Psalms 76:10, God Limits Man's Wrath

Psalms 76:10, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.”

“Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee.”

This phrase suggests that even human anger and opposition ultimately serve God's purposes. Throughout biblical history, God has used the actions of those opposed to Him to bring about His will. For example, Joseph's brothers intended harm, but God used their actions to save many lives (Genesis 50:20). Similarly, the crucifixion of Jesus, driven by human wrath, resulted in the ultimate act of redemption (Acts 2:23-24). This demonstrates God's sovereignty over all events, ensuring that even negative human actions contribute to His glory and plan. SOURCE

“the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.”
My father used to rightly say that God will only allow man to go to far before He intercedes. If it weren't for the good LORD, humanity would destroy ourselves with nukes.

We read that conditions will be so horrible during the 7-year Tribulation period that unless God shorted those days, no life would survive. Matthew 24:22, “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” Carefully notice that the subject at hand is the flesh and not salvation. Many preachers misinterpret Matthew 24:13, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Even one of my favorite free grace Gospel preachers, Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951), gets this passage wrong in his book, 'The Eternal Security Of The Believer.' It is the flesh that shall be saved in Matthew 24:13, and not one's eternal soul.

God not only limits the reach of human fury; He turns the very residue of it into a robe that proclaims His power and holiness, much like He “puts on righteousness as a breastplate” (Isaiah 59:17) or appears “clothed in a robe dipped in blood” at His return (Revelation 19:13-16).

By restraining wrath, He protects His people and preserves a testimony to His mercy (Habakkuk 3:2; Romans 9:22-23). The rescued ones themselves become living evidence of His triumph, shining like jewels in His crown (Zechariah 9:16-17). 

SOURCE

Psalms 92:11

Psalms 92:11, “Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.”

I cherish this Scripture passage. I have been deeply hurt, defrauded, abused, victimized and mistreated by countless wicked sinners throughout my life. Humans equal pain! We are all guilty sinners. This passage promises that we will someday see God avenge us of our enemies. God will settle all scores! Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” God will recompense (avenge) all evil (cf., Ecclesiastes 5:8).

The inspired Holy Bible teaches in 1st Corinthians 6:1-3 that we as saints will judge the world and angels in the future. Yet, sadly, Christians drag each other into secular heathen courtrooms, unable to judge matters between themselves because of pride (Proverbs 13:10).

Let's just face it, the book of Psalms is the most vindictive book in the whole Bible. David prayed for God to “Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.” (Psalms 58:6-7). David wanted to be avenged, and I don't blame him. I have often felt exactly the same way toward ungodly sinners who've hurt me. David essentially said:

“Don't worry about the wicked because they're going down! God's going to destroy my enemies. They are going to perish like the grass. They're going to regret ever being born. God will punish them! I'm going to live to see what bad things happen to them!”

That is the way the book of Psalms is written. The words “enemy” and “enemies” appear 104 times in the book of Psalms. Psalms 25:2, “O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.” You're singing for God not to let the bad guys win. It is a vindictive type of song. This is as Christian as the Gospel. Yes, we are commanded to forgive others, but there is nothing wrong or unscriptural with desiring to be avenged of those who wrong you. Even if someone hurts you with their words, Jesus warned that all men will be held accountable for their words (Matthew 12:36).

We have a biblical precedent for rejoicing over enemies who get what they have coming to them. Revelation 18:20, “Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.” It is very normal to desire to see our enemies crash and burn! But wait a minute, doesn't the Scripture warn against rejoicing when your enemy falls? Proverbs 24:17-18, “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” So, we have a striking paradox here, a clear contradiction.

To clear up this matter, I found some helpful Bible commentary for Revelation 18:22 from Dr. John R. Rice in his book titled, “Revelation: Behold He Cometh!”...

“Rejoice over her, thou heaven” (vs. 20). Jesus said, 'I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.' (Luke 15:7). Then again He said, 'Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth' (Luke 15:10). In Heaven they rejoice over souls saved; but here they are to rejoice when sin is avenged and when they wicked are put down. 

In Revelation 6:9-11 we read of the great concern of saints in Heaven in Heaven after dying as martyrs: 

'And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.' 

Now they will rejoice that their patience is rewarded, that their death is avenged! 

Angels in Heaven must rejoice also with those who rejoice 'in the presence of the angels.' How their gladness peals out in that beautiful chant at the birth of Christ when the sky was filled with them! Angels are the guides and the servants, the protectors of Christians (Heb. 1:14; Matt. 18:10; Ps. 37:7; 91:11, 12). Will they not rejoice when those they love and serve rejoice? Holy beings as they are, will they not rejoice that sin is punished and God is vindicated? 

