What is the foundation of your life? The Bible tells us that a wise man builds his house on solid rock while a foolish man builds his life on sand. There is a firm foundation that we are to build on—Christ Jesus. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that Jesus is the Wisdom of God. The search for wisdom begins in the Old Testament. In Job, considered to be one of the oldest books in the Bible, Job asks this question in Job 28:12, " Where shall wisdom be found?". The Search For Wisdom In Proverbs In the book of Proverbs, Wisdom is personified as a woman crying out in the streets and all around the city (Proverbs 1:20-21). Wisdom is everywhere, but the people do not listen. Wisdom states that, "When He prepared the Heavens, I was there." (Proverbs 8:27). We are instructed in Proverbs 9:10 that the " fear of the Lord" is the very beginning of wisdom. Without that fear, that submission, reverence, and humility, there can be no wisdom. On the other hand, Proverbs tells us that fools despise wisdom and instruction. Christian Wisdom Versus Worldly Wisdom James 3:13 says this about being wise, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." James shares the difference between a worldly " so called " wisdom which is earthly, sensual and demonic and the wisdom of a Christian. They are marked by a difference in their fruits. Christian wisdom is pure, peace loving, considerate, merciful, full of good fruits, impartial, sincere and reasonable; while demonic "wisdom" is full of evil, selfish ambition, confusion, and envy. How To Obtain Godly Wisdom James tells us that there is one simple way to gain wisdom: ask for it. James 1:5 tells us that when we ask for wisdom God will give it to us, and not just a little wisdom, but He will give it generously. Proverbs 2:4 tells us to search for wisdom. It won't be found in the world, but it will be found in the word of God and prayer. Wisdom is a gift. It is a blessing given to us to use for God's glory. The Difference Between Knowledge And Wisdom In the modern world we often use knowledge and wisdom as though they mean the same thing, but they do not. I might know all ten of the ten commandments, but if I don't try to follow them, then I am not wise. I might know that Jesus is the Son of God, but if I don't surrender my life to Him, then I am not wise. Without a relationship with Jesus, there is no wisdom. My life will be destined to be built on sand. Wisdom Proven By Actions How can I know that I have wisdom? Matthew 11:19 answers that question. Jesus says, "Wisdom is justified by her actions." In other words, what does our wisdom produce? In this case, Jesus was telling the Pharisees that the wisdom of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself could be judged by the fruit of their actions. The Pharisees had failed to judge either of them rightly. The Pharisees were arrogant and full of spiritual pride. Those sinners that John the Baptist and Jesus were around were wiser than the Pharisees. They saw and understood their need, while the Pharisees did not. The Application Of Wisdom And Knowledge We also need to have a knowledge of the word of God to fear Him (Proverbs 1:7), but then we have to apply that knowledge of God to our own lives with wisdom. Memorizing Bible verses is a good thing. It increases our knowledge. But if we don't apply that knowledge wisely then we have gained very little. Proverbs 2:6 tells us that knowledge and understanding come from the mouth of God, and it is He that gives wisdom. Psalm 119: 11 explains that hiding God's word in our heart helps us not to sin. We don't just memorize it in our heads, but we hide it in our hearts—it becomes a part of us. Choosing God's Wisdom Over The World's Are you struggling with choosing wisdom in your life? Which are we choosing, the wisdom of God or the wisdom of the world? To dwell safely and securely in this life, Proverbs 1:33 says to listen to wisdom. Of course, things will not always go perfectly in our lives, but there is no doubt that the person who trusts in God wisely will make better decisions than the one who does not. The person with Godly wisdom knows that their ultimate future is in God's hands. No matter what happens in this world, they will not have to fear eternal disaster that awaits those who only have the wisdom of the world. There is a price to pay for choosing worldly wisdom. According to Proverbs 1:32, fools are destroyed by complacency . They are not worried about finding wisdom. They are self-satisfied. Ignoring Wisdom, Like Solomon Even if we are like Solomon and have wisdom, we can still choose to ignore it. As Solomon reveals in Ecclesiastes, going his own way led to his life feeling like it was full of vanity and meaningless. We all have consequences to face, either in this life or the next, for the unwise and ungodly choices that we make. The Danger Of Ignoring Wisdom's Call James explains that we are to be doers of the word and not just hearers. The people in Proverbs 1 could hear wisdom crying out to them. She cried with a sense of urgency that the people completely ignored. Their own wisdom was good enough for them. They hurried home to their houses built on sand until the day when the rain, wind and floods came and it collapsed around them. The man whose house was built on solid rock probably looked out and saw the great house fall and wondered to himself, "Why did they not listen? Why didn't they take heed? Why didn't they call on Him who is Wisdom itself?" Enjoy " How Firm A Foundation " by Sovereign Grace Music here .

