The Fool – Psalm 14:1

“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”  They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.”

This verse inspired Pastor Ray Comfort to use ‘April Fool’s Day’ as an outreach to atheists.  Over many years he has developed a rapport with atheists in debating the subject of our Almighty God.  It is out of love that Pastor Comfort has equipped himself to engage these proclaimed atheists.  I confess, I lack the patience.

“Atheistical thoughts are very foolish wicked thoughts, and they are at the bottom of a great deal of the wickedness that is in this world. The word of God is a discerner of these thoughts, and puts a just brand on him that harbours them. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; for he thinks against the clearest light, against his own knowledge and convictions, and the common sentiments of all the wise and sober part of mankind. No man will say, There is no God till he is so hardened in sin that it has become his interest that there should be none to call him to an account.” (Matthew Henry)

But have you considered that this verse could also apply to those who declare to be believers?   Notice in this psalm how God investigates man.  “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.  They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.” (Psalm 14:2-3)  It takes a humble and contrite heart to admit we are sinners and recognize that any goodness comes only from God.  We like to think we are good without God.  But we are not.  “So Jesus said to him, ‘why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)  “Our society has a lot more “practical atheists” than it does self-proclaimed atheists.  A practical atheist acts as though God does not exist, whatever he or she may proclaim to believe.  Both views of God are foolish and self-destructive.” (Charles Stanley)

How it must grieve our Great God when people honor Him with their lips but live in unrepentant sin.  “There is something of practical atheism at the bottom of all sin.  "There is no Elohim, no Judge or governor of the world, no providence presiding over the affairs of men.’’ They cannot doubt of the being of God, but will question his dominion. He says this in his heart; it is not his judgment, but his imagination. He cannot satisfy himself that there is none, but he wishes there were none, and pleases himself with the fancy that it is possible there may be none. He cannot be sure there is one, and therefore he is willing to think there is none. He dares not speak it out, lest he be confuted, and so undeceived, but he whispers it secretly in his heart, for the silencing of the clamours of his conscience and the emboldening of himself in his evil ways.” (Matthew Henry)

Lastly, it is a foolish person indeed who, by denying the existence of God, forgoes fellowship with a Loving Creator.  That fool is missing out on the greatest joy of the world: Jesus.  “The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy: my soul shall dive therein, shall be swallowed up in the delights of His society.” (Charles Spurgeon)  This joy in the Lord is unsurpassable. 

I am thankful to God that He shows us mercy and grace, and reveals Himself to us that we may thereby know a joy that this world cannot give.  A joy unspeakable.

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Rejoice in Salvation – Psalm 13:5

“But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.”

For the believer, there is no other time of experiencing such an extreme diversity of great sorrow, great relief, and great joy than the point of surrendering to Jesus Christ.  The sorrow at the realization of our horrible sins against Jesus is offset by relief to know that Jesus first loved us and died to forgive our sins, which leads to the incredible joy at having our sins forgiven and having the hope of living eternally with our loving and merciful Savior.  I love how the second verse of 'Amazing Grace' describes the point of salvation.

"Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

and grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear,

the hour I first believed."

It behooves the believer to keep that precious salvation event in recent memory, not only so that we remain humble as forgiven servants, but also to continue to rejoice in our salvation.  Further, as we recall that precious moment we resolved to trust in the mercy of God, we can again decide to trust in the mercy of our Savior rather than fretting about any current difficult situation. 

“The Christian life thrives on both memory and hope.  We remember how God has shown us mercy in the past, and so we look forward to how He will save us in the future.” (Charles Stanley)

That same power and love that plucked us out of the muck and mire to save our souls remains available to us.  Our loving God may not remove us from a troubling situation, but He will carry us through it.  He is our Strong Tower.  God has His purposes for each trying time of the believer.  We may have forgotten to trust in Him, but He has not forgotten about us.  Jesus promised comfort to His flock and Jesus does not break His promises.

“It is not to be supposed that merely because we have sorrow at one moment we shall have joy in the future. Only God’s mourners can expect God’s comforts.  It is only the renewed soul that can possibly thus trust, pray, and plead, when in the midst of anguish. The supreme concern of each is to accept peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ; to have sin forgiven, and the soul renewed. He who has first cast his burden of sin and guilt on an atoning Saviour, and who is being renewed by the Holy Ghost, may come every day and cast any care, and all his care, upon his Father, God.  It is infinitely better to be in the depth of the valley of sorrow, as a good man, and to let our God lead us up to the height of joy, than, as a godless man, to be at the height of merriment and laughter for awhile, only to sink to the depths of despair.” (C. Clemance, eSword)

“Faith draws hope out of experience.” (C. Short)  As believers, God makes His comfort available to us, though we often fail to take advantage of this divine benefit.  As I have experienced difficult times in my life, whether it be my own illness or the illness of a loved one, finances, violent storms on the sailboat, family troubles, challenges at work, or now on the farm, and even challenges within the church, I have found strength and comfort in knowing that I can trust in the mercy of my God and Creator.  I have often had to repeat, out loud or in my mind, sometimes several times a day, what Moses said to the people when the Egyptian army had their backs against the Red Sea: “Do not be afraid.  Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” (Exodus 14:13)

I do not have to ask.  If you are a loving and bold Christian serving Almighty God in these latter times, then I know that life is difficult for you.  Recall when you trusted in the mercy of God.  He has not changed.  Trust in His mercy again and rejoice in your salvation.

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Precious Flowers - 1 Chronicles 4:23

 “These were the potters and those who dwell in Netaim (Plants) and Gederah (Hedges); there they dwelt with the king for his work.”

Our new farm demands great physical effort.  Our hands are grimy from the soil and our work clothes bear evidence of the tasks performed.  This path we are on to support the winter ministry in the Bahamas is far from what the world would consider ‘glamorous.’  But it is where the Lord led us and it is where we meet the Lord, everyday.  This devotion by Charles Spurgeon was demonstrably apropos for us and I could not resist sharing it with you.  Whatever your work of faith, glamorous or seemingly menial, if you serve Jesus, you will dwell with the King.

“Potters were the very highest grade of workers, but "the king" needed potters, and therefore they were in royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay. We, too, may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord's work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for "the king"; and therefore we will abide in our calling, hoping that, "although we have lien among the pots, yet shall we be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold." The text tells us of those who dwelt among plants and hedges, having rough, rustic, hedging and ditching work to do. They may have desired to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their appointed places, for they also were doing the king's work. The place of our habitation is fixed, and we are not to remove from it out of whim and caprice, but seek to serve the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside. These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they dwelt "with the king" and although among hedges and plants, they dwelt with the king there. No lawful place, or gracious occupation, however mean, can debar us from communion with our divine Lord. In visiting hovels, swarming lodging-houses, workhouses, or gaols, we may go with the king. In all works of faith we may count upon Jesus' fellowship. It is when we are in His work that we may reckon upon His smile. Ye unknown workers who are occupied for your Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have been found upon dunghills ere now, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ill weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell ye with the King for His work, and when He writes His chronicles your name shall be recorded.” (Charles Spurgeon)[1]

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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[1] The Blue Letter Bible CD. CD-ROM, version 2.2. Sowing Circle, 2009.