The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.(Proverb 11:18) The garment of life seems to be woven with two threads; wicked persons and righteous ones. Jesus said, "You shall know them by their fruits." When the word deceitful is employed, many props and disguises are the supply to wicked works. How often have you looked into the face of such an employee? Yet, when a sower of righteousness enters the stage of life; hearts seem to become expectant. The dialogue of one's thoughts becomes hopeful, victorious and decorated with faith in God! Such work should certainly be rewarded. How could it the otherwise? Praise the Lord!
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What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul, shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.(Psalm 25:12 & 13) What was it like to sit at the feet of an actual physical Jesus? How did he teach? Here is a poem I acquired several years ago titled, "The Teacher." He never taught a lesson in a classroom. He had no tools to work with; such as blackboards, maps or charts. He used no subject outlines, no records, gave no grades and his only text was ancient and well worn. His students were poor, the lame, the deaf, the blind, the outcasts and his method was the same with all who came to hear and learn. He opened eyes with faith. He opened ears with simple truth. He opened hearts with love, a love born of forgiveness. A gentle man, a humble man; he asked and won no honors, no gold awards of tribute to his expertise or wisdom. Yet this quiet teacher from the hills of Galilee has fed the needs, fulfilled the hopes and changed the lives of many billions. For what he taught brought heaven to earth and revealed God's heart to mankind. Praise the Lord! As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness (Psalm 17:15) When I first read this Scripture, some years ago, it gripped my heart with riveting emotion. I thought, "with thy likeness." Overwhelmed, as floods of thoughts cascaded through my mind, I wanted to absorb all its meaning. Once again, I found myself at the threshold of revelation, only to knock. When Jesus walked on earth, several times he was confronted with persons who were deceased. Jesus would simply say, "they are asleep." (John 11:11) How could this be? Certainly a challenge to the natural mind. So in order to determine stability of the whole event, a close look at the preceding verse in Psalm 17 must be afforded. In verse 14, we can read about the reward or blessings given to the disobedient; wicked men of the world. A wide range of goodies are afforded them, which have their portion in this life. Then what happens to God's faithful? All who have forsaken what the world offers and have followed Jesus and the Gospel. What could possibly satisfy such a loyal follower? Could it be that when they awake out of sleep, that long journey over, their likeness will be the same as the Lords', when he rose from the dead? You be the judge. Praise the Lord! |
Dr. Thomas SnyderArchives
January 2019
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