While we take time to enjoy this day of rest with our families and bask in the freedoms we have been blessed with - let us not neglect this opportunity to recognize and give praise to the One in Who our nation's true source of "strength, freedom, and leadership" comes from - our Lord Jesus Christ!
Dear saint, we have been privileged to live in a nation that was founded by godly men who exemplified the truths of the Bible, not just in the words they spoke, but, also, in the lives they lived. If we want to see this nation return to its former glory - a nation that has reaped the benefits (and blessings!) of being rooted in the Truths of Scripture and devoted to the Creator Who set us apart for His purposes - then, we, as believers, need to live our lives in humble and wholehearted devotion to God by throwing of that entanglement of our sinful nature and living in the fullness of the new life we've been given: "...the old is gone the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17b).
We are a new creation in Christ and it it time to grow up into the Head so, "...we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men and their deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:14). Instead, we are to speak the truth in love and become ambassadors of reconciliation (reference Ephesians 4:15-16; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20) to a lost and fallen world that is in desperate need of saving.
We were not meant to remain infants, only drinking milk, we are to go on to feasting on the meat of the Word of God (reference 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2-3). As this weekend signals an end to summer and a return to school, it is time, dear student of the Bible, to also go back-to-school. We need to hit the books - all 66 of them!
"Come, eat my food...leave your simple ways and you will live;
Walk in the way of understanding."
(Proverbs 9:5)
On Labor Day we acknowledge all that we have worked and labored for, but the Lord exhorts us to, "...not work for food that spoils" (John 6:27). Instead of striving and toiling for what will eventually wither and fade, we are called to simply embrace wisdom and receive the blessings of the abundant feast that He has prepared for us (reference Isaiah 25:6; 40:8). This is why many of us are electing to sit before our Lord and feast on His bounty.
The first man and woman made a fatal error when they neglected the wisdom of God and instead rested in human knowledge. They had a choice between life and death and they regrettably chose death.
"In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
And the Lord God commanded the man,
"You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;
but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
for when you eat of it you will surely die."
(Genesis 2:9b, 16-17)
Wisdom is a tree of life - the first man and woman could have enjoyed her choice fruit, but they chose to neglect this gift of God, instead falling prey to the deception of the enemy, and acting on a lie instead of standing on the Truth.
"My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge."
(Hosea 4:6a)
The Scriptures tell us that, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). It is vital to make God our utmost priority, "...for without Him who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man that pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness" (Ecclesiastes 2:24). In seeking Him we will enjoy the choice fruit of His wisdom.
"Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord."
(Proverbs 8:32-35)
Our founding fathers, were deeply rooted in the truths of the Scriptures, and believed so much that the schools and education systems were the most appropriate ways to encourage the "religion, morality, and knowledge" that was so "necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind" that they included this as Article 3 of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
Abraham Lincoln wisely stated, "The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." The Bible, once the primary textbook of our nation's educational system, was removed in 1963 and we have no cause to wonder why our judicial, educational, and political systems are morally and spiritually bankrupt. You can't pull the rug out from under someone and expect them to stand!
George Washington called religion and morality the "great pillars of human happiness" (more on that in our next email as we observe the events of September 11th, 2001). And what do we do with John Adams' observation that "our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people" when those pillars are no longer existent?
When Adam and Eve neglected to listen to the Word of God, instead believing a lie, the result of their actions was the judgment of labor and eventual death. "...through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life" (Genesis 3:17c). Our gracious Heavenly Father never intended it to be that way, that was a choice we made out of our own free will. Out of His infinite love and mercy, He sent His Son to die on another tree that we might receive that eternal life we so easily turned our backs on. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ we experience the true Liberty (from sin and all its' consequences) we are meant to have, but, "...not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:9), purely out of His grace resulting in Him receiving all the glory, honor, and praise.
If we want to experience the blessings of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness we must first pursue wisdom. Wisdom frames the foundation we are to stand upon. " ...when He marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I [wisdom] was the craftsman at His side" (Proverbs 8:29b,30).
On Monday, September 1st, we begin a new journey that will take us to the glorious heights of His holy mountain. With every step of this ascent we will become more deeply rooted in His Word, learn to stand more firmly upon the rock, and be purified of the burdens and baggage that are weighing us down. Our clay jars will then be emptied and refilled to the full measure, and overflowing, with the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus Christ - there is no greater treasure to be had (or behold!).
"On this mountain the Lord Almighty
will prepare a feast of rich food for all people."
(Isaiah 25:6)
There is nothing so fulfilling as a meal with the Lord, feasting on His Word. We pray you will find great satisfaction and fulfiillment as you dine at His Table and experience the refreshment and blessings He longs to shower you with.