Imagine a world where Jesus had not yet been born. In this world, the Gentiles, everyone who wasn't Jewish, had little knowledge or even concept of who God was. Ruth and Rahab are examples of two non Jewish women who did know of God. Yet, in this world, the Jewish nation awaited a Messiah foretold by the prophets — prophecies of Jesus' birth that revealed a Savior. This coming Messiah would return Israel to an even greater glory than they had known under King David. This Messiah was not God, many believed, but he would rule the nations and bring peace. But the prophets also spoke of a Messiah that seemed out of place, one who was not born like a man. Born of a virgin, He would be the One who brings light to the world, One who is known as Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. But also One who would suffer and die. For the Jewish world it was hard to reconcile these prophecies. They could not understand how a King would be born and yet not rule. They could not understand how a king could also be a suffering servant. When we look back in time, Christians can see both. The Messiah who would be born in a stable and suffer and die for our sins, as well as the conquering ruler of the nations, the Messiah that will return in all of His glory. The Messiah Foretold: Prophecies of Jesus' Birth. Let's read the story of Jesus's birth from the writers of the Old Testament. Isaiah the prophet has more to say about the birth of Jesus than any other Old Testament author. Most scholars date his writing to the period of 740-701 B.C. The Birth Foretold by Isaiah In his writings we find the first reference to the birth of Jesus to a virgin. In Isaiah 7:14 the prophet tells us this and adds that His name shall be called Immanuel which means "God with us." This verse foretells the fact that Jesus was both human and divine in nature. In this way the Word literally became flesh (John 1:14). His physical body came from His mother, while His spiritual nature was eternal and holy (John 6:69). In Matthew 1:22-23, Matthew states that this was the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah made some 700 years before. Again in Isaiah 9:6, we are told that a child will be born, a son given, whose name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Just as the angels proclaimed to the shepherds in Luke 2:14, “ Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. ” Earlier in this chapter Isaiah speaks of a great light coming to a place of deep darkness. He mentions the gloriousness of the " Galilee of the nations. " Nazareth, Jesus' hometown was located in Galilee. Interestingly, Jews interpret these scriptures to refer to King Hezekiah. Tracing Jesus’s Lineage Through David Finally, in Isaiah 11:1-5, we read of One who is from the root of the stem of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David and Jesus could trace his ancestry back to King David through Joseph his earthly 'adopted' father (Matthew 1). Matthew traces Jesus' ancestry through David's son, Solomon. Jesus' ancestry could be traced by blood through his mother Mary (Luke 3). Luke follows the line of Mary through David's son, Nathan. Most Bible scholars feel this interpretation explains the difference in the names found in each lineage. The Spirit-Filled Messiah According to Isaiah, this man would have the Spirit of the Lord resting on Him. He would also have the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might and the Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord. This is a Man who would judge with righteousness and equity. A man who would slay the wicked and be girded with righteousness and faithfulness. In Revelation 19:11, the rider of the White Horse, Jesus, is identified as " faithful and true ". Micah’s Prophecy and the Bread of Life Many scholars believe the book of Micah was written between 750 and 700 B.C. Micah speaks of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem . Matthew 2:10 describes the fulfillment of this scripture. And oh, how fitting, as Bethlehem literally means "House of Bread". The Son of God, the Bread of Life (John 6:35), born to us in Bethlehem. Out of Egypt: The Fulfillment in Hosea In Hosea 11:1, probably written between 755 and 725 B.C., Hosea says, "out of Egypt I have called my Son". This verse refers to two things. The freeing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and looking forward in time, it refers to the fact that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Egypt to escape the slaughter of the infants by Herod. Matthew 2:14-15 speak of this. Genesis and the Promise of a Savior From the very beginning, in the book of Genesis, Moses tells us that from the descendants of Eve would come a woman whose child would be the Savior. This child would " crush the head of the serpent "(Genesis 3:15) which refers to the defeat of Satan. The Blessing Through Abraham’s Lineage In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham that through him all peoples will be blessed. This blessing came when Jesus was born. His salvation was not just for the Jew but also for the Gentile. Through His birth, death, and resurrection literally all peoples have been blessed. Reflecting on the Birth of the Savior Other Old Testament prophecies talk about the life and suffering of Jesus but during this Christmas season let's remember the ones that talk about the birth of the Savior of the world to a lost and dying planet. These scriptures assure us that Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). The one foretold to reconcile us with our blessed Father. He will wash our sins white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Looking Forward to the Conquering King This Christmas let us be thankful that we live in a world that not only can look back on Jesus's birth and life, but can look forward to the day when He will come again as the conquering King, when all creation will praise His name.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, which wert and art and evermore shalt be. - "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty " by Reginal Heber Angels in Scripture: Fearsome Warriors of God Angels aren't very often how we picture them. Popular culture paints them as cute little babies with wings or maybe young men in glowing robes. In the Bible they are described differently. The mission of angels, more often than not, is as warriors. Often they are bringers of judgment like those we read about in Psalm 78:49 when God sent " angels of destruction " upon the Egyptians. Cherubim: Throne Bearers of God Our first glimpse of angels in the Bible is in Genesis 3: 24. In Genesis they guard the Garden of Eden from man with a flaming sword. The angels described here are cherubim. The description of them found in Ezekiel isn't really how I spent most of my life thinking they looked. Cherubim look pretty intimidating, almost scary. Cherubim are described in Ezekiel 10. They have four faces, one like a man, a cherub, lion and an eagle and each one has four wings. Two of their wings covered their body and two they used to fly with. Under their wings was the form or likeness of a human hand. The job of cherubim was to be a throne bearer for God, to worship Him, and to remind His people of God's presence among them. Seraphim: Proclaiming God's Holiness In Isaiah 6:1-3, we read about another type of angelic being, Seraphim. Seraphim attend God's throne. They are above it. Their role is to show the utter and complete holiness of God. Seraphim have 6 wings: 2 cover their face, 2 cover their feet and 2 are used to fly with. As they fly they say: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Angels as Messengers and Protectors Angels with swords are also described in Numbers 22:31 when Balaam sees the Angel of the Lord standing in his way with a drawn sword. And in Chronicles 21:16 David also saw the Angel of Lord with a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. What a fearful thing to see. Balaam's response was to " fall flat on his face " as was David and the elders. I wonder if we could see an angel of the Lord with a sword outstretched over our own city or our nation, how would we feel? How would we react? Angelic Roles in Spiritual Warfare In Daniel 10:13, angels are described as fighting literal battles with the forces of evil. The prince of Persia fights in this passage against Michael the archangel and then later in the chapter in verse 20-21 Daniel records that the Angel Gabriel tells Daniel he has to return to fight with the prince of Persia and when he leaves the prince of Greece will come. These are not humans the angel is fighting against, but demonic forces. At the time this was written in 536 BC , two years after the Jewish exiles returned to Israel to begin work on the temple, the Persians (modern day Iran) were in control and in turn the Persians would be conquered by the Greeks. In response to Daniel's prayer God sent an angel. Gabriel was only able to reach Daniel because Michael the archangel, " your prince " as Gabriel calls him, came