Daily Bible Devotionals

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Proverbs 10. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.  If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone.” Proverbs 9:10-12 (NKJV)

Sandwiched between a description of how Wisdom (portrayed as a woman) invites the simple man into her home to forsake foolishness and how the Foolish woman entices simple men into her home to indulge in foolishness, which leads to death, is this short passage about fearing the Lord.  If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, leading to knowledge, understanding, and life, then what does it mean to fear the Lord?  That question was answered in yesterday’s proverb!

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.  Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.  By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice.  By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.  I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” Proverbs 8:13-17 (NKJV)

So, fearing the Lord does not mean we should be afraid of the Lord, forever hiding from His presence.  “Fearing the Lord” is more akin to loving the Lord.

“You who love the Lord, hate evil!  He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10 (NKJV)

Fearing the Lord means hating evil.  When we fear the Lord, we love what He loves and hate what He hates.  When we harbor love for this world (and the evil therein), we are more likely to be wooed by the enticements of the “foolish woman  .”Imagine a man who marries his beautiful, godly bride yet still harbors affection for a past girlfriend.  If that old girlfriend were to call, he would be inclined to re-open that relationship and forsake his vows to his wife.  Now, suppose the same man loved the Lord and his wife, and he hated evil.  He would have absolutely no impulse to return the advances of his past girlfriend, even if his marriage was in a rough season.

Commandment #3 states: “You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 (NKJV)

Taking the Lord’s Name in vain is like a woman who marries a man yet falls for the charms of another man.  She would have taken her husband’s name in vain because her heart belongs to another!  So, fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, but hating sin is the foundation of fearing the Lord.  

“Jesus answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’” Mark 7:6 (NKJV)

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.  Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it.  Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.  For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:32-36 (NKJV)

From the get-go, it is important to understand that the person speaking in this proverb is not Messiah.  It is “Wisdom.”  In a sense, she (self-described v. 1-3) can be attributed to the Holy Spirit, whose ministry is to reveal the truth of God’s Word.  Also, because “Wisdom” says she was “established from everlasting,” present at creation, and stood beside Messiah (Jesus) as a “master craftsman.” (v. 23-31) Wisdom & Understanding must complement each other, so we must both know God’s Word and how to apply it AND have the resolve to live according to it!

Here is a picture of someone who seeks deliverance.  Even though it is delayed, by faith, that person keeps hoping, not disdaining its (as of yet) unfulfillment.  For the faithful, if God said something would happen a certain way, they believe it as if it has already happened, even though the results of their faith are delayed indefinitely.  

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

We see today’s proverb played out precisely at the beginning of the New Testament book of Acts 3.  A lame man is begging at the temple gate called “Beautiful” and cries out for alms (charity) to the apostles Peter and John.  (Acts 3:1-3) The beggar is in the right place at the right time, and Peter quotes today’s proverb.

“And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”  So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them - walking, leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:4-8 (NKJV)

“All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them.  They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.  Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.  I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion.  The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.  Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.” Proverbs 8:8-14 (NKJV)

“My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you.  Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye.  Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.  Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call understanding your nearest kin, that they may keep you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words.” Proverbs 7:1-5 (NKJV)

Beware of distancing personal accountability by wandering alone.  (James 1:14)

“For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, and saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, a young man devoid of understanding, passing along the street near her corner; and he took the path to her house in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.” Proverbs 7:6-9 (NKJV)

A wandering heart is an easy prey for a predatory spirit.  (1 Peter 5:8)

“And there a woman met him, with the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.  She was loud and rebellious, her feet would not stay at home.  At times she was outside, at times in the open square, lurking at every corner.  so she caught him and kissed him; with an impudent face she said to him: ‘I have peace offerings with me; today I have paid my vows.  So I came out to meet you, diligently to seek your face, and I have found you.  I have spread my bed with tapestry, colored coverings of Egyptian linen.  I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.  Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with love.  For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home on the appointed day.’”  Proverbs 7:10-20 (NKJV)

Wandering hearts, attuned to seduction, commit acts of sin.  (Proverbs 4:23)  

“With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him.  Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till an arrow struck his liver.  As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life.” Proverbs 7:21-23 (NKJV)

Sin always over-promises and under-deliverers.  The consequences always outweigh the thrill.

