THE LORD SPOKE (November 19)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 31-32

Let it be clearly understood - this chapter is not about vegetation. The opening verses of Ezekiel 31 indicate that it is directed to Pharaoh, king of Egypt. But the metaphor of a beautiful tree in the forest does remind us of the beauty of God’s creation. Bible-believers have the greatest of all motivations to be environmentalists. Not the “hug-a-tree” kind, but biblical environmentalists. On the opening pages of Genesis, God gave man the responsibility to “tend the garden”, to use (not abuse) the creation of His hand which was made, in part, for man’s enjoyment. After the flood (Gen. 9:1-3), every living thing was given to man for his needs and enjoyment. We have been commissioned to take care of the earth and its fullness.

Back to Ezekiel 31, the prophet compares Egypt to the once mighty Assyria. In doing so, he uses the cedar of Lebanon as a metaphor. The reader is invited to consider that loftiest of all trees. Cedar is considered one of the choicest of woods because of its fragrance and durability. The cedar of Lebanon is often used in Scripture as a picture of majesty (vs. 2b) and beauty (vs. 7). Because it grew so tall it over-shadowed the other trees of the forest (vs. 3,5). The strong branches spread wide (vs. 5,7) and gave shelter for many birds and wild animals (vs. 6). Though filled with every imaginable beauty, the Garden of Eden could offer nothing better than the magnificent cedar tree (vs. 9).

Long ago, Joyce Kilmer wrote:

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

and Henry Ward Beecher (Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit, 1870) contributed:

Of all man's works of art, a cathedral is the greatest.
But a vast and majestic tree is greater than all that.

Walking in the woods, admiring mountain grandeur, smelling the trees and resting in their protection, listening to the babbling brook - it doesn’t take one very long in that cathedral to recognize the mighty hand of the Creator. He has said that the heavens portray His craft and power (Ps. 19:1; Rom. 1:19-20). They draw us to Him and demonstrate that He exists and is sovereign over all.

And He has given it to us to enjoy and care for. How are we doing? How are you doing personally? Whenever you clean up, pick up, trim up, rake up, till up, or plow up - you are pleasing your Creator. When you seed, sow, set out, spray and then you conserve, cultivate, compost, and cover - you are doing His will. When you plant, propagate, pollinate and then feed and fertilize, manage and mulch and in other ways enrich the soil - you are fulfilling His purpose for you. Makes you want to get outside and do something, doesn’t it?


Psalms 127-128

He grants sleep to those he loves. (Ps. 127:2b)

Sleep is a daily reminder of our frailty. Physical tiredness often results in low resistance to both sin and sickness. It is of utmost importance that each individual should determine his own optimal amount of sleep and then get into the habit of maintaining that level as closely as possible. It’s equally bad both to sleep more than needed and to sleep less than needed on a regular basis. Consistency and balance are very important in this matter. Anything less will inevitably result in sickness - either physical or spiritual or, most likely, both. Take a look at Proverbs 6:1-11. You’ll find there two times when it’s wrong to sleep: (1) when you have an unresolved conflict (vs 4), and (2) when you should be getting your work done (vs 9). Back-up for that can be found in Proverbs 10:5, 20:13, and 24:33-34.

Sleep is a daily gift from God. God gives us sleep. It’s given every day - to restore our strength, to refresh our mind, and to repair our body. It is a time that allows us peace even in the midst of turmoil. David said, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.” (Ps. 3:5-6). You might be saying, “Oh, but you don’t know the problems I’m facing. I just can’t sleep.” Oh, really? Your problems are greater than David faced? It’s doubtful that you’ve ever had to face anything greater than David did but maybe the problems are of your own making. Wise Solomon tells us, “Preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” (Prov. 3:21-24).

Sleep is a daily opportunity to examine our hearts before God. Just before falling asleep is the perfect time for a short review of the day. It may be a good time to start a plan for tomorrow. It certainly is an excellent time to speak to God.

I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

THE LORD SPOKE (September 18)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Song of Solomon 6-8

This book does not teach us what true marital love is all about from God’s perspective. If that were the case, why is Solomon the chief character? He’s hardly the pattern of monogamous marriage that we ought to follow!

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 provides the key to understanding the book. To begin with, from the Hebrew language we can determine that the speaker here is a female and she is addressing her lover. It’s probably the Shulamite speaking to a third person in the story - not to Solomon. Though her friends had encouraged her to give in to the king’s offers of love (chapter 3, wouldn’t she have “had it made”?), she returned to her shepherd whom she had courted with affection previously. The love the two had for each other became Solomon’s lesson on love. What his wealth could not purchase nor his power persuade, he was left to observe from a distance. By the Spirit of God, he was able to record these words:

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave
It burns like blazing fire, like the very flame of the LORD.
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.

Marital love is meant by God to be:

• intimate - “roused” (vs. 5)
• invincible - “a seal over your heart”
• intense - “love is as strong as death”, “like a blazing fire”
• indestructible - “unyielding as the grave...cannot quench...[or] wash it away”
• ineluctable (Webster: “not to be avoided, changed, or resisted”, from “struggle clear of”)

That last one is an important lesson for the 21st century. Too many today are unwilling or unable to commit. People are getting married much later in life and, even then, many enter it as a contractual relationship, rather than a covenantal relationship. Second marriages will almost invariably struggle in this area. We’re afraid to get burned twice so we hold back. Frankly, on a first marriage you’re afraid to get burned and may tend to hold back there too. But a genuine, God-honoring marriage must be characterized by total openness and trust.

That’s what the Shulamite had with her shepherd and she wasn’t about to give it up, even for the palace of the king. Solomon found out that even “all the wealth of his house” wasn’t enough to buy real love. And so the wisest man on earth had to find out what true marital love is all about from a young maiden on a Judean hillside.


Psalm 3-4

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Ps. 4:8)

What a wonderful gift is sleep. And it is a gift. From God! Scripture tells us that God gives his beloved sleep (Ps. 127:2) but He Himself does not slumber or sleep (Ps. 121:4) because He is watching over us continually.

SLEEP IS A DAILY REMINDER OF OUR FRAILTY. We daily wear out and need to be refreshed and restored by a period of sleep. Our need for sleep catches us up short and reminds us that we are not all-powerful. Our physical tiredness often results in low resistance to both sin and sickness. We become short-tempered and grouchy, or worse. Our body may succumb to germs more easily because our physical guards are weakened. Our need for sleep is a constant reminder that we have limitations.

SLEEP IS A DAILY GIFT FROM GOD. Though you might even manage to go a night or two without sleep, it’s not easy, nor common, nor good for you. God gives us sleep every day to restore our strength, to refresh our mind, to repair our body, and to allow us peace even in turmoil (look up Prov. 3:24). You can ask Him for this! Be aware though. Sleep can be abused. It’s wrong to get too little but it’s also wrong to get too much. Proverbs 6:1-11 give us two cases where it’s wrong to sleep: (1) when you have an unfixed problem, and (2) when you should be getting your work done (c.f. Prov. 10:5; 20:13; 24:33-34). You need to determine your own optimal amount. Do this by going to bed at a decent hour and waking up without an alarm clock over a period of several days. After you’ve gotten over the initial fluctuations, calculate how many hours you normally need. Then start using an alarm to get up every day at that optimal point. Don’t sleep more and don’t sleep less on a regular basis.

SLEEP IS A DAILY OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE OUR HEARTS BEFORE GOD. As you first hit the pillow each night you have a perfect opportunity to review the day just past and to plan for tomorrow. As you do so, speak to God. Confess your sins and commit your way to Him. Nothing on earth will be a better preparation for sleeping than that.

God knows how to give good gifts. He seems to have the perfect gift for every occasion and this is one of His best!