Greetings! We wish you a happy and healthy New Year! Although I would prefer you have a New Year where you follow the leading of our Master and Savior with a degree of faithfulness unlike you have ever experienced in your life to this point! And if that means you, and I, must have times that are not “happy” or “healthy,” so be it! Enough of that.
In today’s post I want to share what the Lord impressed on my mind and heart as I read a couple days ago. I have started through the Bible again, as is my custom. I do an OT reading (so started at Gen. 1-2). I do a NT reading (I am starting with Revelation this time; I asked the Lord and He laid that on my heart; the connections between Revelation and Genesis can be edifying.) And then I start a slow trip through Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. So, my reading for Tuesday, Dec. 30 was: Gen. 3-5; Prov. 1:7; Rev. 2. Here are some gleanings that will help me as I begin the new year.
· Gen. 3:1: “The serpent was more cunning than every beast of the field which the LORD God had made.” Yes, Father! Remind me of this now and throughout the year. Remind me that faith in anything that can be called the “wisdom of this world” is a foundation that will crumble. Cause me to be afraid (yes, Paul had a FEAR of this in 2 Cor. 11:3), lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so (my mind) may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. I don’t what to put my trust in science, the medical profession, educators, theologians, therapists, investment counsellors, news broadcasters, or religionists. The serpent must not be underestimated. I want to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength (Deut. 6:4-5). I want to love His word more than my necessary food (Job 23:12.)
· Prov. 1:7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Don’t let me fall into the thought that I should not fear You, Father! Let me ever remember that You know me, see me, are aware of every thought and intent as well as word and action. Without that, I am a FOOL!
· Rev. 2:2 (and 2:9,13,19; 3:1,8,15): In case you think that since we have Jesus, and God loves us, that under the New Covenant we no longer need to have a fear of God, that we have somehow outgrown this. JESUS SAID TO EVERY ONE OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES. I KNOW YOUR WORKS! And that fact that He said that is prof that He is also interested in my works, and He, the judge of all men, will hold me accountable for my works. I understand: “perfect love casts out fear.” To fear God is to know that He is ever near (Ps. 75:1; 85:9). I don’t want to forget that! That is a wonderful thing to know. And sets my God apart from any other God that men ever invented!
