SCRIP-BITS

Job 32:8.    But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
 
Oh Friends, this past year our world has suffered an inordinate amount of catastrophe. From British Columbia across to Russia, right down to Australia and numerous places in between, the earth’s weather systems, and also its internal workings, have played havoc with us. From earthquakes to volcanoes, to hurricanes, floods, obscene amounts of snow and frigid temps, as well as heat waves, famine and drought. You name it, and we’ve recently suffered it somewhere, either in amounts never seen before, or not in a very long time. So what’s causing these steady hiccups in our planet’s smooth journey eh? I’ve put forward two theories before, and I’ll do so again. The first is undoubtedly our fooling with the delicate balance of the earth’s workings, both externally and internally. We can’t put so much chemical crap like we’re doing into the air and water, neither drill deep caverns into the earth’s crust, all over the known world, and not interfere with the way our God and Creator designed it. And the second theory is that it’s a backlash from our God, for ungratefully forsaking Him after He had so generously blessed us with peace and prosperity in our time of obedience. Remember, He said long ago: ‘I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.’  (Is.42:8) And unfortunately Friends, that’s exactly what we’re doing today; giving praise and glory to Lucifer and our man-made idols for the riches and technological advancement we’ve attained, instead of to the Most High God Jehovah, who is the true giver of all good things to mankind. So right there are two very good reasons for our ‘sufferation.’ Oh my people, it’s a wake up call, which we don’t seem to be getting, that’s possibly why the Holy Spirit guided me to this pertinent Bit today. ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’ Oh Friends, that’s gospel! They are words from the young Elihu when he deigned to reason with his elders during Job’s time of calamity. Before that, he says: ‘I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst (dared) not show you mine opinion. I said, Days (age) should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’ Then he puts in our Bit and finishes with: ‘Great men (or men of many years) are not always wise: neither do the aged (always) understand judgement. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.’ (Job 32:6-10) All he says is the living truth Friends; age doesn’t always bring wisdom and reason, neither do older people always understand justice, for the Lord in His enduring wisdom oftimes imbues the young whippersnapper with mind food too, so that he may befuddle his elders. And here is the third of our New Year’s ponderings, which, if we do it consistently, will certainly be accounted to us as wisdom and understanding. ‘This year I will be gentle and passionate. When I awaken in the morning, I will say to myself, “I am baptised. I have died to sin. This day I intend to do what is right in the sight of God.’ Now my brethren, isn’t that a most lovely and godly way to begin our day? It sure is! And when we start talking about wisdom and understanding the natural place and person we gravitate to is Cousin Sol, still revered as the wisest and richest man ever. Now how did he accomplish such a feat? Simply through a selfless heart and motive, plus the Lord’s blessed generosity. We all know the story: When he first ascended to his father, Bruh David’s throne, the Lord asked him in a dream for his heart’s desires. And instead of asking much wealth and power, Sol, knowing that he was in deep waters to rule so great and plentiful a people at such a tender age, wisely and sincerely asked: ‘Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgement (justice); Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.’ (1 Kin.3:9-14) Oh Friends, there it is in black and white; the answer to our holy grail! And though the story is eons old, nothing has changed, for our unchangeable God still blesses those who ask for wisdom and understanding with them. So why are so many of us walking around in a daze, a stupor, like we don’t know our A from our E eh? Let’s turn to the Lord NOW, and ask Him to fill our spirits with the wisdom and understanding we need to live in this evil and ungodly world, and also that we may truly know and revere Him. Much LOVE!…we can only come to our senses…when God’s wisdom fills our spirit…