July 2, 2017
Scripture:
Hymn 327 - When mothers of Salem
Prayer
Let’s take a look at another verse in Proverbs 22.
Proverbs 22:28
What is a landmark? It’s a special object that identifies a place. The CN Tower is a prominent landmark of Toronto. We use landmarks to give directions, saying things like: “Turn left when you get to the gas station.” Landmarks can also be property boundaries; things like a tree line or a fence. This verse tells us that we shouldn’t remove ancient landmarks. Proverbs 23:10.
When the Children of Israel entered Canaan, God gave each family a plot of land to live on, and He gave instructions about this land. Deuteronomy 19:14. God gave them boundaries, so that there wouldn’t be any argument about who owned what land. Deuteronomy 27 says that whoever moved the landmarks would be cursed. This was important stuff.
Scripture is very important to us; it’s like a landmark. Satan would love to remove it and it’s teachings; but we want to uphold it, and not let it be removed from our lives.
2 Timothy 3:16. God gave us the Scriptures; He inspired men to write them. They are living, it’s important to know them, and it’s important not to add or remove anything from them. Revelation 22:18-19. Some people have tried to destroy the Bible, but it lives on, and we will have it in heaven. We should treasure it; it’s our prominent landmark. Live by it, and don’t remove it from your life.
Let’s look at a few other things that Satan fights against.
Creation. God created the world; it didn’t happen by accident. John 1:1-3 shows us that Jesus was God, and that He created everything. Don’t let Satan take that away! We can look around and be amazed at what God has created in nature.
John 1:14 says that Jesus was the Son of God. He became a man, and was both the Son of God and the Son of Man. We need to make sure that we know this, and know that the Bible teaches it, because some people try to discredit it.
Finally, Salvation. We were born in sin, and need to be cleansed to go to Heaven. Salvation is a gift through grace; we don’t earn it. Jesus has won it all for us. Ephesians 2:8-9. We receive salvation by faith alone, and then we do good deeds because we’ve been saved.
There are more things that Satan attacks, but these are three big ones. Don’t let Satan take them from you! Others who know us should know that these are our bounderies.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 - 3:2
The “Therefore” brings on the practical part of this chapter. We’re told to “stand fast and hold”. Darby puts it as “stand firm, and hold fast”. Paul has just shown us the land marks and boundaries; the points of truth. And after looking at the marvelous blessings he now says, “Stand firm and hold fast”. What are we to hold on to? Have you ever tried to climb a ladder without holding on? There is a place that is safe and a place that is not safe.
2 Timothy 3:16
Doctrine is a landmark. Reproof means we’re off the path somehow. Usually when things aren’t right reproof makes correction to bring us back to the path of righteousness. Paul is saying we’re not to be on autopilot. We need to make sure we’re in line with the boundaries, the landmark, and the doctrine for blessing. We need to realize how important bed rock truth is. We should love, learn, and live the truth. God’s truth is so precious. The Lord is the way, the truth, and the life.
Now, there is a difference between state and standing. A thermometer is usually always in the same place, but the mercury in the thermometer moves up and down. We are always in the same place with God even though our spiritual life may go up and down. But in this verse stand fast makes me think we can slip. In Ephesians we are told to stand when he speaks about the armour. It’s a position that needs to be defended sometimes. Satan wants us to fall. We need to be like a bolder in a stream. All the water is coming against it, but it won’t budge. In 2 Samuel we read about Shammah who defended the field of lentils. The enemy couldn’t move him. He was defending what was vital to health and wealth. He stood fast. It is easy to give things up when there’s pressure. We’re encouraged to hold on to truth, and be unwavering in it. Some people say the path is to straight for them. But we need to hold to what we’ve been taught.
Paul had had a hard time when in Thessalonica, but he did bring them instructions. He gave further instructions in his first epistle. They were to cling to his instructions. It’s so easy to give up. In spite of hundreds of years this doctrine is still valid. God’s Word is very important, and we should be studying it.
This chapter ends with “comfort your hearts, and stablish you.” It is a heart thing. How is your heart? May it be comforted and stablished with good words and works.
Hymn 380 - Standing by a purpose true
Prayer