– – – be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.—Phil. 1:10
Sincere means ‘without wax’. Many people in Rome’s palmy (prosperous) days, lived in fine marble palaces. Sometimes a dishonest workman, when there was a piece chipped off a stone, would fill in the chink with a kind of cement called wax, an imitation of marble. For a time the deception would not be discovered—but after a while the wax would become discolored, thus revealing the defect. It became necessary to put in contracts, a clause stating that the work should be ‘sine cera’, without wax. This is the origin of the word sincere. It means that the life thus described, is true through and through. It makes no pretensions. It has nothing to hide.

Insincerity in any form mars the beauty of life. Unreal professions of friendship are to be guarded against. So are over-statements of religious experience. We remember in what scathing words our Lord denounced hypocrisy. This was the only sin of which he did not speak with pity and compassion. So in many parts of the Scripture we are cautioned against insincerity. We are to have sincere faith. We are to have sincere love of the brethren. We are to love without hypocrisy. Few things do more harm to the cause of Christ, than insincerity in those who profess to be his friends. Sincerity gives influence and power to life.–J. R. Miller

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God; but the things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29

Too many folks worry too much about the unknown. They are miserable because they’re always trying to unravel the mysteries of life. My advice is drop it, let it go, get on with your life, focus on what you know rather than what you don’t. Job learned the hard way that to trust God is better than to try to understand Him. Faith demands that we not know everything, and without faith it is impossible to please God. Thomas Sherman said it well when he wrote these words:

“Do not be anxious to understand the secrets of God. Do not pick the lock to which He has allowed no key. He who will be scanning every cloud—may be smitten with a thunderbolt; and he who will labor to pry into God’s secrets—may be overwhelmed with his judgments!

Adam would presumptuously increase his knowledge; therefore Adam dreadfully lost his goodness! The Bethshemites would pry into the ark of God; therefore the hand of God slew more than fifty thousand of them!

For my part, I will carefully improve myself by things revealed, and not presumptuously inquire into, or after, what he has concealed.”

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. – Col. 3:2

Dear friend, regardless of your circumstances, you can enjoy a peace that passes all understanding by practicing what is commanded and claiming what is promised in this chapter. Open your Bible and spend some time exploring the riches within and you will have a better day. You might discover, as I did nearly 50 years ago, a worry free zone in which to live.

And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good—- Gen. 32:12

Although this promise was given to Jacob and his seed, the same can be said of every child of God. As James Smith wrote:

We know not what this day may bring forth—but we do know that our God, who superintends every event, will do us good.

We may mistake as to what will be for our good—but He is infinite in wisdom and goodness, and therefore cannot mistake. We may look at afflictions, losses, and crosses, and cry out, “All these things are against me!” But read the history of David. What a train of troubles attended him! Hear his acknowledgment: “It is GOOD for me that I have been afflicted!”

Your God will do you good—therefore He will try you, sift you, humble you, and prove you. He will give you needed bitter medicine—as well as food. He will consider nothing too expensive, or too painful—if necessary for your soul’s welfare.

Look at your trials, and say, “This also shall turn to my good!”

Look on the past, and acknowledge, “Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life.”

Look to the future, and rejoice, “The Lord will surely give me that which is GOOD.”

Look in every direction, and say, “Surely the Lord will do me good—I will trust, and not be afraid.”