Psalm 42 begins a new section that contain psalms that were written by individuals other than David. In this case, the introduction states that the author may have been a son, or sons, of Korah. Even though the author may not be David, the psalms are still inspired, and the message is still very relevant today.

A good example of how current the writings of these psalms are can be seen In the first two verses of Psalm 42, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Nothing better pictures a person’s need for God than the word “thirst”. When a person is busy working, he, or she, often ignore such things as time, or lunch, or appointments. But, once that person realizes that he/she is thirsty, then that need will not go away until it has been satisfied. The process of becoming thirsty may be gradual, and the person may not realize that it is happening; but once it is there, it must be faced.

A person’s spiritual need for Jesus Christ often works the same way. For a long time, everything seems to be going just right in life. Immediate goals are established and met. It may be a college education and a job. It may be a family, a trip, belonging to that special organization, the respect of peers, etc. God, and Jesus Christ, are just passing thoughts. However, as time goes on, that person begins to feel some kind of “lack” that just won’t go away. Questions begin to pop up. “What have I REALLY accomplished?” “What is the meaning of my life?” “Why can’t I be successful like other people?” “I don’t know what I want to do with my life”.

These are all Indications of spiritual thirst. When that time arrives, the only answer to satisfy that demand is to turn to Jesus Christ and the Good News that there IS forgiveness, there IS the promise of eternal life, and there is purpose and meaning to life. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God”. The psalmist’s words were true then and they are true now.

Verses 3-4 indicate a man dealing with deep distress. From the context, the Psalmist may have been in one of the groups that were taken into exile into Babylon. “My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.”

It is so easy to take something for granted until it is gone. For centuries, the Temple of God was located in Jerusalem. Everyday, people could look and see the physical proof that God’s presence was with them. Yet, the people quickly forgot the honor that God had bestowed upon them, and turned to idolatry and sin. God repeatedly warned them through the prophets, but the nation had ignored those words. At the very end, they clamored at the doors to the Temple for God to save them, but it was too late. If only they had listened and obeyed.

In spite of his grief, the Psalmist was still a man that had a strong faith. ”5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” It is easy to see the inner conflict that he was feeling. In Romans, Paul described his own inner struggle between the earthly name and the spiritual nature.

When any Christian faces a crisis of any sort, the conflict between the two natures become apparent. On one side is despair and questioning of why this is happening while on the other side is faith and knowledge that God is in control. In the case of Israel and Judah, they brought God’s judgment down upon themselves.

The same can happen to an individual Christian that strays, or just loses his/her commitment. “It’s just not important anymore.” But that won’t do. There is no “time out” or “king’s x” in serving the Lord. There is no retirement or “I’ve already done my part” in this life. A person serves God or sin, and there will be a reckoning one day.

In verses 9-10, the Psalmist wrote, “I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?  As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” In troubled times, it may seem that God has forgotten. “Where are you?”, “Why me?”

Then, in the final two verses of the psalm, he wrote, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” Again, it seems like the writer is arguing with himself. The worldly side questions the trials of life and wants to place the blame at the feet of God, but the spiritual nature helps him see that God is the ONLY answer.

It is significant that in that inner argument, the spiritual nature of the writer overcomes the doubts. What better lesson for us today! Trials and tragedy will happen because they are part of life. The worldly side will always fight against the authority and help of God but, when that happens, the voice of faith and love also speak up – “Trust in God, He will be your rock and salvation.” With the voice of faith speaking in our hearts, we may be wounded at times; but we will never be defeated.

Jim Shelburn

Do you remember first reading these verses when you were a babe in Christ? I daresay they were disconcerting to say the least, right? Here is the Prince of Peace averring He came to bring a sword.

