Thursday – February 11, 2016
Proverbs 9:1 (KJV)
1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
Once again it is time for the Thursday portion of God’s Word. Studying and making the Word of God our thoughts, words, and actions (ways) has no higher priority. The Word of God is eternal and determines our eternal place (Heaven or Hell). Thursday is the day I remind us all to pray for the pillars of our society. Today I am highlighting the Pillar of Education and Science. Let us pray for this pillar that those of us who are assigned to this pillar (mountain) of society walk in the Wisdom of God with our lights on bright. Now let’s get back to our study of Spiritual Warfare.
1 Peter 5:5-10 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
As we delve into verse ten please notice that it starts with the word ‘but’. In Hebrew the word ‘but’ means to be brought to zero. I realize that this is part of the latter Scripture written primarily in Greek however the lessons of Hebrew from the former Scripture stand true. In English we call the word ‘but’ a conjunctive that is it connects two ideas. The information imparted before the ‘but’ is null and void when the information following the ‘but’ is true. Until we get the message preceding the ‘but’ right the Truth following the ‘but’ is not our reality. In verse five we saw the conjunctive ‘and’. The conjunctive ‘and’ gives the preceding information and the following information an equal value. So in verse five submission, be subject, and being clothed with humility are of equal value or importance. On the other hand here in verse ten we are being told that the value of the information following the ‘but’ far exceeds the information preceding the ‘but’. Listen to the Apostle Paul in his letter to the folks at Corinth.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV)
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
What seems so important today and perhaps even overwhelming will be so insignificant in the light of our eternal glory and victory. As we consistently implement 1 Peter 5:5-9 then, but not before, and not during, “the God of grace” causes some things to happen, some solidification to occur in our walk with Him in the Kingdom of God. The Grace of God is another name for the Holy Spirit giving further insight into the character of God and of His Holy Spirit. In this case the Scripture is talking about an expression of God through His Grace or the Holy Spirit and it is in response and made possible by our obedience to all of the instructions that preceded. Look at the following definition and discussion of ‘Grace’ from the Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament.
“cháris; gen. cháritos, fem. noun from chaírō <G5463>, to rejoice. Grace, particularly that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude. A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor. Cháris stands in direct antithesis to érga <G2041>, works, the two being mutually exclusive. God’s grace affects man’s sinfulness and not only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him. It changes the individual to a new creature without destroying his individuality (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:8, 9).”
Isn’t our God more than wonderful!?
Until tomorrow may the Grace of God be poured into your life by your obedience to the leadership of the Master.
By Pastor David R. Wood
