Circulated by Victory Baptist Press, Milton, FL 32572-0766

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

"I communed with mine own heart..." (Ec l:16a) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

"I communed with mine own heart..." (Ec l:16a) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-24-2024Psalm 119:97-104? Introduction:? A. Psalm 119 contains 176 verses with 22 stanzas and 8 verses per stanza with each verse in a stanza beginning with the corresponding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. An acrostic.? B. Tonight, I want to look at the 13th? stanza, verses 97-104, and the Hebrew letter MEM.? 1. This letter MEM has two different forms – the regular letter? מ, which is open at the bottom? and the special final letter? ם, which is closed. I wanted to mention this without spending a lot of time on it. We are not here tonight to learn the Hebrew language. We are here to convey a simple truth.? 2. The regular MEM? מ, represents everything that we understand while the special letter MEM? ם, represents everything that we do not comprehend.? 3. In Genesis, chapter 1, we find both uses of MEM in one verse.? In the story of the Creation, the text mentions that God separated the waters above the firmament and below it. The first? MEM? represents the waters above the firmament, which we and the second? MEM? the waters below the firmament. Therefore, this letter is connected to the element of water.? Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.? 4. God made a division between the waters above the firmament, which we can see, and the waters below the firmament which we can only see that which is above ground with the water underground not seen.? 5. There are parts of the Bible that we know and understand. There are spiritual truths found in the Bible that are later grasped through continuation of study of the Scriptures.? 6. The numerical value of MEM is 40, an important number in the Bible as it signifies ripeness and maturity.? a) The life of Moses was split into three segments of 40 years. Each segment of 40 was a stage of development in his life and ministry.? b) The rains of the Great Flood lasted for 40 days.? c) Moses stayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days to receive the Law.? d) Jonah the prophet told the people of Ninveh that they had 40 days to repent.? e) The Children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years.? f) The LORD Jesus fasted 40 days before the Mount of Temptation.? C. MEM represents water. In this portion of the 119th? Psalm, I want to look at the Word of God in relationship to our spiritual understanding. Many of God's people have only head knowledge of God's Word but, in life, the Word of God has little practical use. Putting the Word of God into practice, especially in decision making.? D. In your Bible, water represents the Word of God.? Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,? John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.? John 4:10-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (11) The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? (12) Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? (13) Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.? E. The common thread in these 8 verses is learning.? Proverbs 4:5-7 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. (6) Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. (7) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.? 1. Verse 97. Knowledge. “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” The motivation for growing in God's Word is found in this verse. There are two aspects vital to our learning:? a. Love. “O how love I thy law! The words “O how” are exclamatory. This is a strong statement exemplifying the strength of “love I thy law!” Though punctuation is not a part of the actual text, the exclamation point at the end of the statement agrees with the wording. We will never gain knowledge of the Word of God unless we love the Word of God.? Job 23:11-12 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.? ? b. Meditation. “It is my meditation all the day.” Another key to knowledge of Scripture is meditation. Emersed in the Bible! Controlled by the Bible. As we saturate our minds and hearts with the Word of God, the Spirit of God can bring the Word to our remembrance when needed.? Isaiah 55:8-11 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (10) For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: (11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.? c. So, what's the problem in our day? Two-fold:? 1) It is a Pew Problem.? Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.? Hebrews 5:11-12 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.? 2) It is a Pulpit Problem.? Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.? 2. Verse 98. Wisdom. “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies.” Spiritual wisdom is greater than the wisdom of the world and will overcome the wicked.? a. The Master. “Thou … hast made me” is key to adding wisdom to knowledge. By my definition, wisdom is the right application of knowledge. When we love and meditate in God's Word, God the Holy Ghost will teach us how to use it in our daily lives and future days.? b. The Median. “through thy commandments”? Instead of the wisdom of the world which is good to some degree, the wisdom that comes through the application of the Word of God which is all good.? 3. Verse 99-102. Understanding. “Spiritual Engineering.” Knowledge is learning facts; wisdom it learning to put what you learn to work; Understanding is knowing why they work. What does understanding of God's commandment do?? a. Verse 98. They make you wiser than your enemies. You are not ignorant of Satan's devices.? b. Verse 99. They make you wise enough to be an example in both word and truth. You eventually become a teacher of teachers.? c. Verse 100. They make you wiser because you do not follow the wrong paths others before you have trodden.? d. Verse 101. They make you wise enough to know that sinfulness brings about a woeful end.? e. Verse 102. They make you wise enough to not think that you have “arrived” and are foolproof. Satan often attacks us in our strengths in stead of our weaknesses. Never get too wise to be smart!? 4. Verses 103-104. Never get to the place where you are no longer a learner. Often, teachers quit being students and become spiritually stale.? a. Keep the Word of God Sweet so as not to get Stale.? b. Keep the Word of God Faithfully to prevent going into the False Way.

