Absolute's and Choices

 Psalm 30:6-12

  

“When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”  Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.  To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord, I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced if I go down to the pit?  Will the dust praise you?  Will it proclaim your faithfulness?  Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.”

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”

 The psalmist points out how the blessing of the Lord makes us feel secure, and that a good thing or is it?  Yes, in Christ Jesus, we are confident that He will never leave us or forsake us.  The danger is in our flesh, believe me on this, and if not consider Galatians 5:16-17.  ^“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

 Let me share an absolute, and I’m aware that the World does not like truth; that is why one of the Presidents asked this question; "It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is.” As a follower of Christ that’s an easy answer, Mr. Clinton, God Is, no matter what spin you try on the meaning, it does not change, God Is, and He always has been.  Now that’s an absolute, and this is another, the world will never teach you to walk by the Spirit.

Another is, we learn how to get our needs met outside of Christ; my friend Bill Gilham called this “green highways.”  When we are walking by the Spirit, those highways must turn into,” raccoon trails,” and one must look to the Spirit of God for guidance. 

 If one looks at the world for its values, it will become proud, arrogant, and full of self, believing they have something to do with their position or material status on the planet earth.  This is what the psalmist is referring to before God hid his face, and that’s the reason for the suffering that was needed for humility.

To break free of this hold the flesh has on you, requires one to confess that once more the green highways of life seemed so natural and one lost sight of the peace and joy they found in looking to the Spirit of God for the experience.  Chose today before getting out of bed, pray, Lord, lead me and give me the understanding; to listen to Your Spirit and obey.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice