Proverbs 4:20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
 turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight,
 keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them
 and health to one’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart,
 for everything you do flows from it.

I recently had to take drastic measures. I went to the hardware store and got an 8” strip of tin to put along the bottom of the gates to our back yard. The reason?- our mild mannered, and aging and blind Cocker Spaniel can be so intent on escape from the back yard that she eats away the bottom of the pickets until she can squeeze herself through to “freedom”. More than once, our wonderful neighbor has had to, in our absence, return her to the yard and prop something against the gate in an attempt to contain her.  It has yet to be proven, but I’m hoping the metal will prohibit her destructive gnawing and keep her from getting hurt in that dangerous realm to which she is so insistent to escape.

It’s no enough to just have a wonderful quiet time where a few powerful words from the scriptures are allowed to briefly make a pass through the back yard of the mind. For some reason, those words have a consistent way of making their way from being readily accessible, and escaping to the forgotten place where they are unable to protect, inspire, correct and equip.  To really attend to them, to really keep them within sight, it might just take some drastic measures, where the gates are secured and they are purposely prohibited from escaping by barriers that are stronger than thin, fleeting acknowledgment. It might require some intense meditation, where they are not only memorized, but also screwed right down into the heart through meditation. Then, when the flood of other distractions comes to bring damage and their way of escape, there will be a steel barrier that prohibits their departure. It also will not just be enough to depend on the construction that took place last week. They will have to be looked upon daily and inspected for any possibility of damage to their escaping.

Where there is value and love placed, and where there is a treasure that touches the heart, there will be extreme care given to prohibit even the smallest loss. And, trust cannot rest on the care that was given in the past. There will be a continual vigilance and presence of defense against any threat of their escape.  

Psalm 26: 4 I do not sit with the deceitful,
nor do I associate with hypocrites.
5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, Lord,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

 One of the things that immediately changes for the person who is convicted of a crime is what they are wearing. They get to put on a uniform that clearly sets them apart from the rest of society and makes it known that no matter how they may talk or otherwise present themselves as innocent, no matter how charismatic they may be, they are not to be trusted. It’s interesting to see celebrities and people of once honorable reputations and fame don the uniform and how their image is dramatically altered. Though they may have once received a great deal of deference and respect, as their faults are exposed, so is the identity of that person that might have once been a role model, someone to be followed after, emulated and befriended.

Though David, himself was not truly innocent, if you considered his life apart from the mercy and favor of God, he repeatedly proclaims his innocence and denigrates those who are guilty of living in sin. He takes off the uniform of the convict and proudly dons the casual attire of the innocent. I have often wondered why he is so hard on those who are, apart from God’s love, his own company and identity. He calls for their destruction and judgment.

Though he may have carried some personal animosity and disdain for those who practiced opposing the holiness of his God, I believe that in the imagery he formed around those guilty ones, he kept his own heart in check from being drawn into patterns of behavior that might have otherwise been a natural choice. There was a reason why Adam and Eve were able to even listen to the lies of the serpent. They didn’t clearly perceive the real nature and identity and destiny of the one they were speaking to. If they, like David, and before their fateful decision, could have begun singing a song about the innocence and fellowship they had been given by their Father and the ugly, perilous and condemned nature of the evil one they were hanging out with at the tree, they might have been much more inclined to run away from him and never be influenced in the least by his evil scheme. David had experienced the feeling of conviction and failure that had overwhelmed him in his own transgressions, and as a means of protecting against the least opportunity for sin to again have any power of appeal, he readily and frequently covered up any of its charismatic appeal with its true identifying prison uniform.

