The Truth Will Set You Free

We have all heard the adage, “The truth will set you free.” I believe this is a true statement. Truth does hurt my pride, but it does set me free from the guilt of having to live with a lie. 

     I remember what my boss told me when I accepted a new job years ago. He said, “If you make a mistake on the job, admit it, and we will work together to get it corrected.” I always tried to live up to that during the course of my career while often watching a few co-workers who tried to cover up their mistakes by not admitting to it or by attempting to blame others. I much prefer the first option of “admitting my mistake and correcting it.” 

     

Actually, there are a few scriptures that could be considered about admitting truth: 

 “…and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32b

 “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

 “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” Psalm 32:3

 “…God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6b

 

Job's Q&A

 When I am down and out, I often go to the Book of Job. Most would say, "Reading Job is too depressing." However, seeing all the problems Job had gives me insight into how thankful I should be. My problems have never been even just a sampling of his. Reading about Job also uplifts as I see Job's restoration and later blessings. It increases my hope by knowing that whatever I lose on this earth will be gained 3-fold and more in heaven. Job inspires me! He had questions and God gave answers. 

Q&A  

How can I question?

Or give full expression?

To the One coming out of the whirlwind;

The One who can heal and mend,

And always my traveling friend.

My task is not to ask: 

Where was I when the foundation was laid?

When all was weighted?

When the stars were placed, and they stayed?

Where was I when the sea was chained

Before bursting forth, uncontained?

Where was I when the clouds were provided billowy apparel?

When the angels sang a joyful carol?

Where was I when the earth was being measured?

When it was being fine-tuned and pruned? 

My questions require no reply

From the One on high.

Yet, He whispers it in the wind, through the breeze,

And I am at ease. 

When all was becoming breathtaking,

I was in the making.

 

Mary Crisp Jameson 6/27/2024

 

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Job 38:1-2

The Thief

The Thief

     He comes to be embraced!  He is a thief!  That's right, the new neighbor puppy, Patfoot, just loves to sneak up to me, knowing she is going to get a hug, knowing she is going to trail me on my daily walk, and knowing she will get another hug when the walk is over.  However, she is a thief!  Since her arrival, I have found several things missing; yet things of no value.  I have no idea where she hides them for she is smart and cunning, grabbing them when no one is looking.  I was told if I did not see her, she should be innocent until proven guilty.  But by my estimation, the proof is: 1.  She roams my yard  2.  Things didn't disappear until Patfoot arrived  3.  I see her in my yard  4.  Her footprints remain, both in my yard and in my heart.
     He comes to be embraced!  He is a thief!  That's right, the devil loves to sneak up on me.  He wants to be embraced and to entice me, knowing he can trail me on my daily walk, and knowing that if I slip up he can steal what I value most.  He is cunning!  He can steal my relationship with God.  He can steal my joy, my peace, and my Christian witness.  He can delay and hinder the blessings God has planned for me.  He is guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt.  How do I know?  He said so himself in Job when asked by God where he had been.  He said, "Roaming throughout the earth going back and forth."  And yes, in that roaming, he often comes to my house, although I try to ignore him and not him invite him in.  I do not wish to embrace him.  He steals!  I was warned of this in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..."  Yes, the devil wants to destroy me.  If I let him in, he will leave the scars of his footprints. 
     He comes to be embraced!  He comes to reward and save!  This is no thief.  This Almighty One, I desire to invite into my life and my home.  I desire to embrace Him daily.  Jesus has my heart!  He shed His very blood for me.  He comes to bless me and to save all that I value most!  John 10:10b, "...I  am come that they may have life, and that they might it abundantly."   For all He gives, He asks nothing in return except to "Believe in Him!"

Three Special Men

     God was not pleased with the people of Israel when He gave the prophet, Ezekiel, several messages to deliver to them.  God's displeasure of His people's sinful ways was enough to make me shudder at my own sinful ways and what God might want to do to make me reconsider my own thoughts and actions.
     However, when I read Ezekiel, Chapter 14, verses 14 and 20 I sit up and took notice of how righteous God considered three other men in past scripture.  (vs.14) "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God."  (vs.20) "Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness."
     Obviously, God was well-pleased with these three men.  Maybe I should go back and take special notice of how these three men lived their lives.
     I am sure Noah was not perfect, but he loved God, and we were told of no serious sins.  He tried to do what was right and appeared to love his family.  When God told him to build an ark for a coming great flood, Noah obeyed, even though he had never seen rain, much less a flood, during his entire lifetime.  Furthermore, he continued his God-given task even though all the people mocked him.
     I don't know what Daniel's character flaws may have been, but I found him to be humble, never promoting himself.  He was intelligent, but gave God credit for interpreting the dreams of others.  Daniel remained true to his convictions.  He was truly a man of prayer, and one who trusted God and remained faithful even when thrown into the lion's den.
     In the beginning verse of Job, we are told, "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." Then in verse 8 God told Satan, "...there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth god, and escheweth evil."  Now that is a pretty impressive description of a human man living in a sinful world.  What makes Job even a greater man, in man's eyes, is that he lost all his worldly possessions, yet he never denied God.
     I believe I would do good to strive to exemplify these character traits. 

Job's Oppression

Job was oppressed on every side.  He lost his children, his wealth, and his health.  He had every right, according to medical science, to be depressed.   Yet Job never turned away from God.  He knew God was the answer, and he knew he would see God one day, regardless of his earthly problems.  The Book of Job is a great example of faith and how we need to maintain our faith in God, as well.  The following are some thoughts that go along with the scriptures given in my Sunday School lesson today. 

If you want to quench your thirst

then follow Jesus first. 
He will never let you tread the path alone
Or leave you on your own. 
             As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you,
            my God. Psalm 42:1
He has healing in his power
for everyone - through every hour.
Give your all to Him;
He’s your hope when all seems dim.
       But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness
       arise with healing in his wings;  Malachi 4:2a
If you want to quench your thirst
Then follow Jesus first.
He is the One that paid it all
And He’ll listen when you call.
     Their cries have been heard by the Lord Who hears His people.  James 5:4b
He died but yet He lives
He loves you and forgives.
He quenches all your thirst
When you take the time to put Him first.
         I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day
         upon the earth.  Job 19:25