October 2017

Missle Cruiser

That’s all it takes for news anyplace in the world to reach the world along with its far-reaching impact due to the internet. It impacts the minds, hearts, and emotions of millions . . . in a split-second!

Even the worn-out announcement “Breaking News” still grabs the inquisitive minds of so many!

Early this morning as I sat by the fireplace reading Jeremiah 14-16, I repeatedly saw phrases like this: Then the Lord said to me . . . The Lord said . . . Therefore thus says the LORD.

Compare for a moment earthly, internet news and the words of God.

The news you hear in the world turns old in moments; God’s Word is never stale, it’s eternal and life giving (Psalm 33:11; 119:25, 89, 92-93; 1 Peter 1:25).
The news you hear in the world is often tainted by man’s viewpoint; God’s Word is always pure, perfect and true (Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; John 17:17).
The news you hear in the world is always a symptom of a greater problem; God’s Word always correctly diagnosis the case and prescribes the correct remedy (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The news you hear in the world can quickly become irrelevant; God’s Word is always relevant and fresh for every situation of life (Psalm 119:89-96).

As I pondered God’s direct communication to and through Jeremiah to Israel and their subsequent response, I thought of my response to God’s Word as I read its pages.

Which affects me more; which grips my heart the most; which grabs my inquisitive mind? News on the internet or the truths of God’s Word?

Spend some time meditating on Psalm 119:97-104. In a split-second it can change your life, and it’s always for good.

⁹⁷Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
⁹⁸You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
¹⁰¹I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
¹⁰²I have not departed from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

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Wow! What a world we live in today!

Rebellion towards authority.
Fake news.
The threat of nuclear war.
Disrespect for our flag and our country.
Hatred poured out on the gospel.
Natural disasters.
And on and on and on and on…..

But, are we surprised? Since the Garden of Eden, sin has had its tentacles sunk into the heart of man and its curse on this earth (Genesis 3). Jesus said, These things I have spoken to you, . . . . In the world you will have tribulation [trouble] (John 16:33).

Yesterday morning, needing an encouraging boost from the Lord, I read the following words:

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:1-8).

Did you note the repeated phrase, So we are always of good courage (5:6, 8)? How can I have good courage in a world of sin and trouble?

Remember, as a born again believer, you are not Home yet!
When your body groans because of pain, accident, old age, etc., remember God said it would. Hang on, a new body is coming! The groaning is a constant reminder of that new house!
God has prepared us for this. We are equipped to endure to the end by His grace.
Faith gives courage because faith is based upon the character of God Who is holy and cannot lie. You look around, and you are tempted to fret and despair. What does faith say? Who is God? Wow! What courage that brings!

How are you walking today? What has your attention? What are you meditating on? Living by faith or fear? Courageous or cowering?

By the way, Christ has the final, authoritative word on all of life. Meditate on the rest of John 16:33, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Press on, believer!