It is so wonderful to just praise and magnify God and acknowledge the good things given to us in Christ, but it is also necessary (though maybe not as enjoyable) to clothe sin with its true labels and give identity to those things that otherwise might errantly be entertained as possible behavior choices. There is a reason why sin and a destruction lifestyle are ever chosen, and it rarely has anything to do with a clear image of their ugly and painful destiny. Those friends, those substances, that entertainment, those attitudes, when effectively dressed up in their rightful attire will lose their appeal altogether and, as they are completely displaced by the glory and affection given to the Holy One, there will rise this song of glorious innocence and identity with the One who has taken all our sin and condemning nature, replacing it with His own.

1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  (10)  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Proverbs 20:25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows. NIV

Got the call again yesterday. Really sounds like a great deal and throughout the presentation there was a continual prompting for agreement- getting me all practiced up for the final agreement. This time, though, I wasn’t drawn in, my pupils didn’t dilate, my pulse didn’t increase and I wasn’t moved to anxiously commit to this “time-sensitive” opportunity. I just waited until the friendly person took a breath from the presentation to inform that I wouldn’t be participating at this time. And, when pressed for a reason so that the objection could be dealt with, further prolonging the conversation, I was just grateful for the call without reason for my rejection. I knew that the further I engaged in this conversation, the further I would be taken to a commitment that I already knew I should not make.

How did I know this? I had committed to this very same offer once before, had experienced all the excitement of getting in on such an incredible deal, and had later come to realize that it really wasn’t the wisest choice for me. I had been drawn into a trap from which it had become very difficult to get free, but in the process had gladly learned something of great value that I was able to utilize yesterday- the dedication of my resources should not be made quickly and without careful consideration. Unhurried contemplation should take place before the vow is made and the promise given.

I was glad for the recognition of the particular offer that helped my flag to go up this time, but how often is a new approach considered and a decision rendered before actually deliberating how to fulfill the commitment? How often does the discovery of the true cost come only at a later date? And, how often does this pattern of quick commitment become a natural response with repeated repercussions. The state of personal and national debt would indicate the success of this trap upon our society as a whole.

While this tendency for rash choices is an issue for our earthly material condition, how much greater does it impact our eternal state of being in regard to relationship with our heavenly Father and His kingdom? To cover the bases and go with what might seem right at the moment- when there are no personal conflicts and the music is just right- a vow before the great Creator is made. While this a wonderful and precious thing to do, it is also something that, like the commitment of natural resources, should be done with consideration of what it will take for it to be fulfilled. Also, as in the case of my phone conversation with the representative, though I was speaking with this pleasant, gregarious person, I was really dealing with the company represented and there would be someone else to answer to than just this wonderful person. God Himself is really the one who will be answered to even though His fallible representative was the apparent recipient of the signature. As Jesus indicated in Luke 14, it should be understood upfront that the choice to let Him truly be the Lord and serve in His kingdom might later mean letting go of all personal treasure or perspective in order for it to be fulfilled. When it is truly a vow before God, walking away and setting it aside is removed from consideration.

Luke 14:33 So then, everyone of you who does not forsake all his possessions, he cannot be My disciple. MKJV

Psalms 37:4 MKJV
(4)  Delight yourself also in Jehovah, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Now, I don’t ever remember doing this myself (:)), but there is something I’ve noticed about children since having become a parent. There are periods of time when there is a diminished interest in your existence, while there are others periods in which you, as the parent, are favored with wonderful words of appreciation and voluntary deeds of service. Sometimes it is really quite amazing, this transformation. What is also of note, however, is how consistently these floods of affection and appreciation are followed by special requests, which are, admittedly, quite often consented to. What the wonderful blessings from heaven have learned is that, while the parent’s heart is delighting in the child’s behavior, there is a much greater probability that it will be bent in their favor. That thing that might have otherwise met resistance becomes much more acceptable when the heart has been softened by delight.

We have come into relationship with a Father who never ceases to treat us in such a way that, when recognized, observed, and appreciated, will cause our hearts to be softened to His will. And His will, when consented to and followed has an unfailing assurance of blessing and favor in this life and the life to follow. To actively delight in the Lord, then, to replay His goodness and amazing attributes in our mind and in our mouth, is to make possible the softening of our own hearts to receive and experience the wonder of His blessings in a life that has conformed to His will through delighting in Him.  

