January 16. Vision, wisdom, false accusation & application of wisdom.

Readings: Gen 29:13-30:43, Ps 10:1-6; Prov 2:16-19; Matt 11:1-19

Genesis:
29:35. We need to remember as we go through the Bible that Judah(eventually a tribe) means "praise" !
30:37-42. I once heard a great sermon on this passage & I can't remember by who. But this is about vision & faith, not superstition. Jacob had the vision & he trusted God to supernaturally deliver. This is why we need vision as Christians. Not our own vision of what we desire, but vision of what we desire for God, because we are in tune with His will. We supply the vision & faith in the One who is able.

Psalm
It often seems the case that those who have no care for God seem to be better off than other & actually get away with it. Of course, we know that this will not always be the case. However, there are some key things here for us in our present situation today.
v1. It is often the case when we find ourselves in some trouble, that God seems to be distant, but we know that God is there, our ever-present help in times of need. He just wants us to turn to Him.
v4. With a poster campaign by the humanist society, claiming 'There is probably no God...' & the way the world gets on with life, the secularisation of society where some try to eliminate the presence of God in schools, business & politics we can see that this is definitely relevant. Perhaps this is why God is now shaking the very foundations of society.
These campaigns do not affect me in the slightest, nor should they affect any born-again Christian. I know the presence of God in my life moment by moment. I am fully-assured. And rather than stopping people thinking about God, it actually causes people to think about God! God really does work with any situation to bring glory to His name!
6. Oh yes, he will be moved & with calamity - God ensures it!

Proverbs
Solomon continues to extol the benefits of Godly wisdom. Here wisdom stops us from being tempted into sin.

Matthew
v4-5. Jesus provides not a long sermon or explanation of the gospel but evidence of the supernatural power of God, transforming people's lives. Jesus knew that this was what John the Baptist would have been expecting to hear, from his knowledge of the Scriptures.
John & Jesus were both falsely accused. It is the same today. There are many men and women who are truly anointed, godly & friends of God. Yet they too are criticised & accused of being from the devil by people within the church. It is true that we should not just accept anyone, but this is the wisdom spoken of in Proverbs 2:9 "Then you will understand righteousness & justice, equity & every good path."