Scripture

But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing You and knowing all is well between us.

~Psalm 17:15, TLB

Quote

Don’t take hold of anything unless you want that thing to take hold of you.

~E. Stanley Jones

This is a Psalm of David. Most Psalms contain petitions but this Psalm is pure prayer and nothing but petitions. We don’t know who they are, but David has a group of enemies closing in on him and he pleads for the LORD’s help. “Lord, arise and stand against them. Push them back! Come and save me from these men of the world whose only concern is earthly gain—these men whom You have filled with your treasures so that their children and grandchildren are rich and prosperous. But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing You and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face-to-face.

All of us have been victimized at one time or another. It was probably a bitter moment that you cannot forget. I have never been a good business man but it is harder to take advantage of me now than it was forty years ago. June and I had 80 acres very close to Sugar Creek and less than a mile from the Elk. June never cared for the land and was afraid I would be seriously injured when I was there working. She wanted me to sell it I wanted to build my own house so I put it up for sale. A man called within a day. My brother law heard about it and he said, “Have no dealing with this man, he is a crook.” Like a fool, I laughed it off. I told my brother-in-law, “I was the man’s pastor and I always liked him.” He assured me that he was not what he pretended to be. My brother-in-law was right. One of my life’s greatest regrets is not listening to his advice. We had already agreed verbally on everything: the price, number of acres, every thing. When we met for the closing at a lawyers office in Decatur, he changed everything. Unfortunately, I was over a barrel. I couldn’t even pay the lawyers fee. In ignorance, weakness and desperation, I yielded to this lying, promise breaking hypocrite. I know, it was my fault. He did not force me to sign and I had no one to advise me otherwise. A man who was already wealthy ripped me off. He saw me as an easy mark and moved in for the kill. I didn’t realize any of this till after the fact.

When I read Psalm 17 yesterday out of the TLB, it was balm from Gilead. Do I still regret my stupidity and loss? Yes, I do but I am glad that it was he who took advantage of me and not the other way around. I prefer to live with regret rather than guilt and shame. No, I don’t think he felt any guilt or shame: he was a worldly man whose only concern was earthly gain. Maybe he did it to ensure that his two children would be wealthy. If so, it didn’t go as planned. His son preceeded him in death. I pray that the surviving daughter takes after her mother. The last two verses of the Psalm is what encourages me; But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing You {JESUS} and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see You face-to-face.

Extra

Well it is a little nippy out there is morning but there was no wind when I came to the office and so it wasn’t bad. It beats a heat wave. I didn’t see any frost but it was early and it is still possible. Bobby Vest was promoted yesterday morning and his COLS is Sunday evening. I don’t have all the details. Tomorrow will be November 1st and that officially opens puzzle season. It also means June will want to get out her Nutcrackers and they weight 200 lbs. a piece. I do love the Thanksgiving Season.

I hope you have a good Friday and great weekend. Thanks for reading the blog.