“Now therefore, listen to me, my children; pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths; for she has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men.  Her house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death.” Proverbs 7:24-27 (NKJV)

The only way to avoid sin (and its consequences) is to walk according to God’s Word, the “straight way,” never wandering or straying to the right or left of it.  Don’t be more conservative than it demands or more liberal than it allows.  (Joshua 1:7-8)

“My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother.  Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck.  When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you.” Proverbs 6:20-22 (NKJV)

Every Christian parent knows that children do not come from the womb pre-discipled.  We are not given fully mature infant followers of Jesus.  Instead, we get a starter kit containing a tiny human “larvae” and a Bible.  It is up to us to build our children’s value systems and to raise them as God’s Spirit leads.  The last thing any Christian parent needs to do is to throw away the manual and raise kids by the seat of their pants!  And that is exactly what the Bible is: the manual for Christian living and a repair manual for when we stray from the manufacturer’s blueprint.  Even when we have done all that we know to do, our children still grow up and make choices of their own, even choices that everyone knows do not honor the Lord.  We cling to God’s Word when our kids stray off course.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

So, when our children go “roaming” as all mature young adults must eventually do, we hope the Biblical values we endowed them with will override the allure of secular culture.  Only then do we truly understand the great importance of having our children grow up in a home where God’s Word was not just a part of family life; but that the Word dominated and guided our family life.  That is God’s design.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” Deuteronomy 6:6-8 (NKJV)

“For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life, to keep you from the evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a seductress.  Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids.  For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread; and an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.” Proverbs 6:23-26 (NKJV)

The “seductress” or “harlot” that Solomon describes is not just a wanton woman.  It is also a metaphor for spiritual adultery.  Only God’s pure Word can keep us pure.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.  I am afflicted very much; revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.  Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your judgments.” Psalm 119:105-108 (NKJV)

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.  His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin.  He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.” Proverbs 5:21-23 (NKJV)

There is a popular saying, “All paths lead to God.”  In one sense, that saying is true because all men everywhere will have to stand before the Lord in judgment.  The more important question should not consider whether all paths lead to God, but which one of the many paths available will actually lead to Heaven, the GOOD way.

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.  But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJV)

Of all the ways we could go, there is only ONE way that leads to salvation.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6 (NKJV)

While salvation is offered exclusively through Messiah Jesus, it is offered liberally to anyone who would receive it.

“He came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them gave the right to become the children of God, to them who believe in his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:11-14 (NKJV)

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30 (NKJV)

Yes, God ponders the paths of men.  He studies our ways as a master chess champion who can wander through a convention hall, playing hundreds of competitors at once, knowing their next moves, yet winning every game.  Jesus won the victory over our sin, yet offers the trophy to us!  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  He calls to us, pleading through His Word and through faithful men and women who share the gospel.  God does not desire that men would perish but that all would have eternal life.  (2 Peter 3:9)  So, mankind must choose to believe the lying enticements of the great “harlot” (Revelation 19:1-2) or to receive eternal life-giving grace from Messiah Jesus.

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:12-13 (NKJV)

“My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.  Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.  Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.  Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.  Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.  Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.  Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:20-27 (NKJV)

Today’s proverb begins with a stern exhortation to keep Solomon’s instruction, his “words and sayings.”  Since it is recorded as wisdom in Scripture, we can only assume that Solomon is speaking of God’s Word, which he is imparting to his son.  As such, his teaching aligns with his father David’s instruction.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)

Perhaps, you have heard it preached that the heart is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)  Of course, that is true of the unredeemed heart, but the Spirit-led heart of a believer has the potential for purity and must be guarded by God’s Word and Holy Spirit.  Jesus warned His disciples how unredeemed hearts may seem righteous, yet they cannot be trusted.

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Matthew 15:8 (NKJV)

When we seek God’s Word, as illuminated by His Spirit, we learn to guard our hearts and minds, aligning them with the truths of God’s character and waiting on His timing.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Focusing on God’s Word, looking straight ahead, and not straying to the “right or left” means that we should walk according to what the Bible teaches, not being more conservative than it demands nor more liberal than it allows.  Surrender to His leading and trust that He will guide you in paths of righteousness.  (Psalm 23:3)

“Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.  But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJV)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Proverbs 3. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked; whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths; to deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words, who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God.  For her house leads down to death, and her paths to the dead; none who go to her return, nor do they regain the paths of life - so you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness.  For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.” Proverbs 2:10-22 (NKJV)

Anyone familiar with the story of Solomon’s life scratches their head when reading today’s proverb.  That’s because God gave Solomon the wisdom to discern His Word rightly, yet Solomon lacked the moral integrity to apply it to his own life, at least long term.  In that sense, Solomon reminds me of those doctors and nurses who stand outside the hospital smoking cigarettes!  It’s not like they are unaware of the cancerous life-shortening effects of smoking.  They probably tell their emphysema patients, “Smoking will kill you  .”They just choose to ignore the facts for themselves.  How could Solomon preach so rightly yet live so wrongly?

