Where We Are Today – A Look At Psalm 4:6
Psalm 4:6
Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!
Have you ever wondered, “Who will make things easier for me? Who will ease my burden or the hunger my family faces? Where can I go to get my next fix of pleasure?” Life is hard enough, it seems, and a little pleasure might be what the doctor ordered. Such were the circumstances facing a small country during a civil war. The population was wavering. Even those involved in the military conflict developed doubts about their perspective positions. There were half-hearted men in both camps. What was the right course of action? Though flanked by indecision and various opinions, that did not mean there was inaction. Has a familiar ring?
Honors, riches, or pleasures that nearly all people desire mean very little while people suffer. All these temporal things were light as vanity, fleeting as a soap bubble, thin and unsubstantial as air, floating away as the slightest breeze determines. Too few recognized the need for the favor of God and His approval, both being necessary for the happiness of humanity.
If placed in their situation, would you want to see rather than to believe? For most of us, seeing is preferred before thinking of a solution. It is our tendency. We are fond of drinking the latest cup of pleasing delusions provided readily by overarching governmental imposters. Their drink doesn’t satisfy. All too soon, Despair shows up to be your constant companion. But a true believer drinks from the truth of God’s Word, a fountain that never runs dry. The light of His countenance is enough for that person.
In Numbers 6:24-25, a blessing of the Lord is stated. “The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” In the days ahead, we need the blessings of the Lord, His grace and mercy, and His peace. May the Lord love you and make you know that He loves you. May He be well pleased with you and your obedient service. May you have peace with God, your conscience, and all men.
Relax, God’s Got Your Back
All of us have been affected at some point along the way by the thoughtless words and hurtful actions of others. And no matter how much we have heard about God’s love for us, we sometimes struggle to believe that we can actually experience that kind of love.
Whether you realize it or not, God has created you with unique gifts and abilities, called you to a fulfilling purpose, and plans to use you for extraordinary accomplishments. Maybe there seem to be too many obstacles to get over—or you’re in a situation that seems to have no way out or room for growth. Or maybe you think you’ve made too many mistakes. But God isn’t limited by these things, and neither are you. The God who created you is still there and loves you with an unending love.
Regardless of how people have treated you or tried to define your worth, God stands ready to walk with you for the rest of your life. He will help you draw a line between your past and your future, and He will help you forgive and move into all the fullness and freedom of a brand-new day.
His Promises:
You will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
This is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
1 John 4:16
~~~ borrowed from a devotion in the Tecarta Bible
Whispherers of Lies and Half-Truths
A gossip or bearer of tales does no good. You don’t want to be one. Watch for those who act as a friend but are enemies. Let’s be honest, we all are prone to listen to those who have dainty morsels to share about others. Don’t do that. You might repeat what you hear and further the strife that the whisperer or gossip has started.
Discontent and strife spread among brethren and neighbors, both. It is a contentious man or woman who is hard to please. They are apt to find fault in everyone and everything. They love a good argument and seek to spread the damage as far as possible.
Journalists today primarily act as tale-bearers or whisperers of lies or half-truths. Some know what they say is a lie, while others get instructions on teleprompters from their bosses higher up the chain of command. Seldom are the facts told or shared with the public. If they were, we would likely come to different conclusions. Therefore, strife gets spread among the citizens of this country. What can we do? Research what is said as thoroughly as possible, and turn off the TV and not read their posts.
Boasting of Tomorrow
Death is unquestionable to all men as the fruit of sin or by the appointment of God. It has a fixed specific time, which cannot be exceeded, but no man knows of that day and hour. Therefore, he cannot boast of a moment of future time, tomorrow, or what he shall enjoy on a particular day. He has only today.
He cannot be sure he shall have the next. He cannot assure himself of health, honor, pleasures, riches, and friends. He may have health today and sickness tomorrow; be in honor today, and in disgrace the next. He may bid his soul to eat, drink, and be merry. After all, he has had much wealth and provisions for many years. But vainly, he says that each day will be the same with much more abundance. Yet this night, his soul may be required of him. Today, he may have his wife, children, friends, and relations about him. However, before another day comes, they may be stripped from him.
Riches are uncertain things; they may take wings and fly away. Nor should a man boast of what he will do on the morrow, either in civil matters, trade and business, or acts of charity. Whatever a man finds his duty to do, he should do it at once while he has an opportunity.
In things religious, a man should repent of his sins, amend his life, and hear the Gospel, the voice of Christ. All these things should be done today and not put off until tomorrow. Nor should true believers procrastinate the profession of their faith, nor should any duty or exercise of religion be postponed to another season. Men should work today and always abound in the work of the Lord and found so doing.
You don’t know what a day may bring. Time is like a pregnant woman. She knows not what she shall bring forth till the time comes. Will it be a son or a daughter, a dead or a living child? So are the events of time. They are the secret things that belong to God. The passage of time and seasons of things are in his power. We don’t know what the present day will bring forth. We still know less about what tomorrow will do. What changes will tomorrow produce in our circumstances, in our bodies, and in our minds? Therefore, we cannot be sure what we shall be, what we shall have, or what we shall do tomorrow, even provided we have one.
~~~ John Gill (1696-1771)
Franklin’s Fugio Cent & His 13 Virtues
On April 21, 1787, the Congress of the Confederation of the United States authorized a design for an official copper penny. It was later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the Sun and its light shining down on a sundial with the caption, “Fugio” (Latin: I flee, referring to time flying by). By some accounts, this coin was designed by Benjamin Franklin as a reminder to its holders, he put at its bottom the message, “Mind your business”. This design was based on the 1776 “Continental dollar” coin, which was produced in pattern pieces but was never circulated. It consists of 10 grams of copper.
The reverse side bore the motto “We Are One” surrounded by thirteen chain links, representing the original thirteen colonial states. Notice the 13 interlocking rings on the coin’s design as shown above. It symbolizes the colonies and Franklin’s virtues. He believed every person should be responsible for building his or her own character.
Check out this link below for a further discussion of those 13 virtues:
https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/behavior/the-virtuous-life-wrap-up/
Bill Wyler
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