The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 118:23-25, “This is the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 O LORD, do save, we beseech Thee; O LORD, we beseech Thee, do send prosperity!”

The era in which this psalm was written was a bleak and dismal time for Israel. Yet, the opening verse of this chapter says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” It is not likely that the psalmist was expressing delight for the calamity that surrounded Israel, any more than we would express gratitude for the distresses we often experience. Rather, the writer is looking above and beyond the current discomforts and viewing the glory of the LORD’s deliverance.

Virtually, anyone can rejoice when things are going well. When we Christians, however, encounter difficulty, we should look beyond it and rejoice in the LORD. After all, we are –or ought to be— aware that no circumstance of life falls outside of His divine purview and control.

One interesting aspect of this particular psalm is verse eight: “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.”

It is the central verse of the entire Bible! The Scriptures, of course, were not originally written in chapters and verses, as we have them today. Stephen Langdon in A.D. 1228 created the chapter divisions, and Robert Stephens, in A.D. 1551, divided the chapters into verses. Still, this central verse could well be personally embraced by every true believer.

We are not enjoined to simply relax, though the LORD God is in control of every aspect of life. We are encouraged to trust in Him and call upon Him for deliverance. The word “beseech” (? ???????????? ) is the same word “Hosanna” (??????) that we find in the New Testament (Jn 12:13), translating, “LORD, save us!” Thus, the focus of our thoughts ought never to be on the distresses of life, but upon the Deliverer from those distresses. He never fails! Who is your deliverer from life’s stresses? He is available to all who earnestly call upon Him.

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

Dear Grands,

Psalm 104:31-35, “Let the glory of the LORD endure forever; Let the LORD be glad in His works;

32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

34 Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.

35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, And let the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!”

Thanksgiving 2020 has passed. Yet, as the glory of the LORD endures forever! Thus, our thanksgiving for all His works ought to

continue throughout our lifetime. The entirety of Psalm 104 sounds out praise to the LORD for all His works. So, when the

psalmist’s words draw near to the end, he again encourages our continuous praise of the LORD. He reminds us of the LORD’s

majestic power. His mere glance at the Earth could cause it to tremble and the mountains to belch forth smoke. The LORD’s

divine power should cause us to live in awe of Him. We should sing His praises throughout our lifetime.

Singing praise to the LORD is an overt activity. I can recall my grandmother singing hymns as she went about her daily tasks.

That signaled to me that her mind was upon the LORD, and that He was giving her strength and wisdom to attend well to her daily, physical work. Whether our overt singing arises from a true covert praise of the LORD, He Himself only knows. Singing to the LORD does not require a “beautiful, melodious voice.” It requires only a truly spiritual love for the One to whom we sing. We might do well to engage in some introspection, lest we simply “go through the motion” without the devotion that truly praises Him.

Further, we must set a guard upon our meditations. What we think about throughout the day may not always be pleasing to

the LORD. If our singing is foundationed in true praise, it will affect our meditation. When it does, the LORD is truly praised! You may contend that there is a significant difference between my what were my grandmother’s daily household tasks and those of one engaged in serious, strenuous work that requires intense concentration. I would reply that the Scriptures offer no differentiation in human tasks when it comes to praise. Both the housewife and the surgeon must depend upon the LORD to affect the outcomes they desire. When each is dependent upon the LORD, each concludes his work with gladness in praise.

The utter seriousness of praising the LORD is captured in that last verse: “Let sinners be consumed from the Earth, and let the wicked be no more.” Why? because they offer no praise to the LORD. Still, the psalmist will not allow the passage to conclude with a negative note. He cries loudly: “Bless LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!” And we, too, must praise His Holy Name through our thoughts and our lifestyle! “Only one life, it will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

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

Dear Grands,

1 Chronicles 16:29-36, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; nring an offering, and come before Him; worship the

LORD in holy array.

30 Tremble before Him, all the earth; indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns.’

32 Let the sea roar, and all it contains; let the field exult, and all that is in it.

33 Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD; for He is coming to judge the earth. O give thanks to the LORD,

for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

35 Then say, ‘Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to Thy holy name,

and glory in Thy praise.’

36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. Then all the people said, ‘Amen,’ and praised

the LORD.”

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks. There are multiple things for which we should give thanks; yet, there is but One to

Whom we owe the fullest gratitude of our hearts. It is the LORD, the Father, who sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.

From Him has come everything for which we should be thankful: parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, friends – and

the list goes on. The Church is the assembly of believers, all of whom for which we are thankful. The multiple pastors and

teachers, whose instructions and examples portrayed the likeness of the Savior – for them all, we are thankful.

Those of us who live in freedom have so much for which to be thankful. We are free from the slavery of debauched leadership.

We are free from hunger, from the winter’s chilling cold and the summer’s burning heat. We have clothing and shelter and books and music. We are more than well-equipped with the ability to communicate with others. We are free to travel, to meet new friends, to learn of the cultures of other peoples. We are free to pray, to believe in and worship and share the God who gave us this freedom.