Our teachers then probably explained these verses to us so satisfactorily that they never gave us problems again. But could you successfully explain then to a seeker of truth or anyone questioning the gospel’s doctrine? Because if you look at it through the eyes of an unbeliever, it is more than condemnatory; even atheists and those of different religious names love their families. Christ told us, “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” (Mathew 7:9)

When my step-father was dying, he asked me about these verses. He had heard of them somewhere, certainly not from reading them as he had always been a dedicated secular humanist. I replied it was true. We were sitting by ourselves at the kitchen table. His ALS had reached a stage where his once vibrant body had the haggard, emaciated look of a Dachau inmate. My biological father died at St. Lo in WWII; this man who sat before me was the only father I had ever known. I loved this man.

When I replied yes, that is what Christ said, he began to blasphemously and obscenely curse, yelling to the ceiling, shaking his fist, and railing against such a God. Looking back, I realized dad always had a problem with authority ever since he was a child. That had not prevented him from becoming a success in his life. He had had it all, now only to have it elude his grasp by getting Lou Gehrig’s disease. Dad played semi-pro ball. He had always been a huge baseball fan. He had become a secular humanist after delving into the study of the Holocaust. Thus the awful irony: he, a baseball aficionado, contracts Lou Gehrig’s disease and ends looking like one of the inmates of Belsen.

I could understand his rage. But I knew my efforts to teach him God’s word needed careful explanation.

“Dad, as a humanist, you would agree that the whole of humanity is more important than just the individual, right?”
He nodded.

“We’ve studied how unless you treat others well you fail as a seeker of God?”

Again the silent nod.

“Then imagine a humanist renouncing the rest of humanity when he knowingly contracts a deadly contagious disease and says to himself, ‘Nuts! I’m doomed anyway; I’m going to live it up while I can!’ Should a person like that be labeled with the term humanist?”

“No”, he answered.

“Neither would a Christian deserve the name if they let themselves, their loved ones, come between their mission of serving God and subsequently serving mankind.”

He sat there for a while. Then he said, “I’ll have to think about that.”

He never came to Christ. The Lord knows how my family and I miss him. But brothers and sisters, we can’t, we dare not, let anyone come between us and our mission. Undoubtedly we all have some of our families outside Christ. The sword Christ speaks of in verse 35 wasn’t the goal of the Savior; it was the inevitable effect.

Home, sweet home. Don’t misunderstand me—families will rally round each other in times of crises, but not for religion. The only real solace we have is in Christ. Christ never forbade us to love our relations. What we need to keep in mind is to love Him more.

In verse 38 the cross is our symbol. In the world it means many things to many people. Here it represents self-denial. And that’s the real crux, isn’t it? We want what we want when we want it. “It’s a free country!” As Christian individuals we cannot take this route. As a society we are now seeing the whirlwind we are reaping. Bankruptcy was a word only used for businesses in the middle of the last century. Divorce was spoken of surreptitiously by adults and not in the presence of children. Even advertisements on the air speak of things which were unspeakable in mixed company not so very long ago. Even 10 years ago, what would you have thought the term transgendered meant?

So our missions are more difficult. We are swimming against the tide, but that doesn’t mean we throw our limbs loose and let it bear us away. We must be vigilant, patient, and long-suffering.

The carnal sword is still falling. Quite literally, people who call Christ Lord have recently been decapitated. However, Christ’s sword is the sword of our living faith, an active faith. Our cross (es) consists of our own lusts and desires. We must subvert our wills to the will of God first. Only then can we be said to be on the path to righteousness.

All self-seeking is self-losing.
Larry Purkey

Daily life presses us to make decisions.  Many are fairly inconsequential, but some have far-reaching ramifications for ourselves and our loved ones.  Choices regarding employment, marriage and a place of residence will greatly impact the story of one’s life. 

The local church to which a Christian joins himself may, over the course of a life time, be the difference between making it to heaven’s rest or falling short of it (cf. Hebrews 4:1).  Just think of the spiritual peril one would have put himself in by deciding to become a member of the church at Laodicea and allowing himself to be influenced by their attitudes (cf. Revelation 3:14-19). Other significant life decisions may relate to choosing friends, disciplining children, and participating in civic or social activities. 

Such decisions are important.  The thoughtful, mature Christian will see the significance of these decisions, but he will not allow the difficulty involved in making them to detract from the joy he has in Christ.  I have observed (and the Bible reveals) that there are three practical steps successful Christians regularly take when faced with difficult decisions.

