David – Shepherd, King, Fugitive, Everyman

What do you do, or where do you go, when you’re discouraged? Under great stress? Facing times of uncertainty? Suffering from grief? Feeling anxious? When you’ve messed up so badly you wonder if it can ever be made right? Or simply needing a hug?

 

People find all manner of ways of handling such things: Alcohol, drugs, eating, physical exertion, immersion in mindless entertainment, finding a shoulder to cry on. Each of these is short-term help at best, but in the end, whatever’s troubling them remains.

 

Over the years, one of my favorite places to nestle in the Scriptures has been the Psalms. I’ve gone there in times of pain and distress, when needing encouragement, searching for direction and wisdom, or simply desiring to feel closer to God. Sometimes like a child wanting to cuddle next to its parent.

 

The Psalms are no more or less divinely inspired than the other 65 books of the Bible, but there’s something about the collection of Hebrew “songs” that touches the human spirit in a manner like no other. Perhaps one reason is because many of the Psalms were written by King David of Israel, who despite his regal standing was quite ordinary in many ways. He had enough flaws and failings to match his strengths and successes. 

 

In an entry in his classic devotional book, Morning and Evening, Charles H. Spurgeon presented an insightful description of the shepherd-king: 

“…He knew the trials of all ranks and conditions of men. Kings have their troubles, and David wore a crown. The peasant has his cares, and David handled a shepherd’s crook. The wanderer has many hardships, and David hid in the caves of Engedi…. He was an able master of the human heart because he had been tutored in the best of all schools – the school of heartfelt, personal experience.” 

 

David is credited with writing approximately half of the 150 psalms. His contributions read almost like the pages of a personal journal or diary, with unvarnished honesty and candor, conveying a vast range of emotions. He didn’t hesitate to admit when feeling afraid, angry, sorrowful, repentant, exuberant, doubtful, or awestruck. 

 

Entire books have been written about the Psalms, but here’s a sampling of observations about David’s expressions of faith in times of both triumph and trouble.

 

He wrote about finding great peace in trusting the Lord, despite enemy opposition the king encountered a lot: “But You are my shield around me, O Lord…. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake up, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side” (Psalm 3:3-6).

 

A friend has confided in me recently about being wrongfully accused. Perhaps you’ve experienced this as well. King David wrote, “O Lord my God, in you I have taken refuge. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me…” (Psalm 7:1). He expressed similar thoughts in Psalm 26:1-2, “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart.”

 

There were times it wasn’t vindication but mercy and forgiveness that caused the king to cry out to God. Seven of his writings are regarded as penitential psalms – songs of repentance – including the sinful burden he carried after his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. He pleaded:

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight…” (Psalm 51:2-4).

 

How does one recover from the guilt of great sin? David knew it was possible only by God’s grace and mercy, and His restorative power. This was his petition later in the psalm:

“Create in me a clean heart of God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:10-12).

 

In another psalm David wrote his conclusion: “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!” (Psalm 32:1-2). 

 

This is an assurance God offered not only to the Israelite king but also to all of us who profess faith in Him. Because in Romans 5:8 we read, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

Drawing from his experiences in shepherding sheep, David often reflected on the comfort and confidence he had in his heavenly Shepherd. In perhaps his best-known psalm, the king wrote: 

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me….” (Psalm 23:1-6).

 

Sheep are helpless, not smart animals. Often during our life’s journey, if we’re honest, we have to admit that we too are helpless and not so smart.

 

There are so many examples in the Psalms we can draw from for encouragement and assurance, but I must include one in which David expressed his great awe of God. He declared: 

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!... When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers…. What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:1,3-5).

This barely scratches the surface of the Psalms, in which we can learn much about God and His relationship with His foremost creation, humankind. They’re refreshing spiritual water that can be drawn from a bottomless well. I couldn’t urge strongly enough: Drink, and drink deeply. 

Labor Day – Not Just Another Day Off Work

Labor Day is next Monday, and many of us know what that means: College football season gets into full swing this weekend. Hooray! But as millions stream through the gates of collegiate stadiums across the country, and many more millions tune in to watch their favorite teams on TV, we’d do well not to forget the significance of the upcoming holiday itself. 

The history of Labor Day traces back to New York City on Sept. 5, 1882, where the Central Labor Union organized a parade. But it wasn’t until June 28, 1894, in response to strikes over unfair labor practices and public pressure during the Industrial Revolution, that President Grover Cleveland signed legislation to establish it as a national holiday. Its purpose was to celebrate historical achievements such as eight-hour workdays, free weekends, and safer working conditions.

 

Today, many people enjoy it primarily for extending the weekend. Some communities sponsor parades, while many folks plan backyard barbecues and picnics, and take advantage of retail sales events. 

 

Always observed on the first Monday of September, Labor Day deserves to be regarded as more than just another day away from labor. It should be a time for recognizing the intrinsic value of work, along with economic achievements that have helped to build our nation and lift the living standards of countless millions of workers and their families.

 

Sadly, it seems work has been devalued, especially in recent years. The COVID pandemic contributed to this, with millions of American workers either losing their jobs, being sent home to work remotely, or having their work hours drastically reduced as a consequence of shutdowns. But studies indicate the lowered prominence of work in society has persisted post-pandemic.

 

For instance, approximately seven million prime-age men (ages 25-54) reportedly are neither working nor seeking employment. This means adult male labor force participation has declined to below 67 percent, compared to 77 percent in the 1970s and the all-time high of nearly 87 percent in 1948. Numerous factors have contributed to this, but what’s most troubling is that millions of people – men and women – aren’t working, not because they can’t find work but rather because they choose not to work.

 

Some might wonder, ‘What’s the big deal?’ It’s a big deal for several reasons. Most important, work was established by God. The opening chapter of Genesis in the Old Testament, after describing how the Lord pursued His work of Creation, gives us what some theologians refer to as the “cultural mandate”:

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness….’ God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature…. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food…’” (Genesis 1:26-29).

