Bible Thoughts January 9, 1999
"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that hope in
Jehovah"(Psalm 31:24)
It is not easy to be strong under many situations. The Psalmist had experienced opposition, affliction, and reproach from others. He felt "as a dead man out of mind," little more than a "broken vessel." The enemies had "defamed him." "Terror" was felt "on every side," as they "devised to take away" his life. And...you think you have troubles?
David knew where he could find help. "But I trusted in thee, O Jehovah: I said, Thou art my God"(v. 14). The man of God did not allow the adversities of life to destroy his life. His faith carried him through the attempts to harm him; the problems in Israel; the difficulties experienced in his family; and the opposition of those who would deny his right to be king. David survived them all.
David was not a perfect man. He was tempted and yielded. Yet, when he sinned, he was willing to repent and pray to God for forgiveness. He accepted the consequences of his transgression and renewed his allegiance to the God who made him. To his credit, David was strong enough to overcome his failings because he nknew his imperfections and was willing to repent of his transgressions. This is what would lead him to say, "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All ye that hope in Jehovah."
David's family was not perfect. His sons were not perfect. He suffered for not only his own failings, but experienced the pain of the failings of those whom he loved. And yet, in all of this David still pledged his allegiance to the God who made him and tried to overcome his own failings. In spite of all of the mistakes of his loved ones, his attitude made him a man after God's own heart. Why? Because he had the courage to be strong enough to continue to serve God even if others did not.
David was not a perfect man. He came to realize fully his own humanity when Nathan said, "Thou art the man" and David came face to face with the fact that he had sinned against the God that made him. David had the courage to recognize and confess the sin he committed. It is only proper that he admonish others to be strong and courageous.
It takes strength and courage in our day to be a Christian. In truth, there has never been a time when it did not take strength and courage to serve Jehovah. Did not Abraham possess such? Moses? Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel? The apostles? Christians of the first century? Why should it be different today?
Perhaps we have it too easy and that makes it too hard for some to realize the necessity of being faithful to the God that made them. We do not have the persecution and opposition experienced by many others of the past. We have no fear that someone will harm us when we are worshipping God. We do not have to hide; in fact, we can even be protected by the authorities from harm. Perhaps it is too easy. Would it cause us to be stronger in the Lord and His way if we had more opposition? That would certainly determine our strength and courage.
David was not without human feelings and failings. Nor are we. The human side says, "Is it worth it?" And some will reply, "It isn't worth it." For those who are faithful, they summon the strength and courage to say, "It is worth every sacrifice to be a Christian because of the reward of eternal life." Do not let any one of us be so discouraged that we permit our humanity to overwhelm our spirituality. "I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure; and, behold, this also was vanity"(Ecclesiastes 2:1).
Solomon sought all of the pleasures of men to satisfy the human spirit. What he found was "vanity." The word carries the idea of emptiness, that is, does not satisfy the needs of men. If ever a man lived who could have anything he wanted and participate in any "pleasure" he sought, Solomon was that man.
We live in a pleasure-mad age. Far too many activities(and responsibilities) are weighed on how well they will satisfy one's sensual pleasures. Too many live through the week for the "good time" they can have on the weekend. Every activity is weighed upon how well it satisfies the flesh.
The failure of earthly pleasure to satisfy is seen in that once the activity is over, another must be sought that enhances the satisfaction of the flesh. The billions of dollars spent by the public for such is ample evidence of man's quest for happiness through the flesh.
It is possible that we build this attitude into our children. When we value the pursuits of this life above the dedication that one has to truth and to the Lord's church, we influence our offspring's attitude in regard to that which is sacred. If we place the pursuits of worldly pleasure above the opportunities for spiritual growth and worship of the God that made us, we are telling those whom we influence what we value most in life.
The continual pursuit of the things of this world has robbed many of the joy of serving the Lord and a home in heaven. All earthly pursuits are empty("vanity") in comparison to what is offered for the service of God. Pleasures of this life are momentary; eternity is forever.