“But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites - from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you.  Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love.  And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.  And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.” 1 Kings 11:1-8 (NKJV)

It is not enough to simply know God’s Word.  We must also obey and apply it!  We must practice what we preach.  When the preaching of God’s Word is matched with our practice of it, not only will we share it with others, but it will be Spirit-filled and change the values of the people who both hear our message and observe our lifestyles.  The problem with the church at large is not the absence of good preaching.  It is that people have no value for it.  We must model our faith. (Luke 11:28; Matthew 23:3; Luke 6:46; Ezra 7:10; Psalm 1:1-3; Judges 2:10; 1 Samuel 3:1)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV)

The challenge to writing devotionals for the Book of Proverbs is that the wisdom in the Proverbs is so plain.  So, why explain the obvious?  We need a commentary because rich contextual ideas are hiding in plain sight in the Proverbs.  Not hidden because God wants us to be unwise or uninformed but rather because we are not as wise or informed as we may think!  God assumes we are obediently reading the Bible and discussing it all day, every day (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).  If we are, then Proverbs will be like parables, and we’ll see both the simple lesson, as well as the deeper meaning.  Otherwise, we just walk away with some good sayings.  The Proverbs begin with a message akin to the beginning of the Psalms: you either receive God’s Word or reject it.  “Sort of” believing it is the same as rejecting it.  The consequences may not be as immediate as flat-out rejection, but they are as inevitable!

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.” Psalm 1:1-4 (NKJV)

If the Bible is discussed everywhere, all day, its wisdom should be commonplace.

“Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares.  She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: ‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?  For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge.  Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.  Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.” Proverbs 1:20-27 (NKJV) (Matthew 23:37; Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28; Isaiah 44:3)

God answers the call of repentance before the call for deliverance.  (Jeremiah 29:13)

“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.  Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke.  Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.  For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:28-33 (NKJV)

“Praise the Lord!  Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament!  Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!  Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp!  Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!  Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals!  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:1-6 (NKJV)

Every music leader in every church worldwide dreams of a worship service where the congregants display the type of whole-self-worship described in Psalm 150!  What a fitting end to our nearly five-month daily journey through the Psalms.  The entire community of Israel, continually worshipping the Lord with every possible instrument at their disposal, is not a foreign idea to the people of Israel.  At least it isn’t in Scripture.  On the day the Lord gave His Word (through Moses) to the people, He commanded them to worship Him alone, with all they had.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NKJV)

The worship of God’s people is not isolated to church (or temple) services.  Whole-self worship was and still is to be practiced continually among His followers.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

Whole-self-worship is not simply a series of prayers mumbled under our breath or a closed-room intellectual Biblical pursuit.  God wants our faith to be on display so all can see.  Our faith should be observable to onlookers (for God’s glory and not ours), so the things we do (hand) are evidence of the way we think (between your eyes).

“You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:8-9 (NKJV)

Lest Christians write off this notion as an “Old Covenant” theology, remember that Messiah Jesus quoted this same commandment when asked which was the greatest.

“Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.’” Mark 12:29-31 (NKJV)

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord and by every means at our disposal!

“Praise the Lord!  Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints.  Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.  Let them praise His name with the dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.  For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:1-4 (NKJV)

I understand how difficult it is to introduce a new song to a congregation who is fully satisfied with singing the same old hymns! But the “new song” that the psalmist is exhorting the people to sing is more akin to the soundtrack for new circumstances, which demand a new response to the Lord.  Formerly, the Israelites sang for deliverance from exile, but once repatriated, the “old song” simply didn’t fit the new circumstances.  Their “new song” was to be one of victorious return!

“Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.  Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute on them the written judgment - this honor have all His saints.” Psalm 149:5-9 (NKJV)

And what was the source of their victory?  The Lord, Who was faithful to His Word!  That same Living Word is accessible through the Person of Messiah, Jesus.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.  And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” Revelation1:12-16 (NKJV)

“Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.  And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.  He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Revelation 19:15 (NKJV)

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NKJV)

“Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights!  Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts!  Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light!  Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens!  Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.  He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.” Psalm 148:1-4 (NKJV)

I cannot stress enough the importance of pausing whenever we hear an Old Testament account of God calling-forth creation and meditating on the fact that the Person of the Trinity known as “Messiah,” the “Word of God,” Jesus is the One responsible for creation.  (John 1:1-14)  This is not solely a New Testament idea, inserted into the Jewish narrative to lend credibility to Jesus.  The deity of Messiah is a JEWISH prophetic truth that is revealed solely in the Person of Jesus.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 (NKJV)  (see also: Isaiah 9:6)

In 1814, Mary Shelley wrote the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who created a monster he could not control.  The tale of Frankenstein’s monster is considered the first science fiction horror novel.  Some folks believe that Frankenstein is analogous to God, Who had the power to create the heavens and earth yet lacks the ability to control it.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Long before Mary Shelley was born, the anonymous author of #148 made it clear that nothing is out of control or outside of the purview of God.  Alarms are not going off in heaven.  God is ever awake and on His throne.

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all the depths; fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word; mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars; beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl; kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth; both young men and maidens; old men and children.” Psalm 148:7-12 (NKJV)

Because God is all-powerful, any power that we have is from Him.  There is no room for human boasting.  (Ephesians 2:8-9) He alone graciously “exalts the horn” (power) of His people.  And for that, we praise Him, for He alone is worthy!

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.  And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints - of the children of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 148:13-14 (NKJV)

“Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.  The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.  He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  Psalm 147:1-3 (NKJV)

Psalm 147 was written, no doubt, after the return of the exiles from Babylonian and Assyrian captivity.  We remember that Jeremiah prophesied the duration of Judah’s (the Southern Kingdom) exile would be 70 years.

“For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NKJV)

The God who seemed elusive for 70 years had never left the exiles.  There was never cause for panic.  God’s plan was public.  It was not military strength (horses) or cunning escape attempts (legs of a man) that freed the exiles.  The Israelites returned to the Promised Land because God was merciful and true to His Word.

“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.  The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.” Psalm 147:10-11 (NKJV)

For those exiles who recognized God’s work, there was genuine cause for worship!

“Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!  Praise your God, O Zion!  For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you.  He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest wheat.” Psalm 147:12-14 (NKJV)

Forgiveness from the Lord is a wonderful thing to experience; to realize that, by His grace, He does not hold your sin against you.  But how can we be confident He will ever use us to minister again?  God did not simply restore Israel to the land; He assured their security and blessed the generations to come.  Shalom (peace) was restored.  By the reference of God strengthening “the bars of your gates,” we know this psalm was written shortly after Nehemiah was sent by the Lord to fortify the city and begin re-establishing the community of faith.                                                  

“And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.” Nehemiah 6:16 (NKJV)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 146. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever.  Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.  Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.  One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.  I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.” Psalm 145:1-5 (NKJV)

In today’s psalm, David begins as expected: extolling, blessing and praising the Lord.  It is a worship song, after all.  But the narrative of #145 quickly shifts to reveal that David’s personal worship impacts the entire community.  The speed of the leader determines the speed of the team.  The impact of David’s worship resounds way beyond the fact that David is singing so loudly that nobody can tune him out.  David is telling us that if we want the next generation of believers (and the next and so on…) to worship wholeheartedly, they must learn to do so from us!

If the church of our generation ever needed a message today, it is this one!  Values are not taught.  They are caught!  We can teach & preach doctrine to a filled sanctuary every Sunday, but the people will not value it unless they spend quality time with (and live close to) people who have a dynamic relationship with the Lord.  That is what David describes: Every day, all day, forever.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

The great concern of church leaders is that proper Biblical values will not be passed down to the next generation.  And the concern is not unfounded.  Church attendance in our generation is on the decline.  The church of tomorrow is beginning to mirror the generation that ushered in the period of the Judges after Joshua’s generation.

“When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10

In fearful response to declining church participation, many church leaders have tried to soften the hard truths of the Gospel and focus only on the positive aspects of God: grace, love, and acceptance.  But when we diminish God’s Word from our teaching, what counsel do we dilute it with?

