Teaching

PSALM 31; MATTHEW 7

In Psalm 9 David is dealing with a great deal of strife. There are many people who are causing him grief and he reaches out to God. David displays his ultimate trust in God when he immediately assumes that God has not only heard his prayer but has answered it as well.

Matthew 7 contains the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. This is a passage that contains many of the common-day "sayings" that are used by parents. Although rarely attributed to Jesus. this passage contains instruction on judging others, asking anything of God, the way to life, and who to associate with. It concludes with an explanation of why it is wise to follow the instructions that Jesus has given throughout the Sermon on the Mount.

David has set an incredible example of faith through his unquestionable full out trust in God. In Matthew I see why David has that trust. Jesus demonstrates his incredible wisdom throughout this chapter. after all, why should we concern ourselves with the affairs of others and with how they are living their lives when we clearly have skeletons in our own closet. Maybe what Jesus said about the plank in my eye is not so far off. I would also like to give Jesus official credit for the Golden Rule. If only people knew how often they were quoting scripture. Either we would have a lot more people paying attention to Jesus or we would have a lot less people teaching the Golden Rule.

Reading the scripture today I realize that I must learn to trust God more completely with my affairs. I think that the only way to remove a plank from my eye is to have God take it out for me. The way to trust God is to put his instructions into practice and then sit back and observe how wise he truly his. If I want to live for and to serve God then I must be willing to follow him. Trust and obey!!

Dear God,

Thank you so much for the gift of scripture. I am truly amazed when I sit back and realize that you have covered all that there is to life in scripture. I want to make it my prerogative to study what you have given me and to apply it to my life. I pray that you will teach me how to follow your instruction and how to live all out for you. I want to live according to your Word. Please help me and guide me as I strive to do this. Thank you.

Amen