Spiritual Nuggets

To Ponder (07-06-2008)

71. In 2 Chron. 1:10-12 we read young Solomon’s request to God and God’s important response:

Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours? God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

God focused in upon what Solomon did NOT ask for! Note the things God cited, which must be common requests for someone in Solomon’s position. Those things were: wealth, riches, honor, for the death of enemies and for a long life. This says that God considers what we don’t ask for in our prayers, as well as what we do. All of those things which he didn’t ask for are typical desires of the spiritually dead and darkened people around us. Solomon’s request reflected a different heart. He wanted wisdom and knowledge to govern the people. How sad it is that in his later years Solomon’s heart turned to idolatry (1 Kings 11). The intensity of our warfare is great.

72. Paul wrote:

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph 4:30)

The Holy Spirit can be grieved like a person can. How serious is it to grieve the Holy Spirit? The answer is found in Isa. 63:8-10:

He said, “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them. (Isa 63:8-10)

God went from Israel’s savior and redeemer to become their enemy. That happened after they grieved God’s Holy Spirit. That was the godly concern Paul had when he wrote the Ephesian saints, who were saved by grace. He knew the same thing could happen to them. He was saying God would no longer be your savior and redeemer, if they grieved his Holy Spirit. Hence, there is no once saved always saved. That warning was in the same sentence as he mentioned the seal of the Holy Spirit. How sad it is that the popular false teachers of our dark day have avoided mentioning the consequences of grieving God’s Spirit and then distorted the importance of the seal of the Holy Spirit to support a demonic doctrine.

73. Is your mind filled with earthly things? Ponder these relevant Scriptures:

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Phil 3:18-20)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Col 3:1,2)

Our thought life is very important—vital. For any Christian to focus more on earthly things and less on spiritual things will take a spiritual toll on him. We must guard our thoughts, words and actions. They all are very important and powerful.

74. One of the most courageous and spiritual things said in the Bible by the righteous is found in Dan 3:16-18. There we read:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan 3:16-18)

Imagine being in their shoes with a test like that—either commit idolatry or get thrown into fire. Compare to Rev. 12:11.

If you are alive during the reign of antichrist, your test will be similar, except the consequences of being faithful to God will be captivity or death (Rev. 13:10). To receive the mark of the beast will cause spiritual death and damnation (Rev. 14:9-12). Are you prepared to die for your faith?

75. True repentance, which precedes salvation, is always accompanied by sorrow over the sinful past. Ponder this important verse which proves one must repent (turn from sins) to get salvation:

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Cor 7:10)

James touches on the same truth here:

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:8-10)

The Bible does not teach a laughing revival as many think.

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