–Louis L’Amour  (North to the Rails)

       “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”
                    –Matthew 4:16 (ESV)
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       “Shadows tonight have struck more terror than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers.”
                    –William Shakespeare

     My Grandpa was a night watchman for Western Cutlery.  Why is it that companies have to hire someone to be a guard over the premises and the goods at night?  Because, the night is when evil lurks about all the more, when evil is done more frequently.  When you read Psalm 134, ponder the night watches where the shadows move about.

          1 — Behold, bless the LORD, all your servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
          2 — Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
          3 — The LORD who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!   (NKJV)

This is the last psalm of ascent.  Perhaps darkness is falling as they finish their climb and see the Temple.  Darkness is falling so they rush to the Temple before the doors close.  Or maybe it is speaking of those who remain in the Temple after the pilgrims have made their sacrifice and are readying themselves to go home.  Who are those who remain in the Temple?  The priests.  They remain, continuing to worship the Lord.  They continue to worship after others have left.
     Steven Lawson states that, “Worship is not to be a performance before men but a proclamation before God.  It is not the entertainment of men but the exaltation of God.”  How many times have I seen people doing “pogo-stick” worship to hype themselves, but also to show how “religious” they are.  True worship must be “built upon the deep exposition of the Word.” (Lawson)  
     If you are in a dark time, or if you see darkness looming ahead, think for a moment not about the situation but about God’s Word.  His Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path. (Psalm 119:105)  If you want to get out of the darkness, get into the Word.  If you want to worship in spirit and truth, get into the Word.  I like what John MacArthur says regarding worship, “You must first take a church down deep in the Word if you would lead them up high in worship.  The depth determines the height.  The depth in the Word determines the height in worship.  Shallowness in the Word leads to shallowness in worship.”  The priests remain, worshiping for what has taken place, and then worshiping as they continue in their faithfulness to God.
     Some of these priests doubtless were on “night guard.”  I remember in basic training that possibly the worst thing that could happen was to fall asleep on guard duty at night.  Woe to that person if caught.  Worship must be a lifestyle; worship during the day, but also worship in the night.  Worship in the good times of celebration, but also worship in times of distress and trouble.  Worship when the house is full, yet continue to worship when you are alone.
     The priests of the night time–what an awesome responsibility.  George O. Wood explains this importance, “It’s the people who kept the night watch of intercession who now make it possible for you to enter:  God’s special priests who do not punch the clock of duty, but who tarry long hours until every last pilgrim coming up the mountainside has had a chance to make it inside the gates of pearl.”  These are those who do not walk off the job.  These are the ones who are faithful in the night watch.   There are those who may say, “that’s not my job,” ahh, but friend, we are to be a holy priesthood, therefore, we must be ready for the night watch when others are sleeping.  
     William J. Petersen relates, “Whether your way is shrouded in shadows, whether your work is completely in the dark, or whether you feel that you’re merely standing and waiting, your task is to bless the Lord anyway.”  Some who are blind, in total darkness, often see more than those with eyes that are not blind.  Read of Fanny Crosby who said, “If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it.”  Another time she stated, “I sometimes think that blind people see more than their friends who have the power of vision.”  Or look at the works of the blind poet John Milton who made this observation when he wrote “On His Blindness.”  “Who best bear his mild yoke, they serve his best… They also serve who only stand and wait.”
   
               “Bless, O my soul!  the living God:
               Call home thy thoughts that rove abroad;
               Let all the powers within me join
               In work and worship so divine.”
                        –Isaac Watts

                    –Claire Huffaker  (The Cowboy and the Cossack)

       “The lamp of the body is the eye.  If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

                    –Matthew 6:22-23(NKJV)
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I have often heard the saying, “He’s so heavenly-minded, he’s no earthly good.”  However, the truth of the matter is that it should be said that the person who is heavenly-minded does the most earthly good.  Those individuals go through life with a different perspective.  They understand the true meaning of stewardship, ethics, and work.  They know for Whom they are working and living for.  If you have not made a resolution for 2025, or even if you have perhaps you will want to add these verses from Colossians to your list.

