Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Oh Friends, I can’t believe how warm and sunny it’s been in my neck of the woods the last few days! People have been taking advantage of it, walking around half naked as though it’s the height of summer. But I think all that’s over now. The leaves have fallen and the serious, wet, damp, miserable weather is about to set in before it turns real cold and that lovely white stuff begins to fly. (smile) And the seasonal changes do seem to provide a good explanation for Today’s Bit. ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;’ conjures up vivid images of summer time; fun and frolic. When a nation has the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at its core, guiding and directing its heartstrings, then blessings flow freely. When we seriously and consistently worship, serve and glorify the One True God, then a nation’s healthy, everything runs smoothly, our land prospers in His strong, LOVING embrace as we dwell safely under the panoply of His assured protection. Now that’s what we had some years ago. But as we begin to move away from Him, arrogantly and foolishly believing in our own strength and wisdom, then the good life begins to slip away. Summer starts turning to fall; things get scarce, the land becomes dry and unproductive, jobs are lost, confusion, disillusion, disagreement and a host of negative behaviour rears its ugly head. That’s what we suffered last year. And now we’re in the winter of our discontent. Everything’s looking stark naked and dead, with little hope in the nation. And though the puny politicians and greedy business people try to put a bright spin on things, saying that the worst is over now, that’s only a farce. Yes, the banks are making big money again and insist on paying the crooks that caused the original problem big bonuses, despite the fact that many people are still losing their jobs, homes and very livelihood. Oh my Friends, there’s still no real hope in sight for the ordinary man who depends on a simple job to earn a living. And though the leaders have blown a lot of taxpayers money propping up an inefficient, crooked system, very little of the dribble down effect that they so boldly trumpeted when they doled it out has really reached the man in the street. The system is still the same; no meaningful rules and regulations have been imposed on the heartless, greedy Wall Street con artists. So even if it seems like spring is around the corner, it’s just a sleight of hand and mouth, cause we have not learned anything from our disaster, just gone right back to the same old ways. And since you can only reap what you sow, if your basic economic model is built on a weak, fraudulent system that really produces nothing but useless paper, then eventually the whole house of cards will crumble again, when it becomes too heavy for its porous foundation. My people, when a nation is blessed because the Lord is their God, that’s one thing, but when that nation is also ‘the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance,’ then their behaviour becomes even more important. Now serving God, normally bears a large responsibility, but being His special people involves even greater accountability. Then the Lord expects excellence, perfection in human terms, a wholesome and worthwhile example to others, behaviour that glorifies Him and makes them greatly desire to be numbered amongst His wonderful flock. Now such was the predicament of Israel. The Lord heard their mournful, plaintive cry, took pity, had mercy on them and rescued them from bondage in Egypt: ‘I bare (sustained) you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar (special) treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.’ (Ex.19: 4-5) Yes, the Lord treasured and favoured them above all else, but that same specially chosen status laid a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, having to live by His rules and regulations and set a good example for others. And as noted throughout the Old Testament, when they lived by the Lord’s commands, they prospered, and when they didn’t, they suffered greatly. Friends, it’s just like we feel our children are special, and always expect better behaviour, a higher sense of purpose and responsibility from them than from others. It was no different between the Lord and Israel. My people, if you are special in anything, then more is always expected of you. And though our God is kind, gentle, LOVING and merciful, He has above average expectations for those in His fold. And since the coming of Jesus, all believers, all followers are now special and chosen, and as such have to live up to the standards of Jesus. Many are trying, but sadly not enough, that’s why we have slipped back to a world of ungodliness. We have turned away from God, not obeyed the rules He gave us, which were really rules for our own protection, so we wouldn’t turn to other gods and have to pay the price. But unfortunately that’s exactly how we’ve allowed the world to bring us, and we are now paying the price, a rather steep one to boot. Enough of me though. Let’s go home with the words of Moses that puts the whole thing in its proper perspective. ‘The Lord did not set his LOVE upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any other people; for ye were the fewest of all people. But because the Lord LOVED you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen (slavery) from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that LOVE Him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to (delay with him) that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgements, which I command thee this day, to do them.’ (Deut.7:7-11) Oh my people, I hope that serves as a refresher and a wake up call, to remind us of our special privileges, but also of our special responsibilities. If we ever want to see good days again, we need to make fulfilling them the highest priority in our lives. Much LOVE!…to him that much is given…much is also required…