So angels, with the apostles and prophets of all ages, will rejoice that sin is put down and in the destruction of that great city of sin, the spiritual Babylon of the tribulation time.” —Dr. John R. Rice, “Revelation: Behold He Cometh!,” pp. 270-271; © 1977, Sword of the Lord publishers

Proverbs 24:17 differs from Revelation 18:22 in that there's a big difference between rejoicing when your enemy falls, versus rejoicing when God avenges you of your enemy.

I humbly think a great example of this truth is found in the story of Joseph and what his wicked half-brothers did to him, selling Joseph into slavery...

Genesis 50:14-21, “And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father. And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father.  And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.  Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones.  And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”

Joseph forgave his Brothers, but he also acknowledged that he had placed the matter into God's hands for judgment. Joseph reminded his brothers that he was not God, so it wasn't his place to judge iniquity. James 4:12, “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”

Heaven rejoices in Revelation 18:20 because God has judged Babylon (which I humbly believe is the United States) for the wrongs she inflicted upon the saints, signifying divine justice. In sharp contrast, Proverbs 24:17 warns against rejoicing over an enemy's downfall to promote mercy and humility, highlighting different contexts of judgment and justice. So, yes, we have every right to expect for God to avenge us of our enemies; but at the same time we should have the forgiving spirit of Stephen, who while being stoned to death by a mob of angry Jews cried out, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” That is, Stephen died from his injuries.

There should be a burning desire within the soul of every child of God for sinner's to come to repentance. 2nd Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This is the great heart of God.

Deuteronomy 32:43, “Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.”

Psalms 96:11-13, “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”

Revelation 19:1-2, “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.”

Part of my soul desires to see those ungodly sinners who have stole, hurt, lied, defrauded and conspired against me to burn in Hell. I desire to see the rotten carnal pastors who kicked me out of their churches, who threw me under the bus for dead in my loneliness and suffering, to suffer horribly. I want to see them crash and burn! I often feel like Jonah the prophet, who became angry when God repented not to destroy the Ninevites. Jonah wanted them to burn in judgment! I know how Jonah felt.

Yet, I would be delighted someday to find out that the unsaved men who persecuted me in the workplace got saved. I would be delighted to know that the wicked pastors who persecuted and drove me from their corrupt churches, had later repented of their Lordship Salvation and then started preaching more doctrinally sound because of my calamity which they caused. I would delight in my painful losses and long time suffering, if it led to their salvation and edification in the LORD. 2nd Corinthians 12:15, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”

I humbly think this is the proper mindset for every saint of God. While we have every right to expect for God to avenge us of all evildoers for their unethical behavior and wrongdoing toward us; contrariwise, at the same time we should equally have a sincere desire for their repentance unto salvation, or repentance and growth in grace if they are already saved. Although I want my enemies and the hundreds of mean people who have deeply hurt me throughout my lifetime to be punished severely by God, I much more desire for their salvation and spiritual wellbeing in the Lord. So, there is a balance, and that I think is the key word.

It's okay to pray impreccatory prayers toward our enemies, but at the same time we are not right with God as believers if we don't also feel some desire for those people to come to Christ for salvation, and then to grow in grace as Christians. Nothing would make me happier.

I and my wife Alice like to sit by our firepit in the yard. We sat outside tonight. It was about 55 degrees and I got a nice fire going. As we ate pizza that I cooked in our convection oven in the garage, I made mention to her that I felt bad over something that I had said to someone. As she often does, she spake some comforting words to calm my soul. She said, the fact that you feel bad shows you have a good heart. She's right.

Dear reader, if you feel like you fail God continually, you are likely a much better Christian than you think you are. Ungodly people don't care. They don't feel bad when they hurt the feelings of others. Ungodly pastors don't think twice about kicking people out of their church (it's not the Lord's church). They don't feel bad because their hardened hearts have grown calloused and cold. People just want to be loved.

Psalms 92:10

Psalms 92:10, “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.”

The word “unicorn” simply means one horn, not the  mythical creature in fables. It could likely refer to a rhinosaurus (some rhinos have two horns). What is the horn for? Some male animals use their horn to impress females. It can also be used as a deadly weapon. The horn represents authority, power and status, it's impressive.

In the context of this Scripture passage, “my horn” refers to God giving you status. If you walk uprightly as His child, God is going to give you power, the tools that you need to succeed and defeat your enemies. God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourself in the sight of the LORD (James 4:6).

“I shall be anointed with fresh oil” refers to the Holy Spirit's power and influence being upon you. Without the Spirit of God, we are nothing. Psalms 127:1, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Jesus said in no uncertain terms in John 15:1-5 that without Him, we can DO NOTHING. The Lord even gives us the breath of life (Acts 17:25). Without God we can do nothing, not even survive.