          3.1 — If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
          3.2 — Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  (NKJV)

          3.1 — Since (or if) then, you have been raised up (that is, resurrected) to new life to reign with Christ, keep on desiring and focusing on the things that are above, where Christ is seated and reigns at the right hand (side) of God.
          3.2 — Therefore you must [continually] set and center your thoughts on [heavenly] things above, not on the things on the earth.  (Dr. Henry A. Harbuck’s translation)

     We search, run hither and thither, to obtain earthly, material things.  Things that do not satisfy.  It is time for us, as Christians, to look at the things that really matter.  We are “to set” our minds on the things that Christ has for us, things that the world cannot comprehend or understand.  We need to view life through the lens of the eternal realities of heaven.   To “set” in the Greek term “emphasizes an ongoing decision.” (NKJV Study Bible)  Our lives should not be guided, influenced, or dictated by the world, but by disciplining ourselves to focus on eternal realities.  William Barclay stresses, “Now the thoughts of the Christian must be set on the things which are above.  He can no longer be concerned with the trivial passing things of earth; he must be totally concerned with the eternal verities of heaven.”
     This is not escapism, nor is it otherworldliness.  It is not a means to withdraw, but it is to involve ourselves as Christ would while we journey through this life.  If we are to be “salt and light” we must have an eternal mindset.  We must “view everything against the background of eternity and no longer live as if this world was all that mattered.”(Barclay)
We are to “mortify” or “put to death” (vs 5) those earthly, worldly passions that once captivated us.  Put aside selfish ambition; put away worldly ambition and seek the things of Christ and His kingdom.  Know that our standards of values have changed.  I am reminded of the old song we used to sing in childrens’ church:  “I tell you best thing I ever did do,  I took off the old coat and put on the new…” (Johnson Oatman, Jr.)
     We must change the priorities of our lives.  Prioritize everything you do in the light of God’s Word, in the light of eternity.  Some things are trivial, some are worthless, some are coarse, some probably are downright sinful.  Look at your daily responsibilities and see them from God’s perspective.  Your goals should reflect His agenda.  How about your time, schedule, and purpose–does it reflect eternal values and work for the kingdom?  Then to set our thoughts on things above we must know what they are, therefore, we need to study God’s Word.  Yes, devotions are okay; it’s like eating a cookie for breakfast, but we must know the Word of God.  Pray…pray not for selfish gain, but pray to know God, pray to develop a relationship.  Pray as a means of conversation.  Worship, ah how that term is thrown around.  Worship should be a lifestyle.  Later on in chapter 3 of Colossians we read that everything we do should be unto the Lord–that is worship.  And that also means that it should be to the best of our ability, not “that’s good enough.”  Finally, I would say, to be heavenly-minded is to share.  It may be verbally, but much of our sharing, our witness, is not verbal but how we do our work.  We are “living letters”, how do people read us?  When we have conversations how much of it is about spiritual things?  See, we are not to be spiritually illiterate.  Another way we share is to give.  Give of our finances, our time, our schedule, in other words we should be aware of the many ways in which we can give as unto the Lord.
     How would people describe you?  “Music is your life–Sports is your life–You live for your work.  Such a man finds life and all that it means in music, in sport, in work, as the case may be.  For the Christian, Christ is his life.” (Barclay)  Barclay continues to say, “He judges everything in the light of the Cross and in the light of the love which gave itself for him.  In the light of that Cross the world’s wealth and ambitions and activities are seen at their true value; and, the Christian is enabled to set his whole heart on the things which are above.”

                    –C.M. Curtis  (Silent Mountain Guns)

       “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

                    –James 1:12 (NIV) 
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          1 — My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, (NKJV)
          2 — So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; (NKJV)
                making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; (ESV)
          3 — Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and life up your voice for understanding, (NKJV)
                yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, (ESV)
          4 — If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; (NKJV)
          5 — Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.  (NKJV)

Here we see that wisdom is near and available, but not easy to embrace.  Chapter 2 of Proverbs begins with a guide, a treasure map with directions to the great bounty of knowing God.  “The only way to end up at the right destination is to choose the right road. (Warren Wiersbe)  Know this, there are only two paths.  Luke records the words of Jesus in regard to choosing the crowded road that leads to destruction or the narrow road that leads to life.  Wiersbe says, “The path of Wisdom leads to life, but the way of Folly leads to death.”
     Look at the directions that are given:
          First — we need to accept wisdom’s words.  We must accept His Word and have confidence in it.  Matthew Henry states that we are to “receive with all readiness of mind.”  When we receive we hide the words in our minds and hearts, we store them up.
          Second — then we listen to the words of wisdom.  The application must be made to the heart to understand.  To incline means to filter what we hear, letting the Word get into our heart.  J. Vernon McGee warns us that we can’t “dilly-dally around and pick the daisies along the highway of life; we must apply our heart unto wisdom.”  
          Third — now we must cry out for understanding and insight.  We must desire knowledge and this understanding as hungrily as a baby desires milk (1 Peter 2:2).
          Fourth — seek the hidden treasure as if you were searching and digging for silver.  Someone has said that “Divine wisdom is a mine which yields a little on the surface,” therefore, there must be effort.  Fausset tells us that “treasures are ‘hidden’ not in order to keep them back from us, but to stimulate our faith and patient perseverance in seeking for them.”
     It takes effort to find the treasure that the Lord has for us.  It means we have to walk the narrow, less crowded path.  It is not just looking around for the silver to suddenly appear.  “There is no hocus-pocus way of learning the Word of God.” (McGee)   It takes the desire to want to know the Lord better.  In fact, this is imperative as we journey through life.  Wardlaw states that “Without right views of God you can have no right views of His law.”  All sorts of ideas and problems can begin to arise.  Listen, “Obtaining spiritual wisdom isn’t a once-a-week hobby; it is the daily discipline of a lifetime.” (McGee)
     Want to know God, search for Him, listen for His voice, seek and dig for His treasure.  Let us go back to how it starts by choosing.  It is a choice to listen, a choice to heed the words of the Lord, to filter them out from all of the voices we hear coming from the world.  To walk the way of the Lord takes effort; it is not for the mamby-pamby.  However, it is serious business and will take some “spiritual sweat.”  It is vital to make the right choice; vital not only for life in this world, but for all eternity.  The Puritan theologian Thomas Watson brings the somber thought:  “Death begins a wicked man’s hell.  Death ends a godly man’s hell.”