to his aide. Angels in Revelation: Instruments of God's Judgment In Revelation, we see angels carrying out the plans of God during the time of the Tribulation. In Revelation 7:1, John sees four angels holding back the four winds of the earth. In Revelation 8-11, God commands, and the seven angels who stand before Him obey by sounding their trumpets seven times in judgement on the earth. Then these angels are told in chapter 16 to " pour out the bowls of wrath " on the earth. The Mission of Angels The Bible tells us the angels of God have many other responsibilities. They worship before God with joy, but they also have many jobs directly related to humans. Angels minister to humans in many ways, but not to all humans. Only to those people who " will inherit salvation ", to true Christians (Hebrews 1:14). According to the Bible angels are obedient to God's commands. They act in accordance with God's will. They encourage us (Matthew 4:11, Acts 27: 23-24) protect us (Daniel 6:22) are sent as answers to prayer (Acts 5: 17-21 and 12: 5-7) strengthen us (Luke 22: 43) deliver those who fear God (Psalm 34:7) are messengers (Genesis 19:1 and 22: 11-22) are joyful in the presence of God (Hebrews 12:22) go among us, often unrecognized (Hebrews13:2) praise and worship God before His throne (Isaiah 6: 1-3) The Worship of Angels in Heaven One of my favorite passages of the Bible is Revelation 5: 11-12. What a glorious picture this is of myriads of angels before the throne of God praising the " Lamb who was slain ". This is what they say: “ Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Enjoy " Worthy is the Lamb " by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The Mission of Angels

Do you remember when you were young how safe you felt at home? Maybe not everyone had that feeling. Maybe your safe place, your refuge, was at your grandmother's house or at your best friend's home. Wherever your refuge was, when you were there, you could breathe easier. You felt loved. You knew that the people in that home were there for you. They would protect you and keep you safe. What a great feeling it was. God is our Dwelling Place - Our Refuge As adults we want to feel that also, but sometimes our parents or grandparents are no longer with us, our friends have moved away and we feel such a loss. It seems we have no place to go, no place to run to, where we can feel at ease. Psalm 90:1 says that God is our dwelling place. The word dwelling can also be translated refuge. In this Psalm, Moses is talking about the Israelites, but it applies the same to us today. Moses goes on saying that God is our dwelling place throughout all generations. Our home is with Him. And this is not just now at this present moment but always! Pour Out Your Hearts In Psalm 46:1, again, we read: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Just as we could run to our parents for comfort and help so too, we can run to our God. His help will be ever-present. As much as our parents love us, they can't promise that. Only God will always be with us, strengthening us for the difficulties of life . In Psalm 62:8 David tells us to " pour out our hearts to Him ". Yes, God knows everything about us, but His desire is for us to want to communicate our deepest needs directly to Him in prayer. Refuge in Lies Many times in our lives we are tempted to find our refuge in things of the world. We look to other people, or money, or power, or drink, or drugs; desperately we look for help in places where there truly is none. In Isaiah 28:15 the Lord says the Israelites had taken refuge in lies and falsehoods. Putting your trust in anything other than God is useless. These things aren't true. He Has Overcome the World God may ask us to do dangerous things or we may find ourselves in frightening circumstances - facing cancer, witnessing to people who hate us, living through a pandemic - but God is always there, always our refuge, always faithful. In John 16:33 Jesus says that in this world we may have trouble but He says even in those times we can be sure of His peace. Why? Because He tells us He has overcome the world. Just Judgment As Psalm 90 continues, Moses talks of the just judgment of God on a sinful man. Yes, God sees our sin, even the ones we keep hidden from everyone. His judgment on our sin can be a terrible thing. The Israelites were forced to wander in the desert for 40 years for their sin and all of the ones from that original generation died (except Joshua and Caleb) without seeing the Promised Land. In verse 9 Moses says, " We finish our years like a sigh. " It was a hard life for them, but it didn't have to be. Numbering Our Days So, since we know that God punishes sin, what does Moses say we should do? Moses asks God to teach us to number our days so that we can gain a wise heart. What does he mean by " teach us to number our days "? He simply means that he wants God to show people that their life is short and that each and every day matters. We shouldn't squander the time we have on this earth. We shouldn't waste it in sin and disobedience. All the Time in the World Young people often think they have all the time in the world. They imagine they will do certain things for God later, when they have time, but that is the point, there may not be time. When we cast God aside in our youth, we may grow to be old and full of regrets. Moses says that this wisdom he desires is in his heart, not just his head. And notice that Moses says it must be taught. It isn't something that we are born automatically knowing. Mercy of God In verses 13-17, Moses prays for the mercy of God. In verse 14, Moses acknowledges that nothing can satisfy our soul completely but the mercy of God. Finally Moses prays that God would " establish the work of our hands for us" . Meaning that although life is short, it is worth living when we are allowed to be used by God for His purposes. Now is the Time So since we know our days are fleeting, like Ecclesiastes 3:20 tells us, " All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. " we should remember the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." And from Isaiah 55:6, "Seek the Lord while He may be found." God, our refuge, stands with outstretched arms, waiting for us to find the true reason for living in Him. God our Refuge

A story about patience: A friend explained his sad situation to me. His name is Nabal. Nabal had gotten a wonderful job working with a company that he had always wanted to work for. He explained to me how he loved his job so much, but on his second week at work his car broke down and with no way to work he had to miss two days. His boss was very patient and understanding and everything seemed ok. Then he told me that things had gotten so slow at his work that he had taken several personal calls. The boss walked in on one of them and explained patiently that this was not allowed and please don't use company time for personal calls. A few more weeks went by and Nabal had gone out to lunch with friends. They had a few drinks with their meal and made their way back to the office. The boss heard from other workers that Nabal seemed a little too happy when he came back from lunch. The boss sent another supervisor to talk to him. Nabal got very distraught when the supervisor reprimanded him for drinking. He tried to deny it but too many people saw him. This time he got a written reprimand. Time passed, more issues came up with Nabal's performance, things that Nabal thought were minor. He felt like his work was good and minor infringements should be ignored. Then one day, after numerous attempts to get him to listen, the boss called him in and fired him. Nabal was in shock. He told me his performance was good, why was he being punished? He just didn't seem to realize the patience and grace his boss had shown him. Eventually his boss had had enough. ~____________________~ Most people when they hear Nabal's story think he wasn't very smart. He had been warned many times. His boss had shown him much patience. His firing wasn't a surprise to his colleagues. The patience of God with us is similar. He warns us, through His word, through our pastors and friends, sometimes even through people who aren't Christians. He sends people to us, He even speaks to our hearts through the Holy Spirit, but too often we ignore His warnings. Finally,God's patience (but not His love) wears thin and judgment comes. In what manner it comes can vary, but when we ignore His warnings long enough it will come. Judgment comes not just individually, but also sometimes collectively, as a nation. When we turn our backs long enough there will be a price to pay. Paul tells us in Romans 2: 4-5: "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God," Do we despise the longsuffering of God? Is our heart so hardened that we are treasuring up the righteous judgment of God? Peter also reminds us that there will come a time when God's longsuffering will cease and a day of judgement will come. In 2 Peter 3: 9-10, Peter says this: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." Do we think, like the people of ancient Israel did during the time of Amos (Amos 4: 4-5), that our fervent worship will be enough to protect us? Worship without repentance is meaningless. In Mark 12: 33, the scribe, after hearing Jesus proclaim the greatest commandment, says this, "And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Sacrifices and burnt offerings are nothing compared to loving God with everything you have and sharing that love with others. You might be interested to know that Nabal's name means "fool" in Hebrew. To heed our Lord's warnings is wisdom , to ignore them is foolishness . There is a story about another man named Nabal in I Samuel 25. He was not wise either. His judgement came and it was very final. Dear Father, Help us to listen and be obedient. Help us to not take your patience for granted. Forgive us for ignoring too often the warnings that you give us. With the help of your Holy Spirit help us to offer up not just empty worship, but a total love for you and our neighbors. In Jesus's name, Amen Do You Heed God's Warnings

