Values

Values

A simple life in the Fear-of- God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. Proverbs 15:16 MSG

The above seems to be a comparison between two options: a simple life with the fear of God, or a rich life with a ton of headache. It is important to understand the two positions so we can fully grasp the direction God wants our lives to align with. First of all, what makes a life simple isn't about outward possessions but about inward possession. Whoever/Whatever owns and holds your innermost desires and priorities will determine the simplicity or complexity of your life. It could be position, power, privilege or possessions. When you base your life worth on outward possessions, or seek to define your worth by what you hold, then you have aligned your life with the second position.

A simple life with the fear of God is not a poor life, but a life that has understood purpose and destiny. It understands the concept of stewardship and accountability, and knows that everything s/he holds today is in trust for the real owner - God himself. S/he does not make judgments based on temporal things, but focuses on eternity. The rich life sees him/herself as a self-mad person, whose value and worth is determined by what s/he holds. Unfortunately, there is but little you can hold in your hand. When you have grasped something, you will have to let it go if you will hold something else. If that little is all you can hold to, then you are poor indeed, no matter the value the world places on you. When it is a simple life with the fear of God, then you have everything you need and all to gain. There is no monetary value placed on either position, but trust me, when God says something is better for you, the benefits go far beyond monetary value.

Where do you stand? Can God entrust you with true riches? Would you remain faithful even when things seem to be rosy? Can you trust God to build character in you for the assignments he has ahead of you?

True Safety!

Safety

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong. Proverbs 18:10 AMP

This generation could be accused of blasphemy and it would not be wrong. We have taken the name of the Lord as a plaything. These days, when a person seeks to be believed or trusted, s/he is quick to swear using the name of the Lord. A salesman will swear that his scales or weights are honest, the woman using the measuring bowl will swear that a kilogram truly weighs a kilogram.

The belief in what has been said is not tied to the person but to the oath taken. We have forgotten the clear directives given by Jesus himself: do not swear by anything, but let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No. When a man has lost trust, he has lost a fundamental part of himself. When your words cannot be trusted, then you need to check again and be sure of your stand and place in God.

Two quick things: 1. The name of the Lord is the strong tower, not a magic wand. It is not a place for the unsure or the faint-hearted, who will still need to combine the name with something else. It is not a name you can invoke for selfish reasons; you have to come to God on his own terms, not yours. All God promises is that ANYONE who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. You just call. 2. The Righteous have permanent residence in the tower, because they have understood their own limitations and recognise God's limitless power. They have come to understand that it is only in God that a man is truly safe.

The economy is not smiling, the political space is not friendly, life generally can be brutish. In God, you are safe from evil. You are not immune to challenges or trials, but you are backed up by the greatest power and protection available. In God, you are safe, high above evil and strong. The safety and strength is not a function of your own ability but about your location and allocation. Run to God today. He does not promise you a life free from challenges, but he guarantees you safety, protection, strength and testimonies. His time of favour is here.