Time with Jesus - Thursday, 22
March 2012
Hi all,
We are told that the fear of
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This statement is supposed to originate
with King Solomon. 10 Fear of the LORD
is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of
the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs
9:10 NLT This is true. Only in God can we find wisdom.
Solomon is sometimes spoken of
as the wisest man who ever lived. Sadly, he appears to have been a womaniser. 3
He (Solomon) had 700 wives of royal birth and 300
concubines. And in fact, they did turn his
heart away from the LORD. 1 Kings 11:3 NLT There
doesn’t seem much wisdom in that. For most men, one wife is more than enough.
How do you live with 1000 women simultaneously? Where is the time to marry 1000
wives? If he had married one wife or taken one concubine every day it would
have taken 2.74 years. That somehow does not encourage the idea that Solomon
was the epitome of wisdom.
One statement he made recorded
in Ecclesiastes was very wise. 9 Whatever
has happened before will happen again. Whatever has been done before will be
done again. There is nothing new under the
sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 GW This
statement had nothing to do with science and technology. It is also very
comforting. In essence it means that Satan has nothing up his sleeve. He cannot
invent a new form of temptation. He’s stuck with the ones he has. Sadly, that
seems more than sufficient for his evil purposes.
It also means that the
examples we have in our collective past can be equally efficacious today. So we
can be confident that what God has said is sure to happen. Also, what He has
said to previous generations could well apply to us today.
The implications for us today
are that situations similar to that faced by Gideon are possible today. Gideon
was hiding in a winepress from the raiding Midianites. He was beating wheat so
that he could get food for himself and his family. His prospects looked bleak.
He didn’t think he could stand up to the Midianites. God knew otherwise. Not
because of Gideon’s ability but because He would undertake for Gideon. Gideon
had a part to play. That part was to do what God told him to do.
What is so encouraging about
this is simple. Gideon may be dead and buried. God is not. What He did for
Gideon and His people He can do for us. The real question is whether or not we
are listening for Him. Try looking over your shoulder. You may be surprised.
Today’s meditation looks at
the wisdom of man and the assurance from the Lord. Whom do you believe?
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Take the Day
|
Men are realistic. That’s always been the case.
We like to
know before-hand, the problems we could face.
It’s hard to fight an army whom none of us can see.
How do we
defend against invisibility?
Do we use machine guns, an axe, a sword, or tanks?
Which way do
we send them? Are they Brits, or Yanks?
Can we use our archers and arrows tipped with fire?
This is information
we essentially require.
Where to send our forces? Behind us or before?
But fighting
men in hiding! Please don’t go through that door.
We tried it in Afghanistan and also in Iraq.
But how can
we protect against a suicide attack?
We need someone to shoot at. But if they are not there.
We can only
get help if we will turn to God in prayer!
We’ve heard all of these arguments for many, many years.
But let us
put away these thoughts and all our other fears.
Concentrate on righteousness in all we say and do.
And we will
find in everything, He always will be true.
He’s said He’ll never leave us. This truth is guaranteed,
If we follow
justice and go where He will lead.
He has never failed us and He will do once more,
The things
that He has promised and He has done before.
Perhaps you are a Gideon and you are beating wheat,
Somewhere in
a winepress to get enough to eat.
Perhaps you are a-tremble, the enemy is near.
All is done
in secret, in quietness and fear.
But take a look behind you and see Who’s standing there.
You didn’t
spot Him earlier, while blinded with your care.
Then He says, “Mighty warrior” and looks you in the eye.
“Is that me
You’re talking to?” You ask Him with a sigh.
“If only it was possible. If only it was true”
That’s when
the Lord said, “Gideon, I’m speaking unto you.
You’re the one I’ve chosen to beat your enemy.
I will do the fighting. Just listen unto Me.
Your enemies are handed over right into your hands.
You will lead the army and smash their evil bands.
You will save your people by the power of My might.
Do just what I tell you and you will see the sight,
Of being liberated in a way you’ll never guess.
Go and lead your people right out of the mess.
You’re My Mighty warrior; your people are all Mine.
You are in the presence of the One Who is Divine.
I will make it happen. You needn’t be in fear.
They may be invisible; but I am drawing near.
So My son, take courage; march forward to the fray.
You will be victorious, for I will take the day.”
Jim Strickland
Written Thursday 22nd March 2012.
|