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV)

Seek the Lord, obey His Word, and share it with both your words and your lifestyle!

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle - my lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge, who subdues [a]my people under me.  Psalm 144:1-2 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm begins with David declaring that the Lord trains his hands for war and his fingers for battle.  Some folks may find that a strange statement, because many people (even within the Church) hold to a false idea of God, that He is a pacifist.  We must remember there was a lot of warfare in the Old Testament, which the Lord commanded.  While it should be the last resort, there is a time when warfare becomes the only wise choice:

“…a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:8 (NKJV)

If you are scratching your head, wondering how a God who prefers love and peace would both train soldiers and ordain hate and warfare, it helps to understand that terms of peace are always His first option, even in the Old Testament.  

“When you go near a city to fight against it, then proclaim an offer of peace to it.  And it shall be that if they accept your offer of peace, and open to you, then all the people who are found in it shall be placed under tribute to you, and serve you. Now if the city will not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it.”  Deuteronomy 20:10-12 (NKJV)

Likewise, in the New Testament, God offers us terms of love and peace through a saving relationship with the “Son of David,” Messiah Jesus.  

“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years.  Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, “They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.” So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest.” Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.’”  Hebrews 3:7-13 (NKJV)

Make no mistake, just as David was trained for warfare against unbelievers, so Jesus is also readied.  

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns.  He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.  And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.  He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV)

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications!  In Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness.  Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous.”  Psalm 143:1-2 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm presents a great human dilemma.  How can sinful people plea to a holy God and petition Him to judge the sin of another person?  Regardless of the level of persecution, they are under, the person petitioning God also sins and deserves punishment.  After all, we have all “sinned and fallen short of God’s glory,” and He will “by no means, clear the guilty.”  (Romans 3:23; Number 14:18)  So, where does David get the confidence to plea to the Lord and the faith to know that He will judge David’s oppressors while overlooking David’s sin?  David’s faith comes from God’s Word, the Bible!

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.  I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah” Psalm 143:5-6 (NKJV)

You see, when we read the Bible, our faith grows.  

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

And the reason faith grows (when we read the Bible) is because, as we experience God’s faithfulness to His Word in ages past (God, whose character never changes – Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17), we gain confidence to trust Him with our futures, ages yet to come.  And we see this process articulated in David’s psalm today.

“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good.  Lead  me in the land of uprightness.” Psalm 143:10 (NKJV)

David sought God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-2), so he understood that God extends grace and mercy to sinful people who humbly seek Him. David expected blessing, not based on his righteousness but on God’s righteousness and His ability to keep His Word!

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.”  Deuteronomy 30:15-16 (NKJV)

“Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake!  For your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.  In Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; for I am Your servant.” Psalm 143:11-12 (NKJV)

“I cry out to the Lord with my voice; with my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.  I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.” Psalm 142:1-2

“And they went to a place called Gethsemane.  And he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.  And he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.  Remain here and watch.’ And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  And he said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for you.  Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” Mark 14:32-36

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path.  In the way in which I walk they have secretly set a snare for me.  Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul.” Psalm 142:3-4

“And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man.  Seize him and lead him away under guard.’ And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ And he kissed him.  And they laid hands on him and seized him.  But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.  And Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.  But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.’ And they all left him and fled.” Mark 14:43-50

“I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, ‘You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.  Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.’” Psalm 142:5-6

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous Man!’” Luke 23:44-47

“Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Your name; the righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me.” Psalm 142:7

“Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, angels said, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” Luke 24:5-6a

“Lord, I cry out to You; make haste to me!  Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.  Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.  Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies.” Psalm 141:1-4 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm, number 141, is another composition of King David.  We are very aware of both David’s triumphs against temptation and his failures to live righteously.  Not that David was blame-shifting, per se, but we must quickly correct an error in his theology.  God does not incline the hearts of people to do evil or practice “wicked works” or “eat of their delicacies.”  While God allows situations to develop in our lives that bring us to moments of crisis, where we must choose to follow Him or cave into worldly pressure, He does not tempt us.  Testing comes from God to show us the extent of our faith, but temptation is the world’s advertisement offering a means of escape from God’s testing.  It’s a trap.  

