Respect the Aged

There is a little verse tucked away in the book of Leviticus that reveals an oft-neglected value among those making a claim to godliness. We often miss these seemingly obscure biblical insights because we read much of the Old Testament as wholly obsolete for our new covenant Christian lives. While it is true that Christ has fulfilled the ceremonial rules of the Mosaic Law, so much of what God revealed to the early Israelite shows us his eternal values and changeless character. Consider Leviticus 19:32, “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly.” Many would consider standing when an older person enters the room as some kind of stodgy formalism or just a cute southern tradition, but according to Leviticus 19, such gestures of respect are essential for those who desire to “revere the Lord” (v.32b). God tells us that the elderly among us should be granted our esteem, if for nothing else, because God has granted them grace to live to a “good old age” (Gen.25:8). Of course, in most cases there is much more for which they should be respected. Their many years of life-experience and accumulated wisdom should be a cause for our sincere expressions of respect (Job 12:12). So the next time a “senior” walks into your presence, may God’s value of the aged prompt you to sincerely convey your kindness and admiration.

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Strength Amid Discouragement

In the pages of Scripture, even the most godly people periodically grapple with discouragement. Circumstances inevitably lead to feelings of hurt, loneliness and dejection. God’s people are not immune to these kinds of bitter feelings, but what godly people provide is an example of what to do when we find ourselves in such dark times. In 1 Samuel 30 we read of David being personally opposed, betrayed and alone, with “everyone” turning against him. There were even rumblings among his so-called companions of secretly taking his life. David was obviously distressed and plagued with discouragement. David’s godly response is described with a beautiful simplicity. The Bible says that “David found strength in the Lord his God” (v.6). He did what we should all do in our times of discouragement – he sought God. He spent time with the Lord, seeking his perspective and his direction. In the verses that follow, we find that God was faithful to provide it. David didn’t choose to wallow in his pain, he discovered the next steps that God would have him take and he pursued God’s will with courage and determination. He gave himself to doing what was right, even amid his personal pain, and God not only consoled his heart but he changed his circumstances. May you find strength in the Lord to do what is right the next time your heart is discouraged.

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The Tongue

The Bible says that if you can control what you say, everything else is a snap (cf. Jms.3:2). When it comes to our fallen humanity, nothing is more depraved than our mouths. The Bible says that our tongue is “a fire” and “a world of evil among the parts of the body” (Jms.3:6a).  God says it can “set the whole course of your life on fire” and he even goes so far as to say that our tongues are “set on fire by hell” (v.6b).  Wow! Talk about wake up call.  God wants us to be sure we realize how much trouble our words can cause. It is because of this potential damage that the Bible gives us some very practical advice. Simply put, talk less!  Or at least, make sure you pause and think hard before you start talking. In the words of the first chapter of James, we should “keep a tight rein” on our words and always be “slow to speak” (vv.26 & 19). So no matter who you are or where you’re at in the Christian life, it is always a good idea to recommit yourself to policing your words and asking for God’s help in governing your mouth.

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Laziness

In the Book of Proverbs God poignantly underscores the harm associated with laziness. Even the word translated in our Bibles to describe such people carries a stinging admonition. God calls us “sluggards” when we fall into patterns of being undisciplined, idle or unduly lethargic. “That’s not me” we may be quick to say, but Proverbs insightfully points out that it is hard for “the sluggard” to see his own problem. One reason is because “the sluggard” is a master of excuses. When we’re lazy we can make up millions of reasons for not doing what we know we should (Pr.22:13; 26:13). Add to that “the sluggard” is said to be “wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer discreetly” (Pr.26:16). Pride often keeps us from admitting that we have settled for an undisciplined lifestyle. When laziness is true of us, God wants us to own it (Pr.6:9). He would have us see that many of the unpleasant circumstances in our lives are no one’s fault but our own (Pr.15:19). May God, in his grace, create in us a spirit like that of his Son. May we be known for our discipline, diligence and willingness to do our “work with all of our hearts, as working for the Lord” (Col.3:23).

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Sickness and Sin

Clearly not every health crisis or sickness is a result of someone’s specific sin (cf. Jn.9:1-3; Job 1:1; et al.). On the other hand, sometimes they are. According to Hebrews 12, God’s protective and parental love is demonstrated in the “unpleasant” correctives he brings into our lives (Heb.12:11). Often God’s painful discipline comes in the form of sickness. The Psalmist said, “my back is filled with searing pain,” “there is no health in my body,” and “my bones have no soundness because of my sin” (Ps.38:3b, 7). David testified, as he carried around unconfessed sin, “my bones wasted away” because “day and night [God’s] hand was heavy upon me” and “my strength was sapped” (Ps.32:3-5). We would be wise at the outset of any physical ailment to introspectively ask God to bring to mind any unresolved patterns of sin that he may be wanting to draw to our attention. The Apostle James reminds us that when our sin is the cause of our physical pain, a sincere prayer of repentance is the first step to a full recovery (Jas.5:15).

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