–Louis L’Amour  (Hondo)

 

       “For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun?”
                    –Ecclesiastes 2:22(NKJV)
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I trust that you enjoy our Monday mornings when we look at the Psalms.  There is so much in this one book for us.  It shows us how life really is, and then how the believer should react to the reality of life.  Remember, reality is in God.  The Lord wants us to worship Him in spirit and truth (truth means “reality).  We are to worship in our everyday lives, in all events of our everyday lives–in other words worship in reality.  The Psalms help us to do that.
       Looking at the second part of Psalm 62 it seems that much of it surely does relate to today–reality.  

               8 — Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.        Selah
               9 — Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Menn of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor.
              10 — Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, Do not set your hearts on them.
              11 — God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this:  That power belongs to God.
              12 — Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.  (NKJV)

The name of the game is power and control.  Man gets caught up on who’s famous, who’s rich, and who has the power.  From God’s perspective these individuals are “lighter than vapor,” or as a “puff of air” (NLT).  All of their power, all of their strength and wealth cannot add one ounce to their weight in the eternal scheme of things.  I know of an individual who is greatly concerned in regard to getting “money and things.”  What is he going to do with them?  Verse 10, from the NLT, states, “don’t make it the center of your life.”  The “it” is wealth/possessions.
       I have made it a goal in life to not become a millionaire and so far this is one goal in which I have succeeded. (I’m being facetious).  If I had money, what would I do with it?  Most likely I would give it away–philanthropy, they call it.
       As we go through life we are to trust in the Lord.  Power belongs to Him.  He is in control and when we finally realize that, life will be easier to handle.  Look around, especially at those who call themselves leadership.  “Don’t invest in hot air; instead, ‘trust in Him at all times’ and reap an eternal reward of immeasurable weight.” (William J. Petersen).

               “Simply trusting ev’ry day,
                Trusting through a stormy way;
                Even when my faith is small,
                Trusting Jesus–that is all.”
                         –Edgar Page Stites

                    –Dan Arnold  (Death Is the Dealer)

        “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

                    –2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NKJV)
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Sometimes this little feeble brain of mine gets perplexed.  Sometimes I wonder and ponder then wonder some more.  I read this week that the CDC said only 1% of those vaccinated will get the virus–1%.  But then–it seems as if there is always a “but then” anymore.  But then I read a report from a study done by Israel stating that 50% of those currently with the virus have been vaccinated–50%.
       Now for sure both can’t be right.  One of them has to be lying.  Which one?  Perhaps even a better question would be, why are they lying?  Or what would make them want to lie?  One percent versus fifty percent!  See why I wonder and ponder?  There’s quite a margin between the two statements.
       Again, let me state as I have before, there is a real serious virus out there.  This is not something that happened naturally despite what we may have been told–hmmm, lies again.  It was made in a lab.  That lab was in China, but wait, they are saying maybe it was not–another lie?  Was it made to be a weapon?  Then we need to ask, who has the most to gain from such a weapon?  Do I dare say China?  Let a virus escape from a lab (or deliberately release it) and add that to our inept officials in Washington and we have massive fear, pandemonium, paranoia, hatred, and stress.
       I want to draw your attention to the words of Jesus in the Book of John, chapter 8,

               44 — “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is not truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
               45 — But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.” (NKJV)

The foremost trick and temptation of the devil is that of deception.  He wants you to believe a lie.  He started in the Garden of Eden by deceiving Adam and Eve into believing and doing something that was contrary to what God had said.  He continues to do so–he lies to deceive you, to destroy you.  He lies to take away your soul.
       Jesus said that He was the truth (John 14:6).  Because of that He is mocked, scorned.  His followers, the true Church, is persecuted, saying they are bigoted, racist, and unenlightened.  Vine states that Jesus “was the perfect expression of the truth.”  He is truth!  Make no doubt about it, but then why are so many afraid to stand up for the Truth, or the truth?  Fear, hmmm a very common word and emotion and expression today.
       Now here comes another perplexity I find in my brain.  Why is it that people refuse to accept the Truth/truth?  It is because they love the feeling of fear deep inside them?  Is it because they are lovers of darkness?  Is it because the god of this world has deceived and blinded them?  Yes.  And one more thing about the truth and lies is that God will allow people to believe them.  A lie becomes so real to them that they accept it as truth (Romans 1; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).  
       So friends, do not be deceived.  Get into the Word of God, devour it so that you will not listen to the lies of the devil.  Listen, whether it’s 1% or 50% God is in charge.  God is the answer; He is the One who brings peace to our soul.  To get a vaccine and then to continue to live in fear doesn’t make much sense.  Let me close with one Scripture from Psalms.

               “No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.”
                              –Psalm 91:10 (NKJV)

                         –Louis L’Amour  (Under the Sweetwater Rim)

       “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”

                         –Colossians 3:1 (NKJV)
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The first part of Isaiah 5 speaks of the preparation of the vineyard and then the displeasure of the owner and what he decides to do.  Remember this is in regard to the Lord and His relation to Israel, but it can also hold meaning for the United States, or any country, and also the individual.  Starting with verse 8, we see the first “Woe.”

