You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD." (Leviticus 19:32)

In this context respect for the elderly is enjoined in connection with the fear of God.  To revere is to defer or to yield.  One can picture one who is older walking into a room and all others rising in honor, or offering them the best seat.  Our society has lost that sense of propriety, and has certainly lost its fear of God.

To whom shall we give such honor?  It belongs first, to those who carry the weight of years, who have walked the roads and fought the battles.  Second, it should be given to those who by reason of experience have greater wisdom.  It behooves us to listen carefully to them and consider.  Third such honor belongs to those who have unselfishly served others.  (I Timothy 5:10)  To these we owe a great debt.  Finally, it belongs to those with whom we have a special relationship (like mothers and fathers).  “Thanks mom and dad for your example of love and devotion to God and others.”

Find that special one this week and tell them how much you admire them.  Take time to listen to their stories and give heed to their advice.  Show them the respect and dignity they deserve.

By George Slover
 

So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the LORD has said we will do." (Exodus 24:3)

The giving of the Book of the Covenant now completed, Moses descends from the mountain and declares it to the people.  (vs.1-3)  When the people heard they expressed a willingness to obey: "All the words which the LORD has said we will do."  Moses takes the blood and sprinkles half of it on the altar and half of it on the people and their acceptance of the covenant is complete.

Upon this occasion God accepted the accolades of Israel.  With the altar and sprinkling of blood, God provided a means by which Israel could be reminded to make good on their promise.  Unfortunately, Israel would prove to be a fickle people and soon forget their commitment to Jehovah.

The fickleness of Israel has been often repeated by others.  One has good intentions, but often fails to follow through.  He is torn by emotions that draw him in one direction and his reason which draws him in another.  Thus, one will make promises, as Israel did at Sinai, but when the emotion of the moment is gone and life gets ordinary and dull, he finds his pledge hard to keep.

The gospel of Christ demands commitment.  We are not just saved to be saved (Romans 12:1,2), but we are saved to serve.  God demands implicit faith committed to righteousness rather than sin.  (Romans 6:18)  All too often the new convert on the day of baptism start with lofty goals, but will soon drop out of the race.  

Like Israel God has implemented ways to remind the Christian of his initial commitment.  The Lord’s Supper is our memorial of Christ, should rekindle our spirits. (I Corinthians 11:23-29)  The word is designed to stir us up.  
(II Peter 3:1,2) God’s people should provoke us to love and good works.  (Hebrews 10:24,25)  

So when our life ends will we be among those who followed through or among those who failed?  Take up the tools God gave you, keep the heart burning for Christ, and one day you will reap the rewards.

George Slover 
 

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

“Recognize, Avoid, and Defend”: this was the motto of my son’s martial arts class.  It was a simple three-step strategy for handling confrontation.  This sounds like a good way to avoid the temptation of Satan.

First, we must recognize the enemy and his allurements.  The above verse plainly tells us Satan is the enemy.  He is always looking for someone to devour.  There are often warning signs that tell us this situation is dangerous before we fall.  Be wise.  Be watchful.  Know and understand the enemy.  He is strong and wants you to fall!

Second, we must avoid.  The best way to overcome temptation is to avoid situations that will cause us to stumble.  Solomon’s advise for avoiding the temptations of the harlot: Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, (Proverbs 5:8)  Paul advises young Timothy to “flee youthful lusts”  (II Timothy 2:22)  Solomon’s counsel concerning wine:  Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. (Proverbs 23:31-32)  There are only two reasons why one would compromise this principle: 1) naïve, or 2) rebellion.

Third, we must defend.  There will be times when the bait will still be placed before us.  On those occasions we must fight.  We must use everything at our disposal, all of the armor God supplies (Ephesians 6:10-18), and persistence in prayer in order to win.

The battle is real.  It is a daily struggle.  It is our duty to look ahead for danger signs, learn to walk away, call out a Scripture, and pray.  God’s promise: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

George Slover
 

"Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:1-3)

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas continued boldly proclaiming the message of the cross.  Throughout this journey, the gospel was received in two ways.  In Iconium it was no different.

Paul and Barnabas declared the gospel of God’s grace in the synagogue of the Jews.  They urged the truth with fearless vigor.  Their confidence was grounded in God’s presence and support.  This bold proclamation was backed by signs and wonders which proved the authenticity of the message.

When the gospel is preached in its simplicity and power it gets results.  This was certainly the case in this city of Asia Minor.  A multitude of Jews and Greeks received the gospel.  When the seed is planted, God gives the increase.  There is no greater joy to the sincere teacher than to witness a harvest of souls.

This passage also reminds us of the pain of rejection.  The unbelieving Jews “poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers”.  Like adding arsenic to water these false teachers tainted the truth with error.  Thus, the city was divided – some siding with the believers and others siding with the unbelievers!  Such opposition grieves the heart of Christian teachers.

Today, the powerful gospel will get the same results.  Some will receive it. Others will reject it.  However, the soldier of Christ must prove faithful, ready to encounter the contempt, or the ridicule, or the slander of the evil minded, so long as there is any good to accomplish by his steadfastness.

George Slover
 

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:4-5)

This simple praise Psalm has been a favorite of mine for a long time.  It has been used to help me prepare my mind for worship.  Consider some of its important features.

There are two parts to this Psalm.  The first section is (vs. 1-4) an exhortation to praise.  Section two supplies (vs. 3-5) the reason for this exhortation.  Then, intertwined in the context are some important details about praising God.

The first section (vs.1-4) calls for “all ye lands” to offer their thanksgiving to God.  Such praise is to be done heartily, with a joyful shout. (vs.11)  This is to be a cheerful activity.  It is accepted when the worshiper is aware of God’s presence (vs.2).  The psalmist calls upon those involved to intelligently acknowledge who God is (vs.3) and to come before Him with gratitude (vs.4).  This praise is to be offered frequently and in His “gates” and “court”.

In section two (vs. 3-5) the reason for such devotion is grounded in the nature of God, for Jehovah is God (Elohim) – thus, he is the only one worthy of worship.  He is our Creator (vs.3).  He has graciously called upon us to be His people (vs.3).  That we might be drawn to worship him, the Psalmist reminds us of Gods’ “goodness” (vs.5) from which flows his “mercy” (vs.5) and “truth” (faithfulness).  And that we might have greater confidence in him, God’s mercy and truth are constant in every change of life and extended to all generations.

God is so good.  He will save any who will come to Him through Christ. Therefore, be thankful and speak well of God’s name.

By George Slover