2 Timothy 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
3 Ἔσται γὰρ καιρὸς ὅτε τῆς ὑγιαινούσης διδασκαλίας οὐκ ἀνέξονται ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας ἑαυτοῖς ἐπισωρεύσουσιν διδασκάλους κνηθόμενοι τὴν ἀκοὴν 4 καὶ ἀπὸ μὲν τῆς ἀληθείας τὴν ἀκοὴν ἀποστρέψουσιν, ἐπὶ δὲ τοὺς μύθους ἐκτραπήσονται.
Paul has just finished explaining the value of Scripture in 3:16-17 and now he is explaining his admonition to Timothy that he preach the word. This is the reason why. There will be a time when people will not endure sound teaching. You don't have to look very far to realize that this clearly speaks to our society today.
Sadly, this even permeates our churches. You can find folks reading Joel Osteen, yet they identify themselves as evangelical. T.D. Jakes is a bestseller, despite the fact that he denies the Trinity and is a Oneness Pentecostal. Joyce Meyer's particular blend of psychology, self-help, and Word-Faith theology packs out coliseums around the country. Why? These so-called teachers tell people what they need to feel better about themselves.
Of course, the Bible is full of promises that help us to feel better. But the difference is that they are promises that make us feel better because of who God is and who we are in Him. The Bible is about Jesus, not about us. If we just read it like a fortune cookie we may think that it is all about us, but it's really His story, not ours.
This is why it is important to study and teach theology. We need to look for answers to the fundamental questions of life. Who is God? Who is man? What does man need to be reconciled to God? If we are reconciled then how should we live as a result of this reconciliation?
Read your Bible that you may know God. Everything begins to fall into place after that.
Showing posts with label prosperity gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prosperity gospel. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Damaging Trade
Acts 19:27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship."
27 οὐ μόνον δὲ τοῦτο κινδυνεύει ἡμῖν τὸ μέρος εἰς ἀπελεγμὸν ἐλθεῖν ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ τῆς μεγάλης θεᾶς Ἀρτέμιδος ἱερὸν εἰς οὐθὲν λογισθῆναι, μέλλειν τε καὶ καθαιρεῖσθαι τῆς μεγαλειότητος αὐτῆς ἣν ὅλη ἡ Ἀσία καὶ ἡ οἰκουμένη σέβεται.
This is the end of a speech that Demetrius, a silversmith, makes to the people of Ephesus. He saw the writing on the wall with respect to the gospel. He understood that the message Paul preached would be bad for his business. Who needs to buy silver idols of Artemis when they can worship the true and living God?
I find it interesting that he only appeals to Artemis' honor at the end of his speech. If you read the whole passage in context you will see that he is very concerned about the loss of trade. He should be. He is after all a pagan and he is doing what pagans do. I can't fault him for that based on the values he had.
However, my fear is that we have the same mentality in the church. I highly recommend the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I think it is typical for us to filter decisions through our wallets. I know that I do. I'm thinking about going on for further schooling. Yet we are likely going to need to replace our home's air conditioner this year. The well is going to be pretty dry if we do that. How am I going to pay for more school if we don't have the money readily available? I don't know. This is a good test of my faith.
If you are a preacher consider how this affects your preaching. Are you going to challenge your people to get off their fat American backsides and sacrifice? Are you going to threaten the American way? I don't mean to do that for the sake of doing it, but to challenge them to put the cross of Christ front and center and leave everything else as secondary. Can you bring yourself to do that? Can you do that if you are working in a Baptist or otherwise independent church knowing that you are likely to offend a prominent family that supports a major part of your church's operating budget? I don't know if I could.
Demetrius is everywhere in a sense. He is in our churches. And he is in our hearts. Let's be sure not to let his pragmatism get in the way of the truth of the gospel.
27 οὐ μόνον δὲ τοῦτο κινδυνεύει ἡμῖν τὸ μέρος εἰς ἀπελεγμὸν ἐλθεῖν ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ τῆς μεγάλης θεᾶς Ἀρτέμιδος ἱερὸν εἰς οὐθὲν λογισθῆναι, μέλλειν τε καὶ καθαιρεῖσθαι τῆς μεγαλειότητος αὐτῆς ἣν ὅλη ἡ Ἀσία καὶ ἡ οἰκουμένη σέβεται.
This is the end of a speech that Demetrius, a silversmith, makes to the people of Ephesus. He saw the writing on the wall with respect to the gospel. He understood that the message Paul preached would be bad for his business. Who needs to buy silver idols of Artemis when they can worship the true and living God?
I find it interesting that he only appeals to Artemis' honor at the end of his speech. If you read the whole passage in context you will see that he is very concerned about the loss of trade. He should be. He is after all a pagan and he is doing what pagans do. I can't fault him for that based on the values he had.
