A Promise Is A Promise To Lincoln / Psalm 5

One day, President Abraham Lincoln was riding in a coach with a colonel from Kentucky. The colonel took a bottle of whiskey out of his pocket. He offered Mr. Lincoln a drink. Mr. Lincoln said, "No thank you, Colonel. I never drink whiskey." In a little while, the colonel took some cigars out of his pocket and offered one to Mr. Lincoln. Again Mr. Lincoln said, "No, thank you, Colonel." Then Mr. Lincoln said, "I want to tell you a story."

"One day, when I was about nine years old, my mother called me to her bed. She was very sick. She said, 'Abe, the doctor tells me that I am not going to get well. I want you to be a good boy. I want you to promise me before I go that you will never use whiskey or tobacco as long as you live.' I promised my mother that I never would, and up to this hour, I kept this promise! Would you advise me to break that promise?"

The colonel put his hand on Mr. Lincoln's shoulder and said, "Mr. Lincoln, I would not have you break that promise for the world! It is one of the best promises you ever made. I would give a thousand dollars today if I had made my mother a promise like that and had kept it like you have done. I would be a much better man than I am!"

—Martin M. Hyzer

PSALM 5

When he served in King Saul's court, David was often at­tacked by some of Saul's officers who flattered the king and lied about David (vv. 4‑6, 9). King Saul actually believed that David was trying to steal the throne. WHEN PEOPLE LIE ABOUT YOU, FOLLOW DAVID'S EXAMPLE AND PRAY ABOUT THE MATTER. Note his requests.

HEAR ME (1‑6). DAVID BEGAN THE DAY WITH HIS HEART LIFTED UP TO GOD. God knew the sinful words of the liars, BUT HE ALSO HEARD THE BELIEVING PRAYERS OF HIS SERVANT.

LEAD ME (7‑8). David had to be careful because Saul and his leaders were watching him and his life was in danger HE WORSHIPED GOD AND ASKED FOR GOD'S DAILY DIRECTION.

PROTECT ME (9‑10). David did not fight Saul or Saul's men; HE LEFT THOSE BATTLES TO THE LORD. HE TRUSTED GOD TO CARE FOR HIM, AND GOD DID NOT FAIL.

BLESS ME (11‑12). Protection is the last thing named (v. 12). BEYOND THAT, DAVID WAS BLESSED WITH JOY, CONFIDENCE, AND A DEEPER LOVE FOR THE LORD. TIMES OF SUFFERING CAN BE TIMES OF GROWING IF WE LET THE LORD HAVE HIS WAY.

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

THE MORNING HOUR

The morning is the gate of the day, and it should be well guarded with prayer. It is one end of the thread on which the day's actions are strung, and should be well knotted with devotion. If we felt the majesty of life we should be more careful of its mornings. He who rushes from his bed to his business and waiteth not to worship is as foolish as though he had not put on his clothes, or cleansed his face, and as unwise as though he had dashed into battle without arms or armor. Be it ours to bathe in the softly flowing river of communion with God, before the heat of the wilderness and the burden of the way begins to oppress.

-- Charles Spurgeon

CRUISE CONTROL

A newly retired couple cashed in their stocks and bonds to purchase one of the finest motor homes available on the market. One of the great features was the cruise control. As they were traveling up the West Coast, the husband became tired and asked his wife to drive while he went in the back to take a nap. As she was driving she put the camper on cruise control and it worked perfectly. After an hour of straight highway driving she got up to go to the bathroom. She thought cruise control was the same as automatic pilot, she told the Highway Patrol after the accident. The motor home was totaled in the accident, but neither partner was hurt. It is not only a true story, IT IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF MANY CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE PUT THEIR LIVES ON CRUISE CONTROL AND ARE NOT IN WORSHIP, PRAYER OR BIBLE STUDY. (PSALMS 5:3 )

(Psalms 5 NIV)

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. {2} Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. {3} IN THE MORNING, O LORD, YOU HEAR MY VOICE; IN THE MORNING I LAY MY REQUESTS BEFORE YOU AND WAIT IN EXPECTATION. {4} You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. {5} The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. {6} You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors. {7} But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple. {8} Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me. {9} Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. {10} Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. {11} BUT LET ALL WHO TAKE REFUGE IN YOU BE GLAD; LET THEM EVER SING FOR JOY. SPREAD YOUR PROTECTION OVER THEM, THAT THOSE WHO LOVE YOUR NAME MAY REJOICE IN YOU. {12} FOR SURELY, O LORD, YOU BLESS THE RIGHTEOUS; YOU SURROUND THEM WITH YOUR FAVOR AS WITH A SHIELD.

