Where's Your Trust?

“16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:16-19 NIV).

In whom or in what have you placed your trust today? Far too many believers give lip service to God but are looking to the things of this world to bring security, comfort and happiness. These things cannot save. The happiness and fulfillment they bring are temporary at best. Solomon wrote, “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV). Neither money or men are a safe bet for personal safety.

God on the other hand is a safe bet. He who spoke the worlds into existence cares about you immensely! He does have the power to protect, deliver and give you purpose and meaning. Notice that the Psalmist is careful to point out that “the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” While God sees everything (Yesterday’s TFTD), He only watches (with the intent of personal care) those who put their faith in Him. Are you under His care today? Have you put your faith in Him? I pray that you have.

God is Watching--He is Aware of What is Going On

“13 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” (Psalm 33:13-15 NIV).

During the founding of this country, deism was the popular philosophical/religious thought of the day. Despite the claims of revisionist historians, the founding fathers were not deists. One cannot read what they wrote and believe that. Certainly they were influenced by this philosophy, but having been influenced by the philosophy and being a deist are two different things. Only after 1962 did this country start claiming that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and others were not Christians but deists. It is interesting that this claim came hand in hand with the movement that removed prayer from the public classroom. John Dunphy, speaking on the role of the teacher in our educational system stated, “I am convinced that the battle for humankind’s future must be waged and won in the public school classrooms by teachers who correctly perceive their role as the proselytizers of a new faith; a religion of humanity . . . the classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and the new -- the rotting corpse of Christianity, together with all its adjacent evils and misery, and the new faith of humanism.” The removal of prayer and Bible reading from our schools removed the final barrier to the “new faith” of humanism. Don’t think for one minute that our children are not learning religion in the public school classrooms, they are being indoctrinated in it every day.

Now, in the process of this shift, prayer and Bible reading had to be removed and nearly 200 years of history had to be rewritten. It was at this same time when our children began to be taught (following the philosophy of Dr. William James, one of the crafters of the new creed, that “Nothing is so absurd that if you repeat it long enough and loud enough people will believe”), that our founding fathers were not Christian but deists. Today that is assumed even by men who should no better. Dr. James was right and the mantra of our educators effective, we have come to believe an absurdity despite the clear indications of history!

All of this sets the stage for today’s devotional. Deism teaches that God is the cosmic watch-maker, who wound up the universe and has now stepped away and is uninvolved until the cosmic watch runs down, at which time He will step in and judge the world. A popular song caught the idea well a few years back, “God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us, from a distance.” That is deism put to music.

Our text and the entire Bible teaches us that God is indeed watching us but contrary to the erroneous philosophy of deism, the Bible teaches us that He is intimately involved in His creation. Our text says, “He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” The Living Bible puts it, He has made their hearts and closely watches everything they do.” (Emphasis mine). He is not the “deus abscondetis” (absent God) of deism but the personal God of the Scriptures. He cares about you. This God who rules the universe, cares about every detail of your life! Do you question that? Let me ask you a question, what are the number of hairs on your head (including eyelashes and eyebrows for those who are follicually challenged)? Don’t know? God does (See Matthew 10:30). Even though this number changes daily, God cares about you so much that He keeps tab of even this, one of the smallest details, of our lives!

One final thought. This God who “watches closely everything (we) do.” One day is going to call us into account–every one of us. Christians sometimes forget this. We realize of course that there is coming a final judgment, but we think we are immune from it. In one sense of course we are, but let us not forget that the Bible says of believers, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV).

What is it that you do that you would not do if you knew someone was watching? Someone is. The Great Someone. The Ultimate Someone, before whom someday everything will be exposed, even the secret sins of our hearts. God is watching. We better live like it.

Of False Hopes and Real Saviors

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12 NIV).

