Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few." (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
 
Since much of Solomon’s writing is directed toward the young man, the above passage seems appropriate.  It reminds me of words often spoken to that argumentative teenager who needs to hush and listen to the voice of wisdom.  Solomon says,  “God has authority here!  Hush and listen to God!”
 
But, does not the verse apply to all of us?  Do we not at times struggle with God?  Are there not times when we need to be put in our place and reminded that God is in heaven?  So, hush and listen to God!  Actually, this spirit of listening begins with the spirit of humility!
 
Like the teenager, we need to remember our place.  No matter how many accomplishments we have to our credit, God created this universe.  No matter how many war stories we can tell, God is stronger.  Since we cannot brag in His presence, we should learn to listen!
 
When one fully understands his position before God, he will be abundantly blessed.  True humility before God will lead to wisdom (Prov.11:2), guidance (Ps. 25:9), honor (Prov. 22:4), exaltation (Mt. 23:12), grace (Js. 4:6), and forgiveness (Lk. 18:9-14).
 
So, instead of compromising spiritually, recognize that God’s way is superior in every phase of your life!  Yield to Him, and you will be richly blessed!
 
By George Slover

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.  But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;  they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”  (Isaiah 40:30,31)

Prior to chapter 40 Isaiah has spoken primarily of judgment.  He has mixed words of doom (Isa.10:1-3) with words of promise (Isa. 10:20,21).  He has spoken of better days ahead- the time of the Messiah and his kingdom. (Isa. 2:1-4)  Now Isaiah speaks primarily to the remnant with words of comfort. (Isa.40:1)  The conclusion of chapter 40 is some of the most encouraging language in the Old Testament.  Consider some important points from these verses. 

First, he humbles us and reminds us of our need for him.  The young soldier may be able to use his physical strength to win in times of physical war, but such will not be so in this battle.  He will meet with disappointment and heartache.  He will face times of faint heartedness, fear, and temptation.  Questions will arise to challenge his faith.  It will seem as if God has abandoned him.  We will need the armor God provides to win this battle (Eph. 6:10-17)

Second, we must know of the power that God gives to the weak.  (Isa.40:29)  God is there to help!  He can provide resistance in the hour of temptation, endurance for the trials, steadfastness for the faint hearted.  God’s help is constantly available for he “neither faints nor is weary.” (Isa.40:28)   There is no God like Him!
 
Third, such power is available only to those who “wait on the Lord”.  It is available to all, but can only be accessed by those who desire such.  To “wait upon the Lord” appears eight times in Isaiah.  We must wait upon him in prayer and in meditation of his word.

Fourth, a triple experience is promised to those who pursue Jehovah.  First, we will mount up “with wings like eagles”.  (Isa. 40:31)  As we soar higher and higher, we will be surprised at how the worries of this world harassed us. Second, we “shall run and not be weary”.  We will feel “young” again.  Third, we “shall walk and not faint”.    We will have hills to climb, rivers to ford, and daily chores to attend to.  But, God is there to help us!  The end result is awesome! 

So, “saints lift you voices, tho dark your days!  Lift up your spirits, sing out his praise!  Upward the calling, brighter the light!  Soaring like eagles on wings of flight!”

By George Slover 
 

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." (1 Corinthians 3:5-6)
 
On February 19, 1945 more than 70,000 American Marines from 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Divisions landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima.  Awaiting them were 22,000 Japanese soldiers ready to die.  Among the Americans were the boys of Easy Company.  Six of those soldiers would leave an image on the pages of history that has become a symbol of American heroism and courage.
 
The picture of the famous raising of the American flag on top of Mt. Suribachi has appeared hundreds of times in magazines, newspapers, and history books.  However, the story behind the picture had an interesting twist and an important lesson.  The flag that was in Joe Rosenthal’s famous picture was nothing more than a replacement.  The original flag was removed and preserved for safekeeping and these six soldiers raised a second flag.  Furthermore, their climb to the top of Mt.  Suribachi was without resistance from the enemy.   When the picture was first printed in newspapers in America it was embellished with fanciful stories of how they reached the top of Mt Suribachi in the midst of a fiery battle.  Such was far from the truth.  While all six soldiers were indeed heroes as were all the men who fought in the war, the raising of that flag on Suirbachi was nothing out of the ordinary. The three soldiers who returned home deemed themselves ordinary men with a job to do.
 
In the scripture above Paul, the great soldier of the cross, views himself in the same way.  He was an ordinary man with a job to do.   “Who is Paul…but ministers by whom you believed?”  Paul said, we had a mission and we fulfilled it, but it is God who gives the increase and deserves the honor!   We too must remember our humble task.  We are just ministers, just servants.  Our mission is to hide behind the cross.  It is to teach Christ crucified and give the glory to God!
 
By George Slover
 

You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:17-18)

We are very familiar with the Bible phrase: “love you neighbor as yourself”.  It is repeated many times in Old and New Testaments.  It is called the “royal law” (James 2:8), and the fulfillment of the law. (Galatians 5:14)  But, consider its setting in the above text.

First, there are times when love involves correction.  In fact there are times when a failure to correct may be a failure to love.  You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.  By withholding such rebuke I may become a partaker with my neighbor in sin.  Instead of nursing resentment, I must try to win my brother back to the path of truth.  (Galatians 6:1)  Such correction is a manifestation of love.  (Galatians 6:1,2; James 5:19,20)

Second, there are times when forbearance is needed.  When my correction is motivated by jealousy, malice, or revenge, it becomes unloving as well.  These may be signs of hatred in my heart.  Thus, with correction I must check my motives lest I incite bitterness.  I must be careful to correct the wrong and not some peculiar personality trait that “gets under my skin”.  Patience must be exercised to allow the one being restored to sort through his thoughts and make the necessary changes.

If I will remember the love and patience God has for me, I will rise to the noble height where love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

By George Slover

And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.” (Daniel 5:23)

It is amazing how often history repeats itself. We humans are stubborn and have a hard time learning from the past. Surely someone had told Belshazzar of the demise of the Nebuchadnezzar, his predecessor. (Daniel 4:28-33) Surely stories had circulated about the deliverance of three Hebrew men from the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:26.,27) 

For nearly 70 years the Babylonians had witnessed the impact of Daniel, this godly Hebrew. When troublesome times came, who did they turn to? None of the Chaldean soothsayers or astrologers had the answer. But Daniel, with with the Spirit of God was able to provide answers.

 Belshazzar, the Babylonian ruler called for a great feast of wine and revelry. They defied the god of Daniel by taking the articles of the house of God and praising the idols of men. Suddenly their party was rattled by words that appeared on the wall: “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of each word. Mene:God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; Tekel:You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; Peres:Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:26,27) Belshazzar had failed to use his life to glorify the very God who had given him a breath.

It is the duty of every human to glorify God, regardless of social, or economic status. Even the most powerful rulers cannot escape this responsibility. This obligation primarily stems from man's complete dependence on his Creator and Provider.

Those who fail in this matter are regarded as rebels. When one fails, he defiles his maker by fashioning his own god and worshiping it. This is the unfortunate dilemma of every human who is accountable to God. (Romans 3:23)

Belshazzar was not an exception. God made him ruler over the Babylonian empire. Like all humans, he was accountable to the one who made him and blessed him. He was tried and found wanting. One day all of mankind will face God in a final judgment. Sadly, many will follow the path of this Babylonian ruler. Where will you be on that day?

Belshazzar lost his kingdom in one night. Sadly, he will be among those on the final day who will be sentenced to eternal destruction. What would God say about your life? Are you using it to God's glory?

By George Slover