1st John 2:27, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” This Scripture means that the indwelling Holy Spirit can teach the saint of God everything we need to know from the Word of God (i.e., the inspired King James Bible). We are anointed with the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation.

The word “fresh” in regard to “oil” refers to walking with God in the present. It doesn't matter how spiritual you were three weeks ago, it matters what you are doing right now. Many believers tend to coast on yesterday's walk with God, neglecting today. We need to be praying, memorizing Scripture, studying, caring and laboring for Christ and pleasing today. Sadly many Christians are a broken record, same ole same ole, lacking a fresh walk with God.

We go to church to fast-track learning the truth, but even without church the Holy Spirit can potentially teach us all things (if we prayerfully study, asking God for wisdom).

Psalms 92:7-9

Psalms 92:7-9, “When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore. But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.”

Like annoying weeds that grow quickly on their own and thrive, so also do ungodly people thrive in this wicked world (1st John 5:19).

I and my wife Alice live in Pensacola which is located in the deep south. We're originally from Chicago. We also lived on the island of Guam for 17 years. We never saw such horrible painful weeds until we moved to Florida! The number one thing that we hate about Pensacola is an annoying little weed called, “Nutsedge” (or Nutgrass). These terrible weeds feature PAINFUL little balls with spikes and trust me, they hurt. I have bled more times than I can remember after being stabbed by a Nutsedge ball. Our poor Cockapoo dog occasionally gets a Nutsedge ball stuck in her paw. We buy several gallons each year of Nutsedge killer from Monsanto, which works great for a few weeks, but then the weeds grow back again. So, me and my wife have declared war on the Nutsedge weeds!

The most important thing we've learned is to keep the grass short, which prevents Nutsedge from maturing to grow its spiky balls. Once the balls have grown, even if you kill the pant with Monsanto weed killer, the dried out balls still exist on the ground and can hurt. This reminds me of Proverbs 17:14, “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.” It's easy to fix a small leak, but if you wait until the dam breaks loose it won't be easy to fix.

Likewise, the longer we allow Nutsedge plants (weeds) to grow and mature, the bigger of a problem they become. And the pastor who doesn't nip sin and heresy in the bud that creeps into the church of God, it will become a big problem, even destroying the church in time. A wise and godly pastor preaches without apology or compromise against all sin, false prophets and false doctrines. God deliver us from the wicked neo-evangelical worthless pastor today.

God allows the wicked to thrive so that ultimately He can bring them low in a spectacular fashion that He may be glorified. We see this with Pharaoh in the time of Moses. God is lifting them up to be destroyed. Proverbs 16:4, “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”

The Scripture tells us that one of God's duties is to bring low the proud. Job 40:12, “Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.” Though a sinner may thrive for an hundred years, yet it won't go well for them in the end.

Ecclesiastes 8:11-13, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.”

The wicked spring up as weed grass, but their days are numbered. Things that are of value tend to grow very slowly, but things that are useless (like weeds) tend to grow fast on their own. To grow fruits, flowers and vegetables required a lot of attention (water, fertilizer, pruning and care); but for weeds to flourish you don't have to do anything.

Another example is if you want your children to turn out for God someday, it will require a lot of your time, concern and effort to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). If you want your kids to go to the Devil, you don't have to lift a finger, just do nothing! Thankfully, God is not an absent parent (Hebrews 12:6-8). 

Psalms 37:8

Psalms 37:8-9, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”

We ought not hate people. The Bible teaches not to let the sun go down upon your wrath. That is, every day is a new day. I sometimes think this is why God in His astounding wisdom created the 24 hour day, so that we could start over with a fresh beginning each day. Don't carry unnecessary burdens from one day to the next.

Taking matters into our own hands when angry can be dangerous. The word “anger” is one letter away from “danger.” Just like the word “evil” is one letter shy of “Devil.” Some people taking matters into their own hands because they doubt God. The prisons are full of such criminals. Instead of waiting on God, they avenged themselves (Romans 12:19-21). I assure you with all biblical authority that NO ONE will get away with anything in God's court of law.

In recent months we've seen much controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files. In fact, there are approximately 6 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, including 180,000 images and 2,000 videos. Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice released 3.5 million pages, which is part of this total. Unfortunately, the Justice Department has redacted and held back millions of the documents. The long list of hurting victims can rest assured that there will be no redacted documents or images at the Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15; Hebrews 4:13). THERE WILL BE JUSTICE! ...

Ecclesiastes 5:8, “If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.”

