If he managed to escape with life, it would make a good tale for the bunk house some night; if they were killed it was in doing their duty—it was all in a day’s work.”
              –Clarence Mulford  (Bar-20 Days)

    “Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.”
              –2 Timothy 2:8 (NLT)
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We live in a time of postmodern deconstruction.  Part of the purpose of that, and of socialism (aka, communism; Marxism) is to undermine the history of a nation.  Change the history, tear it down, do away with it, they clamor, ah, but history cannot be done away with, it can only be hidden.
    There are purposes behind statues and monuments.  They are to remind us, not only of great men and great deeds, but also of the time in which they were done.  They are to remind us of a day and for us to contemplate why and what happened–to learn from it.
    There are instances in the Bible where we see that God told individuals to set up memorials.  They were to be recalled by the people as a remembrance of what God did in the lives of Israel.  Memories are vital to a healthy today and tomorrow.  History links the past with the present so that we can learn from it and become better for it.  So we can see the sacrifices that were made.
    I want also to say that there is power in memories.  Look at the following by Robert W. Burns:

         “Memory is dynamic.  Sometimes we think of memory as passive; but far from being inert, memory is one of the greatest powers we have, making possible the retention of part of the past and the rejection of the rest.  Memory is part of the area of our mind which influences below the threshold of awareness.
         Memories have mighty power to strengthen our relationship with God.  Wherever we may go, God is there, the same God who revealed himself to us at home.
         Memories have mighty power to sweeten our relationships with each other.  Husbands and wives, when separated can remain faithful by the remembrance of their mutual loyalty.  Memories can mend a broken heart or encourage a discouraged person.
         Memories have mighty power to sustain us individually.  A man’s real wealth is his memory.  Memories have the power to make us bitter and unhappy, or gentle and happy.  Through memory we can enter the life of any person in his time of need by recalling a similar experience ourselves.”

    True, there is a warning we should heed in regard to memories.  It is two-fold:  first, we do not live in our memories, they are there to bring a smile, to be used when others are in need.  Second, memories if not looked at with proper perspective can bring regrets.  “If only…,” “I should have…” and on we could go.  That’s one reason memories are important, so that today we can look at the past, make wise decisions so that when we get become more of a refined and aged person that we do not look back with regrets.
    Look at the admonishment of Paul in the above Scripture.  “Always remember Jesus Christ…”.  Remember His sacrifice and His reason for coming to earth.  Remember how He has helped you in the past.  If He helped you there, won’t He be ready to help you again?  Why do we look to men and women of the past?  To understand that if God was there to help them in the time of need, in the time of turmoil, in the time of ideological confusion, that same God–Jesus, will be with you to help you.

I didn’t have any idea what a wealthy person does, or even if it was something I could do, without messing up my life.”
              –Lou Bradshaw  (Along the Way)

    “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”
              –Romans 11:33 (NKJV)
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I came across some reading the other night and it stopped me, causing me to take some time to ponder.  Have you noticed how often we read through a Scripture, but don’t take time to eat at the station.  It’s as if the stage doesn’t stop, but keeps right on going.  We need to stop once in a while and not just think but contemplate what is being said.

    “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”‘”
              –Revelation 2:8-10 (NKJV)

    “The First,” think of that.  Have you ever thought of what it was like before God created?  I mean before He created anything:  the angels, the cherubim, the seraphim, heaven, the throne.  What was it like when there were no men, no angels, no words spoken?  What was it like when there was only God?  Joseph Parker said that we have only the “dimmest apprehension of the mystery of being the First.”
    “The Last,” is another mystery.  I am not sure if it is referring to the ages of eternity to come or if it could be referring to the words of Jesus when He cried, “It is finished.”  The last act of salvation was finished.
    The Lord then turns His attention to the church at Smyrna.  It was a suffering church.  The people may have cried in their misery “woe is me,” but Jesus reminds them that they are rich.  He knows where to find them, He knows where they are no matter how dark the grief and suffering may be.
    A writing by Joseph Parker brought the following to my attention concerning the fact that Christ knows where we are when we are suffering for him.  First, he says, “It should embolden us to seek His help.”  “He is within whisper-reach of all His saints.”  It may be only a sigh or a groan, but He is there, He knows.  Second, “It should inspire us with invincible courage…  the shadow of Christ falls upon us, and that shadow is stronger than a thousand shields.”  If courage fails we need to turn to Him to embolden us.  “He knows your frame; He remembereth that you are but dust; He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  You fail, but He never!”  And thirdly, “It should clothe us with profoundest humility.”  Who are we that the King of heaven and the universe would care for us, would come to our aid?  Yet, He does!  
    There is one more phrase to contemplate, “you are rich.”  Now, I would ask you, what does it mean for you to be rich?  Does rich not differ because of circumstance?  My Aunt always considered herself rich when she received a job from Safeway.  Our family budget almost doubled–we were rich.  Give the widow of “two mites” several talents and she would think herself rich.  Are you rich in comparison to Joe Blow, or to Donald Trump, or to the wealth of Solomon?  Are you rich because your Father sits enthroned with unsearchable riches?
    Eddy Arnold put out a song a few years back, titled “The Richest Man in the World.”  Look at part of the lyrics and it will give you a good idea of what riches are.

