Psalms 8:1 and 31:1-3a

My Shepherd met me in HIs green pastures. He found me grazing in the bitter grasses of David’s lament recorded in Psalm 40, specifically, verses 11-13. He then called me over to Ezekiel 28, and the Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind at verse 16:

Ezekiel 28:16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

I believe the “covering cherub” is a reference to Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12). I understand this passage to describe the origin of iniquity in God’s creation. In that light, we see the principle, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Satan was wealthy beyond any and turned his affections from the LORD Who blessed him, to the blessing he received from Him. By this, he was corrupted and fell into the power of iniquity. The first manifestation was pride, and the end of pride is destruction.

Along the still waters, I pondered the wisdom of Agur’s words:

Proverbs 30:7 ¶ Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:

Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

And I heard the Spirit say, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6), and “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:8).

God’s goodness in blessing us is intended to lead us to repentance: “Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). But many who are rich set not their heart upon the Lord’s goodness, and so grateful for His goodness, turn to Him with a repentant heart. Instead, they set their heart upon their riches, and so find it harder to humble themselves to salvation than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24).

Let us enjoy His blessings, but never forget from Whom we are blessed, and for Whose pleasure we serve: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

In the valley, I knelt in the shadow of the Cross and remembered Him Who made Himself poor that He might make us rich (Philippians 2:5-11; see 2 Corinthians 6:10). He called and I answered: “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, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy followed us into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

See you in church!