Living in a fallen world can be very depressing. Expecting evil and preparing for it is half the battle. While many things disappoint us few things should surprise us. The world is rotten to the core, so we shouldn’t be shocked by the stench. The Bible describes clearly what we should expect (2 Tim. 3:1-13). It also tells us what our response should be and how we can best prepare for it (2 Tim. 3:14-17).

Without the firm foundation of God’s Word we cannot survive the demonic attack against us. Without the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”( Eph. 6:17) we are defenseless against a determined devil, a wicked world, and filthy flesh. To protect ourselves we must quench Satan’s fiery darts with the “shield of faith”, and since faith comes by the hearing of God’s Word (Rom. 10:17) our faith is only as strong as our understanding of Bible will allow. Neglect of God’s Word leaves us vulnerable in every way, without help offensively or defensively—we cannot advance, nor can we stand. We become a helpless victim. We can neither fight nor flee. So we fail and fall.

The word of God has power beyond what most people ever imagine. Locked within the confines of the earth there are great stores of energy unseen to the human eye, and within the pages of God’s holy Word there is great power— but it is useful only to those who look within. To survive and thrive we must read it, memorize it, obey it, and apply it to whatever situation we are facing. It will not fail you.

One of the surest signs of a holy person is humility. The holy man recognizes God’s holiness, confesses his sinfulness, and esteems others better than himself– as the Scripture says it should be. He sees more evil in his own heart than in any other. Even when he is forced to deal with the faults of others he does so in a spirit of humility, because he realizes “by the grace of God I am what I am”(1 Cor. 15:10). Living in the awareness of his own shortcomings and attributing all his successes to the grace of God he feels no liberty to criticize others.

As J C Ryle said of the holy man:
He will understand something of Abraham’s feeling, when he says, “I am dust and ashes!”

And Jacob’s feeling, when he says, “I am unworthy of the least of all Your mercies!”

And Job’s feeling, when he says, “Behold! I am vile!”

And Paul’s feeling, when he says, “I am the chief of sinners!”

Holy John Bradford, that faithful martyr of Christ, would sometimes finish his letters with these words: “A most miserable sinner, John Bradford.”

The godly William Grimshaw’s last words, when he lay on his deathbed, were these: “Here goes an unprofitable servant!”

It is a shame that we tend to mention the faults and failures of others and ignore our own. We seem to think that putting others down lifts us up–actually the opposite is true. Putting others down pulls us down. What we say about the other person might be true, but the truth about us would be just as bad. Tearing others down won’t build you up. When we see ourselves as we should we will say, “ But God forbid that I should glory , save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”(Gal. 6:14).

Fall, my favorite season of the year, is upon us. And, many agree with me when I say, the great outdoors is amazing. The glory of a sunset, the majesty of the mountains, the lush green valleys, sparkling streams, and twinkling stars are beautiful to behold. The beauty of God’s creation exceeds anything man-made. And the more you know about it the more marvelous it is. But it’s more than interesting or inspirational, it is instructive (Rom.1:20)—it teaches us, yet only to a certain degree. We need more information than what creation can provide.

As a boy I spent many nights sleeping outside under the stars. Although ignorant of the Bible I was convinced that what I saw was the handiwork of a divine being. It amazed me, and I’m sure many folks feel the same, but some people misunderstand. There is a big difference in recognizing God and having a relationship with God. Many who do the former are content to just leave it there without ever going on to the latter. But, without Christ, they are no better off than the atheist, or the self-righteous Jews who crucified Christ.

Creation declares the presence and power of God, but not His precepts. His works declare His wonder, but only His Word describes His will. You can look at creation and conclude that there is a God, but you don’t learn anything about His attributes and commands. The Word of God tells us what creation alone can’t. It isn’t enough to just admire His creation, we must be acquainted with His counsel. The Bible tells us who He is, what He expects, what He has done, and how we can have a relationship with Him.

God’s Word is perfect in every way and never leads us astray. We should turn to it often, trust it always, search out its counsel, obey its commands, follow its principles, and claim its promises. It is food for our soul, light for our path, a map for our journey, a sword against our enemies, a well of refreshment, and much much more than words can tell. To neglect it is to put ourselves in great peril. The Bible alone unravels the mysteries of God. And we have no right to ascribe   anything to Him, nor describe anything about Him unless it is clearly declared in His holy Word. We must “search the scriptures”.

“…The Lord shall be thy confidence…”. – Proverbs 3:26

Our happiness consists in knowing God and believing Him; if we know His true character, we can believe His precious word; and if we believe His holy word, we enjoy peace and sacred satisfaction.
He presents Himself in His word, as able and willing to make us holy, happy, and honourable.

To Him we may communicate all that troubles us, from Him we may receive all that our circumstances require, with Him we may walk and enjoy peace. We may be confident in God, for He has power, love, and faithfulness; He has spoken to us, will appear for us, and will never turn away from us; but will rejoice over us to do us good, with His whole heart and with His whole soul.

Let us make Him our confidence, by believing His word, frequenting His throne, and seeking His glory in all things. Are you troubled, fearful, and cast down? Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace, thereby shall good come unto thee. They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Thou, Lord, on whom I still depend,
Wilt keep me faithful to the end:
I trust Thy truth, and love and power,
Shall save me to the latest hour;
And when I lay this body down,
Bestow a bright immortal crown. — James Smith

“I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels“– Psalm 81:12

Sin results in separation from God. But here we are also reminded that it means being joined completely to our own desires and schemes.

At first glance, this might not sound so bad. While we certainly don’t want to be separated from God, the thought of being married to our own desires and plans doesn’t seem to be much of a penalty. Isn’t that more like a dream come true?

In reality this is judgment; this is punishment. Those who persist in sin and rebellion, God leaves to their own lust and allows them to walk in their own counsels. But notice that it does not say that the lust is fulfilled, or that the plans prosper.

When God gives a person up to his own lusts, his lusts consume him without end, because there is no true or lasting or deep satisfaction apart from God. It is to forever hunger, without ever being filled.

Similarly, the person who is left to her own counsel finds that she is like a blind person at the street corner, without a guide. She is free to walk any direction she pleases, but there is danger and destruction on every side.–Baptist Bible Hour