#1 They Pray! God is ready and willing to hear the requests of His children (1 John 5:14-15).  The apostles relied on Him in making the difficult decision regarding who would replace Judas (Acts 1:24).  No matter what hard decision confronts us today, we may still, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

#2 They Consider the best and worst scenarios! When faced with the choice of living or dying, the apostle Paul recognized that either scenario was good and would please him.  To live on was needful for others and would mean increased fruit for his labor, but to “depart and be with Christ” would be “far better” (Philippians 1:23).  Sometimes in life the “worst that could happen” is something we could tolerate if our attitude is right.  If we, like Paul, believe that the most important outcome of any decision is how it affects our relationship with Christ and His cause, then we will realize that all the alternative outcomes of some decisions are acceptable. 

#3 They Determine Pro’s and Con’s Based on Scripture! God’s word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path “(Psalm 119:105).  It is the most practical tool there is for making life’s decisions.  In it God has provided for the Christian “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).  While a few decisions Christians may face are not specifically addressed in scripture, many are!  Those that are not specifically addressed are often addressed in principle.  The wise decision-making Christian will take all of the truth that applies to his situation and use it to make his decision.  He will not make a decision based on what feels good to him or what he likes best.  Rather, he will rely upon God’s word to make the determination.  Specifically, before a decision is made, he will have considered (1) whether or not any option he could choose would hinder his obedience to Christ and (2) whether or not any option he could choose would adversely affect the spiritual condition of others.  Even a choice which would not lead oneself into sin may be “a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9, 13).

Sadly, there are not a few Christians who fail miserably at making difficult decisions precisely because they do not follow these steps.  Often it happens that these individuals will seek advice from others for making tough decisions.  When you ask them, “Have you prayed about it?” the answer is, “No, I didn’t think about doing that!”  Ask them, “Have you considered what God’s word says about it?” and you might hear, “Oh, I didn’t even know the Bible said anything about it!”

Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”  The wisdom of an all-knowing God is at our disposal to help us make difficult decisions.  We must trust in Him and avail ourselves of it.
 
Steve Klein

It has been said that if all mediums of advertising were lumped together, it would be the largest industry in our country.  I don’t know if that is so, but I do know one thing: advertising has a profound influence on our lives. Certainly it is not my notion to condemn all advertising as wrong. That’s not so.  However, it is obvious to even a casual observer that advertising–and particularly certain types of advertising–has a profound effect on our lives. And it does it with such finesse that we do things, say things, and, yes–buy things–even dress a certain way, because of the subtle influences of advertising.  It has an effect on our lives.
 
Advertising can be one of the pernicious influences of the devil.  He is wily, sagacious in his appeals. He slips up on us in cleverly devised manners, and he can have us in his grip without our hardly eve recognizing it.  He uses advertising to promote and recommend certain styles, language usages, social pressures, peer influence, and a variety of other subtitles to seduce us into his trenches.  We best be careful to plot our course in such a way as to preclude his being able to trap us–even with his subtle forms of publicizing. Here are some “don’ts” for your consideration.

Don’t be unduly influenced by all current styles.  In the last few years particularly, some among us have decided that public opinion is the standard for judging modesty.  It is not so. No matter the accepted style, the godly woman (or man, either, for that matter) will adorn herself with shamefacedness and modesty ( Peter 3:1-5).  When Christians begin a flirtatious affair with the world there is trouble ahead.  And while we’re not to be conspicuously strange and out of vogue, we need to exercise caution lest we, through a lack of attention and concern, cause someone to stumble by our immodesty.  The Christian woman is a modest woman.  The Christian is always more interested in how he looks to God than how he looks to man.