However, my fear is that we have the same mentality in the church. I highly recommend the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I think it is typical for us to filter decisions through our wallets. I know that I do. I'm thinking about going on for further schooling. Yet we are likely going to need to replace our home's air conditioner this year. The well is going to be pretty dry if we do that. How am I going to pay for more school if we don't have the money readily available? I don't know. This is a good test of my faith.
If you are a preacher consider how this affects your preaching. Are you going to challenge your people to get off their fat American backsides and sacrifice? Are you going to threaten the American way? I don't mean to do that for the sake of doing it, but to challenge them to put the cross of Christ front and center and leave everything else as secondary. Can you bring yourself to do that? Can you do that if you are working in a Baptist or otherwise independent church knowing that you are likely to offend a prominent family that supports a major part of your church's operating budget? I don't know if I could.
Demetrius is everywhere in a sense. He is in our churches. And he is in our hearts. Let's be sure not to let his pragmatism get in the way of the truth of the gospel.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Tickling Their Ears
Micah 2:11
(11) If a man should go about and utter wind and lies, saying, "I will preach to you of wine and strong drink," he would be the preacher for this people!
I suppose it would be easy to use this verse out of context as a proof-text for complete abstinence from alcohol. I don't think that is what Micah is doing here, and neither does the author of the notes in the ESV Study Bible. Instead, what Micah is saying is that anyone who preaches to the desires of the people would be very popular.
I am amazed at the chronological snobbery of those who think that the Bible is outdated. While our technology has improved I don't think human nature is any different. Osteen's latest book is proof of that. We are no different from those folks from so long ago. We want people to validate what own desires as being godly. Instead we should be looking to God's Word to change our desires.
That's easier said than done. Preaching that way will garner no private jets. However, I think that the reward in heaven will be worth it.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Preach Truth
Amos 9:10
(10) All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, who say, 'Disaster shall not overtake or meet us.'
I realize that I beat this drum fairly often, but it shows up enough in the prophets that it is inescapable. It is clear that sometimes God's just wrath will come upon disobedient people. It certainly happened for Israel. Yet many chose to instead preach what people wanted to hear.
Our age of "tolerance" is certainly no different. We like to have our ears tickled by hearing how great we are. But are we really? We all still need to hear a message of repentance.
I'm being trained to preach truth. It seems pretty easy to be bold while sitting in a homiletics class. I've had times talking to people where I know that I turned them off by telling them what I believe to be truth. It was certainly not easy. Will I be able to do this in front of a congregation? Time will tell. I do know that the more I think about preaching the more I respect the faithful men who do preach truth. It's much easier to be liked.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Accepting Providence
Daniel 3:16-18
(16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
(17) If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
(18) But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
This is one of those stories that even folks who couldn't find Psalms in their Bible have probably heard of. These faithful Jews refused to bow to the idol that Nebuchadnezzar set up and were sentenced to death in the fiery furnace. Here they show their unwavering faith in God. I am always impressed by verse 18 when I read this. They accept the possibility of "but if not."
This is a vital lesson for us here in America. This is the land of Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer. It is the land where God is supposed to give us what we want if we are faithful. I can't help but wonder what a Word of Faith person would do with this verse. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a faith that went beyond what God would do for them. They were ready to face an excruciating death for their faith. They knew that God could deliver them, but they were under no assurance that God would deliver them. Yet they remained faithful.
This is great comfort to me in times of trial. The goal cannot simply be the resolution of the trial in the manner I think best. The goal must be resolution in a way that glorifies God. That's the focus that these young men had. Is that the focus you have or do you expect God to serve you?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Using Tools
11 p This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and t these nations shall serve the king of Babylon u seventy years. 12 Then after u seventy years are completed, v I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, v the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the Lord, v making the land an everlasting waste. 13 I will bring upon that land all the words that I have uttered against it, everything written w in this book, which Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations. 14 x For many nations x and great kings shall make slaves even of them, y and I will recompense them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.”
(Pardon the formatting as I'm traveling and using the ESV Study Bible online text).
I think I've covered this before, but I just find this fascinating. God plans to use Babylon as a means to punish His people. But at the end of this time God intends to punish Babylon too.
This tells me a couple of things. First, it shows me that God is completely sovereign. He can do what He wants with people and we never have the right to say, "that's not fair!" I am always taken back to Romans 9 for this as well.
It also tells me that we should be very careful about judging the merits of a people or an organization based on the way they are prospering or not prospering. There seems to be a certain kind of pragmatism within American evangelicalism that automatically equates numerical success with faithfulness. In other words, a prospering ministry must be a faithful one. They may not do things the way we think they should be done, but if they prosper that is a sign of God's blessing; therefore, we should withhold judgment despite the biblical warrants we have for concern.