 

God is a worker, and part of being made in His image is that men and women also are to be workers, tending to what He has created. Because of the original sin of Adam and Eve – “the Fall” – the Lord prescribed that work would become difficult. “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you…. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…” (Genesis 3:17-19).

 

Despite this, work through the centuries has retained a sense of purpose, even nobility. King Solomon observed, “Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot” (Ecclesiastes 5:18).

 

Work also is a way of honoring God by wholeheartedly using the abilities and talents He has entrusted to us: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:17,23-24).

 

A third important value of work is being able to employ our skills, gifts and experience to serve others. We take many forms of work for granted, but have you ever considered what it would be like if there were no one to perform them? 

 

We expect to walk into a clean restroom, but there must be someone to keep it clean. At a restaurant we rely on people to take our orders, serve our food, and clean off the tables when we leave so they’re ready for someone else. To fly anywhere safely requires hundreds of people, starting with the plane’s designers and manufacturers, maintenance crew to put fuel in and make necessary repairs, ticket agents, pilots and co-pilots, flight attendants, cabin cleaners, food preparers, air traffic controllers, and many others.

 

At times we might regard work as “a necessary evil,” but whatever kind of work we do, in one way or another we’re performing an important function for other people. As the apostle Peter wrote, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

 

Our foremost example is Jesus Christ. Before embarking on His earthly ministry, He was a craftsman. Ultimately, His work was to teach, heal the sick and disabled, feed the hungry, bring a handful of people back to life, and then die on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus always had a clear understanding of why He had come: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

 

So, as you’re enjoying the Labor Day holiday, and perhaps assessing the first full weekend of college football, please don’t forget: God ordained work, He has equipped you with capabilities to do your work, and many people benefit from what you do. Happy Labor Day!

Classic Example of Faith Coupled with Works

The closest I ever got to Dolly Parton was last week, having one of my posts in the same edition of Chattanoogan.com as the news of her passing. Of course, I saw her on TV and in films, and visited her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., but my knowledge of Dolly was secondhand, as it was for most folks. So, I can’t write about her from personal experience. 

But from all accounts, the unique, larger-than-life, immensely talented Dolly left her mark in countless ways. Born and raised in the Smoky Mountains, her determination served to lift her from poverty to fame and fortune most of us can’t even imagine. Her fierce resolve became an inspiration for countless fans.

 

Her professional resume was impressive: Hall of fame singer and songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist. The list goes on. If one were to select a favorite from Dolly’s hit songs, there would be many from which to choose.

 

For me, what stands out most is that she was a woman of faith. In many of her interviews Dolly spoke about her sense of calling, that God had anointed her for a special purpose and she was determined to fulfill it. Part of this was being an entertainer known for her iconic hairdos, figure, distinctive voice, ever-present smile and upbeat spirit. But she also fully understood the value and importance of what we often hear referred to as “paying it forward” – and living out her faith.

 

Her father was illiterate, and Dolly recognized how being able to read is a key ingredient in the recipe for success. So, she made it a personal mission to empower children to learn how to read and appreciate the joys of reading. This led to establishing her Imagination Library, which has gifted more than 330 million books to more than three million children in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and Australia.

 

A story about her that I love began in 1988. According to the account, she went to a school in Sevier County – her home county in East Tennessee – and had every 7^th and 8^th grader come into a room. She instructed each to pick a buddy and had them all sign a contract: If both graduated from high school, both would receive a check for $500. If either failed, neither would get paid. Each child would be accountable to the other.

 

Before Dolly made this offer, the county’s school dropout rate was 35 percent. Motivated by the financial reward, students encouraged one another and most stayed in school, lowering the dropout rate to six percent. And she kept her promise, presenting the checks to each young person herself.

 

The next year she gave $500 to every student in the county who wanted to attend the local college. In 2016, when much of nearby Gatlinburg was ravaged by terrible fires, Dolly sent 900 families who’d been affected $1,000 a month for six months. Then, because a charitable fund for fire victims raised much more than expected, she gave each family an additional $5,000.

 

She spearheaded the building of a hospital in Sevier County that included a birthing unit and women’s center. One year she paid the full cost of college tuition, books and fees for every Dollywood employee. Dolly donated $1 million for the aid of victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, and her companies matched it. 

 

There were many other significant acts of benevolence, certainly some that received no public notice. But what stands out is not the dollar amount of Dolly’s generosity, but the fact that she put feet to her faith.

 

We live in an age when many prominent individuals – especially in the entertainment industry – talk about the poor and the oppressed, all the while living in the secure confines of their palatial estates. All talk and very little action. Dolly Parton, however, saw needs and used her substantial resources to help in meeting them. Her faith, as well as never forgetting her impoverished upbringing, were among her motivators.

 

In the New Testament book of James, we read, “What good is it, my brothers, if a [person] claims to have faith but has no deeds?... In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

 

The Bible clearly teaches that we are not saved by good works, but solely by God’s grace, based on Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross for our sins. From what I’ve read and heard, Dolly Parton understood that. However, she also recognized she was a steward, not only of her talents but also of the material wealth the Lord had enabled her to accumulate.

 

Few people will ever acquire even a fraction of the financial resources Dolly had, but that doesn’t matter. We’re responsible only for what God provides, just as the servants were accountable for what their master had entrusted to them in the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25:14-30. The servants that had faithfully put to use what they had been given were rewarded with more, along with the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

 

The principle is stated at the end of the passage: “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Matthew 25:29). In other words, if we prove ourselves faithful in using whatever God has entrusted to us, He will entrust us with more that we can use for His glory.

 

I suspect that as Dolly arrived at the gates of Heaven, she heard two things: “Hello, Dolly!” And “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

How to Begin When You Don’t Know Where to Start

How do you read the Bible – if at all? One of the common questions asked by people who’ve never seriously read the Scriptures is, “Where do I start?” There are many approaches and many possible suggestions, some better than others. 