                    –Job 12:5 (NLT)
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     You cannot live in sinful violence and at the same time expect God to be at peace with you.  That’s the simple plain message of Amos 6.

          1 — Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, and trust in Mount Samaria, notable persons in the chief nation, to whom the house of Israel comes!
          2 — Go over to Calneh and see; and from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines.  Are you better than these kingdoms?  Or is their territory greater than your territory?
          3 — Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence to come near.  (NKJV)

Amos cries “woe” to the indifferent and the arrogant.  God’s Word didn’t mean anything to the people.  They were complacent and lackadaisical in attitude carrying a false optimism.  The cities named were already under the control of the Assyrians; was Israel any better or stronger than them?  Warren Wiersbe states, “False confidence that’s based on expert advice, statistics, and material resources and that ignore the spiritual dimension of life is sure to lead to shameful defeat.”
     We see God warning about complacency in Revelation when those of Laodicea were rich and in need of nothing (3:17).  Those who are complacent “have lost everything that’s important in the spiritual life.” (Wiersbe)  Amos is warning them of being complacent and we read that complacency is something that God doesn’t like.  “And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency.  Who say in their heart, ‘The LORD will not do good.  Nor will He do evil.” (Zephaniah 1:12, NKJV)  “Complacency is an insidious sin, because it’s based on lies, motivated by pride, and leads to trusting something other than God.” (Wiersbe)  Amos is warning the leaders who have clouded vision, but they continue to reject his prophecy and continue their abuses.

          4 — Who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall;
          5 — Who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, and invent for themselves musical instruments like David;
          6 — Who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (NKJV)

     Can’t you just see the picture that Amos is describing?  Banquets, overindulgence, the ease and affluence of the wealthy and leaders.  They party-hardy.  Lloyd Ogilvies says that “Their senses are dulled by opulence.”  They are living it up, living the high-life and enjoying every bit of it, not concerned with the common people, not worried that the Assyrians are coming, not even thinking of obedience to the Word of God.  “Leaders grasped for political power but abdicated their responsibility as leaders.” (Ogilvie)  People forgot their purpose; they lived for pleasure.
     The leaders laughed at the idea of calamity and judgment, even when the Prophet pronounced “woe” upon them.  “By their very indifference, they were bringing the day of judgment that much nearer.” (Wiersbe)  These men, and women, were decadent, basking in luxury, not caring for anything except their own gratification.  Peter Craigie tells us, “Their sense of values was totally out of perspective.”  They were people living the “good life”; plenty of drink, good food, lavish surroundings, lounging in wantonness and ignoring the warnings of Amos.  The best, only the best.
     It would do us well to note the situation, attitudes, and lifestyle of the people to whom Amos spoke.  Wiersbe points out, “When nations get pleasure-mad, it’s a sign that the end is near.”  Note Paul’s words to Timothy that are a mark of the last days.  “For men will be lovers of themselves…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:2,4, NKJV)  Jesus warned, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” (Luke 21:34, NKJV)  
     Wake up!  Don’t listen to lies, don’t live in a complacent fantasy world; don’t cling to false theology.  Do not become accustomed to the darkness.  There is a “Day” coming, be ready.  Listen, Gary G. Cohen sums it, “Those that spurn God, often discover that His divine justice prevents Him from moving to help them when their calamity comes.”  This is true of a nation or an individual.