Certainly we recognize that this verse is a direct reference to Israel. Israel has a special place in redemptive history and we must never forget that. We are commanded to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” (Psalm 122:6 NIV). We recognize, however, that there will be no peace in Jerusalem until Jerusalem recognizes their Prince of Peace. That Jews today worship the One True God is subject to question. Jesus stated emphatically that if they really knew and recognized The Father, then they would know and recognize Him (see John 8:39-59), that fact that this is not the case is proof that not everyone who claim to call even on the God of the Bible is truly calling on the God of the Bible. Even Jesus said, “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 7:21 NIV). There are many today who have their custom designed Savior but have not bowed the knee to the One True Savior. We come to Christ on His terms, any other terms are insignificant. Do you know Him?

While Psalm 33:12 is a reference to the nation of Israel, I believe that it applies by extension to any nation or individual who make the God of the Scriptures, the God who is revealed in the written Word (the Bible) and through the Living Word (Jesus) the Lord of their lives, that person and nation of such people, will be blessed of God. Everyone who is a believer in Christ is a person God has chosen “for his inheritance.”

God's Plans are Sure

“6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (Psalm 33:6-11 NIV).

Don’t worry–my soap box was put up yesterday. We did look at verses 6-9 yesterday and focused on their importance. Today, we use these early verses as the backdrop/context of today’s thought. Verses 6-9 remind us that the visible universe is a result of the creative utterance of God. Everything that is came when God spoke. Theologically we call this fiat Creation–God created by the spoken word ex nihilo (out of nothing).

Why look at this today? Because it sets the stage for our text: 10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” The Living Bible renders verses 10-11: “And with a breath he can scatter the plans of all the nations who oppose him, but his own plans stands forever. His intentions are the same for every generation.” Now taking that verse 10 we can easily see the link between these two verses and verses 6-9. Just in case you missed it, let me summarize with a loose translation, “With a breath He created and with a breath He can scatter the plans of all who stand in opposition to Him.” Such is the awesome power of God.

Those who know Jesus Christ are in the hands of that awesome God. He loves you and cares for you as His own! What a comfort that should be when times get tough!

One final thought. Look again at the first part of verse 11, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever.” Many times people will ask me, “Do you think I’ve missed God’s will for my life?” All we have to do to answer that is look at Psalm 33:11, God’s plans are not thwarted, and the last time I checked, my strength is not more powerful than His! Is it possible to stray from God’s pathway? Absolutely. That’s what sin is at its very root. But the promise of God is that “He (the one whose word brought everything into being) “who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV–emphasis mine). God’s will is not dependant upon my response. His plans “stand firm forever” and no matter how powerful the man may be, he is not going to thwart those plans. Neither are you nor am I. Relax.

The Effects of Evolution

“6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:6-9 NIV).

Today’s devotional is a little different, I’m going to get on my soap-box for just a moment. I don’t think anyone would disagree with me when I state that our world is in pretty sad shape these days. Here in Atlanta, for the last two weeks the headlines on the news every day has been one child shooting another. One in a drive by, one at a birthday party, another after an altercation, and the list goes on and on. It’s scary.

I also doubt that most who read this daily devotional would disagree that the church seems too helpless to effectively respond. We are spiritually emaciated. What has brought us to this condition? At the risk of sounding too simplistic, what has brought the world to its current state of heartlessness and the church to its current state of helplessness is the godless philosophy which disguises itself (very poorly I might add) as science, the philosophy of evolution.

Evolution is not an interesting side item. It is taught as fact in our schools and believed as fact by millions. The result is exactly what we are seeing in society today: hopeless kids trying to better their status by eliminating the weaker members of society. If you don’t think there is a link, you are willfully blind. (Look at the facts on the Columbine massacre or the more recent Minnesota killings). Here’s a synopsis of the major losses of each generation post WW II. The generations of the 50's lost their innocense, the generation of the 60's lost their authority, the generation of the 70's lost their love, the generations of the 80's lost their hope, the generation of the 90's lost their heart and, as I see it and the Bible reveals, the problem is going to continue to get worse. Here’s the interesting thing: each of those losses are directly linked to the growth of acceptance of evolutionary theory.