Psalm 7:8 Let the Lord judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.

9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
who probes minds and hearts.

10 My shield is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart. (NIV)

 It’s usually those who have never lifted a finger against anyone who call the loudest for a death penalty for murderers. It’s not those who strongly feel the need for speed who are petitioning for the slower speed limits. Those who have developed a requirement for certain substances don’t tend to be the ones working on significant consequences for anyone partaking of those same things.

The person identified by certain deviant actions is usually looking to avoid dealing with any judgment for those actions.

So, why would David persist in his calls for destruction of the wicked? Doesn’t he know that these very prayers would bring about his own demise? After all, he’s the one who committed adultery and had the husband killed so he could have his wife for his own.

And why would he keep promoting the position of the righteous and upright in heart? Could it be that he had acquired his identity and righteousness from something other than his actions? There must have been a complete release of guilt and shame for him in the forgiveness and mercy he had found in the presence of his God. There was a righteousness that he claimed personally and then a reference to the shield of protection that is the expectation of the righteous as if this was his confidence and expectation. He had apparently, in the fear and reverence of God, learned how to deal with his transgressions. Instead of defending them and finding a way to validate them, he humbly recognized his failure and passionately repented of his sin. In his pursuit of the favor of God, he also lost his identity with the wickedness he had committed. The righteousness he was presenting to God was indeed his, but only because it was given to him through mercy, not because of the perfection of his actions. His confidence, however, was no less, and his expectation of protection and provision was just as if he had never committed any transgression at all.

We can also refer to ourselves as the righteous. We can also be proponents of punishment for the wicked and blessing for the righteous as if we had never done any of those things ourselves. We can do that if, like David, our face is continually turned to the one who has provided that righteousness for us. If our guilt and shame has been displaced by the holiness acquired in His presence, there will no longer be a reticence to enter the place where only the perfect have access.  The face in the mirror will no longer be surrounded by the images of its errant choices. The one choice to receive the gift of righteousness in Christ will effectively cover all other identifying images with the very image and likeness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Nothing personal? – You have to lighten up and not make such a big deal about everything? – After all, this isn’t all that big a deal and God will always forgive, be merciful, and be faithful to His promise, no matter what? – Those things may be necessary for someone else, but you have a privileged position that somehow makes it ok to bend here and alter there without any consequences? – There haven’t been any apparent repercussions so far, so obviously it must not matter all that much? – How bad could it possibly be, and maybe nothing has really been noticed anyway, since there hasn’t been any immediate reaction?

Not!

It’s all personal. He sees everything that is done, but He also knows every thought, and though He is longsuffering and full of compassion and mercy, those wonderful characteristics are for those who acknowledge and honor what He has said above whatever else might be thought to be ‘insignificantly’ in opposition of Him. We are not dealing with a mamby-pamby being who doesn’t really care about anything, just covers everything up with squishy love, and imposes His promises on us in spite of our personal rejection of Him. For every choice to either fearfully comply with His directives or proudly choose to decide what He really meant or will enforce, there is a consequence. Where a heart is turned back to Him after falling prey to fleshly weakness, there is a continual embrace and return to favor, but as long as the heart determines to purposefully disregard what pleases the God of creation, there is a continual disablement of His promises of goodness.

How often is the truth of the Word presented in a direct and clear representation of the Father’s will that requires an adjustment of behavior, and how often does life just go on as if nothing had even been said? With a “promise card” or “promise pass” always held up as validation, it’s as if the promise that “nothing can separate us from the love of God” will ensure passage past any blatant and obvious dishonor of His will by direct disobedience of His expressed desires. His perspective is so much more critical than any other, and in the example of Eli’s sons, He makes it clear that His promises can clearly be disabled by the disrespect and dishonor of His heart. They probably started off with just a few alterations to what they had been told, found no immediate consequence, and then steadily progressed in their transgression as if those commandments somehow didn’t apply to them. If, at any moment, though, they could have known just how precarious their position was, and how exposed every private move really was before a holy and uncompromising God, their hearts may have softened to simply comply with His directives. If they could have actually seen the impending destruction that was coming to their privileged status, humility might have overtaken arrogance and merciful favor may have been found.

