For whatever things were written in earlier times were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope.”

Romans 15:4

Things were written down that we might have hope. Do you have hope? What do you place your hope in? Is your hope in man, Governments’, or in your own personal strength? Every day we see the frailty of humanity and wonder how we can make it in this world. Yet, with all our striving to get ahead, we fall short and use ways and means that are not righteous to get ahead. Our efforts to achieve or obtain something may fall upon dead ears. There is no satisfaction in getting ahead it is just a fleeting moment in time. Maybe we should consider Mick Jagger’s words to the song “I can’t Get No Satisfaction.”

I can’t get no satisfaction
I can’t get no satisfaction
‘Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can’t get no, I can’t get no

When I’m drivin’ in my car
And the man comes on the radio
He’s tellin’ me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination

I can’t get no, oh, no, no, no
Hey, hey, hey, that’s what I say

I can’t get no satisfaction
I can’t get no satisfaction

In 1965, the Rolling Stone recorded this song. Why I bring it up may be a profound statement as the statement “maybe I think too much.” In the late 60’s and early 70’s everyone was questioning what is their purpose in life? The counter political movement came on the scene to end war in Vietnam. Today, we are seeing a movement to end gun violence after the shootings of 19 children in Uvalde, Texas. There is no satisfaction in gun violence like there is no satisfaction in the war in Vietnam. Our future generation is in a quandary. Today, inflation rate in America is at an all-time high of 8.5%. Prices for housing and gas are at an all-time high. There is no satisfaction in the current economic conditions. Some say history is repeating itself. Let us remember that it was all written down in books for our learning, yet have we heed the warning signs.

Maybe we should remember Job who said that corruption was his father [see Job 17:14]. In the next verse Job exclaims, “And where is now my hope?” When you have dis-satisfaction, ask the question, “Where is my hope?” May our hope be in the Lord, and may we exclaim what King David said.

Deliver me in thy righteousness and cause me to escape; incline thine ear unto me and save me.  Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.“

Psalms 71:2-5

The apostle Paul stated that whatever was written in the early time was written down for our learning. An example would be the ten commandments in Exodus 20. The fact that God brought the children of Israel out of the house of bondage was amazing. The fact that He bore them up on eagle’s wings and brought them unto himself [see Exodus 19:4] showed He cared for them. This also speaks to separation from things that would keep them in bondage to where they could not see the light of day. What was it that Paul said earlier in chapter 13 of Romans? “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” The apostle Paul stated this after he had stated in his own words the reference to the ten commandments.

Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.”

Exodus 20:13-17

How can we live a peaceable life if these laws are not in place? Some do not want to be reminded. Let us remember that the Ten Commandment monuments were removed from public places all over America. In June of 2015, the Oklahoma capital had to remove the Ten Commandment monument since the state Supreme Court decided that the religious display on public property violated the Constitution. The point being that man being influence by another interpretation of the law change its meaning. I was told that any law in place is a matter on how man interpreted its writing. The universal standards of good and evil, right and wrong are being removed from the eyes of man but let us remember it is not removed from the eyes of the Lord God. These things are a reminder for our learning. Let us not be deceived or mislead by anyone.

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.”

Proverbs 12:20

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us, therefore, cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light,” states Paul in Romans 13:12. We believe in hope for we see the vanity of men’s life. We see the grace of God and the gift by grace which is in Jesus Christ. By one man’s offense death reigned, by one man came life and the gift of righteousness. From one came judgment, from the other came righteousness and justification. It was because of offenses that Christ died. Our justification came by Christ’s blood on the cross. Christ resurrection is the power of God to atone for our sins, and to create a new man. This is why Christ died for all men. We are reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ. Do you know the facts of Christ, have you reckoned with what Christ has done for you, have you yielded yourself to Him, and have you obeyed by walking in his will?

Remember as a Christian, you do not walk alone. You walk with God. Paul states that we are laborers together with God in 1 Corinthians 3:9. As a farmer attends to his field, God will attend to us. We must allow time to feed upon His words and allow it to work upon our mind and heart. We must allow time to fellowship in the Holy Spirit through prayer and intercession. Seek and you shall find the answers in the word. Ask for understanding and He will open up the meaning of his words. The renewed man is a man walking in the Spirit and does not fulfill the desires of the flesh. A renewed man gives thanks to God for all things. A renewed man will keep himself from all bondage of sin and walk in the light of God’s will. It is through patience and comfort of the scriptures that we are given sight/knowledge of what is good and evil.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.”

Psalms 84:11-12