The wrong highway of life

Psalm 119:137-144

^“Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules.  You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.  My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.  Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.  I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.  Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.”

This life has often been compared to a highway, and each of us have many choices to not obey the laws of the highway.  We have many good reasons for not doing so, it has four lanes and little amount of traffic so I’m going to up the posted speed by 10 to 15 miles per hour.  I’m late for an important appointment and need to make that light but it is going to be burnt orange when I go through it.  Why did the highway department put lights, or speed limits on the highways to protect you the driver?  When caught breaking the rules of the highway, and standing before the judge your late appointment, or reasoning for going above the speed limit that was posted is most often going to come back on your head, and pocketbook.  Laws and rules are designed to protect and give us guidance not to bring harm to us.  On the highway of life, each day we choose to obey or disobey the laws God our Father has given us to guide us on the highway of life.

As a follower of Christ, what is your attitude?  I have no doubt it’s in agreement with the Psalmist, ^“Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules.”  No one who is a follower of Christ is going to be in disagreement that on this highway it seems there are 12 lanes going against the statutes and precepts of our Father.  It often seems as if we are on a small single lane going down the middle of the twelve lanes against the traffic.

We all got off the highway at a rest stop, and many decided on going with the traffic, at first it seemed like a smart thing to do, but as you go down the road it becomes clear you are going fast, but to where?  For some they have to have a wreck and often the cost is a lost marriage, or kids or a career before they acknowledge, “Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.”  The Father has given us His Son and the Son has given us the Holy Spirit to teach us how to be like the Son whom the Father loves.  

When the Holy Spirit brings conviction about being on the wrong highway of life, it always comes to a choice.  Do we confess and agree with the words of the Psalmist? “Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.  Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Jesus Wept - We often just get Angry

Psalm 119:129-136

“Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore, my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.  I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.  Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.  Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.  Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts.  Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes.  My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.”

What happens with our anger and distain over people with wealth and power that break the laws of man and God and get a pass, does it change into tears?  Could it be that is about as close as we come to being like Christ?  Jesus wept over a friend’s death, and the unbelief of the people, and he wept over the city of Jerusalem that killed the prophets and those who are sent to it from God.  He made it clear why He wept in Matthew 23:37, so this question came to me, when will you weep?

If you lived in England, your seat of authority and control is London where the house of Commons and the House of Lords and the Prime Minister are.  At the time Jesus entered Jerusalem the Roman government was in control, and they put two puppets over Israel and Judah, one was Pilate and the other Herod.  The religious leader and the high priest were also a puppet and kept their authority over the people as long as they agreed publicly with Rome.  Not a lot different than one sees in our government, with a bunch of hirelings no matter whether Democrat or Republican.  They make promises they cannot keep and do not represent the people, but whoever will give them wealth and power.  We see it at all levels of our government.  This I know, having knowledge of it and being angry and having contempt for them has not changed one thing, but what about doing as the Psalmist has done, go to the Father in tears, weeping over the mess we are in and the evil in our government?

First, remove the greed and sinfulness in your life, I know you believe your better than most who go by the name of Christian.  Ask the Father to allow you to be open to your messed-up life.  One of your Church friends is more than likely telling the Father they are sure glad they are not like you and guess what, it is centered in our pride.  Then ask the Lord to give you the heart of Jesus, to weep over our messed-up Nation and turn us from evil to God.

Is this your prayer, if not why?  Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.  Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts.  Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your statutes.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The ball is in our court, the future of a Nation

Psalm 119: 121-128

“I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.  Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me.  My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.  Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love and teach me your statutes.  I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!  It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken.  Therefore, I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore, I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.”

Do you identify with what the verses above say and the question asked by the Psalmist?  I sure do identify!  I hope your title is not some political party or denomination, but your title is a follower of Jesus Christ.  As a follower of Christ, I’m so upset with people like myself who go by the name of Christ, claim to believe that prayer is our only hope but do not come as Christ’s Church to stand and pray for God to remove every liar, thief, and person in our USA Congress that does evil.  To do so, first we the followers of Christ must humble ourselves, confess our sins, and husbands treat your wives with love and respect, so your prayers will be heard.

As I’ve prayed before going forward, it is not the lying, thieving Congress people who are the problem, it is the Church, you and me.  Yes, many and I do mean many of the people in our Congress have one goal, to sell out to the highest bidder.  They come poor, but in no time, they are very wealthy.  It is a swamp of Evil, and only when we the followers of Christ, take the attitude of this Psalmist will it change.

The ball is in our court, the future of a Nation changed by the prayers of people who are in right standing with a Holy God, will you be that person?  Yes, the Congress is a problem, but it is not what is stopping the Lord from acting, it is we the Church, we send half-truths in email, we act as bad as the Congress and yet we want God, a Just and Holy God to come to our aid.  It is time to begin at the house of God and clean our hearts, not the seats to keep the viruses out, but to renew our minds and hearts to the will of God.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Do you have a Hiding Place?

Psalm 119: 113-120

“I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.  You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.  Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.  Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!  Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!  You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.  All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.  My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.”

I believe one should define words like double-minded, and the letter from James to the twelve tribes in chapter 1:5-8, give us clarity.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

My mind floods with examples of how often I have lacked wisdom, and the times I was double-minded.  And how as I spent more time in God’s word submitting to His authority, I’ve learned to trust His Word and look to Him and not be tossed by the wind.  As one learns to hope in God’s word, it does become a shield against the enemies lies and deceptive attacks.  

Wisdom and bought lessons showed the Psalmist that if your desire is to hang out with liars and schemers, who take advantage of others, it would be imposable to keep the commandments of God.  Mom was on spot when she said pick your friends wisely, you will become like who you run with.