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”  James 1:12-15 (NKJV)

Again, the same scenario that Satan uses to tempt us, God intends to use to build our faith.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8 (NKJV)

Now that we know the difference between a “trial” and “temptation” and how we should faithfully hold to the Word of God until He brings us through the trial, what happens if we succumb to temptation?  What do we do then?  We humble ourselves and receive correction from fellow believers.  (Galatians 6:1; Proverbs 27:5-6) Confession and restoration are always better than concealing or denying our sin.

“Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness.  And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it.” Psalm 141:5 (NKJV)

“Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war.  They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips.  Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to make my steps stumble. – Selah” Psalm 140:1-3 (NKJV)

It is important to note that there have been evil men throughout history.  And until Messiah returns, there will continue to be evil on earth.  Just as David, the author of Psalm 140, was unjustly persecuted, so the “Son of David,” Jesus, was persecuted.  Jesus told His disciples that anyone who follows Him will also be persecuted.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own.  Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.  If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.  He who hates Me hates My Father also.  If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.  But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” John 15:18-25 (NKJV)

This reality of persecution “for the sake of the gospel” is not popular in many pulpits these days.  Preachers would rather focus on the more positive aspects of the gospel: grace, peace & love.  While that type of preaching may draw a crowd, sadly, it draws a gasp in heaven because it leads people into false expectations of how the life of a believer should look.  And it causes people to wrongly judge the presence of persecution in their lives (or in the lives of other believers).  Under false teaching, if coming to faith means the end of hardship, then the presence of persecution must signal a departure from the faith.  Persecution, then, becomes a signal of something the believer is doing WRONG when it actually signals what we are doing RIGHT!

In claiming the “promises” of Jesus, perhaps we should consider His promise of persecution/tribulation.  (John 16:33)  But knowing persecution is coming should not lead us to anxiety when we also know that Jesus not only predicted our persecution but also prayed for our ultimate protection & redemption.  

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:14-15 (NKJV)

(Compare: Psalm 140:5-13 with Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-8)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 139. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.  I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your Name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your Word above all Your Name.  In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”  Psalm 138:1-3 (NKJV)

Boxer Mike Tyson said, “Everyone is a fighter until they get hit.”  Christians may aspire to a life of humble service, but no one likes to be treated like a servant.  We all want to be bold proclaimers of the gospel, but who takes the time to learn to articulately share their faith or risks relationships to see others come to faith?  King David, the author of today’s Psalm, was not ashamed to proclaim the greatness of God.  He did not feel the cultural pressure to be politically correct for fear of offending non-believers with his zeal for the Lord—quite the opposite.  David praised the God of Israel (the One, true God) with his whole heart before the pagan gods.

It is one thing to worship the Lord in a church service, but are we so bold out there in a world where there may be no believers around you, and people may actually be hostile toward people of faith?  The setting of today’s Psalm was not in the temple (or “Tabernacle” in David’s day).  No, David was out among the pagans, praying “toward” God’s holy temple.  It is the same level of boldness in the message that we are called to display, the kind that earns the great “Well done!”  (Matthew 25:14-30)

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NKJV)

What was the source of David’s boldness?  God’s Word!  David was so confident in the Word of the Lord that he trusted it had the power to convert the souls of even pagan kings & nations!

“All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth.  Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.  Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.” Psalm 138:4-6 (NKJV)

What if David’s gospel message were to get him into trouble or even cost him his life?  David was confident that the Lord could protect and revive him!

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.  The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:7-8 (NKJV)

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.  We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it.  For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’ How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?  If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!  If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth - if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.” Psalm 137:1-6 NKJV

It helps set the context for the Israelite musical boycott if we recall how the Levite priestly musicians served before the Lord 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.  (Psalm 134; 1 Chronicles 9:33) The demand for Jerusalem’s “greatest hits” from their Babylonian captors was more akin to mocking than a request from music aficionados.  That is because all of the Levitical songs were about the power, majesty, and faithfulness of God, the same God Who allowed Israel to be taken captive!  Not only did the Israelites refuse to play their harps, but they also prayed for vengeance.

“Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who said, ‘Raze it, raze it, to its very foundation!’ O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!  Happy the one who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock!” Psalm 137:7-9 (NKJV)

The Jewish captives desired vengeance but knew vengeance was God’s job alone. (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19-20)  Faith in His Word was their only comfort.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit.  Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished.  And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.  For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.  For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord.  For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:4-14 (NKJV)