 

One is to start at the beginning and attempt to read to the end. That’s certainly one way, and I’ve done that. In fact, it was how I read through the Bible when I was a senior in high school. I’d heard about people reading the Scriptures in their entirety, and out of curiosity decided to give it a try. I succeeded but didn’t understand much of what I read. When I finished Revelation, the last of the 66 books in the Bible, I put it on my bookshelf and thought, ‘Well, I’ve read the Bible. Now what should I read?’ How little I knew.

 

If someone were to ask me how to read the Bible, I wouldn’t recommend the front-to-back approach, at least initially. Genesis and Exodus are primarily narratives and relatively straight-forward, but it’s easy to get lost in the “weeds” of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and become discouraged.

 

Many folks would suggest reading one of the four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Especially John, since it’s the most theological and clearly communicates how to experience a genuine, growing relationship with God.

 

Over the years, one of my most rewarding practices in reading the Bible has been to read the entire book of Proverbs over the course of a month, one chapter a day that matches the date of the month. There are 31 chapters, so the one-a-day strategy works perfectly for January, March, May, July, August, October and December. The other months require reading more than one chapter on a day or two.

 

I’ve even read one chapter of Proverbs every day for an entire year, going through it 12 times over that span. “Isn’t that kind of repetitive?” someone might ask. But as I’ve said before, reading the Bible is similar to peeling an onion. You remove one layer and find another just beneath it. Each time I’ve a portion of the Scriptures, whether Proverbs or another book, I’ve discovered things that didn’t register the previous time. Here are just a few examples:

 

When we’re younger, life is filled with unending potential and limitless promise. Our strength and energy feel boundless. As we grow older, however, our capacities start to diminish. There are days when it seems our “get up and go” simply got up and went. But there’s a plus side to aging. We gain experience and wisdom; we learn some things that seemed so important really aren’t, and that things that didn’t seem important really are.

 

So, a verse like Proverbs 20:29 helps to put things into perspective: “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” Gray hair and wrinkles don’t necessarily mean the person possessing them is wise. Young fools sometimes grow up to be old fools. But most of the time we find we’ve learned much from our successes and failures – especially our failures.

 

Going back just a few verses we find another insight that resonates strongly, especially for those of us who have gone through the highs and lows of everyday living. Proverbs 20:24 states, “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?”

 

Proverbs 3:5-6, which I’ve adopted as my ‘life verse,’ expresses the same idea a bit differently: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

 

Recently I was talking with a younger man I’ve been mentoring, and he was explaining how his work situation had suddenly taken a dramatic and unexpected turn. The upshot of it has been accepting a totally different job.

 

I tried to encourage him, recalling how my own career path has taken some decidedly surprising turns. Ultimately, I could see how perfectly God was guiding me, confirming as Ephesians 3:20 says, He is “…able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think….” His plans for me and my family were far greater and more rewarding than anything I could have imagined.

 

One more example from Proverbs speaks to a way of bringing calm to a tense situation: “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife” (Proverbs 26:20-21). Can you think of any contemporary applications for this?

 

TV commentators, social media, public gatherings and casual conversations can all serve to stir up hostilities if we let them. Our impulse might even be to add fuel to the fire. The choice is ours. As Proverbs 15:1 states, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

 

These all were compiled thousands of years ago, and yet are so practical and relevant they could have been written yesterday.

Getting back to where we started, there are many ways to start reading the Bible. The important thing is, if you’re not doing it already, simply start and see where the Lord leads you. And if you’re still undecided, just look at today’s date and read the corresponding chapter of Proverbs. You’ll find an unlimited fountain of wisdom. 

We Can’t Have One Without the Other

At first, it took me by surprise, even as a shock. But I’ve discovered there are pockets within the Christian community where it’s being taught there’s really no need to worry about what God says in the Old Testament. That all we need to know for following Jesus Christ is contained in the New Testament. 

Not naming names, but even some prominent preachers are telling their congregations to disregard Old Testament teachings. A post I wrote recently received a comment to that effect. The person stated, “the Ten Commandments aren’t Christian, have never bound Gentiles, and the apostles were clear that Gentiles who become Christians are not…under the law of Moses.”

 

Part of the problem, I suspect, is that Old Testament law has traditionally been divided by theologians into three main categories – moral, ceremonial, and civil (or judicial). Ceremonial laws deal with religious worship, ritual purity, and the sacrificial system. It’s true many of those laws were intended specifically for the people of ancient Israel. These would include dietary restrictions, animal sacrifices, annual festivals to be observed, and physical circumcision. 

 

Many modern-day Jews continue to honor certain dietary laws and religious observances. As for the symbolic animal sacrifices, Jesus’s death on the cross eliminated the need for those. And most followers of Jesus don’t practice dietary restrictions for religious purposes. 

 

However, moral and civil laws presented in the Old Testament remain just as valid today as they were thousands of years ago. Civil law provided the rules that governed Israel as a distinct national community and society, and many of these same laws were instrumental to the forming of the United States, being reflected in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

 

For instance, those laws concerned restitution, courtroom testimony, guilt and innocence, provisions for people in need, and many other things. To this day, such principles have helped maintain the United States as the unique nation it is. Laws established by God are timeless, reflecting the fallenness of humankind and the necessity for establishing guidelines for conduct, both individually and collectively.

 

Perhaps most important are the moral laws given in the Old Testament, which reflect God’s unchanging holiness and character. This is where the Ten Commandments are especially pertinent. In fact, Jesus alluded to them specifically. 

 

One day a member of the Pharisees, a group of religious leaders and teachers, confronted Him: “‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:34-40).

 

Without listing them individually, Jesus was referring to the Ten Commandments, as found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.The first four concern our relationship with God – to love Him foremost; not to worship idols; not to take His name in vain, and to observe a weekly Sabbath day. The remaining six, including honoring parents, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not lying, and not coveting what others have, concern how we relate to one another.

