What we desire is not always good for us. Especially if what we desire is based on what we see and compare from others we interact with ... and not in line with God's Word.
Choice first grade flesh is not such a good choice after all!
The flesh can be corrupted ... and the evidence is everywhere.
So, my post today is all about how the Gospel can be, and frequently is corrupted through the choice man makes.
To address this I will go to what Doeg said in a Psalm of David, Psalm 52. But, before we do that, we need to check out how it came about that the nation of Israel (the then chosen people of God) preferred to have a human, fleshly king that they could both see, hear and obey, to walk by sight instead of faith.
Let's get some perspective
For this we go to 1 Samuel 8.
Before the nation of Israel demanded to have an earthly king over them, the people were led by God Himself. Remember how during their tenure in the wilderness He went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people Exodus 13:21-22.
The people were being led through the wilderness and into the promised land and throughout God used Judges (more like guides, rulers, mediators, defenders, reasoners, pleaders - look at the Hebrew meaning of the word in this post).
The first of these Judges was Moses and he appointed additional Judges to assist in the mediation of disputes between individuals - Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him Deu 1:16. These Judges were to depict the justness and righteousness of God!
God never left the building
God never left the building
During this prolonged period of time the people experienced the presence of God throughout their wanderings, trough tough times and adversity in sickness and hunger and even through the many miraculous victories they had against well organised militarized nations along their way. However, once settled in the promised land, they demanded a king like the other nations they encountered. Much of this had to do with the sons of Samuel, the prophet and last of the Judges who, when he became old made his sons judges over Israel 1 Sa 8:1. But his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations 1Sa 8:5.
... but the leaders did!
... but the leaders did!
Being a prophet who heard from God directly, Samuel did not like this idea at all. But God instructed him to Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them 1Sa 8:7.
Samuel was also instructed to warn the people of all that an earthly king would do along with the severe bondage they would incur once that king reigned over them.
Yet, the people insisted and refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles 1Sa 8:19-20.
Enters person of choice
Enters person of choice
And so it was that the person called Saul (meaning desired, to be demanded with the word picture depicting destroy the power of the Shepherd. Can you see the Gospel being denied in this picture?) entered into the scene by the choice of the people. Saul was a person great in stature - Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people 1SA 9:2.
All that background for?
All that background for?
To understand Psalm 52 the background we just configured is relevant. Remember that this a man by the name of Doeg (Fear) addressing Saul. Note how all the evil and actions of Saul (the one who denies the power of God) against David (the beloved) are addressed.
Let's read ... (I'll expound in brackets)
To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech (My brother is king or closest to the king).
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. (words speaking against the Word of God and His Goodness)
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
Lo, this is the man (Saul) that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name (the manifestation of God in the flesh - Jesus); for it is good before thy saints. Psa 52:1-9.
Any words or actions aimed against the beloved of God, is contrary to the loving Word of God, Who Himself declared us innocent, healthy, wealthy, prosperous, secure, holy, sanctified ... without spot or blemish!
HallelluYAH!
Let's read ... (I'll expound in brackets)
To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech (My brother is king or closest to the king).
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. (words speaking against the Word of God and His Goodness)
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
Lo, this is the man (Saul) that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name (the manifestation of God in the flesh - Jesus); for it is good before thy saints. Psa 52:1-9.
Any words or actions aimed against the beloved of God, is contrary to the loving Word of God, Who Himself declared us innocent, healthy, wealthy, prosperous, secure, holy, sanctified ... without spot or blemish!
HallelluYAH!