Daily Wisdom

Psa 85:10 “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

The psalmist recounts the favors God has brought forth to Israel when they placed themselves in God’s righteousness and truth. In (vss 9-10) it describes what God has promised for those who welcome His herald – righteousness. Meaning the greater we seek God’s righteousness and His kingdom, as Jesus stated (Mt 6:33), the more we will see everything work out for good in God. But we must be cautious not to return to folly (vs 8), and make sure we’re dwelling in the shelter and the shadow of the Almighty who is our fortress (Psa 91:1). Today’s circumstances bring clarity to this, we are not in control and man dies. The greatest response to such truth is by placing ourselves in the presence of Him who is and determines all!

One cannot be in the presence of God and powerless. You may still have problems, but you now have the power and promise to prevail… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Phl 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Imagine never worrying about anything! With our current situation it seems to be an impossibility; we have jobs, finances, family that are compounding effects. Paul directs us to turn our worries into worship through prayer. If we want to worry less, then pray more. The peace we long for and search after cannot be found or obtained among ourselves. Not positive thinking, absence of conflict or in just feeling good. The sustaining peace we need in such trials is only found in Christ Jesus and knowing that God is in control. If one is confident in the sovereignty of God, then their peace comes from relying on Him who controls every situation.Anxiety is the lack of assurance in the promises of God, and that He is in control. Need more peace, practice more prayer!

Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its trials, but only empties today of its strength… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Pro 29:25 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” 

Fear, doubt and discouragement is often rooted in a wrong focus. 1 Jn 4:18 tells us, “Perfect love casteth out fear. He who fears has not been made perfect in love.” This does not apply to our love, but God’s love for us (Rom 8:38-39).  Meaning, nothing can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ. Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Jesus. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can separate us from Christ's presence. But remember we were given His Word (promise), before His presence!  Don’t fear what you can’t see in the unknown because God can, and He’s already promised us provision and protection. Our faith calls us to focus on the promise not the problem, doing so fear will fade.

A promise is only as powerful as the One who gave it, so fear not! … HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1Ch 12:38; 40b “All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. (40b) for there was joy in Israel.”

Israel had suffered under Saul’s leadership because of his disobedience to God (1 Chron 10:13). Disobedience brings with it discord, distrust and disinterest in what is right and is void of joy. In response over (200,000) mighty men of valor, even some of the kindred of Saul came over to David. It is said that they engaged in this enterprise with a perfect heart, no one had any separate interests, but all for the righteousness of God. And it brought joy in Israel (1 Chron 12:40).  And good reason; for when the righteousness of God bears rule, a body rejoices. Thus, when the throne of Christ is set up in a soul, there is, or ought to be, great joy in that soul for the promise of eternal righteousness!

Righteousness is not a product of human endeavor; it is a provision of God’s grace…HSAY

Daily Wisdom

1 Chron 11:9 “And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.”

David's power increased as a direct result of his consistent trust in God. In contrast, Saul's power decreased because he wanted all the credit for himself and ignored God (1 Sam 15:17-26). Those who are concerned about building a name for themselves risk losing the very recognition they crave. Like David, we should be concerned for righteousness, honesty, and excellence and leave the results to God. True greatness is defined not by what one has but by what one possesses in God, not the significance of self. God made man small and the universe big to illustrate Himself.

Greatness is not illustrated by the number of servants one has, but by the number of people he’s able to serve… HSAY  

Daily Wisdom

1Ch 10:13 “So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” 

Saul's unfaithfulness was both active and passive; he not only did wrong, but he also failed to do right. He actively disobeyed by ignoring God's instructions, and seeking guidance from a medium. He passively disobeyed by neglecting to ask God for guidance as he ran the kingdom. Obedience, too, is both passive and active. It is not enough just to avoid what is wrong; we need to actively pursue what is right. In (1 Sam 28), Saul asked the Lord for guidance but received no answer; this account implies that he did not ask God for help. The answer to this apparent contradiction lies in understanding Saul's motives and the timing of his request to God. His frantic requests came only when he had tried everything his own way. He never went to God unless there was nowhere else to turn. When he finally asked, God refused to answer. Saul sought God only when it suited him, and God rejected him for his constant stubbornness and rebellion.

Don’t wait to need God until you need God… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Jdg 11:30 “And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand,”

Jephthah's rash vow brought him unspeakable grief. In the heat of emotion or personal turmoil it’s easy to make foolish promises to God. Though exiled at one time Jephthah was now promised by the same men that he could be their leader if he defeated the Ammonites. This prompted Jephthah to make a vow to God.  Such promises may sound/feel spiritual when we make them, but they may produce only guilt and frustration when we are forced to fulfill them. Making spiritual "deals" only brings disappointment. God does not want promises for the future, but obedience for today. We must be cautious as not to vow/promise in order to get, but rather be content in what we have in the Lord and His will. Don’t serve to receive, but instead serve for what you have already received in Christ Jesus and your salvation. Let the good God has for you be delivered in His perfect timing, purpose and will in your life. In the meantime, just serve in thankfulness and gratefulness for what you do have. Contentment is beautifully illustrated by a bird sitting on a bare branch and still chirps its song.

Contentment is not by addition but by subtraction; seeking to add will not bring contentment. Instead, subtraction from your desires until you’re satisfied only with Christ brings contentment… HSAY

Daily Wisdom

Php 1:10 “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;” 

Paul’s prayer was for the Philippian believers to have the ability to illustrate what was excellent and sincere, and to differentiate between good and bad, vital and trivial until Christ return.  This word (sincere) is the Greek word (eilikrineis) and means “tested by the sunlight” and emphasizes our relationship with God and is used to denote moral and ethical purity. Rod Mattoon in Treasures from Philippians notes: Ancient dealers of porcelain filled the cracks of damaged porcelain or pottery with wax. An honest dealer would describe a perfect piece with the words “sin cera” which means “without wax.” If the customer doubted the dealer’s integrity, he would sun-test the pottery by holding it up to the sun to reveal any cracks in the pot. Thus, this word “sincere” suggests a pure or tested character, genuine, without hypocrisy or falsehood.” So, to be an insincere believer was to be a “crackpot;” someone who would use “wax-laden” excuses for why they didn’t do what they were supposed to do and/or properly fix what they were supposed to fix (Mt 25:24-25; Lk 19:22). Unhappily, none of our excuses will excuse us on that DAY (II Cor 5:10-11), and our cracks will be seen through.

Have a sincere faith, otherwise one’s actions are anecdotal and crackpot in appearance… HSAY