 

Another time Jesus made clear His attitude was not, “Well, that was then. This is now.” Rather, He declared His purpose was to be the fulfillment of the laws and prophecies God gave in the Old Testament. In His Sermon on the Mount, He stated, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will be any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (Matthew 5:17-18). 

 

Jesus then proceeded to address a number of important moral and legal issues, including murder and malice, adultery, keeping promises, seeking revenge, loving adversaries, and giving to the needy, all of which were addressed in the Old Testament.

 

But the priceless truths of the Old Testament go far beyond the commandments and regulations God prescribed. We learn just as much about His character there as we do in the New Testament. His promises there apply just as much for us today as they did for the ancient Israelites. They speak of His love, faithfulness, perfection, omnipresence, omnipotence, omniscience, justice, righteousness, and assurances of His unfailing care and provision.

 

In 1 John 4:16 we’re told that “God is love,” and we see that embodied in Christ – His teachings, actions during His earthly ministry, His sacrificial death, and His resurrection. But we dare not forget that God also is holy and just, intolerant of sin, and unwaveringly determined to mete out justice in His perfect way and time. The Old Testament reveals this so clearly.

 

The refrain from an old song said, “love and marriage, they go together like a horse and carriage…. You can’t have one without the other.” It could just as easily have said, “go together like the Old Testament and the New Testament” (except it wouldn’t have rhymed). You can’t have one without the other.

Understanding Why We Should Be Working

Writers, for the most part, are strange birds. I know, because I’m one of them. You might say we’re made of “the write stuff.” For many of us, writing is nearly as natural as breathing. It’s part of the fabric of our being, perhaps much like a thoroughbred horse that’s made to run or a handyman who feels frustrated if there’s nothing to fix. 

A longtime friend, also a journalist, reminded me of this when he cited a Latin phrase I’d not seen before. It is, “Nulla dies sine linea,” which means, “not a day without a line.” He noted this is his practice, rarely going a day without writing in some form. I’m much the same. Whenever I go any length of time without writing, it’s like going without eating. Just gotta do it.

 

In my case, writing has always been a way to conceptualize my thoughts, more effective than speaking them out loud. I’ve often said, when preparing to sit down at a keyboard, “I can’t wait to see what I’ve got to say.” Even in the days when I was staring at a typewriter rather than a computer, placing my fingers on the keys has been like turning on a switch in my brain.

 

For me, writing is more than a vocation, certainly more than just a hobby. I’ve come to regard it as a calling. I’m not sure I felt that way during my days as a newspaper editor, but that was my conclusion after I had become involved in vocational Christian ministry. Years ago, I came across a Bible passage that I adopted as my ‘career verse’ because it sums up how I feel. In the New King James Version it reads, “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer” (Psalm 45:1).

 

In books I’ve written and edited, magazine articles I wrote, and the devotional meditations and blog posts I write today, my motivation has been to honor God and seek to communicate biblical truth, showing how relevant and practical it is for everyday living.

 

Of course, most people aren’t writers. I’ve lost count of the times people have told me how much they admire people who can write with any competence. “I can’t write. If I tried to write anything, it would take me all day,” they’ve often said. My response is that I struggle to do just about anything else. I’m mechanically challenged, and I’d regard a profession like that of an accountant, attorney or salesperson as daunting, if not terrifying.

 

But the principle applies to any form of work people find themselves doing. Whether it’s parenting, working in a retail store, cutting down trees, working with patients in a hospital, repairing a leaking faucet, teaching a class, or functioning in an executive position, we should have a singular motivation.

 

I think the apostle Paul expressed it best. He wrote, “And whatever we do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him…. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:17, 23-24).

 

We don’t need to be in a sanctified setting like a church sanctuary to put God in the forefront of our minds and actions. Followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve as His representatives wherever we go and whatever we find ourselves doing. As Jesus admonished in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

 

Whether you’re wielding the pen of a ready writer, the wrench of a ready plumber or the computer of a ready IT specialist, the Lord wants us to shine His light and bring honor to Him.

Overcoming the Enemies of Contentment

Suppose you were hired for a job and told the company had established 10 rules that had to be abided by without exceptions. Would you accept the job?

 

As long as the rules were reasonable, most of us would. Unless the rules were something like being required to work 100 hours a week, not being allowed to take any breaks or eat lunch, or doing something illegal. Virtually every job comes with certain rules. Some require wearing of uniforms or a specific dress code. Employers rightfully expect employees to arrive for work on time, and often give them detailed job descriptions. Without rules there would be chaos.

 

For many years it was not uncommon to find the Ten Commandments displayed at workplaces. We can still see them in some of the federal buildings in Washington, D.C., as well as government buildings in some states. But as someone has quipped, having the Ten Commandments in plain sight can create a hostile working environment for some folks.

 

Actually, the commandments are fairly straight-forward, as presented in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. The first four deal with one’s relationship with God: Have no other gods but the Lord; don’t worship idols; don’t take God’s name in vain; keep the Sabbath as a day of rest.

 

The other six concern relationships with one another: Give honor and respect for one’s parents; don’t commit murder; don’t commit adultery; don’t steal things that aren’t yours; always tell the truth; and don’t covet other people’s stuff. Nothing in that list seems unreasonable, does it? But try as we might, we break one or more of those commands every day in thought, word and/or deed.

 

Each commandment is worthy of exposition to explore why God saw fit to include it in the “Top 10” list. But perhaps the one we hear about the least is the last, which says:

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Deuteronomy 5:21).

 

It’s not much of a mystery why the Lord inserted this one among the Ten Commandments. It’s hard to establish a healthy, trusting relationship with others when you are intensely coveting – or desiring – the things they possess. But the practice of “comparing ourselves with the Joneses” is something most of us have engaged in probably more than once.

