SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 34:15.     The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
 
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s tired this morning because I was up late engrossed in a historical romance novel. Yes it was raunchy and interesting, (smile) but the sad part is that our lives today seem to simply be a reflection of a few hundred years back. There’s still the overwhelming amount of deceit and treachery; of pride and arrogance of those with wealth and power; there are still lots of strife and wars, both internal and external; plus the greed, and backbiting, the corruption, the family disputes, the denial of justice and oppression of those on the lower rungs of the social and economic ladder. We only seem to do it more quickly now with the advent of modern technology and other more refined methods and accoutrements. So though times have changed and the human animal has put on a more humane facade, the basic nature of man and society are still the same. Ah Lord eh! It’s obvious that the modern tools of living life have taught us nothing. We might look different on the outside, because we’re dressed in different clothing, but we still thrive on selfish, greedy, corrupt, evil behaviour. And because society is so much more widespread, those ungodly attributes are also more widespread and thus more difficult to eradicate. But remember Friends, where there’s a will, there’s always a way. And that way is through the Lord God Jehovah, because as our Bit truthfully declares: ‘The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.’ There’s absolutely no doubt about that my people, for the Lord has faithfully promised it! And the corresponding, or reverse verse to our Bit is the next one: ‘The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off (destroy) the remembrance of them from the earth.’ (Ps.34:16) There we have both sides of the coin Friends: Heads, the Lord is hearing and looking after the righteous. Tails, He’s eliminating the memory of the wicked from the earth. What a wonderful God we serve and worship people! And if you don’t believe me, then listen to that man of great faith and patience, Job, as he speaks on the justness of God. ‘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 for ever, and they are exalted.’ (Job 36:5-7) Oh my people, riding under the banner of the Most High God is the only wise and sensible choice we have in this earthly life! Now hear the psalmist declare it, when he offers praise to the Lord for his creation: ‘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) And furthermore, remember when Jesus gave sight to the man blind from birth, by mixing clay, anointing his eyes, then telling him: ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ (John 9:11) He believed enough to do as Jesus said and received sight. But then he was hounded and reviled by the Jewish elite, claiming that he was a disciple of Jesus, wanting to know if what he said was true. And as the Lord is wont to do, he used the lowly to confound the wise. ‘The man answered and said unto them, 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 people, I don’t understand why it’s still so hard to accept Jesus after all He’s done, from the time of His birth, two thousand years ago, till now? There are so many examples that justify He is who He says He is, but yet we still refuse to accept Him. And even worse, some who claim to accept Him, only do so half-heartedly; they still put most of their trust and faith in the world, the things and people thereof. Oh Friends, there’s a reason why Peter quoted portions of Psalms 34 and 37 in his speech on the behaviour of wives and husbands. ‘For he that will LOVE life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile (deceit). Let him eschew (turn away from) evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue (pursue) it. 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.’ (1 Pet.3:10-12) My brethren, I implore us to renew our faith and trust in Almighty God today, so that it will go well with our families, our nations, our world and us. Much LOVE!…only as our eyes are steadfastly focused on God…will our lives be steadfast and secure…