Folly, Triumph, Character, Hope

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 14-16

 

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

(NKJV)

 

A fallen world in chaos seeks answers and often turns to the foolishness of ungodly sources. This teaching lacks character and comes from corrupt people, as listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Instead of seeking answers from these sources, we must seek answers from the Word of God, which is truth (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). This is our hope, a hope in the triumphant Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The main theme of Psalm 14 is the folly of the Godless and God’s final triumph. David begins the psalm by saying a fool says in his heart there is no God, saying they are corrupt, do abominable works with none of them doing good (Psalm 14:1). The Lord looks down from heaven to determine if any understand and seek God, but sees they have all turned aside, become corrupt and not a single one of them does good (Psalm 14:2-3). David wonders if those working iniquity, those who devour God’s people like food, have any knowledge and do not call on the Lord (Psalm 14:4). These workers of iniquity are in great fear because God is in the generation of the righteous (Psalm 14:5). These workers of iniquity shame the counsel of the poor but the Lord is their refuge (Psalm 14:6). David concludes the psalm declaring that salvation will come out of Zion when the Lord brings back the captives. Then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad (Psalm 14:7).

 

Psalm 15 tells of the character of those dwelling in the Lord, beginning with the question of who may abide in the Tabernacle of the Lord and who may dwell in His holy hill (Psalm 15:1). The answer is one walking uprightly, working righteousness who speaks truth in his heart (Psalm 15:2). His character does not backbite with his tongue, do evil to his neighbor or take up a reproach against his friend (Psalm 15:3). His character despises a vile person, honors those fearing the Lord, swearing to his own hurt, and never changing (Psalm 15:4). This person also does not loan out money with interest or take bribes against the innocent. One who does these things will not be moved (Psalm 15:5).

 

In Psalm 16, David speaks of the hope of the faithful and the Messiah’s victory. David begins the psalm by asking the Lord to preserve him because he trusts in the Lord, his Lord, the source of goodness in his life (Psalm 16:1-2). David then praises the saints on the earth, the excellent ones in whom he delights (Psalm 16:3). The drink offerings of those placing their hope in another god will not be offered nor will their names be on David’s lips (Psalm 16:4). David finds his inheritance in the Lord his portion who has caused him to be in pleasant places, a good inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6).

 

David blesses the Lord, his source of good counsel, instructing in the night seasons of his life (Psalm 16:7). David sets the Lord before him at all times because He is his right hand, and David will not be moved (Psalm 16:8). David’s heart is glad, his glory rejoices, and his flesh rests in his hope in the Lord (Psalm 16:9). God will not leave David’s soul in Sheol and will not allow His Holy One, Jesus, to see corruption because He will rise from the grave (Psalm 16:10). Walking with the Lord is the path of life, in His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). The Lord is triumphant, bringing hope to the faithful.

 

Psalms 14-16 are psalms of David, with Psalm 14 pointing out the folly of the Godless and God’s final triumph. He begins by pointing out that one is a fool who says in His heart there is no God, with the Lord looking down from heaven on the children of men and finding not one who does good. God is for the righteous, with the workers of iniquity having no knowledge. The Lord is triumphant with the Lord delivering them from their captivity so they can rejoice and be glad.

 

In Psalm 15, David states the qualifications for one abiding with the Lord. The requirements are to love the Lord and your neighbor just as the Lord stated in Luke 10:25-28. This is a solid foundation of character that shall never move from abiding in the Lord.

 

In Psalm 16, David states the hope of the faithful and the Messiah's victory. David asks the Lord to preserve him because he places his trust in the Lord. The Lord is his hope, and he knows the Lord will triumph with God not leaving His Holy One, the Lord Jesus Christ, in Sheol to see corruption (Matthew 28:6). In the triumphant Messiah, David finds the path of life, fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore.