Presidents and Lord's Day

George Washington in the Revolutionary War, Lincoln in the Civil War and Wilson in the first World War all gave orders relieving troops as far as possible from fatigue duty on Sunday, and giving them opportunity to attend public worship. Hayes and Garfield habitually walked to church that their servants might rest and worship on the Lord's Day. Grant, when at Paris, refused to attend horse races on the Lord's Day.

McKinley, when at the opening of the State Centennial of Tennessee, refused a trip up Lookout Mountain, saying, "No, I do not go sight-seeing on Sunday." Theodore Roosevelt and Coolidge spoke in appreciation of the Lord's Day; the latter said, "I profoundly believe in the Lord's Day." President Truman, fishing on the Columbia River, refused to cast a line on Sunday.

A DIRECT LINE TO GOD

My dad was a very busy man who traveled all over the world. In order to get him at work, you had to go through a switchboard unless you knew the private number, which rang a phone right on his desk. He gave the number to a few select business partners, but all of his children had it. I still know that number: 345-5366. We knew no matter how busy he was, we could call him any time on that direct line.

I have the same thing. The church has graciously provided me with a private line. It rings right on my desk. A few board members and elders have it for emergency purposes. My kids have that number. In order to maximize my time, I have a car phone. Only a few people have that number, but my kids have it. They can call me any time, for anything. You know what? No voices sound sweeter to me than my kids' voices. When one of them says, "Hi, Dad" it won't matter what I'm juggling, because they are an absolute priority.

NOW MULTIPLY THAT OUT EXPONENTIALLY--AND LISTEN TO ME: NO ONE'S VOICE SOUNDS SWEETER TO GOD THAN YOUR VOICE. "HELLO, FATHER." THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON IN THE COSMOS THAT WOULD KEEP HIM FROM DIRECTING HIS FULL ATTENTION TO YOUR CONVERSATION OR YOUR REQUEST.

-- Bill Hybels, "God's Attitude Toward Prayer," Preaching Today, Tape No. 97.

Psalm 4:3;

PSALM 4

David wrote this psalm as he was about to retire for the night (v. 8). He could not do much about the war around him, but he could do something about the war within him. HE DID NOT WANT TO LIE IN BED AND WORRY, SO HE COMMITTED HIMSELF AND HIS SITUATION TO THE LORD.

HE ASKED (v.4 ‑3). ASKING THE LORD FOR HELP IS STILL A GOOD WAY TO DEAL WITH INNER TURMOIL (Phil. 4:6‑7).

HE BELIEVED (4‑5). He faced his anger honestly and GAVE IT TO THE LORD (Eph. 4:26). Instead of lying in bed and thinking about your problems, MEDITATE ON THE LORD AND OFFER HIM SACRIFICES OF PRAISE.

HE RECEIVED (6‑8). In the darkness, he saw the face of God and received light. In his sorrow, he discovered the gift of gladness. In the time of battle, he received peace. God did not immediately change the situation, BUT HE DID CHANGE DAVID; HE CAN DO THE SAME FOR YOU.

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

(Psa 4 NIV) Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. {2} How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame ? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods ?

{3} KNOW THAT THE LORD HAS SET APART THE GODLY FOR HIMSELF; THE LORD WILL HEAR WHEN I CALL TO HIM.

{4} In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. {5} Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. {6} Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. {7} YOU HAVE FILLED MY HEART WITH GREATER JOY THAN WHEN THEIR GRAIN AND NEW WINE ABOUND. {8} I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 3 - Lincoln Would Have Forgiven Assassin

After Abraham Lincoln's death, Mrs. Lincoln asked John F. Parker, the President's bodyguard, "Why were you not at the door to keep the assassin out?"

Bowing his head Parker said, "Not believing anyone would try to kill so good a man, I became so interested in the play. I did not see the assassin enter the presidential box."

Weeping uncontrollably, Mrs. Lincoln said, "Go now. It's not you I can't forgive. It's the assassin."