The reason by the way the church is helpless, is she has, by and large, compromised herself in regard to this important issue. There are those who actively support evolution on the mistaken belief that it is scientific and that the evidence that is suppose to be there is there (in other words they simply have believed the lie without looking at the facts) and there are those who don’t necessarily support evolution, but don’t think it’s important to discuss in a faith setting. As a pastor, I know that 90% of the people I talk with who have walked away from faith cite evolution as one of the key foundations for their abandonment of belief. This is not a simple side issue.

By the way, just for the “what it’s worth department” I’ve studied this subject fairly extensively I believe, and what I have found is that every few years the evolutionist has to change or modify his story in some form or fashion. I, as a Bible believing Creationist, have never had to change my story! Not once.

The Psalmist sees the created world as evidence of God’s creative power and calls mankind to humble reverence of the Creator. It is this direct link of realization and responsibility that chafes fallen man’s heart. Darwin expressed his desire to be done with such beliefs, and evolutionists and atheists everywhere have embraced evolutionary beliefs not because they make sense or have solid support, but rather because they have a desired end to be free from responsibility. The Psalmist saw the link. It’s amazing that we who profess to have a “higher understanding of things.” have failed to see that link. It is this truth that is the true missing link of evolutionary teachings.

What Perspective Do You View God From?

“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:5 NIV).

In a world wracked by sin, it is sometimes too easy to dwell on the negative. Our news shows and newspapers are filled with bad news and it seems to be getting worse everyday.

But there is good news. Our text reminds us “the earth is full of his unfailing love.” Everywhere we turn we see evidence of God’s love, mercy and grace at work.

In times of tragedy there are those who are quick to implicate God, “Where was He when that event was happening?” is the common question/accusation. I am convinced that the reason we don’t see God in our times of tragedy is because we don’t see Him in our times of joy! C.S. Lewis went as far as to suggest that when things are going good in our lives instead of seeing His unfailing love which fills the earth we view Him “as an interruption.” Yet we become upset if He seems silent or absent in our times of need. We can’t have it both ways.

Instead of stressing over the negative things in your life today, focus on the blessings. See the good that is all around us; the quiet works of those who seek after justice and righteousness.

God's Word is Truth

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” (Psalm 33:4 NIV)

“For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust.” (Psalm 33:4 NLT).

“For all God’s words are right, and everything he does is worthy of our trust.” (Psalm 33:4 TLB emphasis mine).

A number of years ago I heard of a family who loved to work on Jigsaw puzzles together. They became quite good at it, completing the most difficult of puzzles sometimes in one evening.

One night the father brought home a new puzzle. On the scale of things, this puzzle should have been a simple one, quickly assembled. But something was wrong. Try as they might, the family could not seem to complete it. They worked on it for a week. Frustration began to set in and their normally joyful activity became to them a seeming action of futility. What could possibly be wrong?

With their frustration level at its peak the father finally revealed his deception. He had bought two puzzles but before getting home he switched their lids! The family was trying to construct a picture that didn’t exist! When the proper lid was produced, the puzzle was quickly completed.

There are millions of people like this family. They are trying desperately to put their lives together, to “get it right,” only to fail again and again. The problem? They are looking at the wrong picture!

Our text reminds us, “For all God’s words are right, and everything he does is worthy of our trust.” Notice by the way that word “all,” supplied by the author of The Living Bible. That is a good addition. It is not most of God’s Word that is right, nor is it the majority of God’s Word that is right but all of God’s Word that is right. As long as you and I tamper with that Word, we will experience failure and frustration. Trying to “pick and choose” the parts of it I like is like Ford trying to assemble a car without all the parts–it might look good on the surface but driving it (if it will even move) would be a hazard.

Have you discovered the faithfulness of God through following His Word that is “right and true.” Let me close with my own paraphrase of Psalm 33:4: “For the entire Bible is true, you can count on everything it says, and you can be sure that God knows exactly what He is doing in every circumstance and you can bank on it being right.” (Pearrell Expanded Translation).