Don’t be influenced by popular ethics.  Subjectivism has surrounded us at almost every turn today.  People are of the opinion that if it feels right it must be right, or as long as it doesn’t offend your conscience, it’s OK. It’s actually popular to do many things which, when examined in the light of Scripture, are sinful. Sexual improprieties are everywhere; cheating of all kinds is engaged with little or no guilt-feelings.  A person can seemingly do whatever he wants and if he can “get away with it,” or if he “feels all right about it,” it’s all right. Many folks see no harm in small mis-representations, feel no compunction for filing false claims, have no regrets about taking “small stuff.”  The “business lie” is a lie, people!  “White lies” are still lies.  Excuses are not reasons. “A little won’t hurt,” is still wrong.  And “nobody will know” is foolish to a fault. Believe me, He knows.  Today’s so-called “ethics,” if written down on a list, would surely shock most people; but when they’re done a little at a time, they take on an air of almost trivial insignificance. Wrong is wrong, no matter how small it is (Galatians 6:7-8).

Don’t be influenced by consequences.  Far too often people decide what they’re going to do by supposing what is going to happen if he does it. He reasons that he will or will not do something based on what he thinks will be the consequences of his action. Reasoning from consequences is a foolish way to live life.  We are far wiser to concern ourselves with what will happen if we don’t obey God.  “He who trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but who walketh wisely, he shall be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26).  We cannot know the future, but one thing is certain: God will never require of us that which is not in our best interests. Further, we would do well to consider the consequences of paying no attention to what He has said, no matter what consequences or inconvenience it brings upon us.

Don’t be influenced by men’s religious ideas.  No preacher, no matter who he is or how popular, is equal to God!  That’s the end of that matter. And furthermore, there is no religious authority in any group of men.  People are being deceived by a multitude of man-made religions today.  They seem pleased to accept almost anything said in a religious way as if it is from God.  It is good to respect men of religious influence, men who show a love for God and their fellow man, and it is good to admire men of intelligence and influence. However, it should never be forgotten that no man–no matter how attractive he may be, no matter how many degrees he has attached to his name–has any authority in religion (1 Corinthians 4:6; 1 John 1:6-9).  No man is truly intelligent nor prudent who does not subscribe to and practice the divine directive without deviation or substitution (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Influence can be a good thing (Matthew 5:16) or it can be terribly evil (2 Peter 2:1-3).  Let us be very careful how and by whom we are influenced. 

Dee Bowman

The God of this world with his entrapments of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, confuses many as to what success is. The confusion is not about what the word means. But there is confusion. It has to do with the fact success applies to specific areas, and it is possible to be a success in one area and a failure in another.

The successful athlete may be a business failure. The successful executive may be a failure as a husband or father. The successful family man may be a failure as a musician or artist.

Everybody has known success and failure (somewhere, sometime, at something).  Now, when all is said and done, what does it take to make a successful life?

The fact that one makes a lot of money, or is a great success in some field of endeavor, is by no means the equivalent of a successful life.  Al Capone was a successful crook (at least he was for a long time) and made lots and lots of money. But at the pinnacle of that success, he was even then a failure. Adolph Hitler wanted to kill Jews and conquer neighboring countries, but in his hour of greatest success in carrying out his ambitions, who would say he–as a man, his life–was a success?

If one succeeds in satisfying and gratifying the lusts of the flesh and eye, and the pride of life, that is not true success. Oh, sure, he succeeded at what he was trying to do, but what he was trying to do was so opposed to his own best interests that his is a legacy of foolishness and failure. It is like a man wanting to commit suicide, and succeeding at it. The more successful a fool is, the worse off he is.

You need a clear view of what makes life itself a success. Here it is: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole ____ of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

That last phrase, without the word duty in the blank space, is what the passage literally says — “the whole of man.” The whole; whole suggests the fullness, the completeness or, if you please, the success and blessedness of man, is in fearing God and keeping his commandments. Do that, and no matter what else of good or ill befalls you, you will be a success.

Your life, dear reader, is a success to the extent that you obtain the approval of your God. Love God with all your heart, and your fellow man as you love yourself. Submission to God and kindness to man are more important than hitting “home runs” in business or earthly enterprises.

