Wednesday, June 14, 2017

True prosperity

November 19, 2016

Worship: O Lord You’re Beautiful by Kieth Green

Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.

I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Written by Keith Gordon Green • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group





Witness:

I have included two videos to the worship song for today. The first is a version sung by Jesus Culture. I chose it for its beauty and full orchestration. The second is actually an alternate version of the song sung by its originator Kieth Green. The lyrics are different, but I can identify with some of the words in it. In it, he speaks of his body being tired. He also does not include the words “help me never to seek a crown” which is a popular teaching but not exactly scriptural. I understand the sentiment. Certainly, we don’t want to crassly seek a crown for our own glory but for the glory of the one who gives it. Nevertheless, Scripture does tell us to seek a crown. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
I Cor. 9:24-27 NIV

And to Timothy, his son in the faith, he shares this:

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.2 Tim 4:6-8 NIV

James declares:

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV

Peter says to pastors or overseers:

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.1 Peter 5:1-4 NIV

Finally, in Revelations, Jesus promises to the church in Smyrna

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Rev 2:10 NIV

And to the church in Philadelphia he exhorts:

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.Rev 3:10-11 NIV

Therefore, I will seek the heavenly reward that I am told to seek after. However, I cannot assume that it is mine just because I am His son. No, as I look at these verses I see that it takes self-discipline, self-denial, perseverance, and endurance. What is my motivation? Love for God, and nothing less, to whom I do all things for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), and one day I will cast my crown at my Lord’s feet (Rev. 4:10).


WORD:

Ps 25:11-15
11 For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
13 He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
NIV
Ps 25:11-15

11 For the honor of your name, O LORD,
forgive my many, many sins.
12 Who are those who fear the LORD?
He will show them the path they should choose.
13 They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the land.
14 The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
15 My eyes are always on the LORD,
for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Ps 25:11-15

11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
KJV
Ps 25:11-15

11 For your name's sake, O LORD,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
ESV


Is verse 13 a gospel of wealth. Does this verse say that if we fear the Lord, He will prosper us with earthly wealth? I don’t think so, though there is just such a pernicious teaching affecting many in the church today. So, what is David getting at here? First, we must recognize that the literal fulfillment of this promise is to the God-fearing Israelite to which God made a covenant through Moses. With obedience to the covenant comes certain blessings including abundance in the land and the continuation of dwelling in the promised land even by their children. That being said, what promises can I trust in here. How can I apply this to my life and can I apply these promises to me?  Since all Scripture is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16) then certainly I can glean something from this verse.

The word translated “prosperity” in the NIV and NLT can be subject to misunderstanding and misuse. The KJV has “ease,” and this too can result in misunderstanding today. I do not believe the translators of the KJV wanted to imply that life would be easy. For though we are promised that Christ yoke was easy and His burden was light (Matthew 10:29) we are also told that all who desire to live a godly life will suffer (2 Tim. 3:12). The ESV is superior here I believe by translating the word as “well-being.”

The word here is one I have discussed before in other journal entries. It is the word “towb.”  Here is one of the definitions I quoted at the time:

This adjective denotes “good” in every sense of that word.
(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

It is the same word used in Genesis 50:20:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
NIV

It is found in Psalms 23:

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
NIV

Its source is God Himself:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17-18 NIV

Founded in the very character and attribute of God Himself:

Good and upright is the Lord
Ps 25:8a NIV

Which overflows with grace towards His people:

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithfulfor those who keep the demands of his covenant.Ps 25:10 NIV

Motivated by one purpose:

For the sake of your name, O Lord,Ps 25:11 NIV

It’s New Testament equivalents, and application is:

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.John 1:16-17 NIV
 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.Ephesians 1:3-4 NIV
 
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

Resulting in praise to our God and Savior:

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.Jude 24-25 NIV
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