God's treatment of Babylon tells me that we cannot do that. I have heard Paul Washer say that Joel Osteen is actually God's judgment upon the folks who want to hear his teaching. They don't want the Bible, but they do want to have a sense of affirmation. God uses Joel Osteen to give them what they want, which will ultimately lead to their own destruction. After all, the rain falls on the just and unjust.
Let's remain faithful to the Bible. Let's use the Bible as our benchmark. You never know when a seemingly successful group may actually be a tool like Babylon was.
(Pardon the formatting as I'm traveling and using the ESV Study Bible online text).
I think I've covered this before, but I just find this fascinating. God plans to use Babylon as a means to punish His people. But at the end of this time God intends to punish Babylon too.
This tells me a couple of things. First, it shows me that God is completely sovereign. He can do what He wants with people and we never have the right to say, "that's not fair!" I am always taken back to Romans 9 for this as well.
It also tells me that we should be very careful about judging the merits of a people or an organization based on the way they are prospering or not prospering. There seems to be a certain kind of pragmatism within American evangelicalism that automatically equates numerical success with faithfulness. In other words, a prospering ministry must be a faithful one. They may not do things the way we think they should be done, but if they prosper that is a sign of God's blessing; therefore, we should withhold judgment despite the biblical warrants we have for concern.
God's treatment of Babylon tells me that we cannot do that. I have heard Paul Washer say that Joel Osteen is actually God's judgment upon the folks who want to hear his teaching. They don't want the Bible, but they do want to have a sense of affirmation. God uses Joel Osteen to give them what they want, which will ultimately lead to their own destruction. After all, the rain falls on the just and unjust.
Let's remain faithful to the Bible. Let's use the Bible as our benchmark. You never know when a seemingly successful group may actually be a tool like Babylon was.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Refinement
Isaiah 1:24-26
(24) Therefore the Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes.
(25) I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.
(26) And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."
This passage ultimately has hope for Israel, but not without a little pain first. I can't speak for you, but the thought of the Lord turning His hand against me is not a happy prospect. This is the same God who spoke all of creation into being. He is the one who overcame death. He is the transcendent God of the universe.
Yet isn't this something we must welcome? Today is Saturday which means Peter review day. I review 1 and 2 Peter while I stretch for my run. 1 Peter dovetails nicely with this passage. Chapter 1 speaks specifically about how our faith needs to have a tested genuineness that is compared to the process of refining gold in the fire.
I wish Osteen would preach on passages like this. There is pain associated with following Christ and it is not always some form of martyrdom. It is God refining us through His fire to make us more like Jesus. While it's not a lot of fun to endure it is something we should embrace if we truly want to be more like Jesus.
(24) Therefore the Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes.
(25) I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy.
(26) And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."
This passage ultimately has hope for Israel, but not without a little pain first. I can't speak for you, but the thought of the Lord turning His hand against me is not a happy prospect. This is the same God who spoke all of creation into being. He is the one who overcame death. He is the transcendent God of the universe.
Yet isn't this something we must welcome? Today is Saturday which means Peter review day. I review 1 and 2 Peter while I stretch for my run. 1 Peter dovetails nicely with this passage. Chapter 1 speaks specifically about how our faith needs to have a tested genuineness that is compared to the process of refining gold in the fire.
I wish Osteen would preach on passages like this. There is pain associated with following Christ and it is not always some form of martyrdom. It is God refining us through His fire to make us more like Jesus. While it's not a lot of fun to endure it is something we should embrace if we truly want to be more like Jesus.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
He Has a Plan
Job 23:10-14
(10) But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
(11) My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
(12) I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
(13) But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.
(14) For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.
Job was going through more than most of us will ever face. Yet through it all he trusted God. The thing that strikes me is how Job saw the value of his suffering. He realized that it would refine him to be more pure. Job had a right view of it.
There are some who might say that Job lacked faith and that is why he was suffering. In fact, he had three friends telling him how his suffering was a result of sin. I'm not sure how Joel Osteen handles the book of Job or if he has even read it. I wonder why Job didn't exercise his "comeback power?"
Verses 13 and 14 give me both fear and comfort. God has a plan and it will not change. God will do what He wills. Job's response shows me that our job is to remain faithful.
(10) But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
(11) My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
(12) I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
(13) But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.
(14) For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.
Job was going through more than most of us will ever face. Yet through it all he trusted God. The thing that strikes me is how Job saw the value of his suffering. He realized that it would refine him to be more pure. Job had a right view of it.
There are some who might say that Job lacked faith and that is why he was suffering. In fact, he had three friends telling him how his suffering was a result of sin. I'm not sure how Joel Osteen handles the book of Job or if he has even read it. I wonder why Job didn't exercise his "comeback power?"
