- araratchurch
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
“As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.””
Psalms 16:3 NKJV
My father used to speak often about the fact that when he was very young, he would seek out the old men with whom to associate, desiring to hear what they had to say. You see, he sought out the wisdom that they could perhaps impart to him.
As he became an older person himself, he was stymied that it seemed that younger people no longer were seeking out the wisdom of their elders. Now, I know that there has always been a tendency for young people to think they know more than older people (particularly in our culture). However, it seems as though the honor and respect once held toward the elders, has been redirected toward those who are “popular.”
Sadly, many professing Christians don’t allow godlessness to disqualify those they choose to admire, venerate, and even emulate.
I truly believe that a sure sign of a society’s moral decay is the ubiquitous hero worship of scoundrels. I understand that these people are not generally admired BECAUSE they are scoundrels (although sometimes that is the case). However, the fact that they are morally bankrupt often doesn’t matter if there is something else they possess that their admirers desire to have or to be.
Until very recently, who had heard of the title, “Influencer,” as being a thing? Now, an Influencer is someone on social media who—having no other claim to fame except for having possibly hundreds of thousands of “followers”—are paid big bucks to endorse or promote products or ideas to their “followers.”
Sadly, the opinions of these Influencers is swallowed undiluted by their captivated audience.
It is a tragedy to see young girls wanting to be like young women who exhibit very lewd behavior.
Young boys also get caught up in admiring those who seem to get the awards, applause, accolades, money, and yes, women.
In some administrations, our own government has exalted people who are actually very troubled individuals. In an attempt to normalize—or actually promote evil behavior—people have been put into positions of power who—not so long ago—would never have even been considered.
Please understand me, I don’t believe in abusing or treating any individuals in a disrespectful way. However, to go to the other extreme and make role models of people who basically need deliverance, is mind boggling.
Again, even more tragic is that many professing Christians have forsaken the notion of righteous living, relegating such beliefs to being relics of a less “enlightened” time.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
I John 2:15-17 NKJV
If we continue to embrace the ungodly as heroes, it won’t be long before our country crumbles under the weight of its own corruption.
In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see that David knew the importance—not only of associating with the righteous—but of also making such people the ones to be honored and respected. Again, this was a common theme in David’s writings.
“I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked.”
Psalms 26:4-5 NKJV
We must all be honest with ourselves. If we find that we enjoy the company of the wicked, or being entertained by wicked people, we must face the fact that our affections have shifted away from the Lord. And, if we do not correct the object of our affections, we will find our behavior following after the spirit of the world and not the Spirit of our God.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
Righteous people should be the heroes and role models of those who belong to the Lord.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Aug 10
- 3 min read
100 “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God….For God is with the generation of the righteous.”
Psalms 14:2, 5 NKJV
Did you know that there are wealthy philanthropists who actually seek out causes with which they agree in order to donate funds to groups and individuals? As awesome as that is, there is One Who has access to ALL things, access to whatever you may need, and He is looking for someone to help.
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
II Chronicles 16:9 NKJV
The above verse was actually one of my father’s favorite scriptures. He indeed lived his life seeking the Lord. As such, I saw the Lord coming to his aid innumerable times.
Now, it is important to know the context of this scripture
(II Chronicles 16:9 NKJV) to fully grasp what is being said about the Lord.
Let’s examine further: Now, there was one king of Judah, Asa, who was basically a good king; but he had one—what proved to be fatal—flaw. You see, he always looked for help outside of the Lord. One of those times was when he sought out the Syrians to help him in a battle with Israel. This greatly displeased the Lord.
“And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.””
II Chronicles 16:7-9 NKJV
The correction sent to Asa through Hanani, was not heeded, and Asa died the way he lived: looking for help from other sources, rather than the Lord.
“And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign.”
II Chronicles 16:12-13 NKJV
There is something about the Lord that many people do not realize. If a person is intent on seeking help from everybody else except the Lord, the Lord will not intervene on their behalf. This is not to say that the Lord never uses other sources to help us (physicians, loan officers, attorneys, and so on). But the point is that the Lord should be sought FIRST; then—whatever follows—should be by the leading of His Spirit.
In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see that David understood the importance of seeking after the Lord. Now, in reading about David seeking the Lord (through many scriptures in the Bible), we get a sense that he was seeking the Lord out of his love and devotion for Him. And, the result of that seeking was that God came to his help, came to his rescue, over and over again.
For everything in our lives—whether “big” things (e.g., difficult decisions or troubling diagnoses), or things we might consider as being “insignificant” to the Lord—let us make sure that we first seek the Lord for our help!
“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalms 9:10 NKJV
Let us not make the mistake made by the people of Jerusalem:
“But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.””
Luke 19:41-44 NLT
Jesus was their hope for peace; but they refused to come to Him. And as with Asa, the result of their not seeking the Lord, was tragic.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
God looks for those who are seeking Him in order to help them.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Aug 9
- 3 min read
100 “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God….For God is with the generation of the righteous.”
Psalms 14:2, 5 NKJV
Did you know that there are wealthy philanthropists who actually seek out causes with which they agree in order to donate funds to groups and individuals? As awesome as that is, there is One Who has access to ALL things, access to whatever you may need, and He is looking for someone to help.
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
II Chronicles 16:9 NKJV
The above verse was actually one of my father’s favorite scriptures. He indeed lived his life seeking the Lord. As such, I saw the Lord coming to his aid innumerable times.
Now, it is important to know the context of this scripture
(II Chronicles 16:9 NKJV) to fully grasp what is being said about the Lord.
Let’s examine further: Now, there was one king of Judah, Asa, who was basically a good king; but he had one—what proved to be fatal—flaw. You see, he always looked for help outside of the Lord. One of those times was when he sought out the Syrians to help him in a battle with Israel. This greatly displeased the Lord.
“And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.””
II Chronicles 16:7-9 NKJV
The correction sent to Asa through Hanani, was not heeded, and Asa died the way he lived: looking for help from other sources, rather than the Lord.
“And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians. So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign.”
II Chronicles 16:12-13 NKJV
There is something about the Lord that many people do not realize. If a person is intent on seeking help from everybody else except the Lord, the Lord will not intervene on their behalf. This is not to say that the Lord never uses other sources to help us (physicians, loan officers, attorneys, and so on). But the point is that the Lord should be sought FIRST; then—whatever follows—should be by the leading of His Spirit.
In today’s portion from David’s psalms, we see that David understood the importance of seeking after the Lord. Now, in reading about David seeking the Lord (through many scriptures in the Bible), we get a sense that he was seeking the Lord out of his love and devotion for Him. And, the result of that seeking was that God came to his help, came to his rescue, over and over again.
For everything in our lives—whether “big” things (e.g., difficult decisions or troubling diagnoses), or things we might consider as being “insignificant” to the Lord—let us make sure that we first seek the Lord for our help!
“And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Psalms 9:10 NKJV
Let us not make the mistake made by the people of Jerusalem:
“But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.””
Luke 19:41-44 NLT
Jesus was their hope for peace; but they refused to come to Him. And as with Asa, the result of their not seeking the Lord, was tragic.
For today let us know and understand what David knew:
God looks for those who are seeking Him in order to help them.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!