Nonsense of Negligence

Read:  Psalm 119:33-40 / Prov. 31 / 2 Chronicles 29 / 1 Thes. 1

 

Psalm 119:37 ~ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

Proverbs 31:27 ~ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

2 Chronicles 29:11 ~ My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him.

1 Thessalonians 1:9,10 ~ Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God… to wait for his Son from heaven… even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

 

What nonsense and insanity

It is to waste a single day

By negligence and vanity

While precious souls are led astray!

 

May God direct us by His love

To serve the Lord with diligence.

Until Christ gathers us above,

Let us be done with negligence. 

 

Walk in Wisdom

Read:  Psalm 119:25-32 / Proverbs 30 / 2 Chronicles 28 / Col. 4

 

Psalm 119:29,30 ~ Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth.

Proverbs 30:8 ~ Remove far from me vanity and lies… neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.

2 Chronicles 28:23 ~ [Ahaz] sacrificed unto the gods… and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help… therefore will I sacrifice to them… But they were the ruin of him.

Colossians 4:5,17 ~ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time… Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.

 

May God remove from me the lies

Polluting what is pure and true,

For He alone can make me wise

And pleasing in His holy view. 

 

I see the tragic ways of kings

Who did not choose to do God’s will.

May God remove from me these things

That I may walk in wisdom still. 

 

Wiser Ways

Read:  Psalm 119:17-24 / Proverbs 29 / 2 Chron. 27 / Col. 3

 

Psalm 119:23 ~ Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

Proverbs 29:25,26 ~ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor… man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

2 Chronicles 27:6 ~ So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.

Colossians 3:23 ~ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

 

Though lofty princes speak with pride,

They cannot overrule our Savior. 

They soon shall stand, when they have died, 

To give account for their behavior. 

 

Let us be wiser in our ways

To fear the Lord instead of men

With hearts prepared to give Him praise,

Assured that Christ will come again. 

Season to Seek

Read:  Psalm 119:9-16 / Proverbs 28 / 2 Chronicles 26 / Col. 2

 

Psalm 119:10 ~ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Proverbs 28:5 ~ Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

2 Chronicles 26:5 ~ He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

Colossians 2:2,3 ~ That their hearts might be comforted… unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding… of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

The time to seek the Lord is now,

Since we foresee and understand

That every knee to Christ shall bow

In God’s prophetic season planned. 

 

God prospers those who seek His face

With blessings earth can never measure.

The full assurance of His grace

Is found in Christ, our greatest Treasure. 

 

Walk Worthy

Read:  Psalm 119:1-8 / Proverbs 27 / 2 Chronicles 25 / Col. 1

 

Psalm 119:2,3 ~ Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart… They walk in his ways.

Proverbs 27:11 ~ My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

2 Chronicles 25:2 ~ And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

Colossians 1:10 ~ Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

 

The Lord examines all our ways

By looking deeply in our heart. 

Refrain from superficial praise;

From repetitious words depart.

 

“Walk worthy of the Lord,” we’re told;

Our heart condition is the root. 

Halfhearted love will soon grow cold;

A heart surrendered will bear fruit. 

 

Tend to Trust

Read:  Psalm 118 / Proverbs 26 / 2 Chronicles 24 / Philippians 4

 

Psalm 118:8,9 ~ It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Proverbs 26:5 ~ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

2 Chronicles 24:17 ~ The princes of Judah… made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.

Philippians 4:7,13 ~ The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus… which strengtheneth me.

 

How foolishly we tend to trust

In princes rather than our Lord!

Should confidence be placed in dust

While God our Helper is ignored? 

 

The peace of God shall rule our heart

When we are trusting Christ alone. 

We need the strength He will impart 

As we come boldly to His throne. 

 

Truth vs. Treason

Read:  Psalm 117 / Proverbs 25 / 2 Chron. 23 / Philippians 3

 

Psalm 117:1,2 ~ O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all… people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth forever. Praise ye the LORD.

Proverbs 25:25 ~ As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

2 Chronicles 23:13 ~ Then Athaliah… said, Treason, Treason.

Philippians 3:9 ~ Be found in him, not having mine own righteousness… but that… which is of God by faith.