What is success? It is Jesus saying, “Well done” and “enter in.”
Author Unknown
The Auburn Beacon

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A True Disciple
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” Lk.9:23. If you will follow Christ – when public opinion opposes, when the church and state are hostile, when “high society” disapproves, when your devotion brings sneers and jeers, when your fellow-disciples turn back, when your relatives and friends frown, when it means a personal loss, when you must follow alone – Then you are indeed His disciple.
Author Unknown
The Etna Enlightener

If you have ever faced a sudden and unexpected danger you know how terrifying the moment can be. Like the shock and panic of a car pulling out in front of you or someone scaring you by jumping out from a dark place. When startled like this, we may feel a burst of energy and react quickly to the threat. This is known as the “fight or flight” response where we will stand our ground or run away from danger.

Unfortunately, we cannot always predict our action in unforeseen moments or know if we will make the right choices. I think most of us would rather know when and where we will face dangers so we can be ready. If I knew a car was going to pull out I would slow down. If I knew someone was lurking in the dark I would go another way.

While I cannot foresee every possible danger, that does not mean I should stop looking. We need to keep our eyes and ears open when driving. Stay aware of our surroundings when walking in dark places. Recognizing danger earlier gives us a better chance for a good result.

What if I do not know danger is lurking; does my ignorance keep me from getting hurt? It would be like an innocent child touching a hot pan. The burn and pain are still real even if he did not understand the threat.

These same points are true for Christians as they try to live right before God. We can face sudden and unexpected dangers. (Acts 7:57-58) Trials and sinful cravings may come on us swiftly. (2 Samuel 11) In these moments, danger threatens our souls and we ought to tremble with fear. Do not think ignorance is bliss and not knowing protects us. If we are overcome, the result is everlasting and not knowing the danger changes nothing. (Matt. 7:21-23)

Just like we cannot steer clear of risks in life, it is not possible for Christians to avoid all tests to their faith. (2 Tim. 3:12) That does not mean we should do nothing. We can increase our chances for success by seeing danger a little earlier. Perhaps we can escape a few trials or better prepare with some extra time.

The Devil is never going to give-up on trying to catch Christians off guard. Satan is our enemy and bent on destroying us. The key to overcoming him is by having a sober mind and watchful nature.

1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

The Greek word translated “Sober-minded” carries the idea of abstaining from wine. Why should Christians avoid drinking alcohol? Because drinking any amount disrupts the mind’s power to think and reason fully. Satan wants us mentally weak and our willpower down since it gives him the best chance to “devour” us.

Alcohol is not alone in corrupting the way we think and act. In fact, it is just one of many worldly cares that enslave us if we are not careful. Many people believe the way to happiness is a carefree and do what you want life. They do not understand what they call freedom is doing nothing more than bringing them into the bondage of sin. (Gal. 4:6-9)

A sober-minded person will try to be calm and cautious every moment of every day. We might say it this way, “We need to keep our wits about us at all times.” This is why Christians hold on to a sincere and motivated heart by serving God and putting Him first. We focus our minds on heaven and what we need to do to please our Father. (Col. 3:1-10)

There needs to be a serious approach to life and the time God has given us. I am not saying we cannot enjoy ourselves as Christians, because we can and should. However, true joy comes from faithfully serving the One who loves us the most. (Rom. 15:13) God wants the best for us, He has done the most for us, and He has prepared a home that is best for us. We had better take our service to Him seriously. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Peter’s second warning to Christians is to be watchful. The idea is of a soldier on watch in a dangerous time or perhaps a shepherd guarding his sheep from wild animals. Paul says one cannot sleep and watch at the same time, so he warns “let us not sleep, as do others.” (1 Thess. 5:2-8)

If we knew the exact moment danger was going to present itself, we would have no problem staying awake. However, though we know danger is always near we do not know its precise timing. Satan knows this about us and he is patient. He can wait for an hour, a day, or a week to attack our faith. We cannot ever afford to sleep spiritually.