~"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4: 7 (NIV)~ The treasure Paul is referring to is the light of the knowledge of God's glory expressed through Jesus. This light fills us, as Christians, and makes known to us that we have no power. All power comes from God. Brokenness and Spiritual Renewal These jars of clay that he refers to are our mortal bodies. For God to be able to use us as He wants, these jars have to be broken, spiritually broken, so they can receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 64: 8 Isaiah says, "But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand." Lessons from the Potter's Hands In Jeremiah 18 the Lord speaks to Jeremiah to go to the potter and watch him form his pots from clay. The first pot he formed was marred so he turned it into a different type of vessel. When people form pots several problems can arise. Sometimes the clay is too dry. This will cause the pot to break easily. Sometimes the clay isn't centered on the wheel properly. When the clay isn't centered correctly the design will not work. The potter must reform the clay into something new. When we have a dryness in our spirits, like the dry clay, the Lord wants something new to happen. He wants us to be a jar that can be filled up with God's glory. This light of Christ will shine forth to others. He wants us to be centered totally on Him. He must be our focus. If He isn't we can't perform the job that God has for us properly. Treasures in Jars of Clay Like the clay in the potter's hands, our lives are shaped not by ourselves but quite literally by the hand of God. We are shaped into new creations by the saving work of Jesus. Clay has weaknesses. It can break. God is somewhat like the potters of Japan who create something known as Kintsugi Pottery. They repair broken pots with gold or silver to create something beautiful. They repair the broken pot and restore it but make it better than before. We are the broken jars of clay who need a Savior, a restorer, to make us whole again and better than before. Biblical Examples of Brokenness There are many examples of people who were broken before God could use them in the way He intended. Our brokenness is often what ultimately brings us to God. We can learn valuable lessons from being broken. Joseph was sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned. Moses lived with the memory of having murdered an Egyptian. Rahab was a prostitute. Elijah was despondent. Gideon had fears and doubts about what God wanted him to do. David was broken by his sin with Bathsheba. In Psalm 51: 17 David says his sacrifice to the Lord is a broken spirit . In Job 9: 17 Job, in his brokenness says, "For He crushes me with a tempest, And multiplies my wounds without cause." Being broken hurts, mentally and sometimes physically. Jesus was broken on the cross by the weight of the sins of the world on Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Do the consequences of sin weigh you down? Has sin broken you? Do you feel as if you can't find forgiveness? Christ has come to renew us with His Holy Spirit. He has come to take the burden of our sins away (I Peter 2: 24). Can we learn something from being broken? Most definitely. The Purpose of Being Broken Our broken moments, those times when God is recreating us for His purpose, can be difficult. Many times sin brings us to brokenness. Our sin is our choice, but the brokenness it brings when we realize what terrible decisions and choices we have made, can create a moment in our lives of clarity. We realize that without God we are nothing. We can't be used by Him, we can't make good choices, we can't live a life with love without being remade in His image and for His purpose. Trusting God to Restore and Renew We pray that our brokenness will lead us to Christ (Romans 6: 23) or to a deeper relationship with Him. Paul continues on in 2 Corinthians 4 to say that we are hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down but not crushed, despairing, abandoned or destroyed. Paul says these things happen to reveal the life of Christ in our bodies. Our weak vessels of clay may need to be remade, but we trust God's faithfulness that the outcome will be a better, more perfect vessel. A vessel that will reveal the life of Christ in us.

What Does God Expect? What is God's expectation for us as Christians? What is it we should be doing? According to our Lord we should be loving God first and then those around us (Matthew 22: 37-39). We should be working towards being more like Christ and less like the world. What does that practically mean though? We are told in Micah 6: 6-8 that God's expectations are for us to treat others justly, to love mercy and to be a humble people. The People Fail to Obey In the book of Haggai we read about the failure of the Jewish people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem as they had been told by God to do. Returning to Jerusalem they had been busy rebuilding their own homes and lives but had failed to rebuild the temple. Haggai tells the people that even though they had planted much they reaped little. He says their food and water did not meet their needs and even though they worked hard their money never went far enough ( Haggai 1:6 ). Why? Because they had been disobedient, God's judgment was on them. The Temple Rebuilt God had ordered a drought - not just of water but of food and livestock and " all the labor of your hands " (Haggai 1:11). The people could no longer put off the will of God. They couldn't delay out of fear for what other nations might do to them; they couldn't place their own needs ahead of God's commands. They could not continue in their fear. And so, they built, once again, a great temple to the Lord as they were instructed to do. Jesus and the Temple This temple was the very same temple that our Lord entered as a baby. The same temple that Jesus taught in as a young boy. The same temple where He threw over the money changer's tables. Had the people of Haggai's time not listened to God there would not have been a second temple. How Are We Doing? When we look at our own lives how are we doing? Are we obeying God? Do we treat others justly? Are we merciful as mercy was shown to us? Are we humble? Do we love God with all our might? Do we love others as He has loved us? How Can We Be Obedient? We show justice when we are honest with others, when we show others respect and when we stand up for what is right. We can show mercy in a multitude of ways. We can show mercy by being kind to those who are unkind; by sharing what we have with others and by being forgiving and compassionate. We show humility by serving others, by admitting our mistakes, by truly listening to people, by not desiring to be the center of attention. One of the best ways to show humility is not to "toot your own horn" as the expression goes. We don't have to trumpet our accomplishments to people. God is With Us There may be specific things that the Lord wants us to do. Maybe we haven't done them because we thought we should do other things first. Like the people of Haggai's time, maybe we are building our own house first. Maybe we haven't been obedient because we were afraid to do what we know God wants us to do. Many times God expects us to move out of our comfort zone. He expects us to do this because He is always with us. There is nothing we have to fear because He is by our side. We shouldn't question why God asks us to do something, we should just do it. God blesses the obedient . Who Do We Love? It is easy sometimes to believe that we are loving. But who is it we are loving ? Is it those who love us? Is it those who are always grateful for our love? Jesus says in Matthew 5: 46-47 that anyone does that - even the hated tax collectors. We are to love our enemies. We are to love the neighbor who gossips about us, the coworker who tells lies to the boss about us, the young person who treats us disrespectfully or the old person who disregards anything we have to say. Our Purpose We may not be called to build a great temple to the Lord but each of us has a purpose ; each of us has a calling. The Lord's expectations are high. The reason is because we have Him to be with us to help us to be just, merciful, humble and above all, loving. Before we blame the world, the non-Christian, for all the bad things we see around us we should look inside ourselves. Are we doing all we can to show Christ to a lost and dying world? Thy Will Be Done The Lord taught us to pray, " Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. " (Matthew 6:10). Our prayer each day should be to seek His will and do it. We can start by showing love whenever we have the opportunity. We don't have to fear, even when persecution comes, because doing His will is why we are here. Be blessed with the song "God's Will" by Martina McBride here . What God Expects