 

O praise the Lord in every nation

For all our Savior’s wondrous grace

As we explore His great salvation

In every time and every place. 

 

The foes of God may count it treason

When truth is taught with evidence,

But we are called to give a reason

Which God supplies in our defense.  

 

Supplication for Salvation

Read:  Psalm 116 / Proverbs 24 / 2 Chronicles 22 / Philippians 2

 

Psalm 116:1,5 ~ I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications… Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

Proverbs 24:27 ~ Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

2 Chronicles 22:12 ~ And he [Ahaziah] was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

Philippians 2:5,8 ~ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus… he humbled himself.

 

I love the Lord, and this is why:

He heard my voice and supplication,

He left His majesty on high,

And gave Himself for my salvation.

 

This is the truth on which I build:

My Savior’s beauty was not hid,

For what He promised was fulfilled

By all Christ Jesus humbly did. 

 

Separation or Salvation

Read:  Psalm 115 / Proverbs 23 / 2 Chron. 21 / Philippians 1

 

Psalm 115:17,18 ~ The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

Proverbs 23:26 ~ My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

2 Chronicles 21:6 ~ And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like… Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. 

Philippians 1:21 ~ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

There is a dreadful separation

By which a soul is counted dead:

Apart from Christ and His salvation,

There is no life, but death instead. 

 

Let us exalt our Lord with praise

As in our hearts He comes to reign,

Assured, as we observe His ways,

To live is Christ; to die is gain! 

 

 

Blessed in the Battle

Read:  Psalm 114 / Proverbs 22 / 2 Chron. 20 / Ephesians 6

 

Psalm 114:2 ~ Judah was his sanctuary… Israel his dominion.

Proverbs 22:19 ~ That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

2 Chronicles 20:12,15 ~ O our God… our eyes are upon thee… Thus saith the LORD… the battle is not yours, but God's.

Ephesians 6:11 ~ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 

The day of battle has arrived: 

We stand against the false opinion

Of lies the devil has contrived

To fight against our Lord’s dominion.

 

The battle is not ours, but God’s;

We’re blessed with armor that He gives.

It matters not who else applauds;

Our eyes are on the Lord who lives!  

 

Compared to Christ

Read:  Psalm 113 / Proverbs 21 / 2 Chron. 19 / Ephesians 5

 

Psalm 113:5,6 ~ Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

Proverbs 21:30 ~ There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

2 Chronicles 19:7 ~ Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

Ephesians 5:1 ~ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.

 

With whom shall we compare the Lord,

So high, and yet for us so humbled?

By wisdom Jesus is adored;

By foolishness the proud have stumbled. 

 

The fear of God makes sinners wise

Who thereby turn to Christ our Savior

To follow Him with glad surprise

That He would die to grant them favor! 

 

 

Reproof and Restoration

Read:  Psalm 112 / Proverbs 20 / 2 Chronicles 18 / Ephesians 4

 

Psalm 112:1 ~ Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Proverbs 20:8 ~ A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

2 Chronicles 18:1 ~ Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

Ephesians 4:1 ~ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you… walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

 

Let God be feared instead of man;

He scatters evil with His eyes.

We need God’s purging and His plan,

Without which we cannot be wise.

 

Jehoshaphat’s unwise connection

With Ahab was a foolish choice,

But God’s reproof and His correction

Restored him to obey His voice.  

 

Find the Fullness

Read:  Psalm 111 / Proverbs 19 / 2 Chronicles 17 / Ephesians 3

 

Psalm 111:10 ~ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.

Proverbs 19:23 ~ The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied… not be visited with evil.

2 Chronicles 17:4 ~ But [Jehoshaphat] sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments.

Ephesians 3:19 ~ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

 

The fear of God is the beginning

Of wisdom’s purifying path

That moves us to depart from sinning

Through grace that rescued us from wrath. 

 

Like kings who wisely sought the Lord

And honored Him in their behavior, 

Let us pursue the same reward

To find the fullness of our Savior.