The Devil has so many ways to entice or test us it is hard to always be ready. He may use our family against us, the people we love the most, to draw us away from God. (Matt. 10:21-22) Perhaps it is the offer of our dream job making more money than we ever thought possible. (Matt. 6:19-21) Maybe it’s the chance to move to a place we always wanted to live. People sometimes give up on God when they face hardships, or when life treats them unfairly. (1 Peter 4:19) Satan knows how to chip at our faith overtime with small, slow, and unnoticed changes. A sober-minded and watchful Christian will succeed spiritually.

Terry Starling

The first verse of Psalm 41 is important because it gives one of the reasons why we should help people who are in need, “How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble.” In both the Old and New Testament scriptures, the principle is repeated time and again that God’s people have a responsibility to care for those in need. Jesus’ great parable of the separation of the sheep and the goats is determined by the people’s willingness to help the needy. James wrote that pure religion included helping the widows and orphans with keeping oneself unspotted from the world.

Helping others can never be based upon the idea of gain. One Christian said, “I try to do at least one good deed a day where no one knows except my Lord.” Helping others must be rooted in a reverence and love for the Lord. The instinctive result of true love is compassion and a willingness to help those who are less fortunate. We don’t help people to be saved, we help people because we are saved in Christ; and we reflect the love of our Lord and Savior in our own lives.

David understood that principle, and with the exception of one extreme blunder, he tried to follow that principle during his life. At times, people in his government were probably less interested in the people than they were supposed to be, but King David tried to apply the principles of compassion to his people.

However, in Psalm 41, the darker side of those around David came out. David was suffering from some illness that may have been both physical and spiritual. He wrote, “The LORD will sustain him upon his sickbed; in his illness, You restore him to health. As for me, I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.”

Many were jealous of the power that he held, and were anxious for him to die. “My enemies speak evil against me, ‘When will he die, and his name perish?’” Apparently, some would appear before him with kind words, yet slander him behind his back. The saddest incident was recorded in verse 9, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Betrayal can be one of the harshest experiences faced. In spite of all that, David’s faith regained strong In the Lord.

Within David’s life, and this Psalm, are some important lessens for Christians today. First, good works and help are not done for the praise of men. Fame and popularity are fleeting things at best. As a young man, the people praised him to the point that King Saul developed an insane jealousy and hatred for David. On several occasions, the people were going to forcibly make Jesus their king. Shortly after that, all but his closest disciples left him.

No, good works are done out of a love for God and a desire to please him. A little child will go to great lengths to do something or make something to please his/her mother or father. Christians. with a true love in their hearts, will do the same thing. Think of every Christian moving through his or her life spreading goodness, compassion and love; and quietly and lovingly stating the reason for his or her faith. That formula changed the world then and it will change the world today.

Another lesson that has been so often illustrated in the other psalms is that faithfulness to God and lack of problems in this life are not necessarily connected. Yes, sinful actions often lead to pain and suffering; but that is not always true. Faith, hope and love in God centers upon spiritual help to overcome the trials in this life. David’s psalm promises that God will SUSTAIN the faithful during such times. Too often today, people in this world want to connect faith with physical and material well-being. But that is a wrong and dangerous attitude.

Instead, each day we should be thankful for what God has given us in Jesus Christ. Each day, we should be comforted in the promise we have of eternal life. Yes, each day, we should echo David’s final thoughts in Psalm 41, “As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, and You set me in Your presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.”

Jim Shelburn

Congratulations! You are about to graduate high school and the years of homework, study, and tests will soon payoff. At times like these you may have conflicting feelings and emotions. It can be a moment of great joy and thrill because you finally finished an important goal in your life.

As pleased as you are right now, you also know big changes are coming to your life. Some may bring you good feelings. For example, many high school seniors long for the day when they can get away from dad and mom’s “rules”. You want to be on your own and make your own choices.

Then you start to think about what else is going to change. Your close friends plan to go to a different college in a different town than you will attend. Some will begin jobs in various places. You are not going to see the people you saw everyday for years. These changes do not make you so happy.

After leaving home you may also come to understand your parents had more to do with your happiness than you thought. As their financial support wanes you have to pay your own bills. You have to do the grocery shopping or figure out what to eat. Whatever your parents did around the house you now have to do where you live. Perhaps you did not like all their rules, but no one cared more for you than they.