The Epstein victims will be avenged (Romans 12:19-21).

We've all felt angry due to painful past experiences, because of wicked people who have hurt us. We've all been thrown under the bus numerous times by people that we trusted. We've all been gossiped about, slandered and lied about by ungodly sinners. We've all been cheated, robbed and defrauded by someone. PAYDAY SOMEDAY! You have God's promise to be avenged (Matthew 7:1-5; 1st Thessalonians 4:6; James 4:11-12, 5:9).

Psalm 89:7

Psalm 89:7, “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.”

All I ever hear from the Catholic Church is how great the Pope is, the “Holy Father.” But the inspired Holy Bible clearly warns us in Matthew 23:9 to call no earthly man our spiritual “Father,” for God alone is to be reverenced. I humbly believe that no minister should ever be referred to as “reverend,” because only God is worthy of reverence.

2nd Samuel 22:36 and Psalm 18:37

2nd Samuel 22:36, “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.”

Psalms 18:35, “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”

God's gentleness made David great, by providing the humble shepherd boy turned king with wisdom, compassion, strength and encouragement during trying times. The Lord's gentleness is reflected in His humble and patient dealings with David, which ultimately led to his success and greatness as a leader.

When David commit the horrible sins of adultery with Bathsheba and then murdered her husband Uriah, God forgave David several months when he repented. God continued to use David, although in a limited capacity due to his tarnished reputation in the kingdom. When a leader's name is tarnished, it weakness his effectiveness and influence for Christ.

It could be that the most influential moments in David’s experience of God were not when “the earth shook and trembled” or when “the foundations also of the hills moved” (1st Samuel 18:7b). Perhaps it was when David was when he spared Saul’s life, not once but twice (1st Samuel 24 and 26). Or when David took Mephibosheth, the crippled survivor of Saul’s wrecked dynasty, into his own home (2nd Samuel 9). Or when David protected the survivor of one of Saul’s senseless massacres with his own life (1st Samuel 22-23).

David, the mighty warrior king had great gentleness. It was a gentleness that he had learned from his great and gentle God. The adage is very true: Great men are gentlemen. And gentle men are truly great!

Psalms 119:9-11

Psalms 119:9-11, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

I am often reminded of this helpful passage of Scripture. These Bible verses teach us how to overcome sin and live a holy life for God. It has been 23 years this April since I started my Jesus-is-Savior.com ministry back in 2002 by God's grace. Throughout those blessed years I have received tens of thousands of emails from web visitors. Many people have confided in me about their constant struggle with sin. I always share these Bible versus with them, which teach us that the way to handle sin is to saturate our soul with the written Word of God.

Psalms 1:1-3, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” I love this Scripture passage. The Bible tells us that if we will continually live in God's inspired Word, we will grow deep and strong roots, just like a mighty tree that is planted alongside a river that nourishes the tree's roots. No Christian believer can be strong in the Lord who is weak in the Scriptures!

What saith the Scripture? John 15:3, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” How do you overcome temptation and sin in your life? You abide in the Holy Bible. That is, you read, study, memorize and apply the principles of the King James Bible to your daily life. Psalms 119:9-11, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” The psalmist David is talking about memorizing God's Word.

Everyone has a Skelton Closet of dark sinful unpleasant secrets. The biblical way to deal with sin is to memorize the Holy Bible, which is your ammunition when the battle comes. In Matthew and again in Luke, in chapter 4, we read about the Devil coming to Jesus to tempt him for 40 days and nights. Three times Satan tempted the only begotten Son of God. In all three incidents, our dear Savior quoted the inspired Word of God to defeat the Devil. If the very Son of God needed to use the Holy Bible to overcome temptation, then SO DO WE!!!

Jesus said that we become clean through His Words. John 17:17 says that we are sanctified by the Word, which is truth. The old adage is very true: Either sin will keep you from the Bible, or else the Bible will keep you from sin.

Psalms 90:12

Psalms 90:12, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

For many years I mistakenly attributed Psalms chapter 90 to King David, but in fact dear reader it was Moses who penned this wonderful passage of Scripture, writing under the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit (2nd Timothy 3:16).

Moses was a remarkable servant of God. I am so thankful that God gave us a large handful of biographies of saints in the Old Testament, allowing us the privilege of seeing their lives before, during and after their time upon the earth. Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” By reading the biographies of Old Testament saints, it gives us patience and comfort through our own sufferings and hardships, knowing that ultimately everything worked out good for them in the end (from an eternal perspective).

I humbly believe that God created time as a way of letting us know that He is always in control, not us. Regardless of the decisions we make or the circumstances of our life, we cannot stop the train of time from moving forward. We all have an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27). 