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-24-2024Romans 11:33-36Introduction:? A. A Biblical Interpretation before a Practical Application.? Chapters 9-11 of the Book of Romans make up what is called a Parenthetical. An insertion that acts as an explanation of additional information within the context.? 1. These chapters deal with the Nation of Israel instead of the individual.? Before these chapters, Paul has been dealing with the salvation of men or the lack there of, but chapters 9-11 deal with the Nation of Israel and their relationship to God.? 2. Chapters 9-11 all begin with the? Nation of Israel and end with the Nation of Israel. Chapter 9 shows Israel's Past; Chapter 10 shows Israel's Present; Chapter 11 shows Israel's Prophecy.? 3. Israel was and is God's chosen nation!? These chapters explain what Israel did in? chapter 9 (Rejection of their Messiah), what God is now doing with Israel in Chapter 10 (Salvation to the individual Jews who accept Christ Jesus), and Chapter 11 shows the future of the Nation? (Israel's Repentance and Return to their Messiah).? B. Paul ends this parenthetical trilogy of chapters, 9-11,? with a doxology. “Doxology,” in the Ancient Greek language is compound word:? from? δόξα,? doxa, "glory" and -λογία, -logia, "saying” or “word."? C. God is not done with Israel.? At the end of Jacob's Trouble, also called the Tribulation Period, Israel as a nation will look upon Him whom they have pierced and nationally return to their Messiah.? Zechariah 12:8-10? In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. (9) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (10) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.? Romans 11:25-27? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (27) For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.? D. That is the interpretation. Chapter 11:33-36 is Israel's guarantee.? God knows what He is doing! God loves Israel and He will restore the nation back to Himself.? E. I will give three types? of wisdom found in the Bible before I look at this doxology.? 1. Worldly Wisdom:? things that we learn over the years. We gain knowledge and then learn how to apply it rightly. This worldly wisdom can be learned or experiential.? a) Learned wisdom.? It is the wise individual who seeks counsel and advice. It is a wise individual who learns from those who have already learned. When you become “know it all,” you become a foolish individual.? b) Experiential wisdom.? Though learned wisdom is the simplest way to learn, often experience is the best teacher.? 2. Spiritual Wisdom:? spiritual knowledge rightly applied. Spiritual wisdom comes from God! It can be taught by the people of God, or it can be taught by the Word of God.? a. The First Mention of wisdom in the Bible:? Exodus 28:3? And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom? I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.? b. The “spirit of wisdom” comes from God. James 1:5? If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.? 3. God's Wisdom:? The wisdom of God is an all know or omniscient wisdom. God knows all things and there are some things that? only God knows and can only be gotten from Him.? The Bible declares? that God's wisdom in infinite:? Psalms 147:5? Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.? F. Wisdom defined:? accumulated knowledge or enlightenment , the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight, the quality of being prudent and sensible.? (By my definition, wisdom is the right application of or understanding of how to use knowledge.)? G. One of the attributes of God is that of omniscience.? This is means “omni” or “all” and “science” or “knowledge.” The state of having infinite knowledge. As Dr. B. R. Lakin so put it, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” God knows everything about everything!? H. There is a difference between having knowledge and having wisdom.? Many men of our times have had great intellect, extensive education, and yet have died without Christ! That is the most foolish thing that I can think of. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God!” Men like Confucius who have left behind a legacy of worldly wisdom have denied Christ, died lost, and are in hell today.? J. God not only has all knowledge, but He also has all wisdom!? God's knowledge and wisdom are far above that of the smartest and wisest of all men.? Isaiah 55:9? For? as? the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.? (Notice the analogy here: “as the heavens are higher than the earth.”)? K. Verse 36. Now for the application.? If God takes care of His elect nation that rejected Christ Jesus, how much the more will He take care of His children who have placed their trust in Him! I think it important that we? understand God's wisdom as we are taught biblically to trust Him in relationship to our circumstances and needs.? 1. Our Salvation is of Him -? John 6:35? And Jesus said unto them,? I am? the bread of life: he that? cometh to me? shall never hunger; and he that? believeth on me? shall never thirst. (Salvation is an act of God but it is also a choice of the individual!)