What is God's purpose for my life? I hear this question many times. I even ask this question myself sometimes. We have a purpose on this Earth and it seems to me that we want to make the answer to this question much more difficult than it really is. What is Our Purpose? Good Works What does the Bible say that our purpose is on this Earth? In Ephesians 2:10, Paul states our purpose plainly. We are created for good works. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Walking in Love: A Call to Imitate God In Chapter 5 of Ephesians Paul goes into more detail about the good works that we should walk in. In Ephesians 5:1-7, Paul tells us to: Walk in Love . We are told to imitate God " as dear children ". This is love in action . Are children perfect imitators, no, of course not, but they love to try to copy their parents and more importantly they learn by imitating their parents. This is what I must do as a Christian so I can learn to be more like Jesus. Christ showed love, so since we say we are His we should also show love. Sexual sin was everywhere in Paul's time just as it is today. Christians are not to be like the world. We are told not to be fornicators, covetous, or to talk foolishly. Why are these particular sins pointed out? Because if we truly walk in love we won't do them. These are examples of the way the world views love. There was a song years ago that said it this way, "If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right." This is how the world thinks. The world doesn't care if it's wrong. The world just wants to do what it wants to do, regardless of the harm it does. But God's love is sacrificial. God's love is faithful. Covetousness means longing for other people's things or maybe even other people, it means never being satisfied with what you have. In Psalm 107: 8-9 David tell us: "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness." Why should we covet when our God "satisfies the longing soul"? Social media seems to promote foolish talk. It's everywhere. Using words carelessly, especially things like joking about sex, can quickly lead to people being hurt and feeling unloved. Don't be "that guy" who goes along with other people's inappropriate jokes. Avoiding Darkness and Walking in the Light In Chapter 5: 8-14, Paul tells us that we should: Walk in the Light. If we walk with Christ then we should walk in His light. The light of Christ exposes the darkness and evil that is in the world. These things need to be avoided. We should be separate from the evil works that are in the world. The light of Christ has " awakened us from the dead ". As Paul says in Ephesians 2: 5, we are told that Jesus " made us alive together with Christ ." Are we awake or are we still sleeping? Are we indifferent to the needs of those around us? Are we carelessly waiting on Sunday service to end so we can eat lunch? Do we miss opportunities to share Christ's love with other? In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us why we should walk in the light . He says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Our good works don't glorify us! They are not done so people can say, "Look at that person how holy and good they are." No, our good works are seen so that they may bring glory to God! In Isaiah 58:10, Isaiah emphasizes the importance of our actions in showing the Light of God to the world. "If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday." Walking in Wisdom and Redeeming the Time In Chapter 5:15-21, Paul tells us that we should: Walk in Wisdom. Paul says we should "redeem the time" because the "days are evil". Redeem the time means to take our opportunity to show Jesus to the world when we can. We need to make the most of the time we have. Who knows when, or even if, we will ever get the opportunity again? Paul tells us to become wise we should understand what the will of the Lord is. We learn this from studying His word. Paul goes on to say that instead of being drunk (filled with alcohol), like the unwise do, we should spend our time filled with the Holy Spirit of God praising, singing and thanking God for all He has blessed us with. The contrast could not be more fitting. Alcohol depresses us but the Holy Spirit of God has the opposite effect. It is God who should be in control of us, not alcohol or some other drug. Finally, Paul tells us to be wise by submitting " to one another in the fear of God. " If we respect Jesus, if we respect God, we will not be concerned with our individual needs but we will be concerned with the needs of the body of Christ. We will not demand our own way. Finding True Purpose in Imitating God When we walk in God's love, His light and His wisdom then, and only then, we will find our true purpose. That purpose is to imitate God. And we can do this in whatever place we find ourselves. Walk in the light! so shalt thou know That fellowship of love His Spirit only can bestow, Who reigns in light above. Walk in the light! and thou shalt find Thy heart made truly His, Who dwells in cloudless light enshrined, In whom no darkness is. Walk in the light! and thou shalt own Thy darkness passed away, Because that light hath on thee shone, In which is perfect day. Walk in the light! and thine shall be A path, though thorny, bright: For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee, And God Himself is light. -- hymn by Bernard Barton Our Purpose is to Imitate God

Imagine a battle you might be facing: a sick child, a job lost, a family member who is not a Christian, loneliness, illness, loss of your home, or a nation in disarray. What would be your response? In 2 Chronicles 20, we read about King Jehoshaphat's response to the news that Israel was about to be attacked by three formidable enemies. Jehoshaphat’s Prayer: Trusting God in Hard Times Jehoshaphat, ever faithful to God, was afraid. Anyone with good sense would have been. Israel stood no chance against these enemies. But Jehoshaphat didn't continue in fear ; he sought God and proclaimed a fast throughout all the land of Judah. He went before the people, standing in the house of the Lord, and prayed a powerful prayer. He prayed, saying to God, "Do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations?" He spoke of the power and might of God and how no one can stand against Him. Jehoshaphat prayed that regardless of what they faced—"sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine"—when they cried to God, he would hear them and save them. We can also draw strength from Jehoshaphat's prayer: trusting God in hard times. It serves as a role model for each of us. Jehoshaphat's prayer reminded the people that God gave them their land, drove out their enemies, and promised to judge anyone who tried to take it away. Jehoshaphat realized, as many of us often do, that we have no power to change our circumstances and don’t know what to do. Yet he declares, ' Our eyes are upon you. ' Jehoshaphat didn't look at his circumstances—he looked at God. Seeking God Through Prayer and Fasting When we face insurmountable problems, we can seek God, fast and pray. We can remind ourselves of all the times the Lord was there for us. We can be thankful. We can trust God to be faithful to His promises. What if this Thanksgiving our prayer was one of remembrance? We remembered the many blessings that God has given us. A Prayer of Remembrance and Thanksgiving My personal prayer would sound like this: Dear Jesus, You are my blessed Savior, my friend forever. It is you Lord who gave me children and a family that I longed for when it seemed impossible. You Lord, who healed my husband and I of cancer. You almighty Father who brought me back into right paths and you who uphold me in my weakness. My eyes are upon you, for there is none like you. When I cry to you, you hear me. You are mighty to save when all seems hopeless. I have no power, but you have all power. In Jesus's name, Amen What would your prayer of remembrance be like? Why are we afraid to share that with our family? God’s Victory: The Battle Belongs to Him As all of Judah stood there, men, women and children, God answered the king's prayer. The Holy Spirit came upon a man called Jahaziel and he began to prophesy. He told those gathered that the battle wasn't theirs, but God's. Oh that we could say that about our battles! That they are God's! The Lord told them through Jahaziel that they would win without even having to fight. So often we struggle and try to think of solutions ourselves without listening to God. Maybe we don't even have to fight. Maybe we can just trust God. Hearing these words from Jahaziel, the king and all the people bowed down before the Lord. The Levites, alone, stood and praised God loudly. Jehoshaphat told the people, believe, and you will be established; believe, and you will prosper. When we, in faith, reach out to God, He in turn reaches to us. He upholds us and helps us to stand fast. And then, Jehoshaphat did something no other king had done. Singing Praises in the Midst of the Battle He appointed people to go ahead of the army and sing to the Lord and praise the beauty of holiness . King Jehoshaphat sent his praise team marching out first! Imagine being at the very front of this tiny army, approaching 3 enemies with massive armies. Then imagine you had no weapon but your voice which you used to praise God. Singing and praising, this is what they said, “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.” This is someone who believes and trusts in the promises of God. Supernatural Deliverance and Overflowing Blessings As Jamison-Faucett-Brown Bible Commentary notes, "the people went on, not as an army marching against an enemy, but returning in joyful triumph after a victory." The Lord had spoken and there was no doubt that He would give the victory. How they did not know. At this moment two of the armies fell on the third and destroyed it. Then the remaining armies attacked each other and every one of them was killed. This was without a doubt a supernatural event. When the armies of Jehoshaphat surveyed the dead enemy they took all their valuables—jewels and plunder, more than they could carry away. There was so much that it took 3 days to gather them all. Then they blessed the Lord in the Valley of Berachah, which means blessing, and returned home with joy. Today this Valley remains, known as the Waddy Bereikat, on the Hebron road. The singing was still not over. Still full of joy, they entered the temple in Jerusalem. They rejoiced and played musical instruments. Their enemies became afraid of them, but for Jehoshaphat and his people there was peace and quiet in the land. Trusting God in the Quiet and Continuing to Praise What miracles would come if we would only remember God's faithfulness and trust Him? What victories would we experience? What enemies would we overcome? God can remove all obstacles, He can act in ways we can't imagine to accomplish His will. Think about the battles you might be facing—whether loneliness, illness, or loss—and remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, as when he was then. Like Jehoshaphat, do we trust Him to fight for us? But when peace comes and all is quiet, do we still sing praises? Do we still rejoice in the beauty of His holiness? Do we stand with our families and bless His holy name? Jehoshaphat and his people rejoiced in God's victory, yet they continued to praise Him even in the quiet. Are we doing the same?

Does your faith ring forth in the community where you live? Does it resound? Is it a trumpet call for God? When Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he commends them on their faith, love, and hope. Although they were a young church, living in a place that was very hostile to Christians, they had become examples of what it meant to follow Christ. Their city was a seaport that welcomed people from everywhere. Their faith spread far and wide. Faith as a Trumpet Call: The Testimony of the Thessalonian Church In 1 Thessalonians 1:8, Paul says of this church: "For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything." This church was so successful in displaying their faith that Paul didn't need to add or say anything more. How were they doing this? Why were they so successful? Paul explains that they worked, labored, and were patient. They received the Word, and they were joyful. What you see in this description is that their faith " sounded forth " which means like a trumpet blast, not because they spoke out loudly about being a Christian, but more so because their lives showed the love of Christ. Paul describes the Thessalonians using action words. The world could see their lives had been changed. So changed, that this faith of theirs had spread far beyond the city of Thessalonica into the whole region. The Purpose of Salvation: A Trumpet Blast of Faith For what purpose are we saved if not this? Yes, of course, our salvation is immeasurably important to our relationship with God because, without it, there would be none. But our purpose is to spread the knowledge of God far and wide—to wake up their souls with the sound of a trumpet blast, showing that there is more—unbelievably more—to life than what those without Christ can imagine. In Matthew 28:16-20, the very last command to the disciples was to " make disciples of all nations " and teach them to obey the commands of Jesus. We call this the Great Commission. Certainly we do this through preaching and teaching, but what the world sees first and foremost, what they "hear" is our lives. Are we as different as we say we are? Or is our trumpet blast, more like a squeaky child's toy trumpet, barely heard a few feet away? Love as the Foundation of Christian Witness According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1, without love, we are like a " tinkling cymbal or as sounding brass ". What Paul was probably talking about was an echoing brass sound, signifying emptiness. Either we aren't heard, or when we are, our words or actions are meaningless without love. As Christians, everything we say, or more importantly, do, must be rooted in Christ's love. We won't reach the world the way the church at Thessalonica did without love. This love is our call to action . Are Our Lives a Clear Call to Action? One thing about trumpets: when they are played well, the notes are clear. But if you have ever heard a trumpet played by a beginning Junior High Band member, it often has unstable pitch, with notes that waver up and down. Another problem beginning trumpet players have is a harsh tone, caused by putting too much pressure on their lips. Does Our Life Sound Like a Trumpet? Is this us? When we live our lives for Christ, do we show the world a clear and consistent message of what that is, or are we one day living for Him and the next not so much? When we speak out, is it with love, or is it harshly and judgmentally? Do we clearly show the world who it is we love? In ancient times trumpets, known as shofars, which were made from a ram's horn, were often used as a call to action. They were used in battle, to gather the congregation at the temple, and for major announcements. Our faith today resounds like a trumpet in similar ways. The Power of Our Trumpet Call Our trumpet call to the world should be heard so that the world understands that there is a battle for their soul between good and evil, stirring up a desire to worship God, and it should announce the good news of salvation to all. We are called to be living testimonies of Christ's love, showing the world that true fulfillment is found in Him alone. Just as a trumpet calls people to attention, our faith should catch the ears of those around us. It should prompt questions, stir curiosity, and ultimately lead others toward the knowledge of God. When we live genuinely for Christ, our lives sound in a way that words alone cannot—speaking volumes without saying a word. But where does the ability to blow the trumpet come from? The Source of Our Strength: The Holy Spirit I like how McClaren's Exposition explains it: "If the Church is the trumpet, who blows it? God! It is by His Divine Spirit dwelling within us, and breathing through us, that the harsh discords of our natural lives become changed into a melody of praise and the music of witness for Him." We can't accomplish this on our own. It is the working of the Holy Spirit in us that allows us to grow to be more like Christ . This allows our lives to speak louder than our words. A Wake-Up Call to the World Why choose a trumpet? Why not a harp, or a soft violin? We are to " sound forth " to the world—not put them to sleep. Paul reminds us of the words of Isaiah, which he quotes in Ephesians 5:14, when he says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” We should use the church at Thessalonica as a role model. Our lives should be a trumpet blast that wakes the sleeping and the dead to show them the light of Christ. A resounding call that goes out to every place. Our lives are not just lived for ourselves; they are lived to show the world that the love of Christ changes us and changes the world. Our influence, for good or bad, for Christ or not, spreads beyond us, this we should always remember.