Now it is time to stand on your own. This does not mean people who loved you will suddenly vanish or not help when you need a hand. It does mean you have more control over your choices and actions. If you make the right choices and do good, then you will enjoy the rewards of your efforts. However, if you choose poorly and do wrong, there is no one to blame but yourself.

No matter how strong you think you are evil is going test your faith when you leave home. I believe this is a most dangerous time for young adults. For your first eighteen years dad and mom guided and protected you. Now you meet new college Christian friends who may question or deny basic Bible teaching. You are talking with peers you just met and getting their view and advice. People who say they are Christians may not believe and practice what you do. Please remember not every member of a local church believes and practices the truth.

When trying to find your own way do not give up too quickly on the teaching of godly parents. Many young adults abandon much of what their parents taught them. Their new freedom is exciting and can mix up their thinking. “Dad and mom kept me from parties like this, but now I can go where I want.” “I had to get up early Sunday mornings for Bible class and worship. Now I can sleep as late as I want.”

I am concerned for our young adults when they leave home. Yes, we want them to grow up, move out, and do well in life. This is what God intended from the beginning. As Adam said, “A man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24) The trouble is too many leave the Lord to chase what makes them happy. Someday they will understand the “pleasures of sin” do not last.

To young Christian adults, who will soon leave or have recently left home, consider the following points to help you remain faithful and grow in the Lord.

Do not trust academia to answer the great questions of life. God gives us the answers.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Do not trust academia when it conflicts with Scripture. Too many Christians try to make the Bible fit what some call science rather than making anything called science fit the Bible.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 – O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” (science) for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

Do not be so quick to dismiss what godly parents taught you in favor of believing youthful peers.
2 Timothy 1:5 – I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Do not get caught up in silly exercises of the mind that serve no good.
1 Timothy 4:7 – Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

Do not let smooth and persuasive words sway you away from simple Bible teaching.
Romans 16:18 – For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Do not be overcome by the reasoning and appeal of religious indifference and social appeal.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Examine yourself and your beliefs, but do so by judging all against the standard of God’s Word.
Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Terry Starling

The two words here capitalized occur only in one Bible chapter: Exodus 3:14. Jehovah God gave these words as an answer to Moses. The children of Israel in all probability knew the names of the Egyptian gods—Osiris, Isis, etc.—and therefore Moses believed a name was needed in order to authenticate in whose name he, Moses, would be acting. In God’s response we today can find a profound truth.

“—I AM THAT (which) I AM—“ tells us something very basic concerning the nature of God. In Isaiah 42:8 He also says, “I am the Lord: that is my name;” The colon tells us grammatically to prepare for the importance of what is to follow; the semi-colon makes clear two things grammatically. One is that God has more to say and two, what came before the colon is an independent statement in its own right. The emphasis of the importance of this seemingly innocuous selection of scripture can be traced to two later references in Isaiah.

Isaiah 47:8, 10 state “Now therefore hear this, thou that art given to pleasures, that sittest securely, that sayest in thy heart, I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:” “For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness; thou hast said, None seeth me; thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee, and thou hast said in thy heart, I am, and there is none else besides me.” Hosea 11:9 makes the demarcation clear: “I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee; and I will not come in wrath. Further, Malachi 3:6 “For I, Jehovah, change not;”

Not only man puts himself on par with God; whole civilizations can be severely in error: “This is the joyous city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none besides me:” Zephaniah 2:15.

This valuable phrase was uttered by Jesus in John 8:58 and the reaction was immediate in verse 59; the Jews well understood what Jesus meant. It was reiterated in Revelation 1:17, “….; I am the first and the last.” And verse 18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen;” Then finally in Revelation 21:6 “….; I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end….” And Revelation 22:13 “I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

I AM. This is a complete sentence in its own right. It contains the necessary ingredients—subject, verb, and sense. However, the full implication is that our God is contemporaneous. He always was, is now, and forever will be.
This is a difficult concept. Part of the problem lies in the verb am. There are only 8 of these verbs (call them being or linking) in English: is, am, are, was, were, be, been, being. The preponderance of English verbs are action—run, swim, call; even with verbs like think, believe, hate we can make a mental picture when they are used. But when you try to apply this mental picture to the 8 being verbs, what do you have? Someone who you see running, thinking, skating, would become that someone existing, breathing. Not much to mentally grab hold of, is it?