 

As children of God we must avoid foolishness and deceptive teaching that does not align with the Word of God because God is triumphant (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 5:1). Unfortunately, we live in an age when the teaching from many pulpits is designed to tickle the itching ears of those listening, making them feel good with little or no pointing them to Jesus Christ for salvation from their sins (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The Church of Laodicea was deceived, trusting in their wealth and prosperity to take care of them with no dependence on the Lord (Revelation 3:14-17). Sadly, this Church has locked the Lord out with Him outside knocking on the door to come back in (Revelation 3:20). Please join me in repenting of felling for deception and pray for a return to truth and dependence on God so revival can come to the Church with the Church turning its world upside down like the early church (Acts 17:6).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept Jesus as your savior, finding hope in the triumphant Messiah, I encourage you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and empower everyone reading this post. 

The Humble Shepherd

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 13:1-17

 

John 13:16-17

Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

(NKJV)

 

The idea of servant leadership was first taught by Jesus in response to a disagreement that arose among the disciples about who would be the greatest (Luke 22:24-27). In this passage, Jesus illustrates the concept of a leader who serves by taking on the role of a lowly servant by washing the disciples' feet. The next day, Jesus would dramatically demonstrate his servant leadership by willingly taking on the sins of humanity even though He knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). The mission of the Church is not the enforcer of a moral code upon the world, but servants of Christ pointing people to Jesus as savior. The Church must be Gospel centered.

 

It is before the Feast of the Passover and Jesus knows His hour has come when He will go to the Father after loving His own until the very end (John 13:1). The supper ends with Satan already placing the betrayal of Jesus in the heart of Judas Iscariot (John 13:2). Jesus with full knowledge of where He came from and that God the Father has given Him all things arises and lays aside his garments, putting on a towel (John 13:3-4). Jesus then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, but when he came to Peter, Peter asked Him if He was going to wash his feet (John 13:5-6).

 

Jesus answer to Peter was that while he did not understand what was happening now, he would afterwards (John 13:7). Peter then tells Jesus he shall never wash his feet to which Jesus says, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8). Peter then tells Jesus to wash not only his feet but also his hands and head (John 13:9). Jesus tells Peter that he is completely clean and only needs to wash his feet but adds that not all of the disciples are clean because He knew Judas would betray Him (John 13:10-11).

 

After finishing the washing of the disciples’ feet, Jesus put on His garments and asked if they knew what He had done to them (John 13:12). Jesus tells them it is well that they call Him Teacher and Lord because He is (John 13:13). He then tells them that if their Teacher and Lord has washed their feet, they should wash each other’s feet (John 13:14). Jesus explains the foot washing as an example to follow, telling them that a servant is not greater than his master nor is one sent greater than the one sending him (John 13:15-16). Jesus concludes by telling them that if they know and do these things, they are blessed (John 13:17).

 

The disciples had lived their entire lives under Roman leadership and the religious oppression of the Pharisees. Their picture of leadership was a leader having lordship and authority over others, expecting people to serve them. By washing the disciples' feet, Jesus is providing an example of leadership that serves those being led, something He would demonstrate by dying on the cross for their sins. Jesus then challenges the disciples to do as He has done by not lording over others like the Pharisees did as religious leaders, but to instead serve those God will place in their care (John 13:15-17).

 

Jesus is our provider (Genesis 22:8), our healer (Exodus 15:26), and savior (Matthew 1:2) because of his grace. However, we must be careful not to abuse the grace of God by believing God must provide everything we want. Such is the deceptive gospel preached in many churches as a means of attracting many members and contributors. This teaching enriches the teacher and leader of the church, but when those under this teaching do not receive the fancy car, house, and riches they believe they are entitled to, they can turn their back on God. Jesus is not our genie, granting us every wish, but our Lord and Savior who came not to condemn us but to give us eternal life (John 3:16-17). For this, we must be eternally grateful, even if the Lord does not provide anything else.

 

If you are reading this post and have either never prayed to accept Jesus as your Savior or have turned your back on God because of deceptive teaching, I encourage you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I now encourage those who prayed to find a local church teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the Bible as servants of the congregation and not in a manner to enrich themselves. I then encourage you to imitate Jesus by serving others through sharing the Good News that Jesus came to die for their sins and give them eternal life. May God challenge, convict, and empower everyone reading this post. 

Faith, Consistency, Trust

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 11-13

 

Psalm 12:6

The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.

