“I Don’t Know What the Future Holds” by New Wine.
Life in Christ is for Now and Forever
Icon of Jesus Christ from Hagia Sophia. Image via Wikipedia
It’s a rare day that I don’t at some point look around and say to myself “Girrrl, you have got to do better than this.” Sometimes when I voice this determination I’m talking about my obedience to the will of the Lord and my walk in Christ. At other times, I’m thinking about the stuff I used to have that I let go of in order to be on the journey that I’m currently on (even though I know that bemoaning stuff is a waste of time). Stuff is usually the wood, hay and stubble that the Lord warns us time and again, will be destroyed by fire. So now, in the waning days of December and approaching the cusp of 2012, I am determined to let the Lord make stuff take its rightful place in the sea of forgetfulness.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, be ever mindful that no matter what you are purposing to do in the coming year, nothing of value can be disposed of or embraced without the Lord. Jesus said “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). We must live in Christ if we are to grow in Christ’s likeness. Regardless of what the future holds, whether trials or rewards – all are and will be dispensed for the building of Christlike character and the glory of God. Whatever else it may be, it is sure to be those two things. Today’s verses from Proverbs 16 & 17 help to prepare our minds and spirits for the centrality of the purposes of God in our lives, thoughts and actions both now and in the future. The LORD is the power than empowers us to do right. This concept is embedded in the one of the names for GOD: Jehovah Tsidkenu, meaning “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23: 6). It is written:
Proverbs 16 (KJV)
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
11 A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
Prov 16:31 (KJV)
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 17
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
What have I learned from having read these verses?
I have learned:
That there is no end to wrong perceptions and wrong actions for the natural human heart. It is indeed “desperately wicked.”
Wickedness is a disaster in the making for those who love and practice it.
It is important that one’s company be wise and prudent. Involvement with fools is a very high risk activity.
Only The LORD is able to make someone wise. It is He who guides and determines the destiny of all men and women.
Self control is an essential life skill, and is a byproduct of righteousness. Without it, our blessings can be frittered away or stolen. Like wise, the words that we speak and our knowledge of the affairs of others must be held with righteous discretion.
Thoughts like actions and words are to be controlled and kept under submission to God.
Humility is essential to safety in the Christian walk, because pride comes before a fall.
The Lord is my Rock. When my ways please Him, He makes even my enemies to be at peace with me.
Advancement in age does not automatically endow wisdom. Only the Lord can make a man righteous and wise.
A merry heart and honest kind words are good things.
A true friend loves at all times, not just when there is something to be gotten. The Lord intends for family to be of help in the time of adversity, to be otherwise is perverse and selfish.
Reflection: Given that I have insight into the things whereof I have spoken, what then is my prayer?
My prayer is this:
Oh gracious and loving Heavenly Father, Dear LORD of my ancestors and Guardian of my people, Protector of the righteous and Avenger of Innocent Blood, forgive me my sins and cleanse me from unrighteousness. Grant unto me LORD, Your wisdom, Your understanding, Your righteousness, Your peace. Conform me to the image of Your Dear Son, Jesus. Help me to not be afraid of the future or the past, but to live for You now in accordance with your Holy Word. Keep my pathway, LORD. Determine my steps. May my foot never been taken by the enemy’s snares. LORD, Dear Precious LORD, in the matchless name of Jesus, guard and keep all my family and loved ones. May those who do not know you come to love and trust you, and live as you would have them to live to the glory of Your Holy and Precious Name. These things I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen, and Amen!
Lord willin’ I will see you on the other side of 2012. May the Lord GOD bless you with increasing knowledge of Him. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
© 2011 Verneda Lights
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The video “I Don’t Know What the Future Holds” by New Wine from their album “Unleashed” was uploaded on Youtube.com by soldoutfollower on Oct 31, 2009. Verneda Lights and E-graphX Omnimedia have no ownership or rights to this video. It is used for instructional purposes only.
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- Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? John 12:38 (KJV) (e-graphx.com)
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- Jehovah Tsidkenu: The Lord Our Righteousness (jgmtheo.wordpress.com)