All of us were born. If you are reading this right now, then you are alive. At least you are alive in the scientific sense. Some of you may be scientifically alive but totally spiritually dead. Death to Life: God's Grace in Ephesians 2 When someone is dead; they cannot see or hear, they cannot understand, they can't perform any actions. Let's read what Ephesians 2:1-3 has to say about life and death: "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." Paul is talking to the church at Ephesus. He is speaking to believers, reminding them of how spiritually dead they once were. Before belonging to Christ, they walked in the way of the world. Just as those today who don't belong to Jesus also do. At one time this path seemed right to us but, according to Proverbs 14:12, it leads to death. The " prince of the power of the air " that Paul refers to is Satan. We were once Satan's children, not God's (John 8:44). Our conduct, before becoming a Christian was to follow Satan, and live for ourselves. When we wanted something we pursued it, regardless of the consequences. Our wants were the only thing that truly mattered. We were " children of wrath " destined for judgment without the saving knowledge of Jesus. Our Path Before Christ: Following the World In 1 John 3:8, John says that a person who lives in habitual, unrepentant sin quite literally belongs to the Devil. This is how we know we belong to God. We may still struggle with sin, but someone who truly knows God will not remain in that sin without repentance. Repentance isn't just feeling sorry for our sins; it is sorrow that leads to change. We turn from that sin. Our path from death to life leaves us changed. We can't know God and stay the same. The Turning Point: "But God" Paul continues in Ephesians 2:4 to say, " But God ". If not for God, this would be how we would forever remain. Under judgment, living as Satan would prefer us to live. It is only the mercy and love of God that changes things, that makes the unalive, fully alive. Paul wanted to remind his readers that it was God's grace, not our worthiness, that gave us life. Grace means the undeserved favor of God. Grace is God's gift of salvation to us. It is not earned. Raised with Christ: Seated in Heavenly Places Ephesians 2:6 goes on to say that we have become alive and are now raised up with Christ. He says we are raised up and seated in the heavenly places. This means more than just Heaven, it is also an unseen spiritual realm. This is where God and other spiritual beings, like angels and demons, exist. Paul speaks about these heavenly places several times in Ephesians. The Future Revelation of Grace and Glory In Ephesians 2:7, Paul speaks of a future where all of God's power and glory will be revealed. His grace towards us is immeasurable and he treats us with the greatest of kindness because of His Son. In Romans 11:22, Paul contrasts this loving kindness of God with his judgment of nonbelievers. We are to show others the same kindness that God has given us (2 Corinthians 6:6), whether they are worthy of it or not. Grace Through Faith: God’s Transforming Gift Paul tells us in the next verse that God's grace has saved us through our faith in Jesus. Salvation is an unmerited gift . The greatest one we have ever been given because it is the gift of life! In Ephesians 2:9, Paul teaches that no matter what efforts we have made, or how hard we have sought to be a virtuous person, salvation doesn't come from what we have done. We can't brag about how good we have been. We can't believe that we have earned God's grace. This truth frees us to trust completely in His goodness and not our own. Do we do good? Of course! But the reason we do it is because we love God. Because we love God we will naturally love others and seek good for them. They will become more important to us than ourselves. God’s Workmanship: Living as His Poetry Ephesians 2:10 says we are God's workmanship. In Greek, the word is 'poiēma'. The English word, poem or poetry, comes from it. What does this mean? We are formed by God for a specific purpose. We are God's poetry. Our purpose? Good works! We are God's poem to the world. His love letter written on our hearts to help others see and believe in Him. The Hope of Salvation: From Death to Life Paul tells us that without God we have no hope (Ephesians 2:12). Can you imagine a hopeless life? How sad, how lonely, how without purpose one must feel. When a Christian dies, those Christians left behind don't grieve like those " with no hope " (1 Thessalonians 4:13). For those with no hope, death is a door to nowhere. Many describe death as being " dead like a dog ". They don't understand that there is judgment on the other side of death's door, unless they know Jesus. But now things are different for us. We have had our relationship transformed by the blood of Christ. Now we are near, where once we were far from Him. His perfect sacrifice on the cross provides the bridge from death to life for us. As John 14:6 tells us, "Jesus answered, ‘ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ’ Our ultimate hope is in Him alone and with Him in Heaven, where our joy is unspeakable and full of glory. The Awful Beyond: Faith in the Face of Eternity From death to life, God's grace in Ephesians 2 is really about the miracle of becoming a " new creation " (2 Corinthians 5:17). Listen to these words: "...Faith is a mystery to those who possess it; it is ridiculed by those who have it not. But if possessed it overcomes the world. In Christ all things are ours. There is now for us no awful Beyond of mystery and fear." (What is Faith? by J. Gresham Machen) Think on your life. Personally, do you live without fear of an awful 'Beyond'? Do you have faith? Is everything yours in Christ? I pray that you would come to know Him if you do not. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

