Justice will come

8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

Each day we see the injustice of governments against people and people against people. God is not sleeping. The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. (Psalm 33:13) He sees what is going on. In His time He will judge the injustice of the world.

We sometimes (well maybe most of the time) get frustrated with what we see happening in the world. Oppression of the poor and weak is not new; it occurred during Solomon’s time. We need to take heart and believe what God says in His Word. He tells us in His Word that this will take place when people do “their own thing”.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold Matthew 24:12.

Sin is rampant, just look around, people everywhere are calling good evil and evil good.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 

There are many verses in the Bible that tell us God will take care of the injustice in His time.

O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Psalm 94:1 

And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. Micah 5:15 

God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. Nahum 1:2 

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 

Take heart dear one, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 

What are we to do? As Christians we need to:

Turn to Him

Trust Him

Obey Him

Have a blessed day, 
  Donna

Another Letter

[5] Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; [6] Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words. [7] And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. [8] Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. [9] For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 6:5-9

The letters did not stop after number four. Sanballat sent one more, to try and “break him”. This letter was different from the rest, it was “an open letter”. It was not folded to keep the contents secret, but open so anyone could read and possibly put fear in the readers.

Letter number five was full of accusing remarks. “It’s been reported among the neighboring nations that the Jews are going to rebel and make you, Nehemiah, the king. This is the reason for building up the walls. You have also appointed prophets to preach at Jerusalem, saying there is a king in Judah. You need to be careful for it will get back to the king. Come and meet with me to discuss this.”

Nehemiah was not going to take these accusations lying down. He immediately answered, “No such thing is happening here, you are making up lies.”

All of this was done to make Nehemiah and the Jews afraid. If the enemy can tear them down with words and accusations, the work will stop. Strength to endure was badly needed.

As was his custom Nehemiah prayed, “O God strengthen my hands.”

What do you do when the enemy comes along with discouraging words? Do you fret and moan and groan? Do you turn to the One who can help?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5

Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

Oh Lord, help us to be like Nehemiah. Give us strength to endure the evil one. We thank you for the promise that you will never leave or forsake us.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

The Pledge of Allegiance

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Red Skelton was a comedian when I was growing up. Take a moment to listen and reflect.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Study

There is much to be said about studying the Word of God. Study in the Greek means to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest: - do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study.

Wow! Do we do all those things? Are we diligent about studying God’s word as we are in other things in our lives? Do we read books about God’s word and take it at face value? We need to make it our aim to know God and His Word more intimately.

The five W’s of studying are: who, what, when, where and why.

Who should study?
Everyone who wants to learn more about God and His word.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Proverbs 15:28

When we are in the Bible studying we learn what God says about things.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15

Comparing scripture to scripture will prepare us to answer intelligently.

What to study?
God’s word
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalm 33:4

When to study?
Daily
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Act 17:11

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

Where to study?
In a quiet place

The Bible does not list any particular place, but a quiet peaceful spot where the Lord can speak to you is a good place to start.

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Psalm 4:4

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that He is God and listen for His teaching.

Why study?
To be ready to share the Word
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1Peter 3:15

To get wisdom
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

To lighten your path
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

To know God’s way
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

To know God
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Psalm 53:2

Knowledge is a wonderful thing to have but wisdom is applying the knowledge. I have my work cut out for me, how about you?

Have a blessed day,
Donna