Oh Friends, after reading the newspaper I get all confused and concerned about the numerous negative things, both man made and natural, that are currently happening in our troubled world. But though great my desire to help, there’s very little I can do about most of it. That means I have to lower my concern, or else it might just start causing me personal problems. And for any others overly concerned about stuff we can’t improve, here’s something designed to bring us back down to earth. It’s something we all know, but need to hear occasionally, to get a reality check. It’s the simple, but very wise Serenity Prayer. ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’ And all God’s people said a hearty ‘Amen!’ Yes Friends it’s ever so important to know what to tackle and what to leave alone, especially in these confused times when so many things are calling out for out attention. It’s not easy, but like everything else in life, we need to turn to God for His direction. And Today’s Bit verifies our turning to God, for any and everything, as the right and wise move to make. ‘For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.’ Again, it’s Peter reworking Bruh David’s words. ‘The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off (destroy) the remembrance of them from the earth.’ (Ps.34:15-16) Oh my people, there are so many pieces of scripture that back up those contentions, that I’m in a quandary as to which to use. But I’ll follow the advice I just gave, and ask the Spirit to guide us. And the consensus is to begin with the wisdom of Cousin Sol. ‘The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.’ (Prov.15:29) Then we’ll move right down to the lowest rung of the ladder, where, contrary to popular opinion, wisdom does exist. And we’re talking about the blind man that Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees questioned him in a condescending manner, as to how he was healed, but in the strength and confidence of his new found sight, he put them in their place. ‘Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.’ (John 9:30-31) Ah mih breddren, wisdom isn’t only granted to the rich and mentally astute, but also to the poor and downtrodden. Now listen as Job’s friend, Elihu adds his two cents worth: ‘Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor (justice to the oppressed). He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them forever, and they are exalted.’ (Job 36:5-7) And in Psalm 33, a hymn of praise to the Lord for his creation, the Psalmist boldly declares: ‘Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.’ (Ps.33:18-19) Now hear Isaiah, God’s spokesperson, telling it like it really is: ‘And when ye spread forth your hands (pray), I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood (bloodshed).’ And the prophet Micah backs up Isaiah’s words. ‘Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill (been evil) in their doings (deeds).’ (Mic.3:4) Yes my beautiful Friends in Christ, the scriptures abound with warnings of the wicked being rejected and overlooked by God, while the righteous have His ear all the time, and He responds favourably to their prayers. There are many more we can quote, but I’m sure we’ve all gotten the general idea by now. However, we’ll close with one piece of scripture that ties it all together perfectly, and it’s a passage that we should all take very seriously to heart. Listen to James’ wonderful advice: ‘Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James 5:16) And isn’t that an awesome truth mih people? It sure is! So let’s ramp up our activity along those lines nuh Friends. Our evil and troubled world is desperately in need of righteousness, prayer and healing, and only we believers can offer that mix of ingredients. So what are we waiting for eh my brethren? Let’s get a move on! Jesus is waiting to hear from us, so that He can open the floodgates of heaven and pour down blessings upon the many unbelievers who take our message to heart, then repent and believe on His name. Remember that’s our bounden duty. Much LOVE!…evil sickens God…turns Him away…righteousness warms His heart…draws Him close…
SCRIP-BITS 