How critical and open is our every move before a holy Father whose promises included destruction to those who dishonor Him? May there be an ever expanding awareness of His nearness along with a passionate desperation to please and honor Him with simple compliance to His will regarding relationships, attitudes, money, and the treatment of His very temple.

Romans 10:12-13 MKJV For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him. (13) For everyone, “whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I remember when I first got those special Sweepstakes envelopes in the mail, you know, the ones with a unique number that gave you the opportunity to win millions by just filling out the form and sending it in. I really felt special that my name was already printed in large print and everything looked so official. I probably entered once or twice, especially after the commercial on TV showed them on someone’s doorstep with a giant check. There is a problem with those prize offers, though. There is just one grand prize, and your chances of winning are one in a several million. They do offer a few other lesser prizes, but the real jackpot that everyone is hoping for is limited to just one winner. Never hurts to try, but your chances are rather slim.

The offer that has come to us in Christ, however, is quite the opposite. Though it is worth much more than could ever be offered in a man-made drawing, there is no limit to the number of winners. Everyone, even if it were the whole world, is guaranteed the grand prize just for entering. We’ve been given special and unique access to an abundance of life that has no dollar limitation. There is no filling out a form, sending it off, and crossing your fingers that magically your number is chosen. The very God of creation, the One who really owns all of the wealth in the universe, is rich to all who will just honor his offer with a call. He considers fellowship and union with His own to be more valuable than the sum of all material wealth. To have a life that acknowledges Him in worship is to continually honor His offer with a call.

Psalm 107

42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.

43 Let the one who is wise heed these things
and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

(NIV)

• It is that experience that is not only lived, but also rehearsed and verbalized to others that has the greatest influence over what will yet take place in life.
• Those things that are emotionally and passionately spoken of are placed very near the heart where they are given significant influence over that reservoir of life’s issues.

Where Americans’ greatest love was once for the automobile, that passion has been displaced somewhat on a large scale by its love affair with the cell phone. There wouldn’t seem to be a connection between these two passions unless the power of and need for communication and interaction with others is considered as a probable driving motivation. The auto was once the best way to enable face to face communication by transporting one person into a position where interaction could take place with a loved one or acquaintance. It was there that those things that were most impressive in life could be expressed to another and further embraced by the heart for future motivation and inspiration.

With each added feature of the cell phone, however, there has been an increased ability to effectively communicate and network without ever having to physically meet or be in the same room. As long as there is a signal, it is possible to instantly activate communication, even face to face, and very responsively trigger those words that will determine the heart’s position for decisions and choices yet to come. For much less than the cost of a vehicle and the time spent traveling, there is, in a very small device, an instant message, a face time, and an expressed thought that will come to life and influence the path of life.

There is no lack for subject matter both in the stories and promises in the Bible and in the experiences of our own lives. There is a great reason to be glad, rejoice, and praise the God who has “called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) However, until that subject matter occupies the mouth in words communicated to others either face-to-face or utilizing the communication power that is provided through technology, those things God has done will be somewhat separated from the heart, and they will have little influence over our future. It is not only honorable to rehearse the incredible things God has done, but it is also wise, as the ones who have an open and expressive mouth are those who are opening the heart to what God desires to impact in the future.  

