Psalm 8:1, add 31:1-3

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures, pondering the mysteries of the Kingdom (Mark 4:11) and of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Yet, it was something Jesus said in Luke 16:8 that captured my thoughts:

Luke 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

The “unjust steward” acted wisely with an understanding of the mystery of iniquity (the ways of the world), but the children of light, that is, the children of the Kingdom, lack wisdom in its mysteries. There is a remedy: “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” (James 1:5).

Right away, we face the primary principle of Kingdom wisdom: faith. The Spirit Who promised us the wisdom we need is available for the asking, followed with: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (James 1:6-7).

Along the still waters, I thought about the wisdom of this world in contrast to the wisdom that is from above (James 3:13-18). Bitterness, envying, and striving are rooted in the things of this earth (earthy), and manifest a love for this world (1 John 2:15), sensuality (Jude 19),* and is devilish (like the Devil—see Ezekiel 28:14-17, the origin of the “mystery of iniquity” and the coveteousness by which his “wisdom” was “corrupted” (Ezekiel 28:17).

Jesus did not commend the unjust steward; his earthly master did. Jesus uses the story to show that natural man has wisdom about the natural world, but the children of light have little understanding of the spiritual kingdom.

In the valley, shadowed by His Cross, I saw the repudiation of the wisdom of this world and the affirmation of the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-25). The preaching of the Cross is both the wisdom and power of God, but scorned by the worldlings as foolishness. I heard the call of my Shepherd cautioning me to make a different choice than did Satan. When called to “get behind” our LORD, obey; have the spirit of John the Baptist who said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5-11).

His voice was clear and increased as He drew near: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, we talked a long while about many things till He rose to enter the harvest, and I rose after Him, and goodness and mercy followed. I asked, but you didn’t anoint my head or fill my cup. He said, “I did! But you didn’t notice.”

Selah!

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v7eix7y-shepherds-pasture.html

[*The word translated sensuality is ψυχική –psuchikay, and it’s used in 1 Corinthians 2:14 (natural); 15:44, 46 (natural); James 2:15 (sensual); Jude 19 (sensual). The Spirit uses it to contrast the natural and the spiritual body. It refers to the bestial aspect of our nature, governed by appetite rather than aspiration.]