SCRIP-BITS

Isaiah 28:29.    This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
 
Oh Friends, we’ve got to put on our praying caps again today for those unlucky people on the north east coast of North America, who were hit by the untimely and unseasonable snowstorm last weekend. Unfortunately over a million of them are still without heat, light and power in these fast approaching days of winter. This tragedy, coming so soon after Hurricane Irene in August, surely must have some people wondering what’s happening. But there’s nothing to really wonder about Friends. It’s basically a warning sign for the sinful, ungodly, wasteful life that’s become the norm in our society. And unless we clean up our act, and fast too, these untimely, unexpected disasters will keep happening. Just look back in history nuh. When we were living a more godly life, when God was in our schools, churches, and public places, were there as many natural disasters, so often, and so deadly? I don’t think so. Between our senseless tampering with the earth’s atmosphere and God’s hand of warning, we’re seeing many more natural disasters taking place all over the world. And our Bit today is taken from Isaiah’s warning to the people of Jerusalem re their evil, godless ways, which would eventually bring the wrath of God upon them. Sadly, Friends, it’s no different today. In fact it’s worse, because we’re living a much more sinful and ungodly life than possibly any other society that’s gone before us. Our Bit though points out the foolishness in that lifestyle and guides us in the right direction. ‘This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working (guidance).’ Yes my people, it’s to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to whom we must look for help and succour, for assurance and right thinking. And until we do so in a big way, our world will continue to be struck by much calamity. Now why should we look to Jehovah God for guidance? Because He created the world and all therein, He’s the most powerful Being in existence, and He still runs things. In other words, He’s the big Sahib, the big Chief! Hear the palmist’s proclamation on that point. ‘O Lord, how great are thy works! And thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish (senseless) man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.’ (Ps.92:5-6) Isaiah himself also spoke some immortal words on the subject. ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ (Is.9:6) We know that he was referring to the Messiah, Jesus; the One who would sacrifice Himself to pay for our disgusting sins. So why aren’t we paying more attention to Jesus and His wise ways eh Friends? Why is our world currently so enamoured of the dark side of life? In movies, music, books and social gatherings, the dark side prevails these days. So what else can we expect but dark, dangerous happenings in our lives? They say if you play with fire, it will burn you. The same goes for darkness my brethren. If you play with the dark, ugly, evil side of life, it will eventually suck you into its destructive vortex. Oh my people, it’s on the Lord God Jehovah, on Jesus, that bastion of light and power on whom our thoughts and activities should be focused. Beelzebub doesn’t create anything, he’s only into death and destruction, while our God, our Jesus, brings life and light to those who sincerely follow Him. Bruh David said it thus in praise for answered prayer: ‘Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee (recounted): if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.’ (Ps.40:5) What has Beelzebub done for us to shower that kind of praise on him eh? NOTHING…NADA, my Friends! That’s why I can’t understand why we have turned to him in such droves, completely bypassing our true Creator, Protector and Provider. Now listen to Jeremiah’s prayer on the subject: ‘Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched our arm, and there is nothing too hard (difficult) for thee: Thou showest LOVING-kindness unto thousands, and recompensest (repay) the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is his name. Great in counsel, and mighty in work (deed): for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.’ (Jer.32:17-19) Oh Friends, I implore us to wake up and smell the roses, truly see on which side our bread is buttered; in praise and reverence to Almighty God, through Jesus, the Prince of Light and not through Beelzebub, the purveyor of darkness. It’s only through constant fellowship with Christ will our paltry human efforts bear any wise and righteous fruit. Let’s remember that, and write it deep and indelibly in our hearts, minds and souls. Much LOVE!…a word to the wise is sufficient…