While there may be reasons for withholding praises that are thought to be personal and legitimate, each one of those reasons are rendered insignificant when it is understood just how greatly that withholding prohibits the heart from embracing God’s promises for the future. Until those things He’s already done are impressive enough to inspire rejoicing, heart faith for what He will yet do has little hope of becoming stronger.  How great it is, though, when, like Mary, the things He’s done are not only seen, but also pondered, rehearsed and made to occupy the heart? It is then that He will yet be held onto when others have chosen to depart from His side. It is then that security will overtake anxiety and hope will be made to live. It is then that the heart will be kept with all diligence.

Rather than a closed mouth that identifies the wicked, there is, with the open mouth, a continual opportunity for the blessing and favor of the Lord in the joyfully expressed praise He occupies.

Luke 2:18-19 MKJV  And all those who heard marveled about the things spoken to them by the shepherds.  (19)  But Mary kept all these sayings, meditating in her heart.

Proverbs 4:23 MKJV  Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Psalm 106:7 When our ancestors were in Egypt,
they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,
and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. (NIV)

We used to have this neighborhood cat that would often hang out around our house. He wasn’t a bad cat like one of those alley cats that look like they’re up to no good. He was a cat, though, which meant his presence might cause some sneezing and floating hair, so we weren’t all that much in favor of him occupying our home. However, he tended to just materialize before you realized he was around, and had this habit of coming right through the front door if you happened to leave it opened briefly. He probably meant no harm and nothing personal, but we just didn’t want him to come in- but if we failed to close the front door, sure enough, there he would be.

There is this creature that lurks about the temple we’ve been made to be in Christ, this habitation of the Holy One. He might not appear to be all that offensive and it may even be enjoyable to reach down and pet him once in a while. However, if he’s allowed to make his way inside, he carries a dander of rebellion, something that might not even be seen, but if breathed can cause great discomfort and even death.  There is a simple way of insuring that he doesn’t become an occupant- just make sure the door gets closed. In this psalm there are several references to what happened to the children of Israel when they forgot to close the door. By simply remembering where they had come from and the faithfulness of their God throughout their life, they could have shut the door on the rebellion and sin that caused them all to die in the wilderness and not receive their promise.

There is a door to our heart that will keep out those varmints that often appear without warning to slip in before we even know they’re around. As long as there is clear recall of and appreciation for the deliverance that has already been experienced in our life, that door of humility and honor will prohibit the destructive presence of pride from entering. Instead of having to breath in and be influenced by the spirit of rebellion, the heart that has been secured by memories of God’s faithfulness will have no place for that destructive and evil presence. Peace will reign where its Prince has been honored with memories of His deliverance and any consideration of opposing His holy purpose has been forbidden from entering. 

Deuteronomy 4:9 MKJV  Only take heed to yourself and keep your soul carefully, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. But teach them to your sons, and your sons’ sons.

Isaiah 26:3 MKJV  You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You.

Deuteronomy 8:3 MKJV  And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger, and then He fed you with manna, which you did not know, neither did your fathers know it, so that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of Jehovah man shall live.

     Life might have seemed somewhat full until that magical moment when the eyes beheld and the hook was set on the heart. Then it was as if nothing else was worth a glance, and life became focused on finding out more about this new object of affection and love. It might have been the image and outward appearance that got the pulse racing, but looking was just the start . So much more remained to be discovered and every spoken word became a treasure to be remembered and rehearsed as a very part of the personality, character, and existence of the desired one.     

     Exposure to the power of His glory and the beauty of His holiness is enough to shake up the heart and get the attention in the right direction towards the Father. But, looking at Him will only get things started. He is a spirit, His words are Spirit and life, and to have a healty life of worship is to maintain a steady diet of His words. It might seem, at first impression, that there is a short list of needed things at His bread shop, but upon further investigation, there is continually a relevant, necessary, and  wonderfully satisfying loaf to be consumed in His presence that is prepared fresh daily and for every moment. A few morsels may have brought some needed strength for the moment, but there is a consistent flow of revelation to be discovered every day that will sustain, preserve and protect life in Christ. For there to be health, prosperity, and gratification in a life of worship, there must be a steady intake and outgo of the Word.