Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:17:18 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna July 24-BP: Ps. 119:121-128; RBTTY: Acts 25; Ps. 35-36
July 24 “More Precious Than Gold”
“Therefore, I love Your commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”
Psalm 119:127
The better we know Him, the more we love Him and His Word.
The world has many “treasures:” Houses and lands. . .stocks and bonds. . .fast cars, swift, luxurious ships and high-flying airplanes, etc. But, those who watch the “trends of times”—the ebb-and-flow of societies’ capricious whims—invest in gold. . .for when paper money and other “craved commodities” lose their value, gold. . .24-karat gold. . . becomes the “treasure above all treasures.”
That’s why the psalmist wrote in today’s Manna, “Therefore I love Your commandments above gold; yea, above fine (24-karat) gold.” Even then, long before there was a stock market, commodities’ market, 401Ks, etc., gold was the “treasure of choice,” the preferred bartering tool. Simply put, if you owned gold, you had bargaining, “purchase power” when all others had lost their value.
“But, faith won’t put food on your table,” one skeptic cries.
Is that right?
Try telling that to the sparrow (Mt. 6:26), the widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17:9-16) and the 5,000 that gathered on the hillside that day to hear Jesus’ teachings (Mt. 14:15-21).
The psalmist knew you had to have money in order to make it in our material world. However, in the “dark night of the soul” it will not be rubies and diamonds. . .stocks and bonds. . .antique heirlooms and the latest, expensive gadgets. . .that will get you through.
It’ll be faith.
24-karat faith (I Pet. 1:6-7)—in “Who God is” and “What He has promised” (Heb. 11:6) that will serve as “the sure and steadfast Anchor of your soul” (Heb. 6:19).
True faith in the Risen Lord will help you remain firm when others are faltering all around you (Mt. 7:21-27). Like the house built upon the rock, you’ll continue “doing right” (Ps. 119:121) when others are falling for wrong. He and His Word will be your “surety (Heb. ‘arab’—‘security in a trade or exchange, pledge, assurance, etc.’)” of Hope and Light when darkness, doom and despair are all you see and hear around you.
During those times, we’ll be tempted, like the psalmists, saints of old and those around the Throne, to cry “It’s time for you, Lord to work. How long before You arise and do something?” (v.126; Ps. 3; 6:3; 13:1-2; 35:17; 74:10; 79:5; 89:46; 94:3; Hab. 1:2; Zech 1:12; Rev. 6:10).
But, be patient, weary Pilgrim—you’re not Home yet. The Holy Spirit is our Lord’s “earnest (down-payment) and seal of assurance” (II Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:3-14). And, His Word is our Guide and Anchor of Hope (Heb. 6:17-20). Trust Him. Rest.
Thanks,
Mr. Lynn M. Smith
Department Business Administrator
Department of Economics
204C McElhinney Hall
(713) 743-3802 (office)
(713) 743-3798 (fax)
LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)
http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)
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