Wishes granted

Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.
Psalms 69:27

Although at first glance the request of King David looks cruel and short of compassion, what he is asking God is not far removed from what their enemies aspire. They have chosen to live a life of sin. They rejoice in their lusts and their bad behavior. They boast of being more intelligent than their opponents because they have stripped the poor of what little remained. They do not want to walk along the paths of God. They prefer to travel on their own paths full of blood and destruction. Their weapons are insult and betrayal. Their proud hearts are full of deceit. In a nutshell, they do not want to side with God. In other words, King David is saying, “Grant them their wishes to live apart from you. Make sure they accumulate enough sins and that they do not repent to grant them their wish to live away from you and the light so they may live forever in darkness. “

We have the biblical and moral obligation to warn these wicked people of the consequences of their misbehavior. That the truth of the gospel shine or not upon their lives and that God’s Holy Spirit removes the veil that covers their hearts today depend only on the grace of God. So, while we are in this world, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Let us ask the Lord for compassion and the urge to deal with souls who are about to be lost. It’s time to start harvesting. Only to God be the glory!

Evil always loses

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

I can imagine how the Jewish religious leaders who were responsible for convincing the crowd that demanded Pilate the indignant crucifixion of the righteous, once having witnessed the bloody execution and confirmed that the humble carpenter would not be any longer a nuisance to them, returned to their homes to begin the Sabbath that Moses had instructed them to follow by orders of God himself. They should have arrived home minutes before sundown to start the day of rest. They must have felt very pleased to have achieved the goal that they had long had committed themselves to take the life of the humble but popular and dangerous (for them) Galilean leader. They should have eaten that night with great pleasure and joy because they believed that their problems had been solved once and for all. Little could they imagine that him who had died on the cross a few hours before was whom they had been waiting for so long and who was the fulfillment of the promise of freedom given to the people by God.

Just the night before they had held the annual ritual of the Passover, that is the commemoration of the protection with which God covered the people of Israel when the Angel of the Lord fulfilled the ultimate measure of pressure on Pharaoh to let free the people chosen by God. Little could they imagine that lamb that they were chewing on the night before was the sign of the true Lamb of God that few hours before had been sacrificed for all, Jews and non Jews. Like Satan, their guide, they were glad to see how things were going. By no means they came to suspect that the next day, the death that they had used to get rid of the teacher from Nazareth would be defeated forever. May the glory of the resurrection of the Lord always prevails over the sadness of the painful and bloody sacrifice which the Lord had to go through to rescue us from sin and death. Only to God be the glory!

Vital salvation

Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God.
Proverbs 2:16-17

For man it has always been a mystery what happens in the mind of a woman. Even more mysterious is what happens in the mind of an unfaithful wife. Everything she does to get away with it and give vent to her carnal passions even at risk of the stability of her marriage is beyond comprehension. The typical arguments that are invoked to “justify” an infidelity, namely hormone unbalance, quality of parenting received, examples watched at childhood and peer pressure, are forces that may exert certain influence but are not the fundamental reason for what happened. Underlying everything is the sinful nature of man. Another way to describe it is the weakness of the flesh. In marriage the man demands and deserves respect as a woman requires and deserves love. Obviously. adulterous behavior presents a stark contrast with the respect due to her husband.

Although adultery seems to have become something typical for human beings in all cultures, this does not make it less harmful and abhorrent. He or she who maintains an adulterous relationship can not say that he or she is being controlled by the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, that person is being absolutely controlled by his flesh, the world and Satan, that is, it is totally in the hands of the enemy. The apostle Paul wrote: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Let us forget, then, the past and let us run towards our heavenly future state, always obeying God’s precepts. Only to God be the glory!

Tourists

I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
Psalm 119:19

One of the strongest industries in the world is that of tourism. Tourists spend large sums of money each year to visit foreign countries and also to do domestic tourism. Most countries in Europe, the United States, China and Mexico are at the top of the list of countries that have generated more revenues for this concept. The number of travelers visiting these countries is measured in millions of people per year and the income they generate is measured in billions of dollars a year. One of the industries that have developed alongside tourism is that of the publication of travel guides. These books, full of information to help you make the most of a short stay in a city or a specific country, sell very well and make one of the most visited sections of bookstores. Can you imagine visiting a country without having defined a well researched plan of visits to museums, historic sites, beautiful architecture and landscapes of breathtaking beauty? Very few tourists would dare to live the adventure of a tourist trip without carrying in their pockets one of these helpful guides.

