GLEANINGS FROM THE SCRIPTURESGod’s Seven-ElevenBy Keith L. EstesPsalm 33:1 (This Psalm is titled: Praising the Lord for His creation.) Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Who are the people that are righteous? They are the ones that honor God and have a relationship with Him and are honest in their dealings with others. The righteous are those who do right things, such as not taking advantage of others, loving our neighbors, and according to James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless [orphans] and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Verse four of this Psalm reads, “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.” Here the verse speaks of the “Word of the Lord.” The word of the Lord is powerful. He speaks and things jump into existence. Psalm 33:6 reminds us: “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” The writer of the book of Hebrews comments on this miracle of creation. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11: 3) Remember when you ran out of a certain item when you were fixing dinner for the family? The markets were closed and you had to make a trip to the “Seven-Eleven” store. Well, God has His “Seven-Eleven” also. In Psalm 19: verses 7 through 11, you will find God’s Seven-Eleven. Verse seven- “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Verse eight- The Statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Verse nine- The fear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Verse ten- More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Verse eleven- Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. God’s seven-eleven store includes: His Law, His Testimony, His Statutes, His commandments, His fear, and His judgments which are worth more than the finest gold, sweeter than honey and in keeping of them there is great reward. (Everlasting Life!) Concerning the fear of God, Jesus reminds us, “And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul: But rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10: 28. “Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.” (Psalm 33: 8) “God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.” (Psm. 67:7) “O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” (Psm. 96:9) “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. (Psm. 18-22) The writer of Ecclesiastes sums up the book, by stating, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13,14) Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matt. 12: 36) So there you have it, God’s Seven-Eleven. His Law, His testimony, His statutes, His commandments, The fear of God, His judgments, (In keeping of them is great reward. (Eternal Life). |