Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Better Is One Day In His Courts

The news out of the Supreme Court today surely has stirred many hearts. This follows a significant change to membership policy in the Boy Scouts of America and other such significant events. We should not be surprised that the courts and other major social organizations have taken such stands. After all, our country has been normalizing sexual orientation variations for several decades. Even some churches have bent in this direction.

As I was thinking on today’s Court rulings and the response I saw in social media and on the news sources, I was mindful of the need that we have as Christians to let God’s Word direct our beliefs and our behaviors and not that of government, even if that government has historically been favorable to those same beliefs. The harsh reality is that many leaders in our country, many judges on our courts, much of the media and entertainment industry, and many directors of business and non-religious organizations do not seek after God and do not submit themselves to His ways. Though we can be sorely disappointed, we should not be surprised at what they do.

A couple of years ago our church’s leadership worked together on a consideration of biblical truth as it pertains to marriage, divorce, and remarriage. This is the leading paragraph of the resulting document resulting from this study: “In a culture where politicians have taken it upon themselves to define marriage and courts have broadened the reasons for divorce such that there be nothing more than one person simply stating that he or she no longer wishes to be married, we felt it important … to diligently study the Bible and present a biblical perspective of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. In so doing we hope to reaffirm a solidly biblical standard to serve as a benchmark and guide to all who enter its arena.”

The key was to diligently study the Bible and then let the Bible shape our direction. Once having done this we are to trust God to guide us, praying that He would help us guard our hearts and minds as we engage in a world where the rules it goes by are different that those we follow.

We need to continue to pray for those in government, in our courts, and in our organizations and businesses that do honor God that they would be granted wisdom and be richly blessed as they seek to do what they do fully for Him.

And know that no matter what a human court does….

Psalm 84 “How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God. How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You.”

“How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, every one of them appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!”

“Behold our shield, O God, and look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

Today in “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (6/26)

Stay calmly conscience of Me today, no matter what. Remember that I go before you as well as with you into the day. Nothing takes Me by surprise. I will not allow circumstances overwhelm you so long as you look to Me. I will help you cope with whatever the moment presents. Collaborating with He brings blessings that far outweigh all your troubles. Awareness of My Presence contains Joy that can endure all eventualities.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4 (NKJV)


Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

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