The phrase, “seven deadly sins,” originated centuries ago, but not necessarily from Scripture. Proverbs 6:16-19 declares: “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” However, this list is not what most people understand as the “seven deadly sins.” In Rick Ezell’s interesting book entitled, “The 7 Sins of Highly Defective People,” he states that, “The church fathers of the Middle Ages listed seven sins and called them the ‘deadly sins.’ They believed that all other sins grew out of them. They urged people to purge themselves of these sins. What the medieval church fathers knew then, social scientists are now admitting: we are defeated today by these same sins. The seven deadly sins are just as prevalent today as they were in the past. If left unchecked they will not only defeat us, they will destroy us.” 13^th century theologian, Thomas Aquinas, is the one recognized as having coined the expression “seven deadly sins” as they are known today: pride, envy, anger, sloth, greed, lust and gluttony. Really, as we examine Scripture, there could be several different kinds of sin that we could put into categories of seven, but these particular seven have gained notoriety and certainly are worthy of being preached upon from our pulpits. For those of you who have read them, several years ago, one author discovered an interesting relationship between the seven deadly sins and C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. He states that within this classic work, C.S. Lewis has taken these seven deadly sins and shown to us their destructive power, and set before us examples to avoid.

Are these seven deadly sins still deadly today? Not necessarily deadly to us in a physical sense but certainly deadly to us in a moral sense. Very briefly let me define them and give an example and a warning from Scripture to avoid them.

Pride – excessive self-esteem, conceit, the sin from which all others arise. Pride originated with Satan in heaven (Isa. 14:12-15) and certainly was manifested in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar who boasted of his power and kingdom but was stripped of both by God (Daniel 4). “Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall,” – Prov. 16:18. “When pride comes, then comes shame,” according to Prov. 11:2. Puritan Thomas Watson well said, “The devil never tempts us with more success than when he tempts us with the sight of our own good actions.”

Envy – resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage. Would not both Joseph’s brothers (Gen. 37) and the prodigal son who stayed home (Luke 15) fit this description? Someone said it is very hard to behold our own gifts without pride, and the gifts of others without envy. God says, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is…willing to yield…without partiality and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:16-17).

 Anger – an intense emotional state induced by displeasure, fury, rage. Those who stoned Stephen to death were angry (Acts 7:54-60). The Pharisees were filled with rage when the Lord Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Lk. 6:11). William Jenkyn said, “Anger should not be destroyed but sanctified.” Paul said, “Be ye angry and sin not, let not the sun do down upon your wrath.” (Eph. 4:26).

Sloth – disinclination to action or labor, spiritual apathy and inactivity. Prov. 19:24 has always intrigued me, “A lazy (slothful) man buries his hand in the bowl, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” This text reminds me of the lazy man’s field that was overgrown with thorns and the Lord’s warning that because of slothfulness poverty would come like a prowler and take all that he had (Prov. 24:30-34). Oh, the talents that some of God’s saints have wasted due to dormancy.

Greed – a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira fit this scenario very well in lying and retaining some proceeds from the sale of a piece of land. It cost them their lives! A great weakness today is to distinguish between our needs and our greeds! “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house” (Prov. 15:27).

 Lust – unbridled sexual desire. Solomon well said, “Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned……so is he who goes into his neighbor’s wife, whoever touches her shall not be innocent” (Prov. 6:27,29). What better example than David’s lustful look recorded in II Sam. 11. Yes, “when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15).

Gluttony – excessive indulgence, consuming more than that which one requires. We are to pray, “God, give us this day our daily bread,” (Lk. 11:3), but we also are to remember Paul’s words in Phi. 3:18-19 that we are not to walk as those who are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly! If you want to chew, chew on Prov. 23:1-2 sometime!

Are the seven deadly sins still deadly? Without question, my friend.  Not only should they be preached from our pulpits but may we also guard our hearts and listen carefully to the words of Puritan Thomas Watson, who had no problem at all preaching about sin:

“Let original sin make us walk with continual jealousy and watchfulness over our hearts.  The sin of our nature is like a sleeping lion, the least thing that awakens it makes it rage.  The sin of our nature, though it seems quiet, and lies as fire hid under the embers, yet if it be a little stirred and blown up by a temptation, how quickly may it flame forth into scandalous evils?  Therefore we had need always to walk watchfully….A wandering heart needs a watchful eye.”