? Matthew 11:28-30? Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,? and I will give you rest.? (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:? and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.? 2.? Our Circumstances are through Him - Proverbs 3:5-6? Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ? (6)? In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.? (We are often confused, humanly speaking, by the things that happen in our lives that we cannot control. Yet, the Bible is clear that we are to trust completely when we do not understand.)? Job 23:10-12? But he? knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (11) My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. (12) Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.? Matthew 6:31-34? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ? (32)? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ? (33)? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ? (34)? Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.? (In times of uncertainty, God wants our priority to be Him, not our temporal needs. He has assured us that He knows what we need and will supply them. God wants our unwavering faith to be inn Him as He controls our circumstances.)? 3. Our Future is to Him? -? 1 John 3:1-2? Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.? Conclusion:? No matter what comes, the wisdom of God is our guarantee that all will work together for good to those of us who love Him and, in the end all will be well.? 1. The Wisdom Of God Penned Down In The Bible.? 2. The Wisdom Of God Previewed In Creation.? 3. The Wisdom Of God Personified In Jesus Christ.? 4. The Wisdom Of God Performed In Salvation.? 5. The Wisdom Of God Personalized In Our Justification.? 6. The Wisdom Of God Perfected In Our Eternity.

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-3-2024Psalm 119:73-80? Introduction:? One of the struggles that people have concerning the preservation of the Scriptures is that the teaching that the Bible is a man-made book and therefore is subject to additions, subtractions, and mistranslating.? 176 verses, 22 stanzas with each beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, 8 verses in each stanza with each verse in the Hebrew beginning with the same letter of the alphabet (acrostic).? What a magnificent work of God!? A.? Tonight, the 10th? stanza of Psalm 119, JOD.? “JOD” is the smallest letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and is represented by a “dot . )? ? 1.? Every one of the 22 letters of the alphabet are created by continuous dots ……………... which form the lines that form the letters as letters consist of a continuous line of dots.? ? 2.? When two consecutive JODs or dots are found, they represent the word “God” or Adonai who is an eternal, unchanging God.? Judaism considers the names of God so holy that, once they are written, should never be erased.? B.? Whereas JOD is the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, “iota,” which is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet. In Modern Hebrew, the phrase “tip of the YOD” refers to a small, insignificant thing.? God is meticulous!? Precise in what He says.? C.? JOD, of the Old Testament, was mentioned by our Lord Jesus when He said in Matthew 5:17-18: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.? (18)? For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”? ? Of Hebrew origin (the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet);? “iota”, the name of the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, put (figuratively) for a very small part or amount of anything: - jot.? The word “Tittle” means a “horn” and is smaller than the “jot.”? It is a horn like apex on a letter that changes the inflection of a word.? D.? Thus, our Lord said that not even the most insignificant thing in the Word will ever change or disappear.? E.? It would do us good to realize that the Doctrine of Divine Preservation is just as important as the Doctrine of Divine Inspiration.? Without continuance of preservation, inspired manuscripts become a moot point.? ? F.? The Continuity of the Word of God and its importance are found in these 8 verses of the 10th? stanza.? 1.? Verse 73.? Understanding.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our understanding.? We must continue to have the Word of God for all generations to understand how we got here, why we got here, where we are intended to go, what we are intended to do, and what it takes to suceed.? In our Bible we understand that man was created by God and for God.? ? Proverbs 4:5-8? Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.? (6)? Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.? (7)? Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.? (8)? Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.? Three branches of education are found in the Bible: Knowledge, learning facts – Wisdom, learning to use those facts – knowledge, is learning why those facts work.? Without the continuance of preservation of God's Word, we would have none of the three.? 