It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly. [Psalm 37.16-17]
Question: Do we really believe this statement made by David?
Today I am being brought back to Paul's words to the Church in Corinth:
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. [2 Corinthians 10.3-5]
The war in our minds is raging, "Does God take care of the godly?"
Human reasoning screams, "No, I must take care of myself!"
How do we destroy the proud obstacle - the stronghold of human reasoning - that keeps people from knowing God? By knowing God! We must not only read God's Word, but we must force ourselves to believe it - and nothing "forces the hand" of belief like action. One can say he or she believes all day long, but only when he or she acts upon that belief is it real. James said it succinctly:
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? [James 2.19-20]
Human reasoning says, "It's nice that you have religion and all, but God helps those who help themselves!" (And most all the people in church piously resound, "Amen!") But nothing - I repeat, nothing - is further from the Truth of God's Word!
Elsewhere (not unlike all of David's Psalms) David wrote something he knew of God:
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. [Psalm 23.1]
We must realize that the Scriptures quoted most by Jesus came from the Psalms! It is not ironic then that the Book of Psalms is the book that most openly recognizes and praises God for Who He Is! Is that a coincidence? I think not!
Human reasoning places itself as an obstacle to prevent people from knowing Who God Is. The knowledge of God, on the other hand, naturally exposes and dispels the fallacy and inferiority of human reasoning. It is a constant war.
I challenge every believer to consider Paul's words regarding our "tools (armor/weapons) of warfare."
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. [Ephesians 6.10-18]
Every piece of armor (weaponry) finds it root source in the Word of God - the knowledge of God! And prayer? Well, prayer is where we confirm God's Word with our very own mouths! And, praying in the Spirit is where the Holy Spirit perfects that confirmation of God's Word from our mouths with groanings we don't even understand!
In short, the odds are unanimously in our favor - IF we focus our efforts on knowing God...
Jesus said it like this:
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]
Do you KNOW that God takes care of the godly?
Father, may my efforts to know You be intentional and obvious. May I recognize the "dead short" that human reasoning (yes, even my own) creates to prevent me from knowing You. May I be quick to resort to, and offensively declare, Your Word when my reasoning argues that any curse is mine or anyone else's to bear. May I remember that Your Word is personified in Jesus!
1 comment:
Awesome word brother, makes a man think on what he really thinks, Ah? I do believe! I do put faith in the Word of God! I have to think and feel with faith brother. If I don’t why am I even here. I have always asked the question if I don’t believe in Christ Jesus and the cross why bother with an existence? I know really too deep but not in my mind it makes up the reasoning for me. Simple and utterly non argumentative. God is real and I better get to studying His word and know what it says and live by it. I ask that He keeps me in His embrace and shows me how to walk as Christ. Thanks for the depth of thinking this morning brother. Love ya man. God Bless.
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