Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
Eternity-Inspiration for Friday 5th December 1997
(Ecclesiastes 7:29 NRSV) See, this alone I found, that God made human
beings straightforward, but they have devised many schemes.
'O what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive".
Sin makes life so complicated. The upright godly man lives a
"straight life". The saint lives without schemes.
I became a Christian later in life when I had acquired an admiration
for cunning ways. Part of the renewal of my mind has been to trust
God and renounce manipulation in all its forms. This is not as easy
as it sounds particularly in threatening situations. To trust God and
be simple, straightforward and honest under pressure and not play
politics is very contrary to "the flesh". (Galatians 5:19-20 NRSV)
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: ....enmities, strife,
jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions." Scheming is the
sinful flesh looking for "salvation" (for life problems) by its own
wits instead of through faith in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 18 spoke to me and helped me see the folly of shrewdness and
manipulation and the value of the innocent and trusting life. (Psalms
18:25-29 NKJV) With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;
With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; {26} With the
pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show
Yourself shrewd. {27} For You will save the humble people, But will
bring down haughty looks. {28} For You will light my lamp; The LORD
my God will enlighten my darkness. {29} For by You I can run against
a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall.
'With the devious You will show yourself shrewd". Who could stand a
chance with God against them? The thought terrifies me. Not only is
He infinitely subtle and intelligent but He can make Nature turn
against you. If God decided to outwit you - your ruin would be great
indeed. There is a long list of people outwitted by God -look what
happened to the devious satraps who got Daniel put in the lions den -
they were eaten alive and look what happened to wicked scheming
Haman who was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai? In fact
the whole book of Esther demonstrates how God shows Himself shrewd
with the devious. Those who plotted against Jesus were undone by a
resurrected Saviour - a shrewd and unexpected move from God! In the
end Satan's conspiracy to take over this earth and rule as "god of
this world" will be crushed. He will rule over rubble as the world is
demolished by judgements then he will be cast into the lake of fire.
The shrewd are doomed but the upright will prosper.
How then are we to live? Going back to Psalm 18 we see God is
merciful to the merciful etc. He treats us according to our character
and not our status. God's blessing will rest on our lives if we are
humble, upright, merciful, blameless and pure. Not only will we be
blessed but we will have more guidance and more power than the
shrewd. "..For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten
my darkness. {29} For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I
can leap over a wall."
Prayer:
Lord give us the faith and courage to let go of manipulation and
trust you completely throughout our life. Let us live in holy
simplicity of character and be full of truth, mercy and purity that
we may be guided by You and victorious in all we do. Amen.
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John Edmiston ([email protected])
Editor - Eternity Online Magazine http://www.eternitymag.com/
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