For today, One Year Bible Online links here. Christmas is coming soon. Let us remember what it is truly about, the birth of Jesus Christ. Let us strive to not be caught up in the commercialism which is what this season is about for many in our society today.
If a ruler gives credence to lies, it is only a matter of time until he will only have wicked men and wicked women for advisers. In such a situation it is only a matter of time until those who are not willing to lie, cheat, and steal to advance their own interests will either leave by their own choice or be forced out by those more ruthless than themselves.
This psalm refers to when the people of Israel returned from exile. However, the psalm gives us an insight in how to deal with suffering and tragedy in our lives. I am actually going to look at it backwards. The psalmist tells us that those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. When we face suffering let us always remember that it is temporary. God will bring us joy when His plans reach their fulfillment.
Earlier in the psalm the psalmist said that the rest of the world will be amazed by what God has done for us. Let us live our lives so that when God works out His plans, others will look at us and say, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” When we experience the good times, let us make sure that everyone knows that it was God who brought them about for us.
John writes here about traveling teachers who will accept nothing from non-believers. They rely on the believers in an area to support themselves as they travel around teaching the Gospel. I wish he gave us a better idea of how they actually practiced their teaching. I suppose it is just as well that he does not because there would be some who would claim that was the only way to do it.
John praises those who provide support for these traveling teachers. It is interesting that there was a leader of the local church who opposed such traveling teachers and worked to keep them out of the area. John condemns such behavior. It is not clear, but it appears that the leader who John condemns used his position to silence everybody who might provide leadership aside from himself. John tells us not to let such a bad example influence us. Instead we should only imitate those who do what is good. In the NIV translation, it is clear that John is calling this leader an evil man. Those who do good prove that they are God’s children. Those who do evil prove that they do not know God.
God wants us to show love rather than offer sacrifices. He wants us to know Him more than He wants burnt offerings. It is not enough to give to good causes, even if we give until it hurts. We must show love to those around us. God wants to heal us, and our society, but our sins get in the way. When the prophet says that God wants to heal us he means physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
In some ways this reflects back to yesterday. God wants to heal our society, but its sins are too great for healing. However, the prophet is not telling us that its “big” sins are too great. Rather, he is telling us that too many of us are sinning. I cannot fix what is wrong in our society by pointing to some other person and say, “See, that is what is wrong with our society.” No, I need to examine MY life and look at the sins I commit. In order to fix society, I must cleanse myself of my sins.
The answer to our society’s problems is not new laws, or different laws, or stricter enforcing of existing laws. It is not changing the makeup of our government, or our institutions, or our media. No, the answer to our society’s problems is changing people’s hearts. That is something that cannot be done en masse. It must be done one by one and can only be done by showing God’s love to each and every person we meet.
