–Louis L’Amour  (Tucker)

       “And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?'”
                    –Luke 24:38 (NKJV)
——————————–
     The poor, the downtrodden, the despised they are all around us.  The homeless, the persecuted, those in the midst of despair for one reason or another, they are there, some of them only God knows where.  However, that is the truth of the matter, He does know and He is with them, waiting for them to turn to Him.  This morning we finish with Psalm 140 and instead of doom and gloom, David prays for deliverance, not only for himself, but for those who are the down and out of society.

          9 — As for the head of those who surround me, let the evil of their lips cover them;
        10 — Let burning coals fall upon them; let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, that they rise not up again.
        11 — Let not a slanderer be established in the earth; let evil hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
        12 — I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.
        13 — Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.  (NKJV)

     We live in a sin-sick society, and there is no human way out.  No matter the programs and the money that man puts into projects of all sorts, they will ultimately fail because there is not a heart change.  David wants the wrongdoers to have a taste of their own medicine, which eventually will happen.  Paul tells us, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8, NKJV)  There is a time coming.
     God will restore and take care of His own.  He will deal harshly with those who persecute His loved ones.  Zephaniah writes, “Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame.” (3:19, NKJV)  Focus for a minute on verse 12, from the NIV:  “I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.”  God is watching; He is watching that men do right by others.  We can rest in the assurance that God does all things well.  
     It is the duty and obligation for the righteous to live upright lives and to continually give thanks unto the Lord.  We call upon God to deliver, yet we thank Him in all situations for we know that He is in control and cares for us.  Don’t doubt, know that God is there; there in the midst of trials, troubles, and afflictions.

               “Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
               E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
               Still all my song shalt be,
               Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee.”
                     –Sarah F. Adams

       “…And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
                    –Colossians 2:14-15(NKJV)
————————————
     Perhaps I should have saved this for next week sometime, but the thoughts were in my mind, and I didn’t want to lose them.  Maybe, just maybe it is for someone today.  I know that Sunday is Resurrection Day–Easter.  Forty days after the resurrection Jesus ascends back to heaven, to His throne.  I don’t know what the disciples thought.  They didn’t think He would die the horrible death He did by hanging on the cross, and now that He was with them again, He is now again gone.  Did they think He would remain on earth with them?  Ponder the following verses from Acts 1:

          9 — Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
        10 — And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them, in white apparel,
        11 — who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (NKJV)

     There are some important things that Jesus said in Acts 1, but I want to focus on the words of the men in white apparel (angels), “Why do you stand gazing up into heaven?”  They were gawking up into the sky instead of following Jesus’ instructions.  I’m sure in the next ten days their thoughts went back to the cross, the empty tomb, and the ascension, as would be expected, but here there was an admonition pointed at them.
     “Why stand gazing?”  It is important that we celebrate this season, but don’t get too caught up in the symbols, and how important they are, and forget the meaning, the purpose, and the results.  Why stand gazing at the cross?  Jesus declared the work was finished.  Yes, it is because of the work at the cross that we are redeemed, reconciled, and in fellowship with God, but often the splinters from the cross become relics and idols to us.  Jesus declared that the work was finished; God, the Father had given His only Son.  Some wear what is called a crucifix that shows Christ still on the cross–No!  It is finished, the work is complete, He is no longer on the cross.  God’s wrath and justice was appeased and His mercy and grace poured out.  Why stand gazing at the empty tomb?  The victory over death, hell, and the grave is complete, over, finished.  
     One more thought for this Good Friday:  John records the following words of Jesus, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” (12:23, NKJV).  Jesus, not long before the cross prayed these words, “Father, the hour has come.  Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.” (John 17:1, NKJV)  Jesus used this phrase, “the hour has come” several times in the book of John.  Someone rightly wrote, “It is more than just a time period; it’s a turning point in history.”  We remember the words of Paul in writing to the Galatians, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…”. (4:4, NKJV)
     This “fullness of time” was one particular, specific time in history.  A time appointed, a time when it was just right for the event to occur, the only time it could occur.  Jesus was born in the “fullness of time.”  He was crucified for the sins of man and on the third day rose from the grave victorious–if I may say, in the “fullness of time.”  Hang on, go back to the words of the men in white apparel in Acts, “in the fullness of time” this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
     There is a plan for man and the world.  It is not a haphazardly thrown together series of events.  It is a plan in the “time schedule” of God.  Jesus, in the fullness of times, when it is just right, will come back to earth.  Why stand gazing, get on with the work of the kingdom?  William Barclay writes, “The Second Coming is not a matter for speculation and for illegitimate curiosity; it is a summons to make ourselves ready for that day when it comes.”
     So celebrate this wondrous weekend in all that it includes.  Remember, however, to keep it godly, stay away from idols and the frivolity that the world offers.  Have fun, but do not let them deter you from the mighty event that took place in the fullness of times for our salvation and reconciliation to God.  Joyfully sing:
               “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
               And the burden of my heart rolled away,
               It was there by faith I received my sight,
               And now I am happy all the day!”
                        –Isaac Watts