Overhearing his mother, Tad Lincoln said, "If Pa had lived, he would have forgiven the man who shot him. Pa forgave everybody."

—Rev. Walter B. Knight

PROMISE FOR TODAY-

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

PSALM 3

If worry keeps you from getting a good night's sleep, Psalms 3 and 4 are what you need. Both psalms were probably written when David was exiled from Jerusalem because his son Absalom had stolen the kingdom (2 Sam. 15-18).

Psalm 3 is a morning psalm (v. 5), and Psalm 4 is an evening psalm (v. 8).

How was David able to sleep when he was in such danger? The enemy was against him (vv. 1, 6) but David knew that God was for him. God surrounds you (v. 3), sustains you (v. 5), and saves you (v. 7).

When people discourage you (v. 2), God lifts up your head and keeps you going (v. 3).

God never sleeps (Ps. 121:3-4), so why should you stay awake and worry?

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

Psalms 3:1-8 (NIV)
¹ O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! ² Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah ³ But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. ⁴ To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah ⁵ I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. ⁶ I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. ⁷ Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. ⁸ From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah

Lincoln's Forgiving Attitude To Stanton / Psalm 2

As a struggling lawyer, Lincoln was employed on an important case. Catching a glimpse of him, one of the lawyers said, "Get rid of him! I will not be associated with such a gawky ape as that!"

As the trial got underway, Lincoln was ignored. The lawyer who had cruelly insulted him brilliantly defended his client and won the case.

Time passed, and Lincoln became President of the United States. Among his most outspoken critics was the lawyer who had so sorely wounded him. But Lincoln never forgot that the lawyer of the brutal words was also the lawyer of the brilliant mind.

When he selected a man for the vital post of Secretary of War, he chose Edwin M. Stanton, the one who had wounded and insulted him! Only a man of Lincoln's character and forgiving spirit could have risen above Stanton's insult!

Later, Lincoln lay dying—the victim of an assassin's bullet. When Lincoln's eyes finally closed in death, Stanton, filled with inconsolable grief, said, "Now he belongs to the ages!"

—W. B. K.

Psalm 2

GOD HEARS (1‑3). He hears the raging of the nations and the plots of the rulers. What do they want? Freedom from God! BUT THE WAY TO REAL FREEDOM IS BY SUBMISSION AND NOT BY REBELLION. TO THROW OFF GOD'S WILL IS TO INVITE BONDAGE AND DESTRUCTION.

GOD LAUGHS (4). Puny man does not worry God with all his noise and threats. GOD IS ON HIS THRONE AND HAS EVERYTHING IN CONTROL. When the world's noise frightens you, TURN TO THE LORD AND LET HIM TAKE OVER (Acts 4:23‑31).

GOD SPEAKS (5‑12). GOD THE FATHER announces that His King is enthroned in the heavenly Zion where the nations cannot touch Him. GOD THE SON announces that the nations are His, so their rebellion is futile (vv. 7‑9). Finally, GOD THE SPIRIT invites the rebels to submit and be blessed instead of destroyed (vv. 10‑12).

OVER THE NOISE OF THE NATIONS, LISTEN FOR THE ASSURING VOICE OF GOD.

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

WHO DO YOU SERVE?

While traveling in Ghana, I learned that in the dominant language of Ghana the only way to ask the question, "What is your religion?" is to ask, "Whom do you serve?" I like that. Regardless of denominational loyalties and official creeds, your true god is the one you serve.

¨Don McCullough, "Whom Do You Serve?" Preaching Today, Tape No. 110.

(Psa 2 NIV) Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? {2} The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. {3} "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." {4} The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. {5} Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, {6} "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." {7} I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son ; today I have become your Father. {8} Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. {9} You will rule them with an iron scepter ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." {10} Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

{11} SERVE THE LORD WITH FEAR AND REJOICE WITH TREMBLING.

{12} Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

TEACH US TO SERVE

Teach us, Lord, to serve you as you deserve,

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labor and not to ask for any reward

save that of knowing that we do your will.

-- Ignatius Loyola. Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 2.

Lincoln Asks God For Forgiveness

Dr. Anderson, former president of Chicago University, once told me this story:

There was a nurse in our family who was employed in the Lincoln family during the illness of the President's son. One morning, having left the sick room for a few moments, she was just returning, when to her surprise she heard a voice in the room. Looking in she beheld Mr. Lincoln kneeling by the bedside engaged in prayer.

"O God, thou knowest how the cares of state weigh and how because of it I have not been the father I should have been. O great Father, I should pray to you to spare the boy and forgive me for the sin."

Coming into the hall and seeing the nurse he said, "You heard?" "Yes, Mr. President, I heard," she replied. "It is all right," he said and passed on.

—M. P. Boynton

HOLY BIBLE, BOOK DIVINE

John Burton, Sr., 1773-1822

Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long. (Psalm 119:97)

Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the Book widens and deepens with our years. —Charles H. Spurgeon

The Bible is truly an amazing book. It has rightfully been called "The Book of Books." The first book ever printed was the Bible—the German Gutenberg Bible between the years 1450-1455. Today, it is printed in more than 600 languages, and portions of it are printed in more than 1,000 tongues and dialects. It has long been the world's best seller.

In addition to being God's love letter and self-disclosure of Himself, the Bible clearly spells out His plan for our redemption and restored fellowship. It is also our final authority for all matters of faith, morals, and practice. Through the inspired Word, God the Holy Spirit illuminates and guides believers in their Christian walk and also prepares them for their future heavenly destination.

Our finite minds will never be able to comprehend all of the teaching of Scripture, but the essential truths related to our redemption and Christ-like living cannot be misunderstood. It was Abraham Lincoln who once observed: "Read the Bible for whatever reason you can accept and take the rest on faith, and you will live and die a better man."

John Burton, author of "Holy Bible, Book Divine," was an English Sunday school teacher with a concern for teaching spiritual truths to children. This text appeared in 1806 in Burton's Sunday school hymnal, which was titled Incentives for Early Piety. These words have since been spiritually profitable for both young and old:

Holy Bible, Book divine, precious treasure, thou art mine; mine to tell me whence I came, mine to teach me what I am;

Mine to chide me when I rove, mine to show a Savior's love; mine thou art to guide and guard, mine to punish or reward;

Mine to comfort in distress—Suffering in this wilderness; mine to show, by living faith, man can triumph over death;

Mine to tell of joys to come and the rebel sinner's doom: 0 thou holy Book divine, precious treasure, thou art mine.

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY:

Matthew 24:35 (NIV)
³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

John 15:7 (NIV)
⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NIV)
¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
¹² For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

It was George Mueller who said:

"The vigor of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Word in our life and thoughts."

Determine to give the Bible a greater place in your life.

Psalm 1 - Lincoln's View of God

Lincoln's View of God

William J. Wolfe has called Abraham Lincoln "one of the greatest theologians of America." He added that Lincoln's theology was profound, "not in the technical meaning of producing a system of doctrine, certainly not as the defender of some one denomination, but in the sense of seeing the hand of God intimately in the affairs of nations."

—Gospel Herald

THOUGHT FOR TODAY-

The stars shine over the mountains,

the stars shine over the sea,

The stars look up to the mighty God,

the stars look down on me;

The stars shall last for a million years,

a million years and a day,

But God and I will live and love,

when the stars have passed away.

-- Robert Louis Stevenson, quoted in My Heart Sings (ed. Joan Winmill Brown). Christianity Today, Vol. 34, no. 8.

Psalms 1:1-6

Blessing (vv. 1-3). God enjoys blessing your life, but you must be "blessable." That means having discernment (v. 1), avoiding the steps that lead to sin: considering sin (walking), contemplating sin (standing), being comfortable in sin (sit­ting). Watch that first step!

Blessing involves delight (v. 2). The Word guides your walk and rejoices your heart (Jer. 15:16). Meditation is to your inner person what digestion is to your body: you make the Word a part of your life and you grow.

Blessing involves dependence (v. 3). Your spiritual roots go deep into the resources of God's grace, and you bear fruit be-cause His life is at work in you.

Perishing (4-6). How tragic that anyone is perishing when Jesus offers abundant life! Contrast tree and chaff if you want to see the difference between the godly and the ungodly. The godly receive blessing but the ungodly receive judgment.

The psalm starts with "blessed" and ends with "perish" The choice is yours.

With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Nashville

"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."

Psalms 1:1-6 (NIV)

¹ Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. ³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. ⁴ Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. ⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. ⁶ For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.