Verses 13 and 14 give me both fear and comfort. God has a plan and it will not change. God will do what He wills. Job's response shows me that our job is to remain faithful.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Prophecy with Care
Ezekiel 13:4-6
(4) Your prophets have been like jackals among ruins, O Israel.
(5) You have not gone up into the breaches, or built up a wall for the house of Israel, that it might stand in battle in the day of the LORD.
(6) They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'Declares the LORD,' when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.
I had a hard time deciding which part to quote. All of chapter 13 is worth reading, especially in the context of parts of today's "church." The Lord has very severe words for those who prophecy falsely in His name. Later on we see:
Ezekiel 13:10-14
(10) Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash,
(11) say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out.
(12) And when the wall falls, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the coating with which you smeared it?'
(13) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath, and there shall be a deluge of rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to make a full end.
(14) And I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you shall perish in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the LORD.
I can't help but think of all the prosperity preachers. I wonder how they're doing now that our country is in a recession? Are we in a recession because we lack faith? Well, we are in a recession and as a people we certainly lack faith. However, I don't think that necessarily implies causality.
My point is that the prosperity gospel is like the weak wall covered in whitewash. It looks good, but it is flimsy and will not withstand a storm. I'd rather base my faith on the Rock that will help me to weather any storm.
(4) Your prophets have been like jackals among ruins, O Israel.
(5) You have not gone up into the breaches, or built up a wall for the house of Israel, that it might stand in battle in the day of the LORD.
(6) They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'Declares the LORD,' when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.
I had a hard time deciding which part to quote. All of chapter 13 is worth reading, especially in the context of parts of today's "church." The Lord has very severe words for those who prophecy falsely in His name. Later on we see:
Ezekiel 13:10-14
(10) Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, 'Peace,' when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash,
(11) say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out.
(12) And when the wall falls, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the coating with which you smeared it?'
(13) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath, and there shall be a deluge of rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to make a full end.
(14) And I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you shall perish in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the LORD.
I can't help but think of all the prosperity preachers. I wonder how they're doing now that our country is in a recession? Are we in a recession because we lack faith? Well, we are in a recession and as a people we certainly lack faith. However, I don't think that necessarily implies causality.
My point is that the prosperity gospel is like the weak wall covered in whitewash. It looks good, but it is flimsy and will not withstand a storm. I'd rather base my faith on the Rock that will help me to weather any storm.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Jeremiah's Complaint
Jeremiah 20:13
(13) Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.
Isn't that a great word of encouragement? Here Jeremiah reminds us that we are to sing to the Lord. We are to praise Him. I know that He certainly delivered my life. What else can I do?
What's interesting is that this verse happens approximately 2/3 the way through a general complaint. Here is how it ends:
Jeremiah 20:14-18
(14) Cursed be the day on which I was born! The day when my mother bore me, let it not be blessed!
(15) Cursed be the man who brought the news to my father, "A son is born to you," making him very glad.
(16) Let that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without pity; let him hear a cry in the morning and an alarm at noon,
(17) because he did not kill me in the womb; so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb forever great.
(18) Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?
I'm afraid that in many Christian circles this kind of talk would lead to a quick intervention. Obviously Jeremiah was facing some pretty heavy persecution from those who did not want to hear the real Word of the Lord. However, there are certainly times in all of our lives when we feel like this. There have been mornings when I was out jogging and the thought of getting crushed by a passing truck didn't seem so bad for half a second. Then I remember the hope I have in Christ, the family I would leave, etc, and those thoughts quickly disappear.
My point is that there are times for real lament. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, especially someone who, say, preaches in an old basketball arena. Following Christ isn't necessarily easy. But what else can we do?
(13) Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.
Isn't that a great word of encouragement? Here Jeremiah reminds us that we are to sing to the Lord. We are to praise Him. I know that He certainly delivered my life. What else can I do?
What's interesting is that this verse happens approximately 2/3 the way through a general complaint. Here is how it ends:
Jeremiah 20:14-18
(14) Cursed be the day on which I was born! The day when my mother bore me, let it not be blessed!
(15) Cursed be the man who brought the news to my father, "A son is born to you," making him very glad.
(16) Let that man be like the cities that the LORD overthrew without pity; let him hear a cry in the morning and an alarm at noon,
(17) because he did not kill me in the womb; so my mother would have been my grave, and her womb forever great.
(18) Why did I come out from the womb to see toil and sorrow, and spend my days in shame?
