October 17, 2013 “AN OUTSTRETCHED NECK!” Psalm 75:4-5 “To the arrogant I say, Boast no more, and to the wicked, Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift up your horns against heaven; do not speak with an outstretched neck.’ ” What an unusual phrase: - - an outstretched neck. It is rendered that way in the New International Version of the Bible. In the King James Version it is: - - a stiff neck. In the New American Standard it is: - - an insolent pride. In the first two versions we have a word picture, while in the NASB we find more of a definition. We often see insolent pride displayed during sporting events. Not always, but frequently we observe athletes with outstretched necks parading back and forth like proud peacocks. This behavior has become common enough that penalties are often assessed because it is described as taunting. It is just as distressing to observe ministers of the gospel strut and pose in displays of arrogance. These people claim to have the answer to any and all problems that others have. The solution, they pronounce, is to send your money to them and all will be well. (Sorry, I was a little carried away there.) These ministers are more disturbing to me than the athletes. Wisdom is in their own eyes. God will have the last word. My plea is for us to bow before the Lord and confess that we deserve nothing, but He has given us His everything. Our boasting is in Him and Him alone. He is my everything, and I bow before His majesty on high! Let me close for today with this passage in Proverbs 3:5-6, which is the clearest way to steer clear of having an outstretched neck: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Blessings, Dear Hearts, draw near to God today, trust Him completely, and be a blessing! - - - Pastor Cecil
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 06:30:01 +0000
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