Friday, May 8, 2009

Stopping Duke, Embracing God

Read: Psalm 1:1; Psalm 91


He is a big strongly built dog whose “home” is on a Vancouver Island aboriginal reserve. During the night, he leaves the reserve and, drawing other wild dogs with him, targets flocks of helpless sheep in the scenic Cowichan valley. Vancouver Province reporter Ethan Baron’s report was published recently in the Edmonton Journal. Farmers are furious with this massive wild American bulldog which is killing so many of their sheep.


Apparently, Duke was a more behaved dog when he was owned by a couple on the reserve. However, when the couple left their house after their marriage break-up, the approximately 50 kilogram dog was left to roam wild. A dog without any controls can be a very dangerous animal.


But, the same is true of a human being. Any person who refuses the discipline of God becomes a slave to sin (Romans 6:12). In the Bible, one definition of sin is lawlessness. That’s why Psalm 1:1 warns us to “…not walk in the counsel of the wicked”. The Bible defines the wicked as those who, like the dogs led by Duke, run wild in opposition to God and cause much destruction in the lives of others. Writing to Timothy in first century A.D., the apostle Paul warned of wild people who refuse to live under the discipline and direction of God:


People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, unholy, without love, unforgiving…without self-control, brutal….lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. …..Have nothing to do with them (2 Timothy 3:2-5, NIV).


So then, how do you stop other persons who act and live like the wild dog, Duke? You do it by embracing God. God offers you the choice – live wild and lose His blessings OR intentionally choose to place yourself in His everlasting arms through full trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.


Start each day with this thoughtful, deliberate choice.


Those who live in the shelter of the Most High (God)

Will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare of the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

He is my God and I AMTRUSTING HIM

For He will protect you from every trap…

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those who trust in my name”. (Psalm 91:1-3a, 14, NLT)


Reflect: There are “Dukes” all around you – some of them disguised in religious actions or pious smiles. Pray through Psalm 91 and stop uncontrolled evil by asking Christ to deeply encourage others through you. Pray through Psalm 91.

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