I'm afraid that in many Christian circles this kind of talk would lead to a quick intervention. Obviously Jeremiah was facing some pretty heavy persecution from those who did not want to hear the real Word of the Lord. However, there are certainly times in all of our lives when we feel like this. There have been mornings when I was out jogging and the thought of getting crushed by a passing truck didn't seem so bad for half a second. Then I remember the hope I have in Christ, the family I would leave, etc, and those thoughts quickly disappear.
My point is that there are times for real lament. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, especially someone who, say, preaches in an old basketball arena. Following Christ isn't necessarily easy. But what else can we do?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Preaching in Adversity
Jeremiah 15:16-21
(16) Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
(17) I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation.
(18) Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?
(19) Therefore thus says the LORD: "If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.
(20) And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.
(21) I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
I think that this passage has served as a balm for many a weary preacher. Jeremiah delighted in God's Word. Unlike the reaction of many, Scripture was sweet to Jeremiah.
However, he couldn't understand why his life turned out the way it did. Where were the blessings that came from faithfulness? Why were things so hard for him?
God reassures Him that He would protect Jeremiah. He would take care of him as he preached truth. I know that this certainly comforts and encourages me, assuming that I can claim the promise for me as well. I'm not sure if it applies or not. After all, this was God talking to Jeremiah. He wasn't necessarily giving this promise to all future preachers. Therefore, it may be a stretch to say that it applies to faithful men today.
However, I sure hope that it does. I do know that even if things don't go so well in this life God will take care of the faithful in the next.
(16) Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
(17) I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation.
(18) Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?
(19) Therefore thus says the LORD: "If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.
(20) And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.
(21) I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
I think that this passage has served as a balm for many a weary preacher. Jeremiah delighted in God's Word. Unlike the reaction of many, Scripture was sweet to Jeremiah.
However, he couldn't understand why his life turned out the way it did. Where were the blessings that came from faithfulness? Why were things so hard for him?
God reassures Him that He would protect Jeremiah. He would take care of him as he preached truth. I know that this certainly comforts and encourages me, assuming that I can claim the promise for me as well. I'm not sure if it applies or not. After all, this was God talking to Jeremiah. He wasn't necessarily giving this promise to all future preachers. Therefore, it may be a stretch to say that it applies to faithful men today.
However, I sure hope that it does. I do know that even if things don't go so well in this life God will take care of the faithful in the next.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
What of the Unbeliever?
Psalms 73:16-20
(16) But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
(17) until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
(18) Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
(19) How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
(20) Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
Here the Psalmist wrestles with the apparent prosperity of those who do not worship the Lord. How could their lots in life be so much better than his while he remained faithful? It was all confusing until he went into the sanctuary of God. It was then that he was able to get the right perspective. Their end is destruction, while the end for the believer is life.
It's easy to look around at the unbelievers in our culture and envy what they have. The beautiful and rich folks in Hollywood spring to mind as do many corporate executives. I tend to think of Hugh Hefner as the modern-day Solomon. All of these folks seem to have it made now. Yet in the end they are going to end up spending a very long time experiencing God's justice.
I realize that this is not the spin that the popular prosperity folks put on things today. However, I do think that this is the biblical spin. What's interesting is that I read this as well today:
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
(18) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
(20) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
(21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
(22) For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
(23) but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
(24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
I think of this as being more directed toward those who think themselves too smart to believe in God. However, the folks I mentioned before functionally live as if they believe that. Most are either true, professing atheists or functional atheists. I want to be a professing and functional Christian.
(16) But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
(17) until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
(18) Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
(19) How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
(20) Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
Here the Psalmist wrestles with the apparent prosperity of those who do not worship the Lord. How could their lots in life be so much better than his while he remained faithful? It was all confusing until he went into the sanctuary of God. It was then that he was able to get the right perspective. Their end is destruction, while the end for the believer is life.
It's easy to look around at the unbelievers in our culture and envy what they have. The beautiful and rich folks in Hollywood spring to mind as do many corporate executives. I tend to think of Hugh Hefner as the modern-day Solomon. All of these folks seem to have it made now. Yet in the end they are going to end up spending a very long time experiencing God's justice.
I realize that this is not the spin that the popular prosperity folks put on things today. However, I do think that this is the biblical spin. What's interesting is that I read this as well today:
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
(18) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
(20) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
(21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
(22) For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
(23) but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
(24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
I think of this as being more directed toward those who think themselves too smart to believe in God. However, the folks I mentioned before functionally live as if they believe that. Most are either true, professing atheists or functional atheists. I want to be a professing and functional Christian.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Parable Project One
My parables class has two assignments. One is supposed to be a devotional suitable for a Sunday School class and the other will be more scholarly. I did the first on the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18:1-8. You can read the fruit of this here. It's a pretty short read really. I'm not happy with what Google Docs does to the formatting, but you'll get the gist of it.