There is so much more! We are comforted in our illnesses and in the loss of those we so dearly loved. We are comforted in the

surety of hope of a glorious life with our LORD and with our loved ones, who are domiciled in that better place we know as Heaven. Moreover, we live and rejoice in the forgiveness of sin against our LORD and against our fellowman. We are thereby wrapped in the righteous warmth and comfort of our LORD.

Let no one be so blatently dense as to ask, “What is Thanksgiving? Why do we celebrated it?” It is all about Jesus: His birth, His life, His ministry to us all, He death, His resurrection, His ascension, His promised return for which we who know Him anxiously await. Do you know Him? Have you embraced His love? He longs to embrace you as a forgiven child of faith and hope. And it all comes by faith, the true belief that Jesus is the LORD and Savior of all who turn from sin and accept Him. Trust Him today and

come to the full understanding of what it means to be Thankful!

Pray this simple prayer. Pray it meaningfully, believing in Him to Whom you pray.

Lord, I know that I am a sinner. I know I’ve done many wrong things in my life.

I’m sorry for my sin. I know that Jesus loves me, and that He died and rose again

to save me from my sin. Right now, in my heart, I willingly turn from my sin.

By faith, I receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Now, if you sincerely prayed that prayer, take God at His word and believe that you are a “born again” Christian! Jesus said, “…him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Nor can you ever again be lost outside of Christ. Jesus said, “And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). Thus, as a born-again believer, you are thoroughly and forever secure in Jesus Christ. And for that you can be truly Thankful!

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

Dear Grands,

Psalm 92:1-2, 5-9, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High;

2 To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, And Thy faithfulness by night…

5 How great are Thy works, O LORD! Thy thoughts are very deep.

6 A senseless man has no knowledge; Nor does a stupid man understand this:

7 That when the wicked sprouted up like grass, And all who did iniquity flourished, It was only that they might be destroyed

forevermore.

8 But Thou, O LORD, art on high forever.

9 For, behold, Thine enemies, O LORD, For, behold, Thine enemies will perish; All who do iniquity will be scattered.”

When was the last time you said, “Thank you” to someone? When was the last time you said “Thank You” to the LORD?

It is when we assess ourselves worthy recipients of another’s kindness that we eliminate any expression of gratitude. Such

neglect is hardly worthy of one who claims the LORD as his LORD. The LORD’s loving watch-care over us by day and by night surely requires our praise. We have no idea how closely we come to daily tragedies, only to be delivered by His watchful care.

The psalmist enjoins us to consider the magnificence of the LORD’s works and the depths of His plans. Our failure to acknowledge His glory and power renders us both “senseless” and “stupid.” And we’re the ones who are so steeped in our own stupidity that we neglect to say “Thank You.”

Here is a mystery now clearly revealed: When the wicked sprout up like grass, and engage in iniquity, it is an activity focused

against the LORD. Furthermore, He only allows it in order that they might be destroyed forever! Nothing the wicked does affects the plans of the LORD! He is sovereign! He reigns on high forever! And His enemies will ultimately be annihilated!

All of that is to say that the LORD is ever and always in control. We are not to worry. We will not always understand His plans and thoughts; but they are always in play, and the truly righteous are always under His protection. Maybe it’s time for us all to

faithfully focus our trust on the LORD and say “Thank You”!

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

Dear Grands,

Psalm 85:8-13, “I will hear what God the LORD will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones;

But let them not turn back to folly.

9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Truth springs from the earth; And righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 Indeed, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its produce.

13 Righteousness will go before Him, And will make His footsteps into a way.”

“If you will behave yourself, like I have told you, we will see about you going to play with your cousins this afternoon.”

How often this strong-willed lad heard those words from his mother! Yet, time and again he was prohibited from those

desirable activities because he had disobeyed.

The previous seven verses of this Psalm parallel both my youthful disobedience and the disobedience of our nation.

We begged and begged for forgiveness, promising never again to ignore the commands of our Leader. We knew at

the point of our pleading that the LORD was right. He is always right! How could we ever dream of constructing a

nation without His guidance? Yet, one, small success after another led us to believe that WE had achieved the inevitable!

We then grew proud, boasting of our “successes,” but ignoring the spiritual guidance that would have guaranteed it.

Salvation ) ??????yesha ) translates as “deliverance, rescue, safety, welfare!” Is that not what we desire for ourselves

and our nation? Indeed it is near! –but only when we learn to fear and reverence the LORD! Glory (honor, abundance)

can indeed pervade our nation! The LORD “will give what is good,” but not until we learn to honor and obey Him.

Quite often, when I dutifully obeyed as a boy, my mother would exceed in her promises to me. Not only was I

allowed to play with my cousins, but the time was so extended that it seemed I was there all day. Obedience does

exceed stubbornness. Righteousness does produce peace. The LORD does “give what is good” to His people.

Just guess what’s holding Him back….

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