Moses was wise in the Lord, who around 1500 BC wrote in Psalms 90:10-12, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” I love this passage of Scripture.

The average human lifespan since the flood has been 70 years. The Bible says if you are lucky you might live to see age 80. I went at the CVS pharmacy today to pick up some of my prescriptions medications. There was an elderly lady in front of me who was picking up medications for her aunt. She gave her aunt's birthdate and I heard the year 1921. Wowza! Her aunt is at least 103 years old. No doubt her remaining days are very few!

Dear reader, we don't know how many years we have left to live. Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” We don't know if we have one day remaining to live. Hollywood actor Tom Sizemore died in 2023 at age 61 from a sudden brain aneurism. Death does not discriminate. Moses realized that our days on earth are numbered. Therefore, as believers we must learn to wisely number our days, TO APPLY OUR HEARTS UNTO WISDOM.

The vast majority of the human population are fools who squander their time on earth. Tragically, most people are going straight to Hell when they die according to Jesus Himself (Matthew 7:13-15; Luke 13:34-34). The path to Heaven is not difficult or hard, it is so simple that most people miss it. Most lost people (including lost religious people) wrongly think that we have a part in saving ourselves. Good works never saved anybody (Romans 3:19-20).

I have dedicated my remaining time on earth to serving God. My earnest desire is to preach the Gospel accurately, because a counterfeit gospel cannot produce the new birth. Jesus warned in John 3:3b that “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” A false plan of salvation is being preached from nearly every pulpit, website, radio station and venue today, which cannot produce the new birth. Only faith alone in Jesus alone saves a lost sinner (John 6:40). The Gospel is the GOOD NEWS of Christ's death on the cross, burial and physical resurrection from the dead the third day (1st Corinthians 15:1-4).

Any needy sinner who receives Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for their sins, believing that Jesus was buried, but then raised up from the dead three days later, is saved instantly, irrevocably and permanently. I cannot think of a better way to apply our hearts unto wisdom than to share the true Gospel with lost sinners, and earnestly contend for the faith by exposing false gospels (Jude 1:3).

Psalms 1:1-2

Psalms 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

I could write a book on just this Bible passage. I love Psalms chapter one. By the way, this is one of the first Scripture passages that I recommend for people to commit to memory.

Walk Not In The Counsel of The Ungodly

We read in verse one, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” This is some of the best advice you will ever receive from the Lord. I could tell you of tragic stories of what has happened to people because they accepted ungodly counsel from worldly people. Particularly in marriage disputes. People will destroy your marriage if you let them. A marriage can only be destroyed from within. When a marriage is struggling, wicked people so often take sides with the wife, convincing her it is best to file for divorce. I have seen this happen time after time. Sadly, religious people can be some of the most rotten and destructive influences on a troubled marriage. I wish people would mind their own business and stay out of other people's marriage problems.

Dear reader, the Bible tells us not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Here is a typical example of the ungodly selfish type of worldly Satanic advice you'll get from the heathen. This foolish woman gives 15 reasons when you should file for divorce. One of her horrible reasons is if you want things to be different. How selfish! What saith the Scripture? Mark 10:9, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” The word “divorce” ought not even be in your vocabulary as a child of God. Let the Devil's children get a divorce.

I cannot warn you enough to avoid fools like The View and Oprah Winfrey on television. They are wicked people who promote the homosexual agenda. They are promoting the Devil's narrative, not the teachings of the inspired Holy Bible. Please search the Scriptures to learn godly principles and wisdom to make life's decisions. That is what the Bible means in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” We acknowledge God by living in the teachings of the inspired Scriptures. By “inspired” I mean that they are God's Words. That is, God gave them to humanity, penned through sinful men which God made holy (2nd Peter 1:21). The Bible is not merely the words of men.

Another immoral agenda being shoved down American's throats today is transgenderism. There's a lot of ungodly advice online advising parents to accept and go along with their child who claims to be the opposite gender. The mother is this meme has the right attitude...

The Plain Truth

Whatever plumbing (family jewels) you were born with is your gender, regardless of how you may feel about yourself. Beware of the ungodly advice that exists everywhere today! The Lord will give you His mind as a believer if you abide in the Word of God. 1st Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

Stand Not In The Way Of Sinners

We read again in Psalms 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” We ought not stand in the way of sinners. That means not to hang around with worldly friends. Bad friends can ruin you! Prisons are full of innocent people who were merely present when a horrible crime was committed by a friend, acquaintance or neighbour, and they suffered for it. 

A perfect example is William “Roddie” Bryan, who was sentenced in 2021 to 30 years in prison for the murder of 25 year old Ahmaud Arbery. I feel so sorry for William. His neighbours (a father and son) yelled for him to jump into their truck, and he did, trusting his neighbours. Little did he know that they were going after a young black man who was jogging down the street. William said nothing. He was simply present when his neighbour's son got into a scuffle with Ahmaud, and as he grabbed the gun it went off and killed him. William never picked up a weapon. He never said a word. He was just there, and the jury found him guilty. That is injustice!!!

With Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson present in the courtroom, it was guaranteed that either the jury would under pressure find these men guilty, or angry black Americans would have burned half the cities in Georgia to the ground. There is no way to have a fair outcome when such extreme political pressure is exerted on the whole court process. In the United States we have a justice system that is run by mob rule!

But you get the point. The Bible tells us not to stand in the way of sinners! That means to be very careful who you choose as friends. I guarantee you that William regrets ever getting into his neighbor's truck that day. Would to God that he had been at a doctor's appointment, or sick in bed, or any one of a thousand other places than in that truck that horrible day! I feel sorry for his wife, who lost her husband. This is why for several years my favorite Bible verse has been Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Think dear friend. Get in your King James Bible and learn God's ways. The Bible is our instruction Book!!!

I don't have any close friends locally. I'd love to have a good friend, like David and Jonathan were dear friends. I haven't been blessed to find such a true friend. I have some good ministry friends online across the world. I have a few good friends in Africa. I have a very good friend in Indiana. I have a fairly good friend in Texas. These are all born again Christians. I doubt if I'd ever get into anyone's car just because they asked me too. I am very cautious about people! In today's world you need to be very careful who you trust, and even whose vehicle you get into with. Proverbs 22:3, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”

Don't Sit In The Seat Of The Scornful

We read again in Psalms 1:1, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” When a man has once given place to evil counsel, or to his own sin nature, he begins to forget himself in his sin, and so falls into contempt of God, which is called “the seat of the scorners.” This word “scorners” properly means those who mock, deride, scoff; those who treat virtue and religion with contempt and scorn.

Singer Elton John comes to mind, who God willing will turn 77 years old on March 25th, 2024. Sir Elton “Hercules” John (born in 1947 as Reginald Kenneth Dwight) has openly called for world governments to ban all organized religion, which he perceives as the greatest threat to the homosexual community. Elton is a scorner! He blasphemes the inspired Word of God. My heart goes out to Elton and David Furnace (his partner) because without being born-again (which comes through faith in Jesus Christ) they cannot go to Heaven (John 3:3).

Live In The Inspired Word Of God

Psalms 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” The Bible says that the man who does not take the advice of wicked people is blessed. He does not run with sinners. He doesn't go to the stripclub after work with ungodly sinners. He avoids casinos. He stays away from nightclubs. He does not attack, slander and place God on trial as do wicked sinners; and for these things God calls him blessed. I don't know about you, but I want to be blessed of God. This man's delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate (thinking about) day and night. How many people do this?

The old adage is true: Either sin will keep you from the Bible, or the Bible will keep you from sin. Television in particular desensitizes the viewer to the awfulness of sin. When Hollywood or Netflix produce a movie, there is usually a one to two minute sleazy scene in the movie. That is the main part the Devil's crowd want you to watch, and they build the whole movie around that one to two minute smut scene to corrupt your mind further. Hollywood and Netflix much blood on their hands for pulling on the same rope as the Devil. Satan is a beautiful liar!

The man who delights in the Word of God is blessed. That is so rare nowadays to find someone who truly enjoys reading, studying and talking about the Bible. Even when I was in Bible college, some students didn't want to talk about the Bible. I attended Hyles-Anderson College between 1985 to 1993, when I graduated on the Dean's List with honors. I cherish my time under the great soulwinning ministry of Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001). Dr. Hyles had many enemies, as do ALL Bible preachers who stand for what is true and right. This immoral wicked world today hates Christians, the Bible and Jesus (John 7:7; 15:18-19). I only had a couple friends in Bible college that loved to talk about the Bible truths we had learned.

I have never lost my love of the King James Bible! I learned a very long time ago that the fastest way to get rid of 99% of people is to just start talking about the Word of God. They will quickly leave as if you have the Bubonic Plague, COVID-19, Anthrax and the A.I.D.S. virus.

The Bible tells us that in the last days that people would no longer tolerate sound doctrine. 2nd Timothy 4:2-4, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Notice that they will turn aside after lies and fables and reject THE TRUTH. The reason why is because they will follow their own lusts (a longing for that which is forbidden). They will seek out corrupt preachers in neo-evangelical churches who will cater to their selfish desires (e.g., Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick, John MacArthur, et cetera).

I have been faithfully preaching the Word of God online since 2002. That is why 95% of my website articles have been censored. I preach THE TRUTH that abortion, homosexuality, public nakedness, feminism, stealing, divorce and covetousness are all wicked sins! I am one of very few preachers who expose Satan's deadly neo-evangelical colleges; namely, schools like Pensacola Christian College and Bob Jones University (both of which preach a fake plan of salvation). Somebody has got to care! Somebody has got to pay attention to the details. I don't merely blindly follow whatever some pastor spoon feeds my mind. I question everything, as the Holy Bible commands believers to do in 1st John 4:1. This is why the Apostle Paul said the Bereans were noble, because they searched the Scriptures daily to verify things (Acts 17:10-11). May we also do the same.

Psalms 138:1-2

Psalms 138:1-2, “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

This is one of my favorite Bible passages because it reinforces the integrity of God. The old adage is true: A man is only as good as his word. If a man's breaks his promises then he is not trustworthy as a man. If a man is unwilling to forgive others then his name is tarnished and his character flawed. That is why to an honorable man his word means everything.

That is why to God His Word means everything! That is why we read in Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” God is a stickler about exactness in His Words. God said what He meant and He meant what He said in the Bible (John 14:2). Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4 (which He quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3) that we need “every word of God” to live by. That is why I make a big fuss over which Bible we use, because right doctrine matters.

We must have EVERY WORD of God if we are to live. Since all the different Bible versions today do not have the same words, they cannot all be God's inspired Word.

For example: Look how the popular English Standard Version (ESV), used by Bob Jones University and many Baptist churches today, perverts Luke 4:4, by removing "every word of God"...

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJV) - Luke 4:4, "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱."

ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV) - Luke 4:4, "And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

It's GONE, GONE, GONE!!!

I HATE the Devil's modern Bible revisions. Why, oh why, are so many Bible colleges and church pastors so woefully stupid, wicked and willfully ignorant today in this matter? Shame on Bob Jones University and Pensacola Christian College for wickedly bidding them Godspeed!

God said that we need EVERY WORD of His to live by. Half a Bible won't do. 65 books won't do. We need all 66 books! The original Bible had no chapter divisions or verse numbers. Men added those centuries later after the Bible was completed in 96 AD, to make it easier to navigate through the Scriptures. It was just a collection of 66 books.

God's Holy Spirit inspired approximately 40 men to pen the Bible verbatim as He dictated it to them. God said what He meant, and He meant what He said. I believe that those 54 men who translated the King James Bible were working with inspired texts, and they faithfully translated those ancient Hebrew, Chaldean and Greek texts, and other available Latin translations, into an English Bible for us today. I believe since they did an accurate job, we have an inspired today.

God magnifies His Word above His very own name. Psalms 138:2b, “...for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” We read in Philippians 2:9-10 that “Jesus” is the name above every other name. Yet, God the Father magnifies His Word above the name of Jesus! The reason why is because God's name is only as credible as His Word is reliable. 

This is why the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:11, “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Paul here quotes from Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” I have heard numerous preachers misinterpret Romans 10:11, wrongly teaching that you're not saved if you are ashamed of the name of Jesus. That is not what this passage means in Romans 10:11. Isaiah 28:16 helps us to see the correct meaning, which is that God's Word is credible. The inspired Holy Bible is reassuring every believer in these Scripture passages that Jesus won't disappoint you if you put your trust in Him as your personal Savior.

God magnifies His Word above His own name. That is how important God's Word is to Him, and if we are wise it should be important to us too. The Bible needs to be re-read, not rewritten. If you want to hear God speak audibly, read the Bible out loud. The Bible is our bread of life to live by, not our cake to be eaten as a desert. ...

Psalms 19:7-11, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”

Psalms 119:103, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste!  yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Psalms 119:165

Psalms 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

I hear preachers get the meaning of this Bible verse wrong all the time. The Hebrew word for “offend” in Psalms 119:165 is mikshol, which means “a stumblingblock; cause to fall.” This Bible verse means that if you abide in God's Word you won't stumble. The psalmist David elaborates elsewhere in his writings:

Psalms 1:1-3, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

The Christian who loves God's inspired Word so that he or she abides, nurtures and continually feasts upon the Holy Bible, will be grounded like a strong tree with deep roots nourished alongside a flowing river. In that believer's season (time) they will bring forth fruit (souls won to Christ). In the parable of The Sower And The Seeds we read concerning the last and obedient fourth group in Luke 8:15, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

Psalms 119:165 is not teaching that if you love the Bible you won't be offended no matter what people do to you. I heard a preacher recently teach this misunderstanding of the passage. Folks, people are going to offend us all the time! Jesus said in Matthew 11:6, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” I am not offended to let the world know that I am a Christian. That is what Psalms 119:165 means—no one can cause our faith to falter. I wear my “Jesus” and “John 3:16” hat everywhere I go, advertising to the world that I am a child of God and I am not ashamed of Jesus!!!