Have you noticed how often the Psalmist runs to God, and for good reason?  Jesus tells us in John 8:12, Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  In John’s gospel, chapter 3:18-21, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.  For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.   But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

All the Light you need

Psalm 119:105-112

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.   I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.  I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!  Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules.  I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.  The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.  Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.  I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

Jan and I have had the privilege of living in Spring, Texas for almost 23 years and some of that time we taught young couples in a class called the Truth-seekers.  We had a lesson on these verses and a young man said as I read the verses, this is the insight I got.  What was it, and his answer; “God never promised a spotlight to aluminate my path in this life, just a lamp at my feet so I would be able to take the next step?”  What insight, as we explore the Scripture, we find over and over each of us trying to live independent of God’s authority, it’s called flesh.  “God never intended for you to get your needs met through your own resources.  The flesh is incapable of supplying what God intends to supply Himself.” (Bill Gillham) The lamp to our feet keeps us looking to our fellowship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

It seems apparent the Psalmist life has not been all that smooth, he tells us he is severely afflicted, yet he has enough light to look to God for all his needs.  Often, he has done as you and I have, tried to get past the light and drifted into the darkness, but he recalls the Lord’s precepts and statutes and goes back to God’s light for the next step.

The world is not our friend, Jesus has made it clear that only He is Truth, and yet the enemy is one devious dude and loves to use Scripture, but never in its total truth or insight.  His favorite lie is you deserve or is that what God really meant?  If that does not work, he will tell you you’re of little value and many have believed that lie and killed themselves.

Pay close attention to how the Psalmist ends these verses; “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.  I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.”  He set his course on the light to his feet and his goal is to finish strong.  That is also this writers’ goal, and I hope it is also yours.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Being a Man is a matter of Choice

Psalm 119:97-104

“How I love Your instruction!  It is my meditation all day long.  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.  I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation.  I understand more than the elders
because I obey Your precepts.  I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow Your word.  I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me.  How sweet Your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth.  I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore, I hate every false way.”

How I love Your instruction!  It is clear that the Psalmist is referring to God’s instructions, not a religion or ideology that may not have any factual basis.  What has happened to the culture of the Western World?  A very simple answer they have chosen to ignore the instruction of God the Father, who gave His Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of all mankind.  They have moved to little gods, like money, technology, sports, and put trust in themselves and others that have been created by the only God.

Is it too late to go back to the basic’s and once again look to God’s precepts and statutes, His law and instructions?  That answer is also a simple or profound, NO, it is never too late to confess and humble yourself before a Holy God.  We are a mess, many in our family are a disaster, and it’s because man refuses to be a man under authority.  I believe this quote sums up the problem; “Being a male is a matter of birth, being a man is a matter of choice.” -Ed Cole  

What happened to the male, he has chosen to go with the culture of the world and ignore the instructions of God?  God put men as the head of their family, not because he was smarter, or more equipped than his wife, for we all witness the intelligent of our wife and know how blessed we are to have her as our helpmate.  This quote by G.F. Watkins is on spot; “God places the man as the head so that he can be held accountable-period.”

Men and I’m not referring to boys or males, but men, will you return to the role God has chosen for you?  If so, begin by loving your wife and instructing your sons & daughters in the ways of God.  It is apparent that we drop the ball in many ways; some are found in Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”  Also Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  A sad truth is God did not instruct the Church to train up your child, nor your wife; men, the buck stops with you being held accountable.

So, if your dad dropped the ball, break the cycle, become the head of your family, by loving your wife and children and leading them in the ways of God.  I’ve got to be really upfront with you, it is not going to be easy to begin, your going to need a mentor and you’re going to have to study the ways of God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your mind and heart.

You will come to agree with the Psalmist, when he said these words; “I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me.  How sweet Your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth.  I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore, I hate every false way.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

It is your Choice

Psalm 119:81-88

“My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.   My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.  How long must your servant endure?  When will you judge those who persecute me?  The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!  They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.  In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.”

The footnotes on these verses say though the Psalmist was near death, he always looked to God and His precepts for relief.  As I was reading this first sentence, I turned it from a statement to a question, and after some reflection, my answer was yes.  The desire to know God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has grown and is growing in my relationship with them.  I do not put faith in mankind, for God’s word tells me their hearts are set on evil.  It also gives me understanding when it states the world and it desires are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever.  The promise of eternal life, not because of my righteousness, not because I have pleased God, but for only one reason and it is found in Ephesians 2:8,9. “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  

At 77 and closing in on 78, if that’s God’s plan for my life on planet earth, it gets clearer each day that you’re a mess, and so am I.  We long for contentment in what the world offers and often, way too frequently we chase after those things and not the precepts and statutes of God.  In fact, many church attenders fashion a god into something that works for them, it’s like all the other pagan gods, it cannot see or hear, and it has no authority over its subjects.  It is not the I am, it’s not the Alpha and the Omega, it is not the Creator, and it cannot give you joy or peace, when what you love is removed from you.  Most of all it does not have the ability to have a personal relationship with you, it would never be able to die for your sins and make you in right standing with a Holy God.

The word “Sanctified” is not used often in preaching, but it was part of the High Priestly prayer of Jesus to the Father.  In John’s gospel it is recorded in chapter 17:18-19, ^“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.   And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”  Often, we read past such words in Scripture with little or no understanding of the use of the word.  But Jesus was doing this for you and me who by faith have entered into God’s grace, by the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for us on the cross.  Jesus has consecrated us to the Father, He has blessed and dedicated and purified us before the Father.  

You and I have been set free from the control of the evil one, and now it’s a choice, to follow the statutes and precepts of God or to walk in our authority and sin.  Each day we choose, and that is life on planet earth, but for all who are in Christ, they are sanctified.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice