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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When you are in that kind of situation, YOUR FIRST THOUGHT MAY BE TO GET AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN. Even David's friends advised him to act like the bird and fly away. It is right to flee from temptation (Gen. 39:11‑13) BUT NOT FROM DUTY Neh. 6:10-11; Luke 13:31; John 10: 12‑13). Instead of flying away like a frightened bird, YOU SHOULD TRUST GOD AND "MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES" (Isa. 40:31).
If the foundations are destroyed, LAY THE FOUNDATIONS AGAIN. That is what Ezra did (Ezra 3:8ff.) and what each new generation may have to do. David became king of Israel and laid the foundations for a godly society. After all, GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE (v.4) and will one day judge the wicked (vv. 5‑6). IF YOU LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS, GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE (V.7).
With the Word - Warren W. Wiersbe
Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nashville
"Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc."
EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN COUNTS
Frank Capra, who directed It's a Wonderful Life, was asked years ago about the central message of his classic film. After thinking a few moments, Capra responded, "I believe the real message of It's a Wonderful Life is this: that under the sun, nothing is insignificant to God."
Now, when you watch the movie again, you know that everything that happens has intended and unintended consequences. Everything, because it happened, causes something else to happen. Everybody in that story is important, because he or she relates to everyone else. Nothing is insignificant under the sun to God.
PERHAPS YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED, NOT ONLY THAT YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD, BUT ALSO EVERYONE AROUND YOU IS SIGNIFICANT TO HIM, TOO.
-- Jay Akkerman in Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (Baker), from the editors of Leadership.
See: Ps 11:4*
(Psa 11 NIV) In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain. {2} For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. {3} When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
*{4} THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE; THE LORD IS ON HIS HEAVENLY THRONE. HE OBSERVES THE SONS OF MEN; HIS EYES EXAMINE THEM.
{5} The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. {6} On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. {7} For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; UPRIGHT MEN WILL SEE HIS FACE.