 

Maybe a neighbor always seems to be driving a new car loaded with all the accessories. Their home might be the envy of everyone on the street. Photos they regularly post on social media about their latest exotic trip might cause us to wonder why we don’t get to travel as they do. Or they might have the seemingly picture-perfect marriage, their kids are the most mannerly, and they attend the very best schools. What’s wrong with coveting things like that?

 

There are many reasons, but perhaps foremost is that coveting is the enemy of a trait that should be evident in our lives if we are followers of Jesus Christ: Contentment. Writing to his young protégé, Timothy, the apostle Paul declared, “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:6-7).

 

What kind of witness for Christ can we be if we’re obviously jealous or envious of other people’s lives and what they have?

 

Of course, we live in a society that bombards us with messages discouraging contentment, saying what we have isn’t enough, that no matter how much we have we need more. This flies against biblical teachings that God is the one who provides us with what we need. As Paul wrote in another letter, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

 

To covet what someone else has that we don’t is like complaining to the Lord that He hasn’t been good enough or kind enough to us, that if He really loved us He’d give us more.

 

Jesus warned against such thinking. He said, “…do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear…. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:22,30-31).

 

What about people who aren’t committed to following Christ? They might clearly be living contrary to God’s design, and yet they’re prospering, seemingly happy as they could be. What’s up with that? 

 

King David of Israel, who experienced more than his share of opposition and adversity during his lifetime, apparently wondered about this as well. His conclusion: “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away” (Psalm 37:1).

Surrounded by enemies of contentment, we’d be wise to take to heart Paul’s advice to Timothy: “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:8). 

Enduring the Weight of Having to Wait

Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Take ‘wait’ and ‘weight,’ for example. In one sense, however, it’s appropriate that they sound the same because having to wait when we’re in a hurry, or anxious, or impatient can feel like a great weight upon our shoulders. 

There are many places and times when we must endure the weight of waiting: grocery store checkout lines; slow traffic lights – or driving behind slow drivers; needing to mail an important package at the post office. Or realizing why we’re called ‘patients’ at a doctor's office, having to exercise patience – another homophone, by the way.

 

I still recall the waiting I had to endure on Christmas Eve as a boy. My sleepless night seemed unending. I wondered if the clock was running in reverse. I couldn’t wait until morning – but I had no choice.

 

One of the problems with waiting is it makes us feel we’re not in control. Which, in many cases, is true. But we live in a “can-do” culture, and waiting seems more like “I can’t do.” We’re all about taking action, doing what needs to be done. Frank Sinatra used to sing, “I Did It My Way.” Motivational speakers declare, “If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it.” They never say, “Wait for it….”

 

Our nation was founded and developed by explorers, innovators and entrepreneurs who claimed they had, “pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps.” (Have you ever tried that? It’s not easy to do!) Self-realization and self-reliance are the mantra for many successful people. Waiting, on the other hand, isn’t a prerequisite. It’s not even encouraged.

 

However, when it comes to this daily journey we call the Christian life, waiting’s very much a part of the process. In fact, there are times when it feels as if God has placed us in His “waiting room,” our number is 95, and He’s only on number 6.

 

Through the years, Psalm 37 has been one of my favorite Bible passages. It’s been especially meaningful when praying and seeking the Lord’s guidance about making a major career change. I’d read the psalm and find comfort, reassurance, and a timely reminder – that He’s in charge and I’m not.

 

I was all about the first part of the psalm, which fits the “can-do” spirit we know so well. The third verse admonishes us to “Trust in the Lord and do good.” I’d read that and think, ‘Yeah, I can do that!’ Then verse 4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord.” I’d think, ‘I can do that, too!’ That’s followed up by one more directive in verse 5: “Commit yourself to the Lord.” Without hesitation I’d think, ‘Yep, I can do that, too! Now, can we move on with Your answer, Lord?’

 

Trust. Do good. Delight. Commit. All strong action verbs. No problem, right? If that’s what God wants me to do, let’s go!

 

But then I’d come to Psalm 37:7, which seems like jamming on the brakes while speeding down the highway. It instructs us to, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” What?! I’m good with all the stuff I’m told to be doing, but why do I have to wait?

 

This admonition isn’t a mistake or misprint. In fact, it’s repeated twice in the same psalm, just in case we missed it the first time. Verse 9 assures us, “But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.” Then, verse 34 says: “Wait for the Lord and keep His way.”

 

To be clear, this doesn’t mean we’re to sit like a lump on the couch, passively waiting for something to happen. But it does mean recognizing that when we’ve done everything we know to do, we’ve run out of ideas and options, then it’s time to be patient, wait, and as we’re told in another of the psalms, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

 

Waiting is rarely easy, but it gives us the opportunity to trust in what the Lord is doing and, many times, to marvel at the incredible ways He works. When we “let go and let God,” as they say, we can experience Him doing, “exceeding abundantly more than anything we could ask or imagine,” as Ephesians 3:20 asserts. 

 

Once we’ve done our part, we can wait and release the weight to the Lord. Then we can see Him doing His part – often much more than we could have asked or even hoped for. He’s done this in my life more times than I could count – and with the benefit of hindsight, I’d not have it any other way.

Living Up to (Or Down to) Your Name

What’s in someone’s name? Does it really matter? Actually, selecting a name for a child can be a big deal, maybe even more than we realize. Because it’s something the boy or girl must live with the rest of their life. When’s the last time you met a little girl named Jezebel, or a little boy named Judas?

 

Years ago, especially during the hippie era, some parents would select whimsical names for their kids, like Moonbeam, Summer Rain, Dandelion, or Apple. (That last one never ap-peeled to me.) In a documentary series about some pro football players I saw recently, one of them named his newborn son Maverick. Maybe because the athlete’s a bit of a maverick himself.

