Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:24:49 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (July 23); BP: Ps. 19; RBTTY: Acts 24; Ps. 33-34
July 23 “Our Warning and Wealth”
“Moreover by them is Your servant warned—and in keeping of them there is
great reward.”
Psalm 19:11
His Word will both keep from and add to if we let it.
Sometimes we get ourselves into trouble simply because we didn’t know
the “ground rules” or the local laws in a given area. Other times we get
into hot water by “sins of omission,” where neglect or procrastination ruled
instead of good sense.
Today’s Manna is a beautiful one because it shows the “two-sided
nature” of God’s Word (Heb. 4:12-13). Throughout God’s Word—and
particularly in the book of Hebrews—we find “wooing” and “warning”. .
.invitation and inhibition. . .pleading and prohibiting. . .comfort and
condemnation, etc. That’s why it’s important for us to “study to show
ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the Word of Truth” (II Tim. 2:15); otherwise, one day we’ll realize
that we were simply “hearing” the Word, but not heeding it (James 1:21-25).
In the context of Psalm 19 David is reiterating the importance of
“hiding God’s Word in our heart so we’ll not sin against Him” (Ps. 119:11).
Our failure to do this may cause us to claim “ignorance” as our basis for
forgiveness on Judgment Day; however, then, as now, the Lord will say “You
are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20).
Now, David is pretty specific here when he singles out “God’s servant”
as the one who should benefit most from God’s Word. Why is that? Because
the Heavenly Father will not discipline someone else’s child (Heb. 12:5-11).
Initially, He will patiently and persistently woo that person, encouraging
him to open the door of his heart (Rev. 3:20); however, the time will come
when He will say “Okay, you think you can run your life better? I’ll go
ahead and ‘give you up’ to your own devices and schemes and we’ll see how
well you do” (Rom. 1:18-32).
Is this not truly the “wrath of God”? Assuredly it is.
But, thankfully our God is a merciful God, Who continues to woo us even
while warning us. As someone once said about the messages of Amos and
Hosea—which were both on the same subject of “The Day of the Lord”—there is
both “love in God’s wrath and wrath in God’s love.” So true, so true.
That’s why should heed God’s warnings and yield our lives to Him in
total surrender. In so doing, we’ll discover “in keeping (Heb. ‘shamar’—‘to
hedge about, guard, protect, be circumspect, heed, preserve, etc.’) His Word
there is great reward.” And, what might that “reward” be?
Quite simply, the pleasure of His smile. . .the assurance that we are
causing the angels to rejoice instead of making our Savior weep (Lk. 15:10;
Jn. 11:35). . .and knowing that one day we’ll hear Him say, “Well done, you
good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I’ll
make you ruler over many things. Enter now into the joy of your Lord” (Mt.
25:21). Hallelujah! What a day that will be!!
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