David calls on God to do his creator thing. However, this time David wants God to work at the center of his life. David sees that his life is stained by sin and that only in God's creative power is there the hope that something good can come from the misery that David created in his life.
Stuart

James 3-5

I see in chapter 4 a guideline for using material objects. How we view the possessions which have been entrusted to us sheds light on how we think in general. Do we see material possessions as a way to satisfy our passions or define who we are? When our motives to acquire are self centered then our focus is not pleasing to God. If that is our motive he will keep saying "No" to our requests. Such requests do not honor him, and our primary life's purpose is to glorify God.
Stuart

Psalm 50

In verses 14 & 15 the psalmist lists three things that are acceptable sacrifices. 1-giving thanks to God. When we do this we lower ourselves in our own eyes while elevating God. 2-give as we have promised. The vow under the Law is just as true today. When we make a promise to God we display our faith most clearly when we deliver on our promise. 3-call on God when we face difficulties. To live depending on God to provide is one of the greatest acts of worship.
Stuart

James 1-2

James challenges many of our hidden problems that we face. We don't want to admit that we depend on our wealth, but if it is taken away we bemoan the pain. We don't want to learn what God can teach us through trials.  Applying Biblical truths to our lives is difficult and time consuming. We don't want our prejudices exposed for the world to evaluate. We like our faith to be under our control; not guided by the spirit. I know that I don't like to admit to my lack of understanding in any situation. But James' letter is exactly what I need to review. Through his inspired words I will be introduced, and re-introduced, to the life changing truths God wants me to hear and adopt.
Stuart

Psalm 49

All of us will face death in this life. We have all rejected God, seeking to take his place and so we all face the consequences; death. Some people trust so much in the things of this world that they think they can "cheat" death; avoiding the inevitable. Such ideas are deadly lies. We have no hope in this life. Hope will be fully realized when we escape this life and enter eternity covered by the blood of Jesus. Those are the riches in which we need to place our hope.
Stuart