Delta Dawn When the Light Comes On: Week 42

Jesus called the Pharisees on their religious practices, "Woe to you, for you tithe [every tenth leaf] of mint, anise and cumin, but have neglected the weightier things of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness. This you should have done without leaving the other (tithing) undone." Matthew 23:23 

Sin misses a mark. Archers stand off several yards and aim at a 'bull's eye'. One who gathers arrows shouts to the archer where the arrow lands. If it did not hit the center of the target, he calls out "Sin!" Only when the center is squarely hit, does he call, "Holy!" Golfers listen, intently, for "Hole in!"

Justice does right. "There is no waste except for lack of justice." Isaiah 59 This is why Jesus said to take up the fragments after feeding 4,000 with 7 loaves and 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. Jesus prayed concerning the Disciples, "Those whom You gave Me, I have kept and guarded. None of them is lost but the son of perdition that Your Scripture might be fulfilled." John 17:13

Mercy. In Hebrew hesed (covenant). Promised to Abraham and his progeny (seed). A 'T', tov, is the final character in Hebrew letters which looks like a cross and is the emblem of God's mercy toward Man. When He cried, "It is finished!", Jesus' sacrifice fulfilled every law and justified (saved) every man so that he might not be lost from God. John 3:16, 17. In Hebrew, Jesus said, "I Am the Aleph and the Tov, the beginning and the end [of an unending covenant]." Revelation 1:18. 

Faith. "Believing that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6. Faithfulness is to be consistently constant in believing that God will do what He says He will do, for He is not a man that He could lie.

Ron and Barb farmed in Kansas. They didn't own the land, but were satisfied with everything for many years, peacefully raising their children. Then, the land sold and they were homeless and incomeless. They had plowed the land and planted for the winter wheat crop, so they were, justly, paid for that.

A plan had to develop! Barb and Ron agreed to do something they had never done before: tithe. Barb and the children went to her brother, a doctor and elder in a Colorado church. Justice, mercy and faithfulness became real. Embraced by the church family, Ron enrolled in welding school and, even though away from home, his new found abilities soon had them out of debt. Barb was able to shake off feelings of inadequacy and failure. They built a new home, debt-free. Barb's testimony at church revealed their secret: tithing, giving and serving the Lord. 

What do you desire? Father has the plan you need and the money to pay for it. Find it in the Scripture. Believe it! SAY it! DO it! Assimilate Philippians 4!

"Wait on the Lord (wrap your thread of hope around His tether rope of Love) and be of good courage (strong resolve), for He will strengthen your heart (with joy). Wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14.

Next Week: Select Wisdom