–Maynard H. Belt

Early Sunday morning, April 18, my younger brother, Roger, entered into the presence of the Lord. A veteran of the Viet Nam war, he was part of a cargo crew that flew scores of missions in and out of enemy territory delivering supplies and picking up injured soldiers. He was buried in our local Veteran’s Home cemetery where some 5,000 others have been laid to rest. Tomorrow there will be a special service with a military gun salute and flyover honoring and naming the some 200 vets who have passed away from this area during the past year. Last evening I visited Roger’s grave to be sure that it looked nice for the family members who will be coming for the service. The Veteran’s Home has yet to place a permanent headstone there but there is a temporary marker which simply reads: Roger Belt

1946–2010

As I looked at the marker, the dash between the dates is what seemed to stand out. As I looked at the other markers in row after row, it was the same, simply dates with a dash in between.

That dash between the dates represented 63 years of my brother’s life. Fifty of those years he lived in the world but the rest he lived in the Word! Most of his life Roger was a trucker logging hundreds of thousands of miles across the country, following the devil’s way, entrenched in drugs, alcohol and all the unsatisfying allurements of the world. In the late 80′s I received a long distance call from him. He was under deep conviction of his sins and that day prayed confessing his sins and received the risen Christ as his Savior. For several years his life changed, he joined a church, became a deacon and Sunday School teacher and assisted in a truck stop ministry near his home. He was so happy and I was so pleased. But somewhere along the way the devil lured him back into his old ways of drugs, alcohol and a lifestyle that paid its toil on his body over the next several years.

Recognizing God’s grace and sovereignty in all things, on Sunday, September 11, 2005, I was speaking in a church in a nearby city. Not having seen or heard from Roger for several years, I received a phone call that afternoon that he had had a heart attack and was in a hospital in the same city where I was speaking. That became a memorable day when we renewed our relationship and he renewed his walk with the Lord. After three months in hospitals and rehab centers he joined the church where I had preached on that day.

In February, 2009, Roger moved to the Veteran’s Home in my city so that he could receive the proper medical care that he needed. Ann and I would pick him up for Sunday church and have him over for a good home-cooked meal. We had so many enjoyable times together. He loved sitting in my Sunday School class and was my greatest supporter. Just weeks before he passed away he gave his personal testimony in our church and became a beloved member. During the last four years of his life Roger was constantly in the Word. I will always cherish having his large print Bible He had read through the entire New Testament marking favorite verses along the way. As he did so he read all of the Old Testament cross-references color marking many of them. When his eyes failed so that he could not read, he had nearly completed going through the New Testament on video for the third time. Some of his favorite passages were John 6:44-45; Ephesians 1:7; and Romans 10:9-10. In the front of his Bible was written: “Submission to God means taking our hands off what belongs to Him.” His testimony touched many lives. Under hospice care the last two weeks of his time on earth, there was a constant flow into his room of friends, family, VA residents, cleaning ladies and nursing staff to say their good-byes. Most of them he had witnessed to of God’s amazing grace.

I was reading to him from Randy Alcorn’s devotional book, “50 Days of Heaven,” based upon his larger volume entitled, “Heaven.” What a blessing it was to both of us as we read of heaven and the new bodies that we would someday have. We were only on day twelve when Roger was able to experience what we had been reading. During those last days Roger taught me much about dying in grace and with grace. Often when I would leave his room he would say to his preacher brother, “Remember Who’s in control.” That was very humbling and convicting to hear from one who had spent far more years of his life in a bar than in a pew.

As I stood last evening by his graveside and noted the dash between the dates, the memories it represented just kept coming. As I looked at the dashes between the dates on other nearby markers, I wondered what that dash represented for them. Roger was so thankful, like Peter, for the God of second chances. He understood the privilege of a second opportunity to serve the Lord and be faithful….unto death.

Thank you for letting me share with you this personal story. It helps to take away the sorrow of loss in my heart and releases joy when I am reminded once again of a gracious God who answers prayer, works out all things for His good, honor and glory, and does it in spite of our wicked ways. The “dash between the dates” simply reminds me that it isn’t the length of years that line might represent, but what we do with the years that will really count for eternity and God’s glory.

The Dash Between The Dates

Memorial Day was over now, all had left and I was alone.

I began to read the names and dates chiseled there on every stone.

