The Grands Letter (Acts/Psa/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on June 23, 2021 6:13 am (CST)Dear Grands,
Acts 1:20, “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’; and, ‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’”
Psa 109:1-8, “O God of my praise, do not be silent!
2 For they have opened the wicked and deceitful mouth against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without cause.
4 In return for my love they act as my accusers; but I am in prayer.
5 Thus they have repaid me evil for good and hatred for my love.
6 Appoint a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at his right hand.
7 When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, and let his prayer become sin.
8 Let his days be few; let another take his office.”
To their credit, the disciples did pray when they got back to Jerusalem, but they failed to wait on the Holy Spirit for instructions. We’re like that sometimes –maybe more than “sometimes.” In yesterday’s Grands Letter, I noted that Simon Peter did not wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, as the LORD Jesus had instructed; rather, Peter quoted a verse from the Psalms and moved quickly to “cast lots” to determine who would take Judas Iscariot’s place among the twelve apostles. Sometimes we rush and grab a Scripture that suits our “thinking,” rather than waiting on the LORD as instructed.
Over time, the Psalms acquired categorical names. Psalm 109 is an “imprecatory” psalm — a psalm whose author calls for Divine devastation to fall upon his enemies. It certainly suited Peter’s personality. Doubtlessly, he had read it numerous times. Still, we have to be careful in our use of Scripture. The Bible does not exist as “ammunition” to destroy the thoughts or positions of others, who happen to oppose us on various issues. It needs always to be read and studied in the context in which it was originally written.
We would do well not to rush what we do, but to wait on the Holy Spirit’s lead. God’s ways are timeless. He doesn’t rush anything. We’re the ones who rush! And it often leads us to a less-than-helpful conclusion. Pray and wait! The LORD is always on time!
Heartily in Christ Jesus,
(Dado III)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America
“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom
