June 3 - Evening
"My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my riddle:
Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves...
...They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd but the upright will prevail over them in the morning. Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself...
...Though while they live they count themselves blessed —and people praise you when you prosper— they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life.
People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish."
- Psalms 49:3-11, 14-15, 18-20
Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves...
...They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd but the upright will prevail over them in the morning. Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself...
...Though while they live they count themselves blessed —and people praise you when you prosper— they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life.
People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish."
- Psalms 49:3-11, 14-15, 18-20
Death is the Great Equalizer and Redemption the True Treasure
Psalm 49 is introduced as words of wisdom from the Sons of Korah. It is the presentation of information and insight given for the purpose of providing understanding concerning one of the life’s greatest riddles or enigmas. The writer intends to provide wisdom and understanding so the reader might assign the proper value to the things and circumstances of life.
The age old perplexity that is explained concerns the absolute surety that death is the great equalizer of all men in every age independent of their wealth and power. It is not wealth and power that should be sought by men since death takes everything making them ultimately equal at death. Instead, the thing that should be sought is the thing that can neutralize the effect of death.
God’s redeeming force conquerors death. Redemption is what makes the distinction among men. Redemption from death is much more important than wealth, power, possessions and influence.
So, the thing we should seek is God’s redemption and God’s righteousness. This understanding will separate us from mere beasts. Without the understanding of this mystery we will place too much value on things we can never keep and too much trust in power that will be taken from us as if it had never been ours in the first place. Remember the words of the Sons of Korah:
“Though while they live they count themselves blessed — and people praise you when you prosper — they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life.”
– Psalm 49:19
Apistos (Gr) – Unbelief (Eng) – in the Greek the prefix a- means “not” and “without.” The word pistos means “faith.” In Matthew 13:58 and Romans 3:3 apistia means “unbelief. In 2 Corinthians 6:15 and 1 Timothy 5:8 apistos means “unbeliever.”
I will always remember that everything is temporary and passing away, except for the Lord and his work.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Parents
Church
Peace among members
Nation
United States Air Force
World
Ghana
Larry identifies the 2-5 inch margin around the raised flat boss of the Herodian ashlar stone blocks in the Western Wall of the Temple Mount retaining wall. These were set here by Herod's builders beginning in 19 BC. (See details concerning Herodian ashlar stones.)
Someone to Quote
"The goal of an entrusted manager is not to gain authority and be the boss, but to diligently perform their responsibilities and prove themself accountable."
- Galyn Wiemers
- Galyn Wiemers
Something to Ponder
Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was part of a movement in the 1100’s-1200’s focused on evangelizing the Muslims, a group who was militarily threatening to overrun Christianity. Pope Innocent III commissioned Francis to preach to Muslims in Spain and southern France in 1214-1215. Francis then traveled through Muslim lands including Egypt in 1219 and presented the Gospel to one of the Sultans. Besides the gospel message of Jesus Francis also included in his presentation a mystical devotion to Mary and her mother Anne.
Here’s a Fact
This is list #1 of 4 that identifies a total of forty-one bullae (seal impressions in clay) used on official documents and sealed by someone mentioned in the Bible or by a servant of a biblical personality. The existence and discovery of these bullae (seal impressions in clay) attest to the accuracy and historicity of the text in the Old Testament documents:
Jezebel (1 Kg.16:29-22:40) says “Jezebel”
Azariah (Uzziah) (2 Kings 14:21-22; 2 Chr. 26:1-23) two finds, “Abiyah the servant of Uzziah,” and “Shebaniah the servant of Uzziah”
Jeroboah II (2 Kings 14:23-29) says, “Belonging to Shema, the servant of Jeroboam.”
Jotham (2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chr. 27:1-9) says, “To Jotham”
Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1-20 and 2 Chron. 28:1-27) two finds, “Belonging to Ahaz, son of Jehotham, king of Judah” and “Belonging to Ushna, the servant of Ahaz”
Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1-20:21; 2 Chr.29:1-32:33) five finds:
1- “Belonging to Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, king of Judah”
2- “Belonging to Jehozarah son of Hilkiah, servant of Hezekiah”
3- “Azariah son of Jehoshaphat, servant of Hezekiah"
4- “Belonging to Domia, the servant of Hezekiah”
5- “…servant of Hezekiah”
Eliakim and Hilkiah (2 Kings 18:18) says, “Belonging to Eliakim the son of Hilkiah”
Amariah (2 Chr.31:15) says, “Belonging to Amariah son of Hananiah, servant of Hezekiah”
Jezebel (1 Kg.16:29-22:40) says “Jezebel”
Azariah (Uzziah) (2 Kings 14:21-22; 2 Chr. 26:1-23) two finds, “Abiyah the servant of Uzziah,” and “Shebaniah the servant of Uzziah”
Jeroboah II (2 Kings 14:23-29) says, “Belonging to Shema, the servant of Jeroboam.”
Jotham (2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chr. 27:1-9) says, “To Jotham”
Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1-20 and 2 Chron. 28:1-27) two finds, “Belonging to Ahaz, son of Jehotham, king of Judah” and “Belonging to Ushna, the servant of Ahaz”
Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1-20:21; 2 Chr.29:1-32:33) five finds:
1- “Belonging to Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, king of Judah”
2- “Belonging to Jehozarah son of Hilkiah, servant of Hezekiah”
3- “Azariah son of Jehoshaphat, servant of Hezekiah"
4- “Belonging to Domia, the servant of Hezekiah”
5- “…servant of Hezekiah”
Eliakim and Hilkiah (2 Kings 18:18) says, “Belonging to Eliakim the son of Hilkiah”
Amariah (2 Chr.31:15) says, “Belonging to Amariah son of Hananiah, servant of Hezekiah”
Proverb
"By his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew."
- Proverbs 3:20
- Proverbs 3:20
Coach’s Corner
There is a level of success that cannot be reached until you have empowered someone else to duplicate what you have done and to imitate how you do it.
Micah 4
New International Version (NIV)
The Mountain of the Lord
4 In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
2 Many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
4
Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.
5
All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
The Lord’s Plan
6 “In that day,” declares the Lord,
“I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief.
7
I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.
8
As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”
9
Why do you now cry aloud— have you no king? Has your ruler perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?
10
Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.
11
But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!”
12
But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
13
“Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations.” You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.
New International Version (NIV)
The Mountain of the Lord
4 In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
2 Many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
4
Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.
5
All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
The Lord’s Plan
6 “In that day,” declares the Lord,
“I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief.
7
I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.
8
As for you, watchtower of the flock, stronghold of Daughter Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”
9
Why do you now cry aloud— have you no king? Has your ruler perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?
10
Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.
11
But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!”
12
But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord; they do not understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
13
“Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations.” You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.
Proverbs 3
New International Version (NIV)
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
3
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
7
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
12
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
13
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
14
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19
By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20
by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
21
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22
they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
23
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26
for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
28
Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.
29
Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
30
Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm.
31
Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.
32
For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
33
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34
He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35
The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.
New International Version (NIV)
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
3
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
7
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
12
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
13
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
14
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19
By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20
by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
21
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22
they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
23
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26
for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
28
Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.
29
Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
30
Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm.
31
Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.
32
For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
33
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34
He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35
The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.