For what it's worth, I got a 98 on it. My professor rightly pointed out that I didn't do much with the idea of "justice" other than mentioning it. I don't post my grade to boast, but to give my work at least some measure of trustworthiness. The main thing I wanted to fight was the whole prosperity nonsense that so many seem to take from this parable.
I hope that this is somewhat edifying for you.
For what it's worth, I got a 98 on it. My professor rightly pointed out that I didn't do much with the idea of "justice" other than mentioning it. I don't post my grade to boast, but to give my work at least some measure of trustworthiness. The main thing I wanted to fight was the whole prosperity nonsense that so many seem to take from this parable.
I hope that this is somewhat edifying for you.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Source of Uncleanness
Leviticus 14:34-36
(34) "When you come into the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a case of leprous disease in a house in the land of your possession,
(35) then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, 'There seems to me to be some case of disease in my house.'
(36) Then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest goes to examine the disease, lest all that is in the house be declared unclean. And afterward the priest shall go in to see the house.
This passage goes on to describe all that happens when a house appears to have a leprous disease, or mildew as the NLT translates it. It's very inconvenient for the homeowner. They have to scrape the walls and replaster. Then they have to leave the house for 7 days for a time of purification. Then they have to see if the mildew comes back. If it does then they have to tear the house down.
Look at who brings this to them. According to verse 34, the Lord is the one who puts the mildew in the house. Somehow I doubt that Joel Osteen ever preaches on this passage. Frankly, it's not something I would have thought of writing about if it were not for this blog. I have always maintained that Leviticus helps us to see the holiness of God in action. Passages like this give us a clearer idea of how God operates.
Can we read a passage like James 1:2-4 or 1 Peter 1:3-7 and truly rejoice? I know that I don't always rejoice in my suffering like I should. I think it's important to remember that God uses it to sanctify us. I need to prayerfully seek that mindset though.
(34) "When you come into the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a case of leprous disease in a house in the land of your possession,
(35) then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, 'There seems to me to be some case of disease in my house.'
(36) Then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest goes to examine the disease, lest all that is in the house be declared unclean. And afterward the priest shall go in to see the house.
This passage goes on to describe all that happens when a house appears to have a leprous disease, or mildew as the NLT translates it. It's very inconvenient for the homeowner. They have to scrape the walls and replaster. Then they have to leave the house for 7 days for a time of purification. Then they have to see if the mildew comes back. If it does then they have to tear the house down.
Look at who brings this to them. According to verse 34, the Lord is the one who puts the mildew in the house. Somehow I doubt that Joel Osteen ever preaches on this passage. Frankly, it's not something I would have thought of writing about if it were not for this blog. I have always maintained that Leviticus helps us to see the holiness of God in action. Passages like this give us a clearer idea of how God operates.
Can we read a passage like James 1:2-4 or 1 Peter 1:3-7 and truly rejoice? I know that I don't always rejoice in my suffering like I should. I think it's important to remember that God uses it to sanctify us. I need to prayerfully seek that mindset though.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Biding Time
Psalms 34:17-22
(17) When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
(18) The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
(19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
(20) He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
(21) Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
(22) The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Passages like these become nonsensical if we do not keep an eternal view. I have cried for help in trouble and did not receive the help I wanted at the time. Countless martyrs have died terrible deaths, so does that mean verse 19 is wrong?
The Lord does stay near to the brokenhearted. He does ultimately save them as well. However, this must be viewed through the long lens. It is always true from an eternal perspective. This is how we make sense of evil in the world too. God will take care of His own in eternity, but it may not seem like it in this world.
This is also why I have such a hard time with the prosperity message. What do those folks do in times like this when the economy is faltering? What do they do when someone gets sick? Are those churches being winnowed down because of the evidence of lack of faith in so many members who are laid-off? Or are those who still have their jobs just encouraging those without to develop a stronger faith so that God will provide the temporal riches that He supposedly promises?
God will take care of His own. It just will be on His timetable rather than ours.
(17) When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
(18) The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
(19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
(20) He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
(21) Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
(22) The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Passages like these become nonsensical if we do not keep an eternal view. I have cried for help in trouble and did not receive the help I wanted at the time. Countless martyrs have died terrible deaths, so does that mean verse 19 is wrong?
The Lord does stay near to the brokenhearted. He does ultimately save them as well. However, this must be viewed through the long lens. It is always true from an eternal perspective. This is how we make sense of evil in the world too. God will take care of His own in eternity, but it may not seem like it in this world.
This is also why I have such a hard time with the prosperity message. What do those folks do in times like this when the economy is faltering? What do they do when someone gets sick? Are those churches being winnowed down because of the evidence of lack of faith in so many members who are laid-off? Or are those who still have their jobs just encouraging those without to develop a stronger faith so that God will provide the temporal riches that He supposedly promises?
