SCRIP-BITS

Job 32:8.    But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
 
Ah Friends, it’s the last day of the first full week of work in about three weeks for some of us. Those lucky enough to get normal work days off in lieu of the public holidays that fell on the weekends. And isn’t it amazing how quickly we can get unaccustomed to going to work? A few days at home and we immediately relinquish the thought, the idea, the habit of work. Hn! Unfortunately though the opposite is not true. We never get accustomed to the idea of going out to work, no matter how often we do it, possibly because in our society, our minds and our psyche its all wrapped up in a host of negative connotations. Thus today, some of us are sadly crying in our milk (smile) ‘TGIF! TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ We’re just dying to get through the day, get home, fall supine on the couch in front of the tube and feebly mouth: ‘Thank you Lord!’ Anyway Friends, don’t despair, our Friday Chant is here! It’s here to boost our spirits and see us successfully through the day. So let’s chant with enthusiasm: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Now let’s get out there and do our calling with vim and vigour, enjoying life, however it unfurls, with Jesus as our more than adequate backstop. In doing so though, we must not forget our Bit: ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’ Yes Friends, we desperately need to remember that wisdom and understanding comes from Almighty God, through His Holy Spirit that dwells in us. And here’s a great example of that from the Good Book: ‘And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men…and his fame was in all nations round about.’ (1 Kin.4:29-31) And all I can say is ‘Wow!’ Yes my people, Cousin Sol didn’t achieve all of that on his own, but through the blessings and generosity of our God working in his heart and soul. Now here’s the fourth pondering on our New Year’s list: ‘This year I will give myself. I will follow the pattern of the life of Christ. I will extend the grace of God. I will forgive others just as God in Christ has forgiven me. I will remember that it is not my job to set everybody straight. I will choose my challenges with prayer and wisdom.’ Oh Friends, if we’d just follow those simple acts of faith consistently, our lives would be much healthier, happier and godly. But like many things in this life, they are all easier said than done. What with the corrupt, evil, ungodly world around us constantly pushing us to get into ever more sinful endeavours, coated with bright, lustful, fleshly pleasures, it takes a very serious effort not to listen to the inviting call of the siren’s sweet song and go astray. That’s why it’s so important for believers to constantly seek wisdom and keep the Lord always before them. And we’re surely fortunate as believers, to have the everlasting font of wisdom right within us. And it all begins as Cousin Sol says: ‘The fear of the Lord (the reverential awe in which we hold Him), is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov.1:7) Yes my brethren, wisdom and understanding, in and of this life, all starts with the proper appreciation and reverence we have for Almighty God. Why? Because as Cousin Sol further declares: ‘For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.’ (Prov.2:6) And Cousin Sol wasn’t the only one to decipher this truth, the young Elihu, disputing with Job and his elders, spoke these wise words when railing against the oppression of the mighty: ‘But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?’ (Job 35:10-11) Oh Friends, it’s imperative that we seek wisdom and understanding in this fallen world, else we will fall with it. And the only place to get the true kind is at the feet of Jesus, not the feet of mortal man. Look at the mess mortal man has made of God’s beautiful planet and His awesome creations! That surely disqualifies him as a vessel of true wisdom. So let’s all wisely get together at Jesus’ feet and glean true wisdom from His truthful, unfailing Word and His immortal Spirit. It’s the only way to live successfully and joyfully on Planet Earth! Much LOVE!…wisdom is the principal thing…therefore get wisdom…and with all thy getting…get understanding… (Prov.4:7)