Tag: gold

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Wisdom Prayer

No Idols?

No Idols?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for all those who avoid worshiping idols. In Jesus name, amen.

God makes clear in the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-6 (ESV) there should be no other….

“’You shall have no other gods before me.’

‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.’”

Psalm 135:15-18 (ESV) tells the truth about idols.

“The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them.”

Has something become more important than God? Has it become an idol? Take swift action to remove or otherwise destroy it. Ask forgiveness. Give thanks for God’s forgiveness.

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Wisdom Prayer

Love Commandments Above Gold, Above Fine Gold?

Love Commandments Above Gold, Above Fine Gold?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say they “love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you did not have access to a Bible, how much would you be willing to pay for one? Perhaps you, like a lot of people, have more than one in your home.

Meanwhile, around the world, translators work tirelessly to complete Bible translations for unreached people groups, so men and women, boys and girls, who do not have access to Scripture can have access to one in their own language.

In Psalm 119:121-128 (ESV) we see the value placed on God’s commandments. The psalmists loves them more than gold. That is not just any gold. It is fine gold. Gold that has been refined and refined again to remove impurities.

“I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way.”

Do you spend time reading your Bible? Have you come to value the words of Scripture, or have you begun to take your Bible for granted. It is worn out, or is it gathering dust? Perhaps it is time to dust off God’s word and recommit to daily reading.

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Wisdom Prayer

Thousands of Gold and Silver Pieces?

Thousands of Gold and Silver Pieces?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the law of your mouth is better than thousands of gold and silver pieces. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Many have gone astray and been far from God. Now, some of those worst offenders keep God’s commandments. How can it be that God would be so gracious as to accept someone back into the fold who has been unfaithful? God forgives mistakes for those who are truly sorry for their transgressions.

Psalm 119:65-72 (ESV).

“You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”

What is the value of God to you? Could that value be measured financially? Would you exchange your love of God for a bribe? A large bribe? The psalmist cannot be bought.

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Wisdom Prayer

Plunder the Egyptians?

Plunder the Egyptians?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who recall how you allowed the descendants of Abraham to plunder Egypt. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In Exodus 3:21-22 (ESV), God shares his plan with Moses about transferring wealth from the Egyptians to the descendants of Abraham.

“And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

In Exodus 11:2 (ESV) the plundering is about to happen.

“‘Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.’”

In Psalm 105:37-38 (ESV) the psalmist memorializes the event.

“Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold,
and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
Egypt was glad when they departed,
for dread of them had fallen upon it.”

God tells Moses what will happen. Scripture records what happened. Then the psalmist reports what happened. God is faithful. God’s word is faithful. Whatever your situation, trust God to make a way.

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