When The Foundations Are Being Destroyed

Psalm 11:3

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Andy Griffith is one of my favorite all-time shows. I grew up watching Andy – Opie – Barney and Aunt Bea. Times were good and even the unchurched were fairly moral and had values in Mayberry. This show took place during the 50’s & 60’s just a few states south of us.

I wish that the troubles Opie had would be the troubles our youth would get into today. Unfortunately – our youth – and our society as a whole – are far beyond the sins of Mayberry. Our communities used to resemble Mayberry’s morals and values. I can remember growing up near here. As a matter of fact – I can remember watching Mayberry as a child – and thinking our community was like it. How did we get to the place we are today? How have we become so corrupt and sinful?

A 1994 survey conducted (I know – 25 years ago) by Josh McDowell’s ministry team showed some startling results. The study showed that among churched youth from 11-18 – 66% lied to a parent – teacher – or another adult in the previous 3 months. Continuing – 59% lied to one of their peers – 36% cheated on an exam – and 23% intentionally tried to hurt someone. I was blown away when I first read that survey in 1994 and I only imagine it has gotten worse.  Additionally – the survey showed that – 55% have engaged in sexual behavior by age 18 – 50% say they are stressed out – and 55% say they are confused. Remember – these were the churched youth! And 25 years ago!

A Discerning Heart

1 Kings 3:9

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

OK – today is the mid-term elections. Will there be a red wave – a blue wave – or the status quo? Will my side win – your side win – or will our nation win? If you haven’t voted yet – please get out to vote. This is more important than a sporting event. This is about the future of our nation! Get out and vote – with a discerning heart.

I saw this the other day and thought it noteworthy – whether John Wesley said it or not (John Wesley is the founder of the Methodist Church). I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them: 1) To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy. 2) To speak no evil of the person they voted against, 3) To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side. These are words I hope we can all abide by in the days – weeks – months – and years to come. We haven’t done a very good job so far! The media – the society we live in – wants to push division. I hope a discerning heart will be wiser – following the wisdom of John Wesley.

Seeking Wisdom During Our Prayer/Fast

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Wisdom is something we should all seek after – shouldn’t we? Godly wisdom is something that God wants to give to us – generously – according to today’s passage. Why wouldn’t we seek after it? Why would we think we could survive on our own wisdom? Remember the last time we did…?

Godly wisdom is something we should seek after for sure. It is something I will be seeking after during our November Prayer/Fast. Wisdom to discern God’s will in my life would be amazing – but I will take whatever type of wisdom God wishes to share with me. As we seek God – I pray that we will also seek God’s will and wisdom in our lives.

Wisdom – We All Need More

1 Kings 3:9-10

⁹ Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” ¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.  NLT

I cannot believe that it is May 1st already. The weather is suppose to be very nice this week. I hope to get out to play some golf once-a-week moving forward. My shoulder is healing and I feel great. The doctor’s wisdom is – just don’t beat the ground!

God’s wisdom is amazing. God tells us through Paul’s writings that God’s foolishness is wiser than humanities’ wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:25 – For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Here are some other Scriptures about God’s wisdom.

1 Kings 4:29-34 – ²⁹ God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. ³⁰ Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. ³² He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. ³³ He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. ³⁴ From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

Do We Lack Wisdom? Just Ask God!

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

OK – as I’m writing this devotional thought – the Orioles’ opening game is in a rain delay.   It looks like it will begin at 4:45 pm. I hope they can play long enough to win! I’ve been to several Home Openers and enjoy them but didn’t try to get tickets this year for some reason. Not sure if this can be called wisdom or not. I’m safe and dry and in my easy chair as I type and listen to the pre-game stuff. I have friends who are at the game as the rain falls and the temps drop! One just twitted to me that he was working in the stands (after I twitted that I was working from home).

As the season unfolds we will be in a better place to know if the front office had wisdom or not in putting together this year’s team. They should score lots of runs – I just hope the pitching holds up! We know the defense will be golden! The game is about to start! The first pitch is a – wait for it – a tough pop up to the short stop! Wow – the wind really blew it around! We have four starters with gold gloves in the past and two that should get them soon. (To of the first inning went one – two – three – go O’s.)