       “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.”
                    –Deuteronomy 29:29  (NLT)
——————————–
Proverbs 3:
          19 — The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens;
          20 — By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.  (NKJV)
(CEB)
          19 — The Lord laid the foundations of the earth with wisdom, establishing the heavens with understanding.
          20 — With his knowledge, the watery depths burst open, and the skies drop dew.

     Often I would ask students what would happen if they were walking and released hold on their books.  Invariably they would say, they would drop, or they would fall.  I would then gently remind them they would not…but gravity would pull them down.  In saying that I don’t mean to imply that I understand the laws of physics.  I do know that some things will happen, such as in the case of the books, but I don’t understand the why of it.  In watching movies I see cowboys shooting up in the air; they don’t understand physics any better than I.  What goes up, must come down, and it will come down in the same arch that it went up (barring other things in nature).
     Stop for a minute and look out the window.  Look at the marvelous creation of God; not evolution–happenchance, but the work of the infinite Creator.  God in His infinite wisdom and plan put it all together.  He spoke and it happened.  I read, whether true or not, of a meeting between the brilliant Albert Einstein and the comedian Charlie Chaplin.  In their conversation it is reportedly said that Chaplin made this remark to the famed scientist:  “The whole world admires you, even though they don’t understand a word of what you say.”
     Bob Beasley points out that “God established the earth, as He set each star of the firmament in position, and as the seas were formed and the ecosystems set up.”  Add to that the grandeur of nature and the wonder of man.  Whew!  It is too much for my pitiful brain to grasp.  I recall the words that God spoke to Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” (38:4, NKJV)  I for sure do not have all the understanding, but I know that it all works together.  I am reminded of the wonderful song by Maltbie D. Babcock:

          This is my Father’s world,
          And to my listening ears
          All nature sings, and round me rings
          The music of the spheres.
          This is my Father’s world:
          I rest me in the thought
          Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
          His hand the wonders wrought.

     “This is my Father’s world,” and I leave it at that.  “I rest me in the thought,” that I cannot comprehend the works of His hands.  Man often gets in the way of the laws of nature and physics.  When that happens bad things can happen and often do.  Warren Wiersbe reminds us, “Obey these laws and creation will work with you; disobey them and creation will work against you.”  Try walking on water.  Oh ye of little faith.  Take a step off a ten story building and see if you can defy the laws of gravity.  On the way down, be sure and pray asking that the Lord forgive you for your stupidity.  He will answer, “My son/daughter, I forgive you” just before the sound of “PLOP!”
     Since this creation belongs to our heavenly Father we are to be good stewards not only of our finances but also of God’s creation.  Upon leaving a campsite I always told my kids and students to leave it better than when you found it.  I hate to drive along roads and see all the trash.  In that same concept, we should also be better stewards of our intelligence.  J.L. Flores states that, “the exhibition of God’s wisdom in creation is intended to lead men to listen to His Word of Revelation.”  Ponder this last thought throughout the day from the NIV Study Bible, “To live by wisdom is to imitate the Lord and conform to the divinely appointed creation order.”