The Old Order of Things

TA-DA!

I’m back. Finally, the internet is back up. And, not only is it up, it is staying up. HOW NICE!!! I’ll be honest; I have been struggling spiritually while it was down. I guess it goes to show that I have been too dependent on the computer for my spirituality.

September 11^th, 2007

It’s been six years since the devastation on the World Trade Centers. It actually happened on a Tuesday six years ago. I’m not sure what the title of my QT will be, but when it comes to me, I will place it below this paragraph.

The Old Order of Things

Something I want to do (and will do it here) is have a Psalm a day, so here is today’s psalm.

Psalm 69

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you. May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel. For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes. You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me. I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live! The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

Revelation 2:8-11

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.”

Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who overcomes… I love the sound of that. I still struggle and sin in areas that my character hasn’t developed.

Overcomes (verb):

Nikaō (Pronounced: nik-ah'-o)

• To conquer
• To carry off the victory, come off victorious
• Of Christians, that hold fast their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions
• When one is arraigned or goes to law, to win the case, maintain one’s cause
• To subdue (literally or figuratively): - conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.

This is good to know. When I overcome and change my character, I conquer. I come off victorious. To say that I can prevail is to imply that there is a battle going on and I believe that there is a battle going on. And to say that there is a battle going on within my being, my brain, my sinful nature, it means that there is a victory to be had. And I want that victory. The victory in question that I would really want is that of the third definition, to hold fast my faith – at all times. After discussing with my wife, I need to be more schedule oriented. I need to have a plan and act on that plan so that I can become more successful in my walk. I need success. Anyway, Johnny Out.