The dates which showed whether it was Mom or Dad, or daughter or baby son.

The dates were different but the amount the same, there were two on every one.

It was then that I noticed something, it was but a simple line;

It was the dash between the dates, placed there, it stood for time.

All at once it dawned on me how important that little line.

The dates placed there belonged to God, but that line is yours and mine.

It’s God who gives this precious life and God who takes a way;

But that line between He gives to us to do with what we may.

We know God’s written the first date down of each and every one,

And we know those hands will write again, for the last date has to come.

We know He’ll write the last date down, and soon, we know for some,

But upon the line between my dates I hope He’ll write “well done.”
–Copied

From an old clipping, here is the way author Robert J. Morgan recalls the news of how the victory at Waterloo arrived in England. There were no telegrams or telephones in those days, of course, but everyone knew that Wellington was facing Napoleon in a great battle, and that the future of England was in great uncertainty. A sailing ship semaphored (signaled with coded flags) the news to the signalman on top of Winchester Cathedral. He signaled to another man on a hill, and thus news of the battle was relayed by semaphore from station to station to London and all across the land. When the ship came in, the signalman on board semaphored the first word: Wellington. The next word was Defeated, and then the fog came down and the ship could not be seen. “Wellington Defeated” was sent across England, and there was great gloom all over the country side. After two or three hours, the fog lifted, and the signal came again: “Wellington Defeated the Enemy!” Then all England rejoiced!

Oh, how this reminds me, that on what has been designated as Good Friday, they tenderly placed the body of the Lord Jesus in the garden tomb, near Golgotha, where He was crucified. The message to all in that day no doubt clearly signaled “Christ Defeated” but praise the Lord, three days later the fog lifted and the message was clear, “Christ Defeated the Enemy!” It was inevitable that Christ be crucified and it was also inevitable that He should rise again! Thomas Adams was right when he said, “When Christ died, Satan danced on His grave with joy; when he had Him there once, he thought Him sure enough; but He rose again and trampled on the devil’s throne with triumph!”

Yes, as Henry Morris stated, “The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity.” As most of us know, Thomas Jefferson was a great American Statesman and a religious rationalist. He edited a Bible of his own choosing entitled, “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.” He recorded the words and deeds of our Lord but he eliminated all references to the supernatural. He disregarded the bodily resurrection of Jesus and so ended his Bible with these words: “There laid they Jesus, and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.”

How can you have a Bible without an empty tomb? How can you ignore the resurrection and believe in the Bible? Matthew Henry said that, “It is only fitting that Jesus, who was born from a virgin womb, must rise from a virgin tomb!” Many years ago a lawyer by the name of Frank Morrison wrote a book entitled, “Who Moved The Stone?” He set out with the purpose of disproving the resurrection, but the book turned out entirely different, and in a lawyer-like way, it has become a classic, proving from historical fact that the resurrection was a reality. The Bible is filled with references to the resurrection of Christ as attested by a little booklet written by Wilbur Smith called, “You Can Know The Future!” Therein he mentions that in the four gospels there are 57 different references to the resurrection and the resurrection of Christ, embracing 172 verses. In Acts there are 21 separate passages totaling 43 verses. In the Epistles there are 36 references totaling 54 verses. And in the remaining books of the New Testament there are 12 passages totaling 13 verses. Thus, we find 126 different passages in the New Testament referring to the resurrection of Christ and our resurrection, totaling 282 verses!

I love what someone once said, “The biggest fact about Joseph’s tomb was that it wasn’t a tomb at all – it was a room for a transient. Jesus just stopped there for a couple nights on His way back to glory!” Thomas Watson declared, “We are more sure to arise out of our graves than out of our beds.” Adoniram Judson shouted, “I go with the gladness of a boy bounding away to heaven.” Isaac Newton cried out on his deathbed, “I am going to glory! Farewell death – praise the Lord.!” Oh, dear friend, what hope we have in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yes, His bodily resurrection from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity!

–Maynard H. Belt

But then over the years I observed seasoned men in the ministry defect from the Lord’s army. Some to immorality, like the minister in the next town to my first pastorate who had taken me under his wing; others to loss of integrity; some to discouragement, but none, that I know of, to doctrinal impurity. I have also noticed some who had decided just to tread water until retirement or another call.