(NKJV)

 

The reign of King David is not much different from the reigns of good men throughout history. He is anointed king and faces Goliath, whom he slays with God’s help (1 Samuel 17). He then must run from King Saul, who seeks to kill him (1 Samuel 19), and let us not forget the rebellion of his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1-12). David also had to come to grips with his own sin (Psalm 51). However, despite all this, in Psalms 11-13, David lets us know he placed his faith and trust in the Lord, whose words are true and consistent.

 

Psalm 11 begins with a declaration by David of his trust in the Lord, the reason why he does not flee in fear when hard times come (Psalm 11:1). David is fully aware that the wicked aim to shoot the upright in heart (Psalm 11:2). David also declares that if the foundations of God’s word were destroyed, there is nothing the righteous can do (Psalm 11:3). However, David knows the Lord is in His holy temple and His throne is in heaven, testing the righteous and hating the wicked (Psalm 11:4-5). Because the Lord is righteous, He will rain judgment on the wicked and uphold the upright (Psalm 11:6-7).

 

Psalm 12 begins with David crying for help because the godly man ceases and the faithful disappear from among the sons of man (Psalm 12:1). David has seen everyone speaking idly with his neighbor, speaking with flattering lips and a double heart (Psalm 12:2). David then asks the Lord to cut off flattering lips and the proud who believe their words will prevail and no one can lord over them (Psalm 12:3-4). The Lord replies by assuring David He will rise against the oppression of the poor and the sighing of the needy, providing the safety they yearn for (Psalm 12:5). The words of the Lord are pure and like silver tried in a furnace and purified seven times (Psalm 12:6). The Lord shall preserve His words and preserve them from this evil generation (Psalm 12:7). The wicked prowl on every side when the vileness of the sons of men is exalted (Psalm 12:8). God’s words are consistent.

 

Psalm 13 begins with David wondering how long the Lord will forget him and hide his face from him (Psalm 13:1). David continues wondering how long he must find counsel in his soul and have sorrow daily in his heart while his enemy exalts over him (Psalm 13:2). David asks the Lord to Hear him and enlighten his eyes so he does not die (Psalm 13:3). If David should die at the hands of his enemy, they will gloat believing they have prevailed over him (Psalm 13:4). David trusts in the mercy of God and his heart rejoices in the Lord’s salvation (Psalm 13:5). David will sing to the Lord because the Lord has dealt bountifully with him (Psalm 13:6).

 

David can place his faith and trust in the Lord because His words are true, pure, and consistent. While Jesus had not yet been born, David would relate to John 16:33 because his reign as king of Israel was full of trouble. In 2 Samuel 22:3, David says the Lord, his savior, has saved him from violence. We could look at this and believe David is delusional because his reign was engulfed in violence. However, there is a difference between being saved from violence and being delivered out of it, something David clarifies in Psalm 34:19. This is why David could write Psalms 11-13 to declare his faith in trusting a God whose Words and Promises are true and consistent.

 

Believers in Jesus as Savior must place their faith and trust in the Lord and not the things of this world, which will disappoint us. We live in a fallen and dangerous world that is also full of deception. To survive in this world, some place their trust in government and politics, trusting that a leader will emerge with all the answers, only to suffer disappointment. We believe that if I had more education I could survive or get a better job. Oh, I know, I need more money so I can have the ultimate security. While these things are not inherently bad, they are part of our fallen and corrupt world, and as such, will fail us. In Psalm 20:7, David sums things up by declaring he does not trust in chariots and horses, the tools of warfare in his time, but he will trust in the Lord.

 

The greatest thing the Lord has given to humanity is his gift of salvation from sin. In Romans 3:23, the Bible tells us we have all sinned, and in Romans 6:23 reminds us that the penalty for sin is death. We can try to achieve salvation through our good works, but these are insufficient to save us for only the grace of God can do that (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you have never prayed to accept God’s gift of salvation from sin or drifted away from your relationship with God, I encourage you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

In these chaotic times, place your faith and trust in God because He will never fail you. 