 

Remember the Johnny Cash song, “A Boy Named Sue”? It’s about a dad who named his son Sue before abandoning the family, reasoning, “this world is rough, and if a man’s gonna make it, he’s gotta be tough.” A boy with that name would definitely have to be tough to withstand the ridicule he’d face growing up.

 

In the Bible, names often carry great significance. In fact, God sometimes bestowed new names to match changed circumstances. Abram became Abraham, reflecting the Lord’s promise he would be “the father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). His wife, Sarai, became Sarah, signifying she would be “the mother of nations” (Genesis 17:15-16). 

 

Jacob became Israel, “because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome” (Genesis 32:28). Jesus Christ told his headstrong disciple Simon he would have a new name, Peter, adding, “on this rock I will build My church…” (Matthew 16:18).

 

One of the most beautiful names in the Scriptures is Immanuel. It’s cited first in Isaiah 7:14 and then in Matthew 1:23, referring to the Messiah. It means, “God with us.” God taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

But one of the more curious names in the Bible is that of an obscure fellow named Jabez, which in Hebrew means, “sorrowful,” “painful” or “he causes pain.” He’s only mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, which states:

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ‘I gave birth to him in pain.’ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).

 

His mom might as well have been calling him “pain in the neck.” We don’t have any specifics, whether his was a particularly difficult birth, or perhaps he might have been a handful from his first moments of life outside the womb. In any event, this was a guy saddled with a name that everyone knew meant, “he causes pain.” Can you imagine growing up like that?

 

Think of a parent constantly haranguing a child, saying things like, “You’re stupid!” or, “You’ll never amount to anything!” The old – and very inaccurate – saying declared, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” In reality, harsh names and negative words often hang with us long after physical injuries have healed.

 

No wonder Jabez cried out to God, pleading for His blessing. He apparently didn’t get that from his mom. The good news is simple: the Lord granted his request, although the passage doesn’t explain in what ways that happened. We do know he was “more honorable than his brothers.”

 

What about for us? You might have a name you’ve cherished, perhaps one that’s been passed down through your family. Or maybe you’ve been named after a favorite relative. Or you may have a name you never liked, to the extent you’ve gone by your middle name instead – or by your initials or a nickname.

 

For followers of Christ, whether we enjoy our present name or not, we’re promised one day we’ll receive a brand-new name. In Isaiah 62:2, speaking specifically of Jerusalem, God says through the prophet, “you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will designate.” We see this demonstrated through the renaming of biblical patriarchs like Abraham, Israel and Peter.

 

In the last book of the Bible, we’re told that one day we all will experience something similar: “To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).

Hopefully you don’t have a name like Jabez, which always reminded people that he had been a pain in the neck in one way or another. But whether we like our name or loathe it, we can look forward one day to receiving a name from the Lord that He’s specially selected just for us alone. In the meantime, we know He regards us as, “…My people, who are called by My name…” (2 Chronicles 7:14). 

The Pointless, Fruitless Pursuit of Happiness

Most of us are familiar with the phrase early in the Declaration of Independence that says people are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness….” This belief has undergirded the United States for two-and-a-half centuries, but it’s the last part – the “pursuit of Happiness” – that seems to be a sticking point for many folks. 

It’s important to note the Declaration doesn’t suggest happiness is guaranteed. Only the “pursuit” of it is assured. Which seems to be a problem for some people who feel they are entitled to happiness, and if they don’t get it – or can’t find it – they’re mad.

 

One of the problems is trying to define what happiness actually is, since what it means can vary from one individual to another. For a toddler, happiness is a new toy, a sweet treat, or being held by mom or dad. But as we get older, our idea of happiness can take the form of stuff, status, success, or many other things.

 

This is fine when we receive or achieve them, but what about when we don’t? Even then, the happiness we feel is fleeting. An old Latin phrase is tempus fugit – time flies. Well, happiness “fugit,” too. We have no better example of this than King Solomon of ancient Israel, who resolved to pursue happiness in all of its myriad forms.

 

We find him recounting this in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, much of which seems to have been written in a cynical tone. Chapter 2 is specific in citing many of the pleasures the king strived to attain, only to reach the conclusion that, “everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

 

What things captured his attention? Solomon enumerates them: Pleasure, laughter, lavish feasts and abundant wine, great building projects, stockpiles of silver and gold, various forms of entertainment, a harem of 700 wives and 300 concubines, fame and renown. 

 

He said, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor…. So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:10,17).

 

Here was a man who literally had it all, everything his mind and heart could imagine. Solomon even had royalty from other nations come to bask in his presence and to benefit from his unparalleled wisdom. If anyone could find happiness, surely it would have been him. And yet, despite everything, he said all of it was meaningless. Other translations use the word “vanity.” A supreme waste of time, energy and resources.

 

We live in a very materialistic society, and for many among us the solution to all problems is money and stuff. Yet anthropologists have undertaken studies that showed the happiest people in the world aren’t necessarily the ones who wallow in material wealth. 

 

While finishing his painful analysis of the futility of pursuing happiness through things, accomplishments and experiences – repeatedly declaring, “Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 12:8) Solomon arrived at a stunning conclusion. 

 

He said, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth…. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:1,13). Instead of becoming fixated on the elusive, temporary things of this word that bring happiness that lasts about as long as a bite of cotton candy in one’s mouth, Solomon had arrived at the realization that a focus on eternal matters is what truly fulfills and endures.

 

On a stormy day, have you ever gone outside and tried to grab hold of the wind with your hand? Can’t be done, right? It’s much the same with happiness. One moment we’re happy about something we’ve acquired or achieved, the next we’re fretting over what we don’t have or can’t reach.

 

Writing to his young protégé, Timothy, the apostle Paul made a similar observation. He told him, “…godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). Or as King David declared, “Blessed is the man [whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).

 

There’s nothing wrong with having things and enjoying achievements. But if we’re expecting them to provide us with lasting happiness and fulfillment, we’re fooling ourselves. No wonder so many people, even in our prosperous land, are miserable. Like love, they’re looking for happiness - in all the wrong places.