Then I would ask why? Where along the way did they lose their initial love for effective ministry, their zeal for God’s work and passion for the sheep of their appointed fold? I gradually surmised that it was an accumulation of weary battles, some won and some lost; 24/7 days without enough time for family and relaxation; a loss of vision and self-confidence due to negative forces in the church; a gradual departure from a regular quiet season spent in the Word and the absence of one’s personal prayer period in the presence of the heavenly Father.

As a young minister I asked “How could such a thing be?” Now, as a more seasoned soldier of the cross I humbly admit, “Thank you, Lord, for helping me not to fall.” The longer the race, the more weary the journey. Spiritual battles are fatiguing. Some of you are still young and are unsuspecting of the battles yet before you and the toil they take on the soul and body. Others today know exactly what I am speaking about and may be living on the edge of burnout, and definitely need a second breath to finish the race well. May we not be like Demas, who defected, having loved this present world, and all that draws us to it (II Tim. 4:10).

Some years ago I came across this puritan’s prayer simply entitled, “The Servant In Battle.” When I grow weary it helps me to refocus. Like Paul, I want to fight the “good” fight (some aren’t really worth fighting at all), I want to finish my course well (whatever it might be that the Lord has for me), and I want to keep the faith (I don’t want to die a man defeated and faithless)!

“O Lord, I bless Thee that the issue of the battle between Thyself and Satan has never been uncertain, and will end in victory.

“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions….fulfill your ministry.” II Tim. 4:5

– Maynard H. Belt

The above text grabbed my attention when reading one of the heart piercing chapters from V. Raymond Edman’s delightful book, “The Disciplines of Life.” You will recognize them as the words of Nehemiah who had been called of God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The enemies of Nehemiah were planning a conspiracy against him trying again and again (6:4) to tempt Nehemiah to leave his port of duty distracting him with enticing alternatives. Nehemiah was not to be diverted. Though pressed in spirit, both emotionally and physically, he remained focused on the will of God for his life. It was hard dirty work rebuilding the walls. The people he had to work with grew weary and tired. They complained and criticized and had to be pushed. He was constantly putting out “little fires” among the workmen, and then came the attractive invitation to leave his calling and join the opposers in the temple where there would be safety from the threatening enemy (6:10). After the fifth invitation (6:5) to leave the work, though weary and worn, he says, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” (6:11).

Have you ever been tempted to leave the work God has called you to do? So pressed that you just wanted to flee? It has been my experience in ministry over the years that when I was in such a prostate position, there were always enticing alternatives luring me to leave. In essence, Proverbs 28:1 states that when the righteous are tempted to flee, they are bold as a lion. I have always had a great fear of not being just where God wanted me to be. I once heard someone say, “If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, be sure that the water bill is higher too!”

As we set our course on ministry we can be in one of two camps. The camp of the fleeing fledgling or the camp of the pressed patriarch. We can be one who runs from responsibility never growing up in ministry, or one who “stands by the stuff” becoming a veteran of sorts in the army of the Lord. Peter fled when he followed afar off (Matt. 26:58). Jonah fled when he went down to Joppa instead of Ninevah (Jonah 1:4). Demas fled having loved this present world (II Timothy 4:10). On the other hand, Daniel kept on praying to his God as usual after the king decreed the lion’s den for those who prayed to others than himself (Daniel 6:7). The three Hebrew children stood tall in the fiery furnace, with the Lord Himself by their side, when they refused to bow and worship a golden image (Daniel 3:10-11). Paul continued on his course even though he knew that suffering lay before him (Acts 20:22-24; 21:13). And, our Lord Himself, refused to alter His course when tempted by the Pharisees to flee from the merciless hand of Herod (Luke 13:31-33).

To flee or not to flee – that is the question! Not quite Shakespeare, but certainly Satanic if we are not wise and discerning regarding the will and mind of the Lord. Seldom a year, month, week or day goes by for those in ministry when they are not pressed with the temptation to flee the realistic rigors of responsibility. We must always flee temptation but never the call of duty. When pressed to flee, flee to the One who has first called you to salvation and then called you to service. Ask HIM if you should remain or relent, speak or be silent, be patient or persistent? Linger long at the throne room of prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16). Allow HIS Word to refresh your soul for the tasks of the hour. Regain your focus in light of God’s purpose for your future. Adversity may be lasting, but it is not everlasting! It may have a sting, but it also has a wing! John Bunyan commented, “It is said that in some countries trees will grow, but will bear no fruit, because there is no winter there.” The refreshing breezes of spring and the soothing warmth of summer are often welcomed exceptions in the service of the Lord. “Should such a man as I flee?” Yes, but only to the Lord!

Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length,

Pressed so intently, it seems beyond strength,

Pressed in the body, and pressed in the soul,

Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll,

Pressure by foes, and a pressure by friends,

Pressure on pressure till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God,

Pressed into loving the staff and the rod,

Pressed into liberty where nothing clings,

Pressed into faith for impossible things,

Pressed into living a life in the Lord,

Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured.
– Author Unknown

– Maynard H. Belt

Through the years I have enjoyed preaching about the Christ of Christmas from various Bible texts. Some would never consider Philippians 2:5-11, well known as the kenosis passage, as such a text but it really is. In these verses we have not only the Christmas story but so much more. Here we see the fullness of Christ’s life, from eternity past to eternity future. Here is recorded Christ’s round-trip from heaven. He came from the bosom of the Father to the womb of the virgin; from heaven’s palace to a sinful world; to the arms of the cross to the bowels of the earth, and finally, back again to the right hand of the Father in heaven!

His Deity – “Being in the form of God”

Philippians 2:6 takes us into eternity past and tells us that before Jesus was born He was with God. This cannot be said of anyone else! Jesus is God! And He did not think it robbery to be so. He was not unlawfully seizing something that was not His. This passage verifies His preexistence (John 1: 1-3; 6:38; 8:58; 17:5;24).

His Destitution – “Made Himself of no reputation”

Literally He emptied Himself. He laid aside all of His heavenly privileges. Most people today literally kill themselves to build a reputation. But Jesus waived His, and this He did willingly. He was born in a stable, reared in a poor carpenter’s home, owned no property, wrote no books, founded no famous schools. He simply stripped Himself of the insignia of glory and laid aside His garments of majesty, but in doing so, never for a moment ceased to be God!

His Desire – “Took upon Him the form of a servant”

The entire life of Christ was one of humility, beginning with the cradle and ending with the Cross! Time and again we see Him as the Servant. Probably one of the most graphic examples would be the picture we have of the Master in the Upper Room washing the feet of His disciples (John 13). Oh, how we need today to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn how to be a servant – at home, at work and at church.

His Disclosure – “Likeness of men and fashioned as a man”

Though Christ was made in the likeness of men, He was still sinless! Not only did He not sin, but He could not sin! He was made in our likeness so that He might understand our weaknesses (Hebrews 4: 15). Being fashioned, or found in appearance, as a man simply means that He was flesh and blood just like you and me. He was born in pain, had brothers and sisters, learned a trade, shed tears and experienced thirst, hunger and weariness. And in the end, He also died! Jesus was a man!

His Degradation – “He humbled Himself’

It seems as we study Scripture the more that Jesus was despised, the more He humbled Himself. Ultimately His humility let Him to the Cross and death. But His humility always had a purpose, and that was obedience. Humility is always born out of the desire to be obedient. It is always pride that keeps us from obedience.

His Destination – “The death of the Cross”

Jesus was born to die! It was a painful death. It has been said that the person who was crucified died a thousand deaths. It was the most severe suffering known in that day. The victim died from exposure and from a slow suffocation caused by muscular fatigue of the diaphragm. It was a shameful death for the victim had to carry his own cross outside the city to a place called Golgotha, the place of a skull, where they buried criminals. It was a lonely death. From around, His friends forsook Him. From above, God dropped upon Him a veil of darkness. From within, there arose the bitter cry, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” As the songwriter has well said, “Alone, alone, He bore it all alone. He gave Himself to save His own, He suffered, bled, and died alone, alone. “

His Dignity – “God highly exalted Him”

He was exalted in position (2:9a); exalted in name (2:9b); and exalted in authority (2:10-11). You must underscore the word “every” in verses 9-11, for it means exactly what it says! His Name is above every name. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Better now that later for then it will be too late!

Yes, this text does bear the Christmas story for in a nutshell we have the entire ministry of Christ the Lord paraded before us. His preexistence in heaven; His journey into the world of His own creation; His death upon Calvary bearing our sins; and His return to glory to be highly exalted by the Father! Here we have the Great Exchange – our sins for His righteousness; access to His home instead of the devil’ s final destination; His eternal presence in place of eternal separation. My, what a story! May it reach and change the hearts of many – this season may heaven again hear the angels rejoice!