Blinded Unbelief, Secret Belief, Disciple of Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 12:37-50

 

John 12:44-46

Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. ⁴⁵ And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. ⁴⁶ I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

(NKJV)

 

The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that our salvation comes by grace, and not our works, however, James teaches us that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). While this may appear to be a contradiction, taken in context the passage in James is a discussion of one saved by grace putting his or her faith in action by caring for those in need. While one is saved just as they are when they accept Jesus as Savior, A fully devoted disciple of Christ will want to put their faith into action through good works, not to be saved but out of love for their savior.

 

Even though Jesus performed many miracles, some still did not believe Him as foretold by Isaiah (Isaiah 6:10, 53:10; John 12:37-41). Others believed but remained silent about their belief in Jesus as their Savior out of fear they would be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42). This latter group loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:43).

 

Jesus then speaks, telling them anyone believing in Him is not believing in Him but in the one that sent Him, and that those seeing Him see the one that sent Him (John 12:44-45). Jesus came as a light to the world so that those believing in Him should not be in darkness (John 12:46). One hearing the words of Jesus and choosing not to believe will not be judged by Jesus because He did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:17, 12:47). One that chooses to reject Jesus has what will judge him or her, the words of Jesus (John 3:18, 12:48). The words Jesus speaks are the words given to Him by God the Father, words that command everlasting life (John 3:16, 12:49-50).

 

In this passage, Jesus addresses two types of Jews: blinded unbelievers and secret believers.

• Blinded unbelievers (John 12:37-41) – These are the Jewish people Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 53:1, where he wondered who had believed his report and to whom the arm of the Lord is revealed. The remainder of Isaiah 53 provides a prophetic picture of how Jesus would die in a few days by crucifixion. Among these Jews are Pharisees who are blinded to the truth of God’s word standing in front of them because of the threat Jesus presents to their religious power over the people.
• Secret believers (John 12:42-42) – An example of a secret believer would be Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night (John 3:1-21). Nicodemus is also one of the officers who spoke in Jesus’ defense, reminding the Pharisees that a man is not charged until he has a chance to defend himself (John 7:50-51). Nicodemus was also among those who cared for Jesus' body after His death (John 19:39).

 

Jesus’ response to these groups of people are letting them know that belief in Him is not belief in Him alone but belief in the one who sent Him, God the Father (John 12:44). The Pharisees refusing to believe in Jesus because of His threat to their religious power have a problem for their blindness has caused them to violate the essence of the law (Deuteronomy 10:12). The secret believers are among those who hide the light of Christ in them instead of letting it shine as Jesus told us to do (Matthew 5:14-16).  

 

We all must ask ourselves if we are an unbeliever, a secret believer, or a disciple of Jesus Christ.

• An unbeliever – This is not necessarily one who outright claims not to believe in the existence of Jesus but includes anyone who does not deny the existence of Jesus but denies he is the Christ and Messiah sent to die for the sins of fallen humanity. This was the level of unbelief of the Pharisees because they could not deny Jesus’ existence or that he did many good works, but denied that he did his good works as the Messiah (Matthew 12:22-24).
• Secret believer – This individual may go to Church on Sunday, but there may not be much evidence of their belief beyond this out of fear of losing friends. Every believer wrestles with the flesh in their life, with some abandoning the flesh on Sunday and living according to the flesh during the week to keep their friends (Romans 8:6-7). These believers have been evangelized but have not become fully devoted disciples of Jesus by equipping themselves with knowledge of God’s Word, experiencing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and encouragement through fellowship with other believers.
• Fully devoted disciple of Christ – This is a believer who is evangelized and has accepted Jesus as their Savior. They have been baptized, regularly attend Church, and are not silent about their faith in Christ the rest of the week. They daily study the word of God, like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11), wear the armor of God, and pray without ceasing (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The goal of everyone who has made Jesus their Lord and Savior should be to become a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, as opposed to a secret believer with one foot in the world and one foot in Christ. Romans 12:2 teaches believers not to conform to the world but to allow the renewing of their minds so they become fully devoted disciples of Christ. If anyone is reading this post and has not taken the first step in discipleship by making Jesus your Lord and Savior, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.