Remember, God watches over us, even in the hardest times. We all have our burdens.”
                    –David Fitz-Gerald  (First Drive)

       “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”
                    –Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
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Today I have a doctor’s appointment.  It is not my favorite thing to do, but at my season in life it is almost a necessity.  When I look at those sitting in the waiting room, my mercy, some of them are in bad shape.  Their bodies are wracked with pain, aches, and the like.  Some are crooked, bent over, and can hardly walk.  That’s not the worst of it.  I see on their faces the lack of hope, the melancholy of “what’s the use” or “help me live just a little longer.”  Life is fleeing from them and there is nothing they can do to hold on to it, except maybe a few more pills, some medication, some kind of treatment or the knife of surgery.  
     I think of the invalid at the pool, who in bitterness replied to Jesus, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.  While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” (John 5:7, NIV)  Heavy-laden, sick, unable to barely care for himself, much less make it to the pool in time.  Angry at life, angry at others, angry at his condition, and get this, he believes in the superstition of the troubled waters in the pool.  He doesn’t even know that the Great Physician is standing in front of him asking him questions.
     To gaze back over the waiting room, I wonder how many have had the opportunity to hear the voice of Jesus.  Sometimes I can pick out a person who has a genuine smile, not one that’s forced.  My Grandma had severe pain, however it brought to her a closer relationship with Christ.  Oh, she would moan at times, but she would always end it saying something regarding her heavenly Father.  She would gain strength to carry her through, and her hope would grow even brighter.  St. John of the Cross said, “For the virtue and strength of the soul grows and is confirmed by trials and patience.”
     The words of Jesus should give us comfort, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)    St. John of the Cross tells us, “Better it is to be heavy-laden and near one that is strong than relieved of one’s load and near one that is weak.  When thou art heavy-laden, thou art near to God, who is thy strength and is with them that are in trouble.  When thou art relieved, thou art near but to thyself, who are thine own weakness.”  
     Take away the burden, and will you remember the strength you received from Christ?  I ask, how many lepers who were healed came back to thank Jesus for their healing?  Then, how many when the burden is relieved continue to walk in total communion with the Lord.  Perhaps there is a deeper reason, then for the burden.  “The soul that is alone and without a master, and has virtue, is like the burning coal that is alone.  It will grow colder rather than hotter.” (St. John of the Cross)   Burdens and pains with the Master, or trying to make it on your own with the help of pills?  I recall the old song:
          “Days are fill with sorrow and care,
          Hearts are lonely and drear;
          Burdens are lifted at Calvary,
          Jesus is very near.”
                –John M. Moore
     It is time for me to leave, I have my diagnosis and prognosis, and any other thing that might have been given me in the halls of medicine.  I don’t worry or complain, I’ve seen the looks of those in despair.  I know I have a Great Physician watching over me, no matter what any doctor might say.  I used to really dread these trips, but now, they make me thankful that I have a loving Father who cares for me.  And no matter what–get that!  No matter what, He will be with me no matter the ailment, burden, or prognosis.

He chuckled at how people are so easily convinced of new practices.”

A rifle ball doesn’t look like much until you fire it out of a rifle.”
                    –Cliff Hudgins  (Viejo and the Outlaw)

       “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.”
                    –Ephesians 5:4 (NIV)
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          “To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom.” –Proverbs 10:23(NKJV)
          “Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.”  (ESV)
          “Fools enjoy doing wrong, but anyone with good sense enjoys acting wisely.  (CEV)

Here we see another characteristic of a fool to add to your list.  Look around you, look at social media and you will find a host of fools.  Watch talk shows and the fools are quickly seen.  We read in Galatians 5:19-21, a list of the things a fool mocks.  Those characteristics and lifestyles that God abhors are the very things that a fool breaks out into an insidious grin and jokes about them.  The mind takes pleasure in evil conduct and thoughts, and that’s where the fool finds pleasure.
     I have never been one who cared for pranks.  They are devised to hurt someone in some way.  In regard to this day’s study, that is the character of a fool–a prankster, one with evil intent in his joking.  He makes sport out of mischief; he laughs at others’ misfortunes.  Fools mock at sin, “Fools mock at sin…” (Proverbs 14:9, NKJV), they jest at the things of God, they make mockery and jokes of His holy name.  The fool is dangerous to be around, he is not one to associate with.  J.L. Flores states, “The fool who thinks sin is a laughing matter will not hesitate to commit sin himself, or to do his brother the irreparable mischief of leading him in the path of sin and death.”
     The fool makes light of sin; he characterizes it into large and small–the small white lie and the large black lie.  They mock those who follow God’s moral precepts and they take glee in hurting others (i.e., Kimmel referring to the First Lady as a widow), then saying it was all in fun, a joke–FOOL!  “I was only joking,” is the excuse to make light of hurtful and sinful comments. “Nothing proclaims a man to be a fool so plainly as his mockery of sin.” (Flores)  There is a seriousness to life, yes, enjoy it, but do not make fun of the things of God or the plight of others.  “The difference between the lost and the saved is,” according to Samuel Miller, “that to one it is but trifling to live; to the other it is the gravest wisdom.”
     To be a mocker, a jester, is according to Lawson, an “advanced stage of folly.”  Sport now, but one day there will be severe consequences.  This man, this fool, has the devil for his playmate.  He dances well with his partner, his folly. (John Trapp)  I recall two men on crosses with Christ.  Both mocked, but then one realized the seriousness of his circumstances and the Man on the cross next to him.  The one to whom Jesus spoke went to paradise, the other mocker–the fool–went to perdition.  See, salvation brings understanding.  Salvation brings a change and renewal to our mind.  Wisdom is an enjoyment; seeking God’s truth is a true endeavor of life.  The person of wisdom understands the seriousness of the fool’s actions.  There is a huge difference in the maturity level of the person with wisdom and the fool.  The man of understanding, the wise, knows the importance of life, and as the writer of Hebrews states, “I have come to do your will, O God.” (10:7, NIV)