For almost a decade David ran from King Saul. At least three times Saul attempted to kill David but failed. With Israel no longer safe, David made the unusual decision to flee to the land of his enemies, the Philistines. Surely, he thought, Saul wouldn’t dare pursue him there. Yet in Gath, Goliath's own hometown, David was recognized almost immediately. To escape death, David pretended to be insane. According to 1 Samuel 21:13, he pounded his head on the city gate and foamed at the mouth, while letting spit drip from his beard. King Achish demanded David be removed from his presence because he said he had enough insane people to deal with. David escaped once more and again fled. Choosing Praise Over Complaining In response to this David wrote Psalm 34 . David could easily have done what most of us would do, he could have complained. David knew that he was God's anointed. He could have thought to himself, why is God making me run from Saul for so long? Why is God allowing me to be in harm's way so many times? Why can't I claim the kingdom that is mine? But no, David chose not to complain, instead he announces in Psalm 34:1 that he will bless the Lord " at all times. " Maybe we feel like we are overlooked by God or our plans have been unfairly delayed? David’s choice teaches us to respond with thankfulness, even when things don’t make sense. By choosing gratitude in difficult times, we acknowledge that God's timing is perfect. There is a reason we have to wait. Praying and Persevering in Difficult Times How often in our lives do we pray for blessings—great grades in school, a loving spouse, children, healing—but they don't come as fast as we want them to? We get discouraged. We want to give up. Notice that David doesn't just sit under a tree and expect God to do everything to protect him. No, David runs, hides and fights for many years. He actively participates in what he expected God to do. What about us? Do we expect to do well in school without putting out any effort, do we speak to people and go out with the expectation of meeting a future spouse, do we do all that we can to live healthy lives, do we seek alternatives to having biological children, like adoption? Relying on God, Not Our Own Strength David also might have considered himself to be quite clever. He could have believed that the idea of pretending to be insane was all his, and God had nothing to do with it. He could have believed that it was his strength, might, and abilities that kept Saul from killing him. But no, in Psalm 34:2, he says, " My soul shall make its boast in the Lord". It is God who has done this and it is God that David gives all the glory to for being saved from his enemies. It can be easy to credit ourselves for our successes, but David reminds us that true protection and guidance come from God. When we rely on God instead of ourselves, we have His strength that is with us to face any battle. Learning to Wait on God’s Timing Why did God make David wait so long and have so many close calls before finally allowing him to defeat Saul? Perhaps David was learning to wait on the Lord . Perhaps he was learning that his help comes from God and not from his own strength. Perhaps David was learning to, above all things, trust the promises of God. This lesson David certainly learned, because he tells us in God we can surely put our trust and be blessed (Psalm 34:8). Overcoming Fear and Finding Faith This was a hard time for David: harsh conditions, the constant stress of being on the run, not being able to trust very many people. This was David's training ground. This was the reason he was able to write the 23rd Psalm where he says, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me." For most of us, it would have been a very fearful time, but not David. In Psalm 34:4, David says he sought God and God delivered him from all of his fears. Do we truly seek God when we are fearful? It seems like there is a lot to fear today, but if we seek God and He hears us, we have no need to feel fear. We are warned not to have a " spirit of fear "(2 Timothy 1:7). Overcoming fear and finding faith requires trust. When we trust God completely, we won't be fearful. Instead, we will be blessed (Psalm 34:8). David made a choice in the midst of his fear. He chose to trust God. Nothing had changed about his circumstances; he was still running from his enemies, but now after seeking God, David was delivered from his fear. And so can we. Tasting and Seeing the Goodness of God David tells us in Psalm 34:8: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" David doesn't just want you to take his word for the fact that the Lord is good; he wants you to fully experience this goodness yourself. When we experience God's goodness for ourselves there will be no doubt left in our mind. In 1 Peter 2:2-3, we learn that tasting the goodness of the Lord allows us to grow spiritually. Sharing God’s Goodness with Others Our experiences of God's goodness make us want others to understand how gracious and loving He is. One of the best ways to witness to others is to share the ways God has blessed you. We sometimes need to remind even ourselves of God's goodness. Think of the many ways you have been blessed in your life: the times God has intervened for you without you even asking, and the beauty God has created on this earth that we experience every day. Barnes Notes on the Bible says: If those who are in danger would look to him; if sinners would believe in him; if the afflicted would seek him; if the wretched would cast their cares on him; if they who have sought in vain for happiness in the world, would seek happiness in him - they would, one and all, so surely find what they need that they would renounce all else, and put their trust alone in God. The Fear of the Lord and Its Benefits David says that it is important to fear the Lord because when we do, we won't lack any good thing. This is a good fear, something that is desirable. We need to understand God's character enough to be in awe of His power and majesty. We should respect His anger and wrath against sin. Those who learn to fear the Lord find peace and contentment (Proverbs 19:23). They are provided with security and safety (Proverbs 14:26). Haven't you ever wondered what God really thinks wisdom is? Fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom according to Psalm 111:10. By learning to have a reverent fear of Him, it is easier to be guided by Him and gain a deeper understanding of His word. Living Righteously and Finding Favor with God The Lord sees and hears the righteous (Psalm 34:15). Who are the righteous? Those who guard their tongues from evil, who don't lie, who do good, and who seek peace. How do we speak? Do we use idle words ? Do we twist and stretch the truth in lies? Are we too busy to do good for those around us? Do we like to stir things up or do we seek peace with others? In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul tells us that righteousness is obtained for us through Jesus's death on the cross. Our righteousness is His. We are His servants. Redeemed and Proclaiming His Goodness The souls of His servants will be redeemed, and there will be no condemnation for those who trust in Him (Psalm 34:22). The Lord's promises are trustworthy. Paul repeats this in Romans 8:1, when he says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Fanny Crosby wrote a song almost 140 years ago titled, " Redeemed How I Love to Proclaim I t". The first verse says this: Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am. When we taste and see the goodness of the Lord for ourselves, we will want to share Him with others. We will want to proclaim that we are redeemed and we will forever be His child. Bless His holy name!