Transformer - 09/06/2020
The Bible - Disclosure about God
From the beginning of time, as evidenced by ancient ruins of great civilizations, mankind has written about the “gods.” How do we know about “gods”?
The ancients observed the same cycle in life we see. There is birth, then there is life and then there is death. It is seen in the raising of crops, livestock and beautiful gardens. It is seen in animals of all species and especially in human beings. Buildings, houses and roads go through this cycle. How did this cycle get started?
Saying it has always been here is the same as saying it is eternal. However, based upon everything we know about this cycle, it had to have an originator. It did not make itself; it had a starting point. Historically, mankind has always agreed: someone, something, had to make everything we see.
In ancient times, the major world civilizations were trying to explain why things happened the way they did. They were trying to explain the origin of their world and everything they could see. They knew there must be a being with more intellect and power than themselves. They were trying to disclose this god to their fellow-citizens.
There are only two ways for us to know about this being: one is to guess, which mankind has done for centuries. The other is for this “god” to disclose information about the character, wisdom, power and emotions of this being.
The very first document contained in the Bible writes about this god. It is assumed this god is the only god and there is no other. Other biblical documents detail the activities of this god in the history of nations.
Does the Bible provide evidence for this god’s disclosure of itself? It depends upon what one concludes about the Bible. Is the Bible the recording of this god’s information? Or, is it like other documents, it contains man’s opinion?
If one rejects the Bible, then based upon what “science” or “evidence” should one draw such a conclusion? If the Bible is not true, then what document is true? If the Bible is not true, then upon what basis would someone live their life? The only answer is, “What they think is correct!” How can that be a good basis for living one’s life when they themselves are not eternal?
When the evidence of the Bible is considered, unbiasedly, one must conclude the document is authentic and the contents are truthful. When considered as a whole, the Bible is the best collection of writings which discloses God. It is the best handbook when it comes to living one’s life. Its contents will help every individual to be living God’s way. - cgm
Thinking on the Word…
A Cupbearer’s Prayer
How long he had been the cupbearer of the Persian king Artaxerxes we are not told. His position in the Persian government was very high and Nehemiah was very loyal to the king. This Jew also had very strong ties to his heritage which included his concern for the capital city, Jerusalem. When he heard about the state of the city, he was much disturbed.
What is highly impressive about Nehemiah is that he probably had never seen this city, but he knew a lot about the significance of it to “the sons of Israel.” For several days he “wept and mourned” because of the report he had been given about the condition of the people in the city as well as the physical condition of Jerusalem.
One of the prayers Nehemiah offered to God during this period in his life is recorded for us in an Old Testament book bearing his name (Nehemiah 1:5-11). There are several things in that prayer, which in principle, we can pray today.
We can address God by describing things which He has done in the past as well as the promises He has made.
We can speak to God on the behalf of other people.
We can tell God of the actions which we have done; both corrupt deeds as well as our good deeds.
We can ask God to remember His promises which He has made in the past.
We can ask God to grant our petitions and request.
We can ask God to help us be “successful today” in the endeavors we are undertaking.
We can ask God to help us in our relationships with other people, especially when we are seeking an opportunity to speak to them or receive something from them.
Nehemiah, in his prayer to God, refers to himself as “Thy servant.” In this prayer he is requesting and not demanding; he is making a petition. God heard this prayer and granted what Nehemiah requested. - cgm
Words of Wisdom
“A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but He will condemn a man who devises evil.” - Proverbs 12:2
The Lord is the constant in this proverb. The opposites are the “good man” and the “man who devises evil;” “favor” and “condemn” or “unflavored.”
The man whom the Lord will look upon unfavorably is the one who is planning or contriving or devising evil. This man is not wanting to do good but rather is wanting to do evil. He spends his time thinking about how he can do some form of evil.
On the other hand, if a man is a “good man” then he will be thinking about how he can do good things. The Lord will look with favor upon this man. This is not to be thought of as remunerating the individual but rather we should see God doing something for this man out of the “goodness” of God’s heart.
God wants us to be living like He would live. The only way that we can know that we are doing “good things” is for us to consider what God thinks is good.
The Bible tells us of the good things God wants us to do. He wants us to love our neighbors as well as our enemies. He wants us to treat other people like we would want to be treated. He wants us to live our life so that other people will want to live for Him.
In most cases when we are a “good man” people will admire us and thus they will allow God to use them to help us. This is just one way God’s favor will be upon us.
Sometimes we may think things are going bad; and, they may be. However, we do not need to think that God is not watching or observing our good behavior when things are difficult.
We all need the “favor” God will bestow upon us. We do not need Him to “condemn” us. Let’s not “devise evil,” but let us be good people. - cgm