The Bible is teaching in Psalms 119:165 that if we abide in the inspired Holy Scriptures we won't go astray:

1st Timothy 4:10-16, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

I love those last verses. The Apostle Paul is telling young Timothy that by taking heed to RIGHT DOCTRINE (not false teaching), he will not only save himself, but those who hear him preach. The Greek word for “save” in Verse 16 is sozo, which means “to deliver, or protect.” This is where consulting the Hebrew, Chaldean or Greek really comes in handy when trying to rightly interpret the Bible. Without looking up the word “offended” in Psalms 119:165 in a Strong's Concordance (or something similar; I like www.BibleHub.com), you'd never be able to rightly discern the correct intended meaning of the passage. This is why we are commanded in 2nd Timothy 2:15 to “Study” the Word of Truth, to shew thyself approved unto God.

You can read the Bible all day and mediate upon it all night, and still be offended by inconsiderate, mean, rotten and selfish people. When Jesus healed ten lepers of leprosy, only one bothered to return to thank Him. Jesus was offended! Luke 17:17-18, “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” The Lord's feelings were hurt. People can be such ingrates, especially toward those who help them the most.

Dear reader, Psalms 119:165 simply means that if you live, heed and obey the Word of God, you won't go astray! You're in good hands with Jesus!!!

James 1:22-25, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

When I went to San Diego, California in 2010 for my second neck surgery, I saw a homeless man looking through a garbage can for food. I handed him $20 and a Gospel of John. He humbly thanked me and said something I'll never forget. He quoted the preceding passage and said: “Thank you for being a DOER of the Word, and not just a HEARER!” Wow! That was so cool. I got much more of a blessing that day than he did. God is so good! ...

Proverbs 4:7, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Proverbs 4:23, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

If we will obey the Bible with God's help (Galatians 2:20), and draw close to our beloved Great Shepherd (James 4:8-17), then we will not be led astray from the truth and the joy that comes with having faith in God. Happiness is what happens to us. So we may not be happy most of the time (I'm not), but we can still have joy and peace 100% of the time in our miseries. Jesus told us in Luke 10:20 to rejoice, not because of external circumstances that can change, but only because our name is written in Heaven in the Lamb's Book Of Life. Peace is quiet of mind. Many people have: 'A Noisy Soul' (a tremendous sermon by Pastor Ron Haese).

God bless you dear reader! So, remember, nothing can cause you to stumble and bring offence to your walk with God, if you love God's Word and apply it to your life. Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” It is only when we allow doubt to become the precursor to fear, that we start to go astray.

Either the Bible and prayer will keep us from sin, or else sin will keep us from praying and abiding in the Scriptures. Don't just read the Bible friend, think about what it means and what God intends for you to do with it. Meditate therein about the deep and dark sayings of God's Word. I don't know about you, but I enjoy trying to discern what God means in various passages. I great place to always start, if you are not sure where to begin, is either in the books of Genesis, Proverbs or the Gospel of John. Those are my favorites!

The $64,000 question is: Do you love God's Word? Jesus is the Living Word; the Holy Bible is the Written Word. Dr. John R. Rice (1895-1980) used to wisely call Jesus and the Bible “twins.” Jesus' name is called: 'THE WORD OF GOD' (Revelation 19:13; John 1:1, 14). Jesus said in John 14:15 that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. So to the same degree that we love the Holy Bible, to that same degree we love Jesus, and vise versa. Psalms 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law (Jesus): and nothing shall offend them.” No one truly loves Jesus who does not heed the inspired Word of God in obedience!!! Our relationship the the King James Bible is synonymous with our relationship to Christ. No one can reject the Bible and accept Christ, for they are effectively one and the SAME (John 1:1-3, 14). When we study the Bible, we are learning the mind of Christ.

Jesus commanded us in John 5:39 to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!!! You won't go astray friend, if you make the inspired Word of God your lighthouse to guide you through life's raging storms! Psalms 119:104-105, “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” That is what Psalms 119:165 means!!! Psalms 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Nothing will sink your battleship! Nothing will cause you to stumble spiritually and choke you from maturing to win souls (Luke 8:14). Nothing will quench your faith! The man whose Bible is falling apart is not. That is what Psalms 119:165 means.