 

As Solomon learned, “[the Lord] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This life is a mere blip on the radar screen of eternity – we’d be wise to pursue those things that have eternal consequence.

Getting Better at Doing Something – Even If It’s Not Good to Do

Practice and repetition. These are keys to improving in whatever endeavor we choose to pursue. Whether it’s playing a musical instrument, flying an airplane, teaching in a classroom, learning to speak a foreign language, excelling in a sport, performing surgery, public speaking, or myriad other things, we become better at whatever we’re doing through practice and repetition.

 

For me it’s included writing, typing, taking photographs, and mentoring other men. I mention typing because when I took a personal typing class during my junior year of high school, I could never have imagined that proficiency at the keyboard would become an important aspect of my long career as a journalist, author and editor.

 

I’d like to say it has also been playing the drums, which I enjoy doing (but not particularly well). Looking back, I wish I’d invested more practice and repetition to develop my drumming skills. Alas, the best I’ll ever get at this stage of my life is playing in the privacy of my own home – and with the tolerant blessing of my wife.

 

There can also be a downside to practice and repetition. The more we do certain things, the better we get at doing them – even if they are counterproductive, even destructive things. For instance, some folks have spent much of their lives with negative self-talk, and they’ve become very good at it. ‘I’m a loser. I’ll never amount to anything. What’s the use of trying? I’ll never be able to succeed.’

 

The Bible admonishes us, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment” (Romans 12:3). This not only warns us against going on a lengthy ego trip but also encourages us to view ourselves and our abilities realistically. No one has ever achieved victory by harboring a defeatist attitude. 

 

Similarly, these days we see lots of people – on social media, in the news, in public places, even in our own homes – who through much practice and repetition have become experts at being angry, bitter and vindictive. These antagonistic feelings might be directed toward a parent or sibling, ex-spouse, former friend, even politicians, other public figures or sports teams. Sometimes these negative emotions become life-controlling. But not in an instant; they were developed and nurtured over time.

 

The Bible, in its timeless, practical way, speaks to this: “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15). If you’ve done any gardening, you’ve observed some weeds form very deep roots and are hard to get rid of. In the same way, a “root of bitterness” nurtured over time can sink deeply into our psyches and make us miserable – and everyone around us.

 

Habits fall into the same category. Through practice and repetition, we can excel at things like exercise, eating properly, getting enough sleep, helping others, spiritual disciplines, and many other pursuits. But we can also become “good at” harmful habits such as excessive drinking, gambling, undisciplined spending, displaying fits of anger, indulging in online pornography, overeating, and lots of other stuff.

 

It’s a simple fact: The more we do of anything, the better we get at doing it. Even if it’s bad.

 

So, how should we respond? We’ve all had behaviors and habits we knew were wrong, that filled us with regret whenever we did them. Part of the solution is striving to do those things less and replacing them with things that are good. 

 

This is why the apostle Paul urged believers in ancient Philippi, along with followers of Christ through the centuries since, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice…” (Philippians 4:8-9).

 

One remedy for someone who has become very good at dwelling on the negative is to put just as much effort – even more – into focusing on positive, uplifting, productive things. 

 

Scripture is abundantly clear that we’re saved by faith, through God’s grace and mercy, and not by anything that we do. However, to experience a healthy, thriving life with the Lord often requires that we learn to reorient our thinking. Paul addressed this in another of his letters, instructing us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). 

 

I like the way the J.B. Phillips translation of this verse states it: “Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within….”

We’d like to think that once we’ve received Christ into our lives it’s easy to flesh out what we believe. But it’s not. It’s an everyday, even moment-by-moment challenge. About this, Paul the apostle offered this counsel: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” (Philippians 2:12-13). Diligently strive to work out what God has worked into you.

Understanding the Times, Knowing What to Do

Occasionally I glance at sites on social media dedicated to folks like me, Baby Boomers. We were born between the years of 1946 and 1964, living in a world very different from what we know today. In some respects, about as different as ice cream and brussels sprouts.

 

We had funny-looking phones with circular dials. We’d have to wait for the dial to move back into place before selecting the next number. Many of us can remember ‘party lines,’ when one or more neighbors shared the same line. But it was no party if you had an urgent call and Mrs. Farquhar was in the middle of sharing the latest gossip. 

 

It’s hard for younger generations to imagine, but do you recall having only three TV channels? ABC, CBS and NBC were all there were. And those weren’t even round-the-clock. At midnight the stations would air the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Then all we had were test-patterns until the following morning. Great for insomnia, but not much for late-night entertainment.

 

When a child received a toy doll, she didn’t ask, “What does it do?” Because for the most part, back then dolls didn’t do anything. They just laid there. Kids had to use their imagination to figure out what the dolls would be doing if they could. When taking pictures, cameras had film in them. And most of the time it was black and white. When someone asked, “Did you get any good pictures?” we had to wait days for the film to be developed and photos to be printed before we knew the answer to that question.

 

Fast-forward to today and there’s so much we couldn’t have envisioned back then: Cell phones and text messaging. TV 24/7 with hundreds of channels; some of them even worth watching. Computers and the Internet that put the world’s information and knowledge literally at our fingertips. Email. Overnight package delivery. Electrically powered cars. Digital cameras that display the images instantly; if they’re not good, we can simply press “Delete” and they’re gone. As the hippies of my college days would have said, “Far out!”

 

And now we have AI – Artificial Intelligence. While many are debating its pros and cons, I sometimes wonder whatever happened to real intelligence. It appears to be in diminishing supply. 

 

Technology has brought many wonderful advancements. But it also seems that with all its positives, we’ve also gotten many negatives. I won’t attempt to single out the real and potential problems. You can think of some yourself. But we can’t just ignore them – they won’t go away on their own.

