Only A Fool

Ps. 14:1  The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

There once was a rich and prosperous man named Nabal (1 Sam. 25).  He had lots of sheep and goats spread out over the countryside of Carmel.  David and his men, being in the same area, treated Nabal's shepherds well, never stole from them or harmed them.  In fact, they protected them such that Scripture says the shepherds felt as safe out in the open as if they were living in a walled city.  And Nabal knew it.  Yet when David asked Nabal to share food with them, Nabal rudely and insultingly refused.  He acted against his own knowledge, against what he knew in his heart to be right and true.  Believing there would be no consequence or judgment from anyone for his behavior.  That's what a fool does.  The name Nabal actually means "fool".  Understand the difference between an ignorant man and a fool.  An ignorant man lacks knowledge but a fool ignores it.   

Our verse from Psalms describes a sinner as a fool, one whose hardened heart causes him to act against his knowledge and understanding of God and His Word.  The wickedness of sin causes him to act contrary to what he knows to be right and true.  The sinner chooses, not ignorantly but foolishly, to believe that God will not judge him for his sin.  He doesn't deny God's existence but rather chooses to ignore His dominion.  He allows his blatant, willful sinning to be that which has dominion (Ps. 19:13) over him.

We all will someday be judged (Heb. 9:27) according to our knowledge and understanding of God and His Word.  In fact, Scripture tells us that His Word will reveal the thoughts and intents of our hearts (Heb. 4:12).  Our actions, that is to say our lives, should acknowledge not only His existence but His dominion over us.  Who will choose to ignore such knowledge?  Only a fool.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Acknowledge His existence and His dominion.

Praising Wholeheartedly

Ps. 9:1  I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

Whether at work or play, we have a choice concerning how we perform any given activity or task.  And by "perform" let's understand that I mean to describe sincere intentions and not to suggest some sort of staged, superficial response.  We can be completely apathetic and indifferent, we can be halfhearted, or we can embrace what we do wholeheartedly.  In the end, our performance (in this case, our praise) will reveal our passion.  Show me someone who does something wholeheartedly and I'll show you someone with a passion.

The Free Dictionary gives three characteristics when defining a person who is wholehearted.  This person is:

1.  Unconditionally committed.  No matter what, they have determined that what they are doing is worth the investment of time and effort.  Consistently.

2.  Unstintingly devoted.  That is to say their devotion is without limit or bounds.  Extravagant yet singularly focused.

3.  Unreservedly enthusiastic.  Their enthusiasm and energy are apparent, sincere and can even be contagious.

So, when it comes to praising God, in church or anywhere else, where do I see myself?  Am I indifferent or lukewarm?  Or, like David, is my praise really wholehearted?

I want my praise to be a consistent and unconditional investment of my time and effort regardless of my circumstances (Ps. 34:1).  I want it to be extravagant (Mk. 14:3) like the fragrant oil poured on Jesus from the alabaster box, singularly focused on my Lord.  I want my praise to be enthusiastic and apparent, with no rock needing to sing God's praises for me (Lk. 19:40).  I want these things not that I might gain attention but that I might glorify the One who is so deserving and worthy to be praised.  I want my praise to be more than an hour in church every week.  I want it to be every day in the life I lead.  With my whole heart for my whole life.  I want to be found by Him praising wholeheartedly!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Your praise will reveal your passion.

God Understands

Heb. 2:17-18  Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Often times when discussing our tests, trials or afflictions with others we say, "You don't understand."  Others are not experiencing what we are.  They are not feeling what we are.  How could they possibly even begin to understand what we are experiencing or feeling?  And, truthfully, they can't.  Unless they themselves have had the same experiences or feelings and as much as they try to console or comfort us, it's hard for us to accept their consolation having the knowledge that they don't and can't really understand.  Their understanding is not borne out of their experience.

These two verses from Hebrews, tell us of a God who completely understands.  When Jesus came to earth, He was fully man and fully God.  His human nature allowed Him to understand tests, trials and afflictions by His own experience just like we do.  His understanding of our suffering was indeed borne out of His own. 

Jesus, as a man, was despised and rejected by others (Isa. 53:3), acquainted ("yada") with grief (some translations say sickness or disease) (Isa. 53:3), treated badly and unfairly (Isa. 53:7), misunderstood by His own family (Mt. 3:21), falsely accused (Mt. 11:15, 26:59) and even had unreliable friends (Mt. 26:40).  He knew suffering.

In Scripture, we see the words "know" or "knew" translated from the Hebrew word "yada" which means to understand, particularly through or by experience.  For example:

Ps.103:14  For He knows (understands) our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Jesus understands us because in all things He had to be made and to suffer like us.

Take comfort in the midst of your test, trial or affliction because although those around you may not understand it, God understands!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  He understands our suffering because He suffered.