I AM. Contemporaneous. No trouble to picture our God now and even forever existing. Hollywood has helped us along for the latter (Obi Wan of Star Wars). But a God who always was?!? This is not a simple mental gymnastic like which came first, the chicken or the egg (Answer? Easy. God made the animals first, not the ova). God could not be God without existing in those areas of time—past, present, future. Time is a human concept. Physicists today are hard pressed to explain this concept which they term a dimension. Einstein posits that the closer to the speed of light you travel, the more time as we understand it, slows. Quantum physics now is challenging that concept.

What all this goes to show is that our God is truly omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent—throughout time. Man never has been, isn’t today, and never will be. So while mankind cannot even agree to the definition of time, we can define God just as He defined Himself in Exodus and so confound and anger the secular humanists with the answer—I AM. As the old hymn says, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”!

Larry Purkey

Does God answer prayer? That question is often asked by people. Sometimes, even Christians wonder how effective prayer “really” is. Too often, prayer is the absolute last resort in facing a problem. Prayer seems, well, too easy or too magical. David knew that all such doubts were foolishness, and prayer was the FIRST thing that he turned to in times of crisis.

In fact, if anyone was an expert on problems, it was David! How did he survive and prosper? How did he keep going? Today, the world seems to fall in when an unexpected bill arrives, the IRS decides to audit our return, or the car breaks down. But how would WE deal with years of being ­a fugitive, fighting numerous wars, seeing several children killed, and friends betray us? How strong would OUR faith be? Would we endure the trials that David faced? The answer would be “yes!”, IF we centered our faith and trust in God through prayer.

David knew that God answered prayer. In Psalm 40 David began to write, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the. slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Yes, David knew God answered prayer because he had answered his prayers!

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust…”. Blessed indeed are all people who place their trust in the Lord today! In Jesus Christ, there is the hope and promise of eternal life. However, trust must always be joined with faith and obedience. If we are sick and go to the doctor for help, we have a trust that the doctor can help us. If the doctor prescribes some medicine and says, “Take this and you will get well”, then we are expected to take the medicine in obedience to the doctor’s instructions. If we do not, then all the trust in the world may not help to make us well.

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust…” That is true if there is also the COMMITMENT to do His will. The nations of Israel and Judah made the fatal error of believing that God would protect them without the need for obedience. But that type of thinking was never God’s will.

With trust and obedience, there comes another factor that is equally important. “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly”. Joined with trust and obedience must be a joyful, expressive LOVE for the Lord. As the Ark of the Covenant was carried into Jerusalem, David led the procession of thousands with music and dancing. David himself danced before the Lord. Paul wrote that he was not ashamed of the Gospel.

True, pure love is not hidden in the dark. It is proclaimed, it is lived, it is appreciated, and it is shared. Faith, trust, and love will never mature without the willingness to share that with others. If Christians would heed the example of David, there would not be enough room for all the people to come worship the Lord on the Lord’s day.
Verse 12 makes David’s words even more significant, “For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.” The point is that David’s assurance and thankfulness for God’s response to his prayers did not come after all the trouble was over. No, in the midst of the trials he was facing, David still wrote his words of trust.

How different from today. Too often, people will try to bargain with God. “If you take care of my troubles, then I will praise you.” But God is NOT a servant waiting to meet a person’s needs. David knew that God would help him, and he also knew that he was in no position to bargain with the Supreme Creator of the Universe. Yes, Christians can approach their heavenly Father with confidence. But that confidence must be coupled with reverence, love, and trust.

Does God hear the prayers of His children? Yes! Are prayers effective? Yes!

Jim Shelburn