God will take care of His own. It just will be on His timetable rather than ours.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Trusting God
Habakkuk 2:18-20
(18) "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!
(19) Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it.
(20) But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."
God is God whether we like it or not. We may not always understand how He goes about His business. We may not always understand why things happen to us. However, in the end, God is God and we are not. Therefore, we must be careful not to fashion our own gods to replace the God who is.
In the church we like to emphasize how God is love. That is certainly true. However, the gospel is only glorious because God is also just and full of wrath. If He were merely loving then there would be no reason for Christ to die. There would be no wrath or justice that needed satisfaction. However, Christ became the perfect sacrifice for sin so that we might come into the presence of God and not fear His perfect justice.
The book of Habakkuk ends with a fairly famous and yet sobering passage:
Habakkuk 3:17-19
(17) Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
(18) yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
(19) GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
We are to rejoice in Him no matter what is going on. Our response to Him must not depend on our circumstances. We all go through peaks and valleys in life. God is still God and still in control no matter what is happening. And, ultimately, He is still worthy of our praise and honor no matter what.
Psalms 146:1-2
(1) Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
(2) I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
I love it when a complete gospel message comes out of just what I read as my daily reading. Read through the Bible in 2009!
(18) "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols!
(19) Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it.
(20) But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."
God is God whether we like it or not. We may not always understand how He goes about His business. We may not always understand why things happen to us. However, in the end, God is God and we are not. Therefore, we must be careful not to fashion our own gods to replace the God who is.
In the church we like to emphasize how God is love. That is certainly true. However, the gospel is only glorious because God is also just and full of wrath. If He were merely loving then there would be no reason for Christ to die. There would be no wrath or justice that needed satisfaction. However, Christ became the perfect sacrifice for sin so that we might come into the presence of God and not fear His perfect justice.
The book of Habakkuk ends with a fairly famous and yet sobering passage:
Habakkuk 3:17-19
(17) Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
(18) yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
(19) GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
We are to rejoice in Him no matter what is going on. Our response to Him must not depend on our circumstances. We all go through peaks and valleys in life. God is still God and still in control no matter what is happening. And, ultimately, He is still worthy of our praise and honor no matter what.
Psalms 146:1-2
(1) Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
(2) I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
I love it when a complete gospel message comes out of just what I read as my daily reading. Read through the Bible in 2009!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Osteen?
Psalms 119:121-128
(121) Ayin. I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
(122) Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me.
(123) My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
(124) Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.
(125) I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!
(126) It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken.
(127) Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.
(128) Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.
Verses 121-122 almost suggest a sort of prosperity theology. God, I've done what is right so please set me free from the oppression around me. If we take this stanza completely out of context we may reach that conclusion.
However, we've already established that there is value in affliction. I don't think that this stanza teaches us that we should expect complete deliverance from persecution if we are in Christ. So what does this stanza mean?
I think the end really shows us what this is all about. There is persecution coming from those who do not know the Word nor love it. As a result of this the Psalmist has seen the value of loving the Word more than anything else. Moreover, he also considers everything in the Word to be right. The correct attitude is fostered in verses 124-125. The Psalmist shows his complete submission to whatever God has in store for him. He prays for deliverance, but he also accepts that there are those who do not love the Word and will seek to do him harm.
In other words, I don't think that this stanza or any other passage taken in its context can support the "gospel" preached by men like Joel Osteen.
(121) Ayin. I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
(122) Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me.
(123) My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
(124) Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.
(125) I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!
(126) It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken.
(127) Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.
(128) Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.
Verses 121-122 almost suggest a sort of prosperity theology. God, I've done what is right so please set me free from the oppression around me. If we take this stanza completely out of context we may reach that conclusion.
However, we've already established that there is value in affliction. I don't think that this stanza teaches us that we should expect complete deliverance from persecution if we are in Christ. So what does this stanza mean?
I think the end really shows us what this is all about. There is persecution coming from those who do not know the Word nor love it. As a result of this the Psalmist has seen the value of loving the Word more than anything else. Moreover, he also considers everything in the Word to be right. The correct attitude is fostered in verses 124-125. The Psalmist shows his complete submission to whatever God has in store for him. He prays for deliverance, but he also accepts that there are those who do not love the Word and will seek to do him harm.
In other words, I don't think that this stanza or any other passage taken in its context can support the "gospel" preached by men like Joel Osteen.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Value of Affliction
Psalms 119:65-72
(65) Teth. You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.
(66) Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
(67) Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
(68) You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
(69) The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
(70) their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.
(71) It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
(72) The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
This stanza continues the theme of how the Psalmist delights in the Word of God. It is pretty clear so far that we are to do the same because there is tremendous value in this delight. We are commanded to delight, but fortunately God gives us the grace to do just that.