Oh Friends, I can’t believe how warm and sunny it’s been in my neck of the woods the last few days! People have been taking advantage of it, walking around half naked as though it’s the height of summer. But I think all that’s over now. The leaves have fallen and the serious, wet, damp, miserable weather is about to set in before it turns real cold and that lovely white stuff begins to fly. (smile) And the seasonal changes do seem to provide a good explanation for Today’s Bit. ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;’ conjures up vivid images of summer time; fun and frolic. When a nation has the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at its core, guiding and directing its heartstrings, then blessings flow freely. When we seriously and consistently worship, serve and glorify the One True God, then a nation’s healthy, everything runs smoothly, our land prospers in His strong, LOVING embrace as we dwell safely under the panoply of His assured protection. Now that’s what we had some years ago. But as we begin to move away from Him, arrogantly and foolishly believing in our own strength and wisdom, then the good life begins to slip away. Summer starts turning to fall; things get scarce, the land becomes dry and unproductive, jobs are lost, confusion, disillusion, disagreement and a host of negative behaviour rears its ugly head. That’s what we suffered last year. And now we’re in the winter of our discontent. Everything’s looking stark naked and dead, with little hope in the nation. And though the puny politicians and greedy business people try to put a bright spin on things, saying that the worst is over now, that’s only a farce. Yes, the banks are making big money again and insist on paying the crooks that caused the original problem big bonuses, despite the fact that many people are still losing their jobs, homes and very livelihood. Oh my Friends, there’s still no real hope in sight for the ordinary man who depends on a simple job to earn a living. And though the leaders have blown a lot of taxpayers money propping up an inefficient, crooked system, very little of the dribble down effect that they so boldly trumpeted when they doled it out has really reached the man in the street. The system is still the same; no meaningful rules and regulations have been imposed on the heartless, greedy Wall Street con artists. So even if it seems like spring is around the corner, it’s just a sleight of hand and mouth, cause we have not learned anything from our disaster, just gone right back to the same old ways. And since you can only reap what you sow, if your basic economic model is built on a weak, fraudulent system that really produces nothing but useless paper, then eventually the whole house of cards will crumble again, when it becomes too heavy for its porous foundation. My people, when a nation is blessed because the Lord is their God, that’s one thing, but when that nation is also ‘the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance,’ then their behaviour becomes even more important. Now serving God, normally bears a large responsibility, but being His special people involves even greater accountability. Then the Lord expects excellence, perfection in human terms, a wholesome and worthwhile example to others, behaviour that glorifies Him and makes them greatly desire to be numbered amongst His wonderful flock. Now such was the predicament of Israel. The Lord heard their mournful, plaintive cry, took pity, had mercy on them and rescued them from bondage in Egypt: ‘I bare (sustained) you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar (special) treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.’ (Ex.19: 4-5) Yes, the Lord treasured and favoured them above all else, but that same specially chosen status laid a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, having to live by His rules and regulations and set a good example for others. And as noted throughout the Old Testament, when they lived by the Lord’s commands, they prospered, and when they didn’t, they suffered greatly. Friends, it’s just like we feel our children are special, and always expect better behaviour, a higher sense of purpose and responsibility from them than from others. It was no different between the Lord and Israel. My people, if you are special in anything, then more is always expected of you. And though our God is kind, gentle, LOVING and merciful, He has above average expectations for those in His fold. And since the coming of Jesus, all believers, all followers are now special and chosen, and as such have to live up to the standards of Jesus. Many are trying, but sadly not enough, that’s why we have slipped back to a world of ungodliness. We have turned away from God, not obeyed the rules He gave us, which were really rules for our own protection, so we wouldn’t turn to other gods and have to pay the price. But unfortunately that’s exactly how we’ve allowed the world to bring us, and we are now paying the price, a rather steep one to boot. Enough of me though. Let’s go home with the words of Moses that puts the whole thing in its proper perspective. ‘The Lord did not set his LOVE upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any other people; for ye were the fewest of all people. But because the Lord LOVED you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen (slavery) from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that LOVE Him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to (delay with him) that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgements, which I command thee this day, to do them.’ (Deut.7:7-11) Oh my people, I hope that serves as a refresher and a wake up call, to remind us of our special privileges, but also of our special responsibilities. If we ever want to see good days again, we need to make fulfilling them the highest priority in our lives. Much LOVE!…to him that much is given…much is also required…
SCRIP-BITS 