Proverbs 30:2-5 speaks of the boundless difference between the Word of God and the word of man's wisdom:
2 Surely I am too brutish and stupid to be called a man, and I have not the understanding of a man [for all my secular learning is as nothing]. 3I have not learned skillful and godly Wisdom, that I should have the knowledge or burden of the Holy One. 4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name, and what is His Son's Name, if you know? 5 Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him.
Secular learning can be very valuable when it is added to the Word of God in our lives! When secular learning is all that we have, we WILL eventually fail! John 17:17:
17 Sanctify them by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.
Without the Word of God there is no standard for the Truth! Many modern day textbooks are filled with lies or are missing vital truths because the Word of God is no longer "accepted" as Truth. Make sure that if your children attend a public or private school, you are checking their textbooks so that you can counter any untruth found in them! You MUST be a hands-on parent and there is no shortcut!
In Philippians 2 Paul is encouraging the congregation to be a people of unity. Verses 2-4:
2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. 3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. 4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
No one ever humbled themselves to the extent that Jesus of Nazareth did for us! Verses 9-11:
9 Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, 10 That in (at) the Name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Let's allow Jesus to be our "model" for humility and we can't go wrong! Amen!
Nehemiah 12 shows the people returning to praise and worship and singing to the Most High God! But, it only took Nehemiah being gone for everything to fall apart again! I read this in the Bible Exposition Commentary:
Nehemiah discovered that the fires of devotion had gone out in Jerusalem. His first term as governor lasted for twelve years (5:14), after which he returned to the palace to report to the king (13:6). He was gone perhaps a year; but when he returned to Jerusalem, he discovered that the situation had deteriorated dramatically, for the people were not living up to the vows they had made (chap. 10). Nehemiah immediately began to act decisively to change the situation.
Without spiritual leadership, God's people are prone to stray like sheep. One successful pastor told me, "If we didn't keep our eyes on this work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, it would be invaded and soon fall apart." Moses was away from the people of Israel only a short time, and they became idolaters (Ex 32). Paul would establish a church and leave it in the hands of the elders, only to have trouble begin soon after his departure. Then he would have to write them a letter or pay them a visit to straighten things out. (No wonder Paul exhorted the Ephesian church leaders as he did in Acts 20:28-32!) After Nehemiah was gone from Jerusalem only a short time, he came home to find the people defiled by compromise.
If you compare this chapter with chapter 10, you will see that the people failed to keep several of the promises that they had made to the Lord.
Have YOU neglected your First Love? Do you still spend time daily in praise, thanksgiving and worship? Do you spend time daily in the Word of God; in fellowship with Him; in fellowship with like-minded believers? Not doing these things WILL cause us to slide back into apathy where the things of God are concerned. There are NO rewards for that attitude! Check your heart daily to make sure that you stay on fire for the presence of God and the things of God! you will be so glad you did, and so will those around you! Amen!
Shalom in Him!