Notice the common theme of verses 67 and 71. The Psalmist speaks of the value of affliction. As someone who has worked in a ministry for people struggling with enslavement to sin I can attest to this. I also can attest to it as someone who has come out of some enslaving sin. Our natures seem to like things comfortable. It takes pain and affliction to shake us out of that. God's Word recognizes that as well. It speaks of the value of affliction to incline us toward obedience.
This was something that Josh Hamilton spoke about last night. He said that as he travels to various cities he meets lots of people that either want to talk to him or have him talk to someone else. He told a story about meeting a woman and explaining to her that she needs to hit rock-bottom. He did before he was able to see his utter helplessness. Now he is walking in victory and God is glorified in his ministry.
I also wonder what the various prosperity preachers do with this stanza. They speak of the victory that we are to have in Christ. While it is true that we are to have victory, do they address the need for affliction before we can enjoy that victory? Do they define victory as enjoying God's Word more than thousands of gold and silver pieces?
(65) Teth. You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.
(66) Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
(67) Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
(68) You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
(69) The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
(70) their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.
(71) It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
(72) The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
This stanza continues the theme of how the Psalmist delights in the Word of God. It is pretty clear so far that we are to do the same because there is tremendous value in this delight. We are commanded to delight, but fortunately God gives us the grace to do just that.
Notice the common theme of verses 67 and 71. The Psalmist speaks of the value of affliction. As someone who has worked in a ministry for people struggling with enslavement to sin I can attest to this. I also can attest to it as someone who has come out of some enslaving sin. Our natures seem to like things comfortable. It takes pain and affliction to shake us out of that. God's Word recognizes that as well. It speaks of the value of affliction to incline us toward obedience.
This was something that Josh Hamilton spoke about last night. He said that as he travels to various cities he meets lots of people that either want to talk to him or have him talk to someone else. He told a story about meeting a woman and explaining to her that she needs to hit rock-bottom. He did before he was able to see his utter helplessness. Now he is walking in victory and God is glorified in his ministry.
I also wonder what the various prosperity preachers do with this stanza. They speak of the victory that we are to have in Christ. While it is true that we are to have victory, do they address the need for affliction before we can enjoy that victory? Do they define victory as enjoying God's Word more than thousands of gold and silver pieces?
Sunday, August 10, 2008
On the Osteens
This is a great post about the drama surrounding Victoria Osteen's current litigation.
Prosperity Tension
I just finished reading Psalm 37 as part of my morning reading. Verses 25 and 26 struck me:
Psalms 37:25-26 ESV
(25) I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
(26) He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.
Does this mean that the prosperity preachers are right? Does this mean that if we are righteous we should never have any physical need? Is it impossible to be righteous and find yourself poor and hungry?
If so, this would be a great tension with the rest of Scripture. It would mean that Paul was doing something unrighteous at some point:
Philippians 4:10-13 ESV
(10) I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
(11) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
(12) I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
(13) I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
While he would certainly admit to sin, I don't think he would say that the hunger and need came from living that way. This is especially true if he was looking to Christ for his strength to get through those times.
So what do we do with this little passage? Fortunately, the Psalm itself helps us out:
Psalms 37:35-40 ESV
(35) I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
(36) But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.
(37) Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.
(38) But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
(39) The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
(40) The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Ultimately, this Psalm is about salvation. It is about true deliverance and true provision in our lives. So while David did see the righteous able to loan out money and provide for his family, I don't think it means that we should have an expectation of that. Instead, I think that our guarantee is in salvation. After all, the only way we can meet the standards of true righteousness is through the atoning work of Christ, right?
Psalms 37:25-26 ESV
(25) I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
(26) He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.
Does this mean that the prosperity preachers are right? Does this mean that if we are righteous we should never have any physical need? Is it impossible to be righteous and find yourself poor and hungry?
If so, this would be a great tension with the rest of Scripture. It would mean that Paul was doing something unrighteous at some point:
Philippians 4:10-13 ESV
(10) I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
(11) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
(12) I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
(13) I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
While he would certainly admit to sin, I don't think he would say that the hunger and need came from living that way. This is especially true if he was looking to Christ for his strength to get through those times.
So what do we do with this little passage? Fortunately, the Psalm itself helps us out:
Psalms 37:35-40 ESV
(35) I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
(36) But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.
(37) Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.
(38) But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.
(39) The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
(40) The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.
Ultimately, this Psalm is about salvation. It is about true deliverance and true provision in our lives. So while David did see the righteous able to loan out money and provide for his family, I don't think it means that we should have an expectation of that. Instead, I think that our guarantee is in salvation. After all, the only way we can meet the standards of true righteousness is through the atoning work of Christ, right?
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