 

One response – particularly among those who profess to be followers of Christ and adherents of the Bible and its teachings – would be a blanket taboo. “We’re not going to do social media at all.” “Forbid our children to have cell phones until they’re at least 35.” “The Internet is the devil’s playground.” “Let’s just do away with computers altogether and retreat to the Stone Age!”

 

Somebody might be nodding, “Yeah, that’s right!” But most of us realize such extreme measures aren’t practical. In our digital world, it’s virtually impossible. So, what are we to do, other than accept the inevitable?

 

This brings to mind what the Bible refers to as “the men of Issachar” in 1 Chronicles 12:32. Who were they? We don’t know much about them, besides the fact that they were descendants from one of the 12 sons of Jacob, who was later given the name Israel by God.

 

The men of Issachar appear in a listing of large groups of armed men who pledged their support to David after the death of King Saul. Most of these are described as “armed for battle” or “warriors ready for battle. But then we come to the “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do….”

 

There’s not a lot of elaboration, but apparently these were people known for being wise and discerning, who would have a good sense for what was required for achieving the transition from Saul’s tumultuous reign to David, the former shepherd boy.

 

Those were very difficult days for the people of Israel. Because of willful disobedience, Saul had been rejected by God as king; through the prophet Samuel, God had anointed David to be Saul's successor. The transition, it turned out, was never smooth.

 

We live in hard times today, perhaps all the more difficult because of advancements cited above and others. Where are the ‘men of Issachar’ who could tell us what we should do? We can’t exactly depend on AI to inform us as to what should be done, since that’s one of the areas of concern.

 

For believers, our ultimate source is the Lord and the Word of God. As James 1:5 instructs, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

 

And Proverbs 1:7 asserts that if we’re to acquire the necessary wisdom for navigating the turbulent waters of the 21^st century, it must start with God: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

 

We’re in an age when information is more plentiful and readily available than ever, but no matter where we look – be it in politics, entertainment, education, the media, even the sciences – wisdom is relatively scarce. Perhaps it’s because we’ve forgotten another observation from Proverbs, “For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).

 

The timelessness of the Scriptures is clear in these words from the apostle Paul: “We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began” (1 Corinthians 2:6-7).

To become 21^st century men and women of Issachar, we need wisdom. And there’s not greater resource for that than the Bible, which is truly “trans-century.” 

First Step in a Long, Life-Changing Journey

A student receives a letter of acceptance from the college of choice. Hooray! The easy part is done; the hard work now begins. The job applicant receives a phone call from human resources saying, “You’re hired!” All right! Now all that’s necessary is to prove capable of doing the job – and to keep doing it. The prospective groom goes to one knee and proposes to his beloved. She says, “Yes!” Then the difficult part starts – first the wedding, followed by the reality of building a marriage.

 

It’s like this spiritually as well. Over the weekend our church held a spiritual retreat for nearly 800 young people during which they sang lots of songs, heard powerful biblically based messages, met in small groups and played games. To close the weekend, a number of them went forward to be baptized. Praise the Lord! There were choruses of joyful shouts after each baptism, sharing in the excitement of the milestone moments.

 

But for each of those adolescents and teens, that was just the beginning, the first step of a long, life-changing journey with Jesus Christ. That’s the hard part – studying, learning and applying the Scriptures, being obedient to what they teach, and discovering the Christian life is an impossibility apart from God’s Spirit and His indwelling power.

 

Years ago, I attended a church where every service ended with a lengthy altar call. I used to quip that we sang “Just as I Am” so long that by the end we were singing, “Just as I Was.” Inevitably, someone – often a number of people – would walk forward to commit their lives to Christ, or recommit themselves to Him, whichever was the case. But over time I’d notice that some of the same people would go forward again, and again, and again. 

 

I heard someone describe this as “rededicating until their re-dedicator wore out.” This isn’t to belittle the sincerity of those returning for a “do over,” since apparently it didn’t take the last time. It’s just recognizing that the lifelong journey with Jesus isn’t easy. It’s not a straight path, and sometimes it’s the proverbial two steps forward and three steps back. We may “reckon ourselves dead to sin” (Romans 6:11), but alas, sin isn’t dead to us. We’ll continue to wrestle with it until the day we take our last earthly breath.

 

A Chinese proverb states, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” This is true of the Christian walk – or trek, if you will. That single step might be getting baptized, walking a church aisle, raising a hand or signing a card to indicate having prayed to receive Christ, His forgiveness for our sins, and the promise of new life that lasts forever. But after that step countless others must follow.

 

How do we do that successfully? Many books have been written about this, but one thing is certain: It’s not a journey that’s intended to be undertaken alone. One of my favorite passages about this is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, which says:

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

 

Another Old Testament verse declares, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). From the beginning, God’s intention for the life of faith has been for it to be a partnership, whether a husband and wife in marriage, people sharing abilities and experience at work, members of an athletic team joining together for the common goal of victory, or most important, addressing the challenge of becoming “ambassadors of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

 

When Jesus sent His disciples out for their first missionary assignments, He didn’t send them out alone. “Calling the Twelve to Him, He began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits” (Mark 6:7).

 

When we read the story and writings of the apostle Paul, we find he wasn’t some super-Christian singing, “I Did It My Way.” He always was in the company of others, starting with Barnabas, who sought him out (then still known as Saul) after his dramatic Damascus Road experience with Jesus. After Barnabas, Paul traveled with a succession of others – Silas, Priscilla and Aquila, Sosthenes, Timothy, Tychicus, and even John Mark, the once-wayward cousin of Barnabas.

 

We in the Church of Jesus Christ do a disservice to new believers – and even lukewarm ones – when we fail to come alongside and help them in understanding how to follow the Lord. Hebrews 10:24-25 describes this so well: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

That “Day” – the promised return of Christ – is nearing. At the very least, we’re one day closer to it than we were yesterday. We should all desire to follow Paul’s admonition to, “stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord….” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The best way to succeed in this is to be certain no one has to undertake the journey alone.