–Maynard H. Belt

Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He–
Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And tho this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us.
The prince of darkness grim we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for, lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

For several years in one of my pastorates it was my privilege and honor to have Kenneth O. Osbeck serve as our minister of music.  He is acclaimed for writing several books on hymnology published by Kregel Publications.  In his volume, 101 Hymn Stories,he states that the first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer, Martin Luther, at Wittenberg, and may still be read with appreciation by travelers to that historic spot.

Brother Osbeck comments that Luther had strong convictions about the use and power of sacred music and expressed his convictions this way, “If any man despises music, as all fanatics do, for him I have no liking; for music is a gift and grace of God, not an invention of men.  Thus it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful.  Then one forgets all wrath, impurity and other devices.  I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may swell among the people also by means of songs.” Historians have stated that Martin Luther won more converts to Christ through his encouragement of congregational singing than even through his strong preaching and teaching.

Luther’s great hymn is based on Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” And that He is!  If you read the stanzas above very carefully, you will see that our enemy has not changed (for still our ancient foe doeth seek to work us woe); the world has not changed (and tho this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us); our weakness has not changed (did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing); BUT nor has our God changed or His promise (a mighty fortress is our God….God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us…his (Satan) rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure–one little word (God’s Word) shall fell him- Isaiah 14:12-15).

More than likely when we die, we will not choose Martin Luther’s epitaph to be ours, but nonetheless, while we are living the great words of this ancient hymn can be an encouragement of God’s great promise to us that He will be our unfailing fortress.

God Is My Refuge
Psalm 46
God is my Refuge, helping through perilous storms,
I will not fear though billows sore, I will trust His will to perform.
I am as secure as that City, the place they call God’s home.
The City that never ceases, the City that bears His Throne.
In my deepest valley, He says to me be still.
He is my Fortress and my God working His sovereign will.
–MHB

– Maynard H. Belt

I arise today
through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in
the threeness, through confession of the oneness of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism, through the strength
of His crucifixion with His burial, through the strength of His resurrection with His
ascension, through the strength of His descent of the judgment of doom.

I arise today
through the strength of heaven; light of sun, radiance of moon, splendor of fire,
speed of lightning, swiftness of wind, depth of sea, stability of earth, firmness of rock.

I arise today
through God’s strength to pilot me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to
guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s Word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s host to save me from snares of devils, from temptations of vices, from everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near, alone and in multitude.

Christ with me,
Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise.

I arise today
through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the threeness, through confession of the oneness of the Creator of Creation.

“I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised …. “

Psalm 18:1-3a

–Maynard H. Belt

It saves and keeps and satisfies along the path I trod.

This Book has been my Companion, Oh, the times it has comforted me.

It has encouraged my heart, and made me glad,

And from sin has set me free.

Of all the books that I have read, my Bible alone stands tall,

Though books I’ll have until I die, this Book excels them all.

So I’ll take my Bible where’re I go, It will be my constant Guide,

When friends forsake me, and life’s hopes fail me,

In this Book I will confide.

– MHB

This Lord’s Day I have been asked to share in our worship service by reading Psalm 19. I have loved reading the Scriptures since the very first day I was born again into the family of God. When I went away to Bible College my pastor gave to me a new leather-bound, gold-edged King James Version Scofield Reference Bible. He said this was the version that Paul the Apostle had used and I should have one too! Today most of us have more Bibles than we need. The problem is that they often remain “unread.” Early on I learned that the most desirable time to read the Bible is as often as possible and that I should get everything out of it; do not read anything into it; and let nothing remain unread in it.

As I was preparing for the reading of Psalm 19, I was reminded of a message I once preached upon this text. It is a beautiful Psalm depicting the nature of God in revealing Himself to man. It consists of His general revelation to all mankind (vs. 1-6); His special revelation through His Scriptures to those who are His redeemed people (vs. 7-11); and what our response to His Holy Word should be (vs. 12-14). I love what Derek Kidner states in his profitable volume on the Psalms: In verses 1-6 we see God in the skies, and in verses 7-14, we see God in the Scriptures!

In Psalm 19:7-9, six distinguishable titles and attributes are given to the Scriptures and in verses 10-13, five reasons are given why the Bible should be our most precious possession. I will simply list them for your meditation.