               “Woe to those who join house to house; they add field to field, till there is no place where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land!” (NKJV)

       First of, be alert and consider when God says “Woe.”  It is a dire warning and one that must be heeded or the consequences will be severe.  In this verse we see that the problem is materialism, greed, and worldliness.  The impression is that the real life, the good life, is the life of money and possessions.  Most people identify life by their possession or spending.  Either that or their wishes of possessions (coveting).
       Far too often, we find ourselves getting caught up on what we want and then get ourselves in trouble by going into debt.  Overspending, over indebtedness and the reason why is that we are not satisfied.  Jesus warned, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15, NKJV)  
       What makes a person?  Is it their fine car or their grand house?  It is hard to imagine, but all too real, that man reduces himself by identifying with things that can be purchased with money.  What does that have to do with eternity?   Man is a slave to his “wants” and “wishes.”  Lloyd-Jones says, “When you set your heart on them, when you identify yourself with them, and when you cannot live without them, then you are a slave.”  I have had students tell me in all sincerity that they couldn’t live without their cell phone.  My, my, my…  Lloyd-Jones continues, “People can possess things, but when they are possessed by those things, that is nothing but sheer slavery; it is utterly debasing.”
       We are made in the image of God to worship and praise Him.  We are to give Him honor, but instead man gives honor to “things.”  God is forgotten or at least pushed aside.  How many miss church on Sunday because they are involved with things?  How many become a slave to entertainment and recreation forgetting the house of the Lord?  Hmmm…
       Today, the world is facing famine which brings fear.  There is the cause of global warming–true or not it is causing fear of climate change.  There is fear of pestilence as has been seen with the virus now facing the earth.  Just this week, I read where “they” are fearful of this new variant of the COVID virus is dangerous.  Science tells us to fear.  Government leaders tell us to fear.  Even ministers of the Gospel tell us to fear–shame on them.
       
               “In my hearing the LORD of hosts said, ‘Truly, many houses shall be desolate, great and beautiful ones, without inhabitants.'” (5:9, NKJV)

       My friend, hearken to the words of Jesus, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)  What is this life?  How are you identified?  Trust in the Lord.  “You will have enough, and more than enough, to satisfy your soul, you will be right with God, and you will therefore succeed in time, you will succeed in death, you will succeed throughout the countless ages of eternity.” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
       As Christians we have been given a grand inheritance.  It is not only just waiting for us when we get to heaven, but we can begin to enjoy it now.  Part of it is reevaluating your life and prioritizing what is important.  Seeking the things of God rather than our own selfish wants.  I could go on and on about this but I want to finish today with another thought by Lloyd-Jones,

               “If your treasure is in this world, when you die you will have nothing left.  But if you ‘seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness’ you will have this inheritance that is incorruptible, and indestructible.  Let the world go mad in a final cataclysm and destroy itself; you know that, ‘Your life is hid with Christ in God’ (Col. 3:3), and your inheritance will never fade away.”

                    –Dan Arnold  (Riding for the Brand)

        “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

                    –1 John 2:6 (NKJV)
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How To Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World

Key Verse:  “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”  –1 John 5:19 (NASB)

We can shout the victory!  I recall the chorus of B. E. Warren’s hymn:  “Victory yes, victory; Hallelujah!  I am free, Jesus gives me victory….”  We can have the victory because of Jesus Christ.  Never forget that the Gospel is an event!  Do not turn it into a philosophy, though there is philosophy in it.  Study, contemplate, and meditate on the following verses from 1 John 3:7-9.  We have victory from the devil; we can survive and live in this evil world.

               7 — Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous;
               8 — the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.  The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
               9 — No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” (NASB)

       Let me give an illustration before I continue on.  When I was in high school I practiced hours on end.  I couldn’t tell you the thousands and thousands of ground balls I had hit to be in practice and after practice.  I practiced so I could become better and so that I wouldn’t make an error in a game.  However, once in a while (and honestly it was rare) I made an error.  No matter how hard I practiced, it would on occasion show up.  I can relate this to my Christian walk.  I practice and practice and practice living a righteous life but on occasion an error is made.  I didn’t practice making errors, but it happened.  If one does occur I go back to that wonderful verse of 1 John 1:9.
       Notice the purpose of Jesus coming to earth–to destroy the works of the devil.  Jesus came to wage a great fight.  It took place throughout His life and the culmination of the battle took place on Calvary.  His resurrection secured the victory.  The devil enticed man to sin, so man went against God.  The devil lies and has persuaded man to believe his lies.  Look at a few of the devil’s lies:
               1)  When we hate, we often turn our hatred toward God.
               2)  We cannot live a holy life, it is too narrow, too confining.
               3)  In response to living a holy life comes the cry of “legalism.
These lies are to keep us in our sin and thus live a sinful life.  They are to prevent us from living a godly life and rob us of the benefits God has for us.  We become part of the world and under its control and domination.  The state of the world apart from Christ is one of deception filled with lies.
       Don’t be too surprised at the warfare that goes on.  Jesus stated, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth:  I came not to send peace, but a sword!”  (Matthew 10:34).  Look at a few battles and lies that took place.
               1)  The Incarnation goes against the lie of the devil.
               2)  His sinless life goes against the lie of the devil.
               3)  His teaching and preaching goes against the lie of the devil.
               4)  His miracles goes against the lie of the devil.
               5)  Calvary is undoing the condemnation of sin; wiping away guilty; setting us right with God.
               6)  Resurrection is the PROOF — now He has conquered death itself; that last enemy.