Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times*

It is troubling to see people, even professing believers, rising up and responding to issues with violence. The Word of God offers the ancient wisdom that applies to these times of increasing anger and violence: "In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For lo, the wicked bend their bow...that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold...the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright." (Psalm 11). The foundations of righteousness, the Word of God, the Commandments, were removed from public view in this nation beginning in the 1960's. However, the LORD's throne is still established in heaven. The LORD still sees the acts of both righteous and unrighteous men, and there is still an expected outcome for both. Dominion Theology, stating that the believers will rise up and take control, is error. In Psalm 73, the writer admits that he had become envious of the wicked. He wrote that it seemed to him that the wicked do whatever they wish, and nothing happens to them. In fact, they seem to prosper and live well (v. 1-12). The writer even said that it seemed a vain thing to spend his life cleansing his heart and hands, if the wicked prosper so. However he concludes: "If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children." (v. 15). We know that living a righteous life is not in vain, and we would be teaching our children an untruth to say such a thing. Our children not only are taught by our words, but by following our example, our actions, whether those actions are righteous or wicked. The psalmist wrote, however, that he saw the truth when he went into the sanctuary of God. He then understood the end of the wicked: "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How they are brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors." (v. 17-19). It is in God's sanctuary, within our intimate relationship with Him, that we see, not how the world rewards the wicked, but the unavoidable conclusion of their wickedness in the hands of God. The psalmist recognized his foolish thoughts, and makes a renewed commitment to God: "Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory...My flesh and heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (v. 23-26). The psalmist understood that those who distance themselves from God will perish, while it is good for one to draw near to God, place their trust in Him, and declare all God's works. Are we declaring what our flesh feels, rather than the Word and works of God? Regarding the same thing, David wrote in Psalm 37: "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass...Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." (v. 1-3). "Delight thyself in the LORD...Commit thy way unto the LORD...Rest in the LORD...Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil... For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be...But the meek (humble) shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." The book of wisdom, Proverbs, described this wicked generation in Chapter 30 as one that curses their father, and does not bless their mother (v. 11). How we have seen this today! In the Old Testament, behavior that we see every day by children against parents, would result in a death sentence. People view themselves as being pure, Proverbs 30 says, but are still in their filthiness (v. 12). Things that were considered abominable to do in previous generations are now accepted today. This generation spoken of in Prov. 30 is proud and lofty in their own eyes, and their teeth are sharp like swords to devour the poor and needy from the earth (v. 13-14). There are so many crying out for help here at home, and across the world. Where are the givers in the church, where is the giving of churches towards these needs, and where are the intercessors? Part of the wickedness of these last days is the hoarding of wealth, the defrauding of those who earn wages, the persecution of others for increase in wealth. However, this wealth will witness against those who have coveted and hoarded it. (James 5:1-6). James also wrote, however: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the LORD. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the LORD draweth nigh." (v. 7-8). Both of the prophets Hosea and Malachi urged God's people to return to Him. As in James above, Hosea describes the LORD saying, "After two days he will revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight...and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." (Hosea 6:1-3). Malachi asked God's people: "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope...he shall purify the sons of Levi...And I will come near to you in judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger at his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Mal. 3:2-6). The LORD does not change His Word to us. What was wicked then is still wicked now to God. He gives all men an opportunity to repent and return to Him, if they will take it. He has the end of every man in His hands. Being assured in this, we must not be angry, but meek, being an example to others by how we live. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/10/21 message to the church. To contact us, to submit a praise report or a prayer request, to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.