         “Now the rich folks talk about the grub they eat
          Now I’ve got all those rich folks beat
          ‘Cause I’ve got a field of yellow yams
          And a smokehouse filled with country hams.
          Talk to me about caviar
          They ain’t nothing but fish eggs placed in a jar,
          I’ve got a whole pond of big brown trout
          Fish eggs what are they talking about?
          Hey I got no fancy swimming pool
          But the creek in the woods is deep and cool…
          I’m wealthy, I’m wealthy…”

    What then is truly being rich?  Is your faith strong?  Then you are rich.  Are your children serving the Lord?  Then you are indeed rich.  Have you spent much time serving and laboring for Christ?  If so, then you are rich.  No matter the turmoil, the viruses that come your way, the commotion and confusion that strikes at you–Jesus knows where you are and that you are rich.

Sometimes it is necessary to protect the innocent against the plans of the criminal.”
              –Louis L’Amour  (Westward the Tide)

    “Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”
              –Numbers 14:9 (NKJV)
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Does the future seem bleak to you?  Maybe it is because of your outlook on life, your perspective on what is happening and your part in it.  True, I know that some of you wish you could pack up your pistol, take your old shotgun and run the dastardly devils out of town.  Hmmm, but really, would you?
    There is so much clamor going on I wonder what is really down inside someone’s soul.  It’s easy to be brazen on Facebook and other social media, but even then some are afraid of the so-called “media police.”  I know that many are thinking through this, and wonder how far they go before action must be taken, but, oh, let someone else do it.  But there may come a time when you have to get involved.  Vigilante??!!  Hmmm, seems to be a hateful word, but when you truly look at it, it is actually democracy.  The people are taking action to enforce the law.  Yes, there are many problems with vigilantes; if not guided properly they become a mob and similar to the ones they are trying to rid.
    I like what Mario Murillo wrote”

         “Millions of these ‘woke’ Christians are nervous and anxious about tomorrow. They see the storm we are sailing into. They even pray for protection for themselves and the ones they love—but they won’t take a stand, and they don’t agree with God’s means of saving us. Hypocrites! You want God to save you from the very evil you refuse to stand against!”  

That’s hitting the nail on the head.  Standing against evil, or do we let evil have its way and if not stopped it will and it will only get worse, more bizarre and perverted.
    In this day of worry, doubt, and fear, I want to remind you that it should not be in the make-up of the Christian.  Are there sorrows?  Yes.  Are there dark clouds of unknown?  Yes.  But, where is your hope?  In Whom do you place your trust and faith?  As I was writing this the words from an old song came to me.  Let me finish this Echo with them and let them “echo” through your heart in this trying period.

         “I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day,
          I don’t borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray.
          I don’t worry o’er the future, For I know what Jesus said,
          And today I’ll walk beside Him, For He knows what is ahead.

                   Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand;
                   But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.”
                               –Ira Stanphill

Hmmm, perhaps that is the problem, we don’t know what Jesus said and we really wonder if He is walking beside us.  I can assure you that He most definitely is!

Nothing is quite so beautiful as when you share it with someone else.  There is no purpose in working unless one works for someone, for something.”
              –Louis L’Amour  (Westward the Tide)

    “Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.”
              –Revelation 22:17(HCSB)
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Monday again, ah, but this Monday and the next, we are going to a wedding.  Psalm 45 is a wedding psalm which some believe was when Solomon was marrying Pharaoh’s daughter.  There is much pomp and ceremony at a royal wedding and this psalm lavishes much praise upon the groom.

    1 – My heart is moved by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
    2 – You are the most handsome of men; grace flows from your lips.  Therefore God has blessed you forever.
    3 – Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side. In your majesty and splendor—
    4 – in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice.  May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.
    5 – Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.
    6 – Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
    7 – You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions.
    8 – Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume all your garments; from ivory palaces harps bring you joy.
    9 – Kings’ daughters are among your honored women; the queen, adorned with gold from Ophir, stands at your right hand.  (HCSB)

    Take a moment and look at the qualities of the groom:  (George O. Wood)
         1)  He has character which invites praise.  (vs 2)  
                  –“It is the man’s responsibility to conduct himself in such a way that his wife can honestly praise him.”
         2)  He has handsome bearing. (vs 3)
                  –A person of bearing always looks sharp, and conducts himself appropriately.
         3)  He has noble ideals.  (vs 4)
                  –“His purpose in marriage goes beyond self-pleasure–he sees his life mission in larger terms and his marriage as part of God’s plan for the fulfillment of divine aims.”
         4)  He has inner strength.  (vs 5)
                  –“He will be the victor and not victim….  He has wholesome self-confidence in addition to his faith in the Lord.”
         5)  He is in submission to God.  (vs 6-7)
                  –“The earthly husband aligns his character to the Lord’s, possessing a love for righteousness, a hatred of wickedness, and a life of joy.”
         6)  He has love for beauty.  (vs 8-9)
                  –“Here is a man who smells good, possesses a keen sense of aesthetics, and loves music.”

    Note the change in verse 6 to one of prophetic tone.  This handsome ruler with military bearing seems to be symbolic also of the heavenly Groom.  Sometimes we should think of Christ as the “Groom” and remember that the Church is His “Bride.”  Think of the feelings He must have.  Think of the jealousy and anger that may reside in Him for the way His Bride is currently being treated.  Think about how He longs for her, and wants her to be with Him.

         “I shall see the King in His beauty in the land that is far away,
          When the shadows at length have lifted, and the darkness has turned into day.
          And to none will the King be a stranger of the throngs who surround His seat.
          For the hearts of the saved will know Him by the prints of the nails in His feet.”
                  –A. B. Simpson