The Titles and Attributes of Scripture

The LAW of the Lord is perfect – Psalm 19:7a

The TESTIMONY of the Lord is sure – Psalm 19:7b

The STATUTES of the Lord are right – Psalm 19:8a

The COMMANDMENT of the Lord is pure – Psalm 19:8b

The FEAR of the Lord endures forever – Psalm 19:9a

The JUDGMENTS of the Lord are true – Psalm 19:9b

Reasons the Bible is the Pilgrim’s Precious Possession

It is our prized possession – Psalm 19:10a

It is sweeter than sweet – Psalm 19:10b

It is a supportive safeguard – Psalm 19:11a

It is a moral motivator – Psalm 19:11b

It is a patient purifier – Psalm 19:12-13

As I have the privilege of once again opening the Scriptures and reading them in a service committed to worshipping the Lord it is my prayer that the Holy Spirit might help us to see the majesty of our Maker and the wonder of His Word. May we always acknowledge the Scriptures as a precious possession to be treasured. May our prayer be that of David as he closes his Psalm: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”

A little bit of “Daily Light” makes the pathway clear,

A little of His Word each day, helps remove the fear.

I’m thankful for His “Daily Light” which brings such peace of mind,

It never ceases to encourage me as great treasures therein I find.

This “Daily Light” will guide me while through this life I go,

T’will be my constant companion daily restoring my soul.

– MHB

– Maynard H. Belt

Yes, Job’s best words were his last. The last words of any person before he dies are very important. Our Lord’s last words from the Cross are a prime example. But these were not Job’s last words before his death. They were simply his last words following a trail of trials almost unbelievable to man’s mind. The words of Job 42:2,5 are the words of a broken man who has been fully repentant of all his shortcomings and fully restored to fellowship with the Father.

The life of one called of God, and allowed to be tempted time and again by the wicked one, often without full understanding of the circumstances, yet not losing his faith, is a very special life, not only pleasing to the Lord, but perplexing to the world around him. Job’s friends could not understand, if you wish to call them his friends, distant family no doubt could not understand, and I sometimes think the devil himself, couldn’t quite grasp why he couldn’t keep Job down for the full count.

Yes, Job’s last words were his best. But what about our last words when going through unexplainable trials in our lives? How do we react? What is our response? Are our words penetrating to the perpetrator, or an evidence that we fully recognize that God is sovereign and we are not exempt from such attacks or testing as we seek to walk with Him?

There is no question that the theme of the book of Job is testing. There is no question that the three main characters are Job, Satan and God. There is no question who the leading character is – GOD! In my mind there is no question that the key verse of the entire book is Job 13:15: Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!” Though my trials have paled in the light of those of Job, this verse has been a mainstay in helping me to keep focused when faint-hearted.

Job chapter one gives us the scenario needed to see what God was going to do in Job’s life, and why he would come forth refined from the fire. Just a brief outline and then some observations on why Job’s last words were his best words. First, in vs. 1-5, we see Job – the Mature Man: in his fame (vs. 1), in his fortune (vs. 2-4) and in his faith (vs. 5). Next, in vs. 6-11, we see Satan – the Accusing Adversary: in his appearance (vs. 6), in his activity (vs. 7), and in his accusation (vs. 8-11). Then, in vs. 12, we see God – our loving Lord: in giving His permission (12a), and in stating His prohibition (12b). Finally, the chapter again ends (vs. 13-22) with Job – a Mature Man: through his trial (vs. 13-19), and in his testimony (vs. 20-22).

Isn’t it interesting that the book ends as it began …. Job - a mature man! His fame and fortune did not affect his faith. His adversary did not alter his allegiance. His trials did not temper his testimony. His last words were acceptable words because through it all, he had learned to see as well as hear:
I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but NOW my eye sees You” (Job 42:5).

When our eyes are focused upon the Father our words will always be acceptable, no matter what the trial. Years ago I heard a message by Dr. Irwin Lutzer on Job. He concluded his message from Chapters 1 & 2 with these lessons that I wish to pass on to you to help you keep your “last words your best words.” Always remember that:

• When God wants to try a man, nothing is untouchable.
• In every trial what really is at stake is the worth of God.
• Events on earth have to be interpreted in light of events in heaven.
• It is possible to worship and praise God without explanations.

–Maynard H. Belt