Surprisingly, many of God’s children pass through this world, of which they are not citizens, without using the ultimate traveler’s guide, the word of God, the Bible. The vast majority of the time we feel so comfortable in this world that we forget that our citizenship is in heaven and that we are just passing through a very large tourist attraction, this world. On top of it, we do not even know anything about the quite interesting things we can do and the most recommended places to visit while we are here to enhance our travel experience. It’s never too late for you to review the travelers guide. You will be surprised to find out the many things you never knew you could do and those that you had to do to make the most of your trip. Therefore, let us begin now to know more about this world and what God expects of us because time is short. You’ll travel with a completely differently perspective than the one you had before. Only to God be the glory!

Deadly arrogance

You save the humble
 but bring low those whose eyes are haughty
Psalms 18:27

It seems incredible that at this point in world history man has not realized the truth of the statement of today’s portion. God hates arrogance, period. How is it that so few people can understand this? In my opinion, the fact that most of humanity still thinks it’s better to be haughty than humble is a clear demonstration of the power of the flesh or sinful nature of man over man. Regardless of socio-economic status, education level, age, gender, nationality or skin color, all human beings are victims of their pride. We can trace the source of pride to no other than the enemy of our souls, Satan, who despite the privileged position that he had within creation he thought everything was a result of his own efforts, wisdom and his perfect beauty. It was because of his beauty that he was filled with pride and because of his splendor that his wisdom was corrupted .

Our sinful nature is a very powerful force which can easily lead us into the sin of pride. Our own strength is not sufficient to overcome this powerful force that threatens the stability of our relationship with God. Only the power of God, which is superior to anything visible or invisible in the universe can overcome and control this dreadful enemy of our holiness. That is why we must rely on God’s power to resist the attacks of our own flesh and of the enemy and come out on top of the test. If we put our trust in anything other than the power of God we will be doomed to failure and pain. Let us entrust, then, every day our life and our relationship with God to him and only to him. Let us recognize his authority and dominion over our lives and let us go forward trusting in his power to protect us from evil. Only to God be the glory!

Crooked paths

[Wisdom will save you from men]…
who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.
Proverbs 2:14-15

The way of the wicked is laid out very near the path of the righteous but leads to a very different destination. Its proximity to the path of truth makes it easy sometimes for those who walk the path of the righteous to get confused, forget about their goal and stray into the path of wickedness. Fortunately for the children of God the path of evil shows situations that when analyzed with the wisdom that God has granted to their children allow the wanderer to realize his error and return promptly to his rightful path as a child of God. The wisdom that God gives us through reading his reliable word serves, therefore, as a guide and guardian to helps us stay the course without turning. It also frees us from falling into the traps and pits that can be found in excess on the road to perdition.

Let us therefore continually check the health of our relationship with God and ask ourselves what we need to do to grow closer to our heavenly Father. A strong relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ will keep us firmly attached to him and focused on the path that God has prepared for us from before the creation of the universe. Search for wisdom as he who seeks for a hidden treasure, this will help you to understand what the fear the Lord means and deepen your knowledge of God. Possessing it, we will be protected at all times of the temptations and confusion that might divert us to the path of the shadows. Read the word of God every day. Only to God be the glory!

Paths

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
Proverbs 2:12-13

Some trails are wide and spacious and some are narrow and difficult. Some trails are flat and some are very steep. There are straight roads and also extremely tortuous roads. Some paths are full of shadows and others are clear and illuminated. There are dry roads and muddy paths. There are slippery trails and there are also firm trails. There are flat roads and rough roads. There are trails that lead us to the heights and paths that can lead us straight into the abyss. There are trails that are perennial and there are others that eventually disappear. Finally, there are many kinds of ways that most of us have travelled, must travel or will travel throughout our lives. So,what makes the traveler progress and feel serene regardless of the different circumstances of the terrain?And why many, though they have to move through paths full of obstacles and difficulties, feel safe and confident that the road, be it harsh or pleasant, will lead them to a  good destination?