2.? Verse 74.? Hope.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our blessed hope.? Our temporal and eternal hope is Bible based.? Through the eyes of the Word of God, we have hope in this world though it is deteriorating.? Through the eyes of the Word of God, we have an eternal hope that is nearing!? ? Romans 15:4? For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.? Titus 2:13? Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;? Without continuing preservation of God's Word, we would have neither.? 3.? Verse 75.? ? Correction.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our? correction.? Throughout the Bible, we find the righteous judgements of God that are essential to a godly, obedient walk with God and each other.? There will be times that we fail and times when we will fall but God's grace and strength will carry us through.? The Word of God teaches us to walk in the right way wherein is the good way.? Hebrews 12:5-7? And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:? (6)? For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.? (7)? If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?? Without the continuing preservation of God's Word, we would not know right from wrong and the consequences thereof.? 4.? Verse 76.? Comfort.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our comfort and peace.? ? In the darkest hours of our lives, the Word is a light that shows us the way so that we do not stumble or proceed? down the wrong paths. We have the love of God to comfort us and the promises of God to encourage us.? A peace to trust and hearts to trust when we do not understand.? Romans 8:28? And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.? Romans 15:4? For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.? Without the continuing preservation of God's Word, we would not have comfort in our tribulations.? ? 5. Verse 77.? Life.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our living.? ? Not merely physical life, though our physical life should be guided by the Bible, but also our life in Christ.? The Bible gives us grace, mercy, and strength for the journey.? The three remaining gifts of faith, hope, and charity are all found within the volume of the Word of God.? Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.? 2 Peter 1:3? According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:? Without the continuing preservation of God's Word, we would have no parameters to keep us living a life that is right and godly.? 6.? Verse 78.? Confidence.? ? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our confidence.? Our confidence in the scriptures leads to our confidence in God which leads to our confidence in life.? The world lives unto shame, but the child of God lives unto Christ!? The enemies of Christ become the enemies of God's children, but—through the scriptures—we can walk in total confidence.? Hebrews 10:35-36? Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.? (36)? For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.? Without the continuing preservation of God's Word, we can know for certain that everything both works together for good but will also turn out right in the end.? 7.? Verse 79.? Companionship.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our company that we keep.? ? The Word of God teaches that the world will turn away from us and count us as enemies.? Often, those of our own household will become our foes.? But those of like precious faith will become our friends and family.? We are exhorted to spend quality time with our brothers and sisters in Christ.? I find no greater joy than to visit with our people who are going through trying times.? Oh, what joy!? Oh, what delight!? Acts 2:46? And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,? Without the continuing of the Word of God, we would not be able to properly identify God's people much less have a place called the church where we assemble to bless and worship our wonderful lord Who gave Himself for it.? 8.? Verse 80.? Spiritual Soundness.? The continuity of God's Word is essential to our spiritual soundness which leads to our spiritual boldness.? A song says, “I had rather be an old time Christian, Lord, than anything I know.”? We who are saved are not ashamed of our Lord, the brethren, or our precious local church.? John 17:22-23? And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:? (23)? I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.? Without the continuing of God's Word, our overall spiritual wellbeing would in jeopardy.? The Bible is the measuring stick by which we measure ourselves and the benchmark from which we measure everything else.? Conclusion:? JOD!? A point from which comes continuation.? Since both our physical and spiritual welfare depends upon the veracity of God's Word, there must be a continuity or continuance of preservation of said Word.? All that we need and all that we have is founded upon the Continuity of The Word of God.? Preservation is an act of God, not of man.?