The difference, my dear friend, is who accompanies him on his journey. Who have you looked for to help you move smoothly, regardless of the vicissitudes of life? There is only one partner who can guarantee peace and joy and progress towards the ultimate and safe destination and he is the Lord Jesus Christ. In his hand, we need not fear because he is responsible for removing any obstacle that stands in our way and will allow us free rein to the presence of the Almighty. Take care, therefore, to be accompanied by the only person who can give assurance to successfully complete our journey regardless of the path we have to go through. Look to Christ and take his hand. To God alone be the glory!

Unanswered crying

They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
to the LORD, but he did not answer.
I beat them as fine as windblown dust;
I trampled them like mud in the streets.
Psalms 18:41-42

There are people who seek God but never find him just because they seek him with the wrong attitude. Many think God is like the mythical genie trapped in the lamp that goes out to fulfill three wishes each time the lamp is rubbed and is completely at the disposal of his master. These people usually live totally separated from God and only remember him when they encounter some difficulty in their lives. They believe that God will get them out of the hook simply because they have cried out to him and God is obliged to respond positively. Others look to God for certain benefits which in their opinion may seem very convenient, but that in the eyes of God are completely incompatible with his plan and what is expected of them. An example of this is the large number of Christians that include in their prayers that God grant them to win the lottery jackpot, as if that money were to address the spiritual and behavioral problems that affect them. There are also those who seek God as victims, as if they deserve a positive response from God for the many sufferings they have endured.

James, the brother of the Lord Jesus said: “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Some people ask and do not mention the Lord Jesus at all. He said: “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” And last but not least, always ask according to God’s will. Other obstacles to effective prayer include the lack of forgiveness, the presence of sin and lack of repentance. God gives good things to those who ask but you have to meet the requirements or your prayer will end up being just mere talk. Seek God with the right attitude and you will get a response from him. To God alone be the glory!

Protection

Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28:9

For the vast majority of Christians ─ if not for all ─ persecution by the world begins as soon as we identify ourselves as children of God. As soon as this happens society, with maybe the notable exception of some cultures that were formed in the light of Protestantism, begins to stereotype the son of God as being intolerant, religious, judgmental, bitter, bigoted, pompous and old-fashioned. We must recognize that some who profess to be children of God fit perfectly with this unfortunate description of the personality of the child of God and because of this they have given Christianity a very bad image. Many spiritually immature Christians assume an extremely legalistic position that can only reinforce the stereotype described above. In any case, as soon as we identify ourselves as people of God the attacks, the scorns and the insults start. For many this attitude of the world towards the children of God is daunting and frightening. Many can not stand the pressure of society and family and return overwhelmed to the world and its passions. They do not understand that God protects and guides his people through storms, disturbances, riots, conflagrations, plagues, floods, droughts or any other natural disaster.

The strength of God’s people is the LORD. He is our Shepherd and Leader. Under his watchful eye we will be safe because he does not rest or sleep. His love is bigger than the universe and he has demonstrated it through the work of His Son Jesus Christ. It is he who guides us in paths of righteousness to take us to our heavenly destiny, ie his presence. He only expects of us to show him respect, recognition and obedience. He only wants us to act with justice, mercy and humility. If the Master was rejected, how much more we will be rejected, but not for who we are but for what we represent. Being aware of the protection we have, let us meet our commitment to be witnesses of his love and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest. Only God can save us, bless us and guide us. To God alone be the glory!

Fortress of salvation

The LORD is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Psalm 28:8

When we find opposition or adversity in our path we raise our countenance to our Lord to seek his protection and help. This should be our immediate response to any challenge. However, oftentimes we engage in trying to resolve things by ourselves and we ignore the great opportunity that we could be giving our Lord to manifest himself in power and make his name to be exalted. Taking things upon our hands is like telling him: “I do not need you” and that’s a snub. Let us take notice of the rather large number of attributes that God shows in relation to our needs for protection. Let’s take a look at the word of God.

God is my light and my salvation, my fortress, my shelter, my refuge, my rock, my hope, my protection, my help, my strength, my shield, my shepherd, my fortress, my refuge, my strong tower, my righteousness, my God! As the sons of Korah said: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” [1] So when faced with adversity may our reaction be automatic and immediate. let us seek shelter under the loving protection of our Lord Jesus Christ, our beloved Savior. To God alone be the glory!

[1] Psalms 42:11