? Temple Baptist Church - 2-25-2024Psalm 119:65-72? Introduction: Psalm 119 is broken down into 22 stanzas with each stanza represented by one of the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza contains 8 verses with each verse beginning with the Hebrew letter that begins the stanza. An acrostic. A total of 176 verses elaborating upon the blessing of the Word of God and its intended work in the life of the believer. Absolutely the work of God!? A. Tonight, TETH? ט? – the 9th? letter of the Hebrew alphabet.? 1. TETH is an interesting letter as it is another one of those with a double meaning.? 2. It is what is called a paradoxical letter or, in our day, an oxymoron: two conflicting terms used together to convey a truth.? TETH can mean bad or good at the same time.? The letter looks somewhat like a woman great with child and the oxymoron is that pain is used to bring forth a beautiful child.? John 16:20-22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. (21) A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. (22) And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.? A sweet sorrow. A fine mess. A deafening silence. Clearly confused. Pretty ugly. Same difference. One of my favorites: jumbo shrimp. The list could go indefinitely but now we have an idea of what the Hebrew letter TETH does. It conveys conflicting thoughts that bring about a truth.? 3. TETH is the least used of the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Therefore, it will be easier to define using Scripture.? 4. Example: The first use of the letter TETH is found in Genesis 4:1. In this verse, we find light that is good and darkness which is not that is not good. God divided the light from the darkness, thereby making a distinction.? Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.? 5. Example: Though God is good, He ultimately controls both good and evil through potential and allowance He made both men and angels free moral agents, having the potential for both good and evil along with allowing them to make the choice.? Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.? B. The key word in this 9th? stanza is “afflicted,” found in these two verses: 67 and 71. In these two verses, we find that affliction is the result of chastisement! The oxymoron is that affliction brings about chastisement, which is not viewed as good, but brings about a desired end-result of restoration to God which is good.? C. A right relationship to the Word of God brings about acceptance and spiritual growth through chastisement.? 1. Verse 65. The Psalmist commends God for doing both right and well in His dealing with sinfulness in the saint. This chastisement is according to Scripture and is both right and necessary. The New Testament example is this:? Hebrews 12:6-13 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (8) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (9) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (10) (11) (12) Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.? 2. Verse 66. Chastisement is a “teaching moment” for the child of God. As our loving parents corrected us so as to make us good people and citizens, so our heavenly Father corrects us and is a sign of love.? Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.? 3. Verse 67. The Psalmist went astray before God chastised him but the chastening brought him back to obedience to the Word of God.? Hebrews 6:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.? 4. Verse 68. The declaration that the parent who chastises his children is both good and doing a good thing.? Hebrews 6:11? Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.? 5. Verses 69-70. When the unsaved saw the saint do according to the sinful, they denounced him by saying, “We knew his religion would not last. You see, he is just like us.” But the backslidden saint was not like them though his actions may have looked to be so. The chastening hand of the Lord was upon the sinful saint and turned him back to both obedience to and delight of God's commandments.? 6. Verse 71. Chastening, which seems bad was a good thing in the eyes of the saint. I thank God for a Dad and Mom who loved me enough to make me do right and developed within me what character that I have today.? Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.? 7. Verse 72. The chastened now fully understood the importance of obedience and the love of a loving God. The end result of chastening is to fully establish God's Word and to mold the child of God in a godly manner.? Conclusion: I thank God for His chastening hand which brings about holiness and restoration to a place of fellowship!