Tuesday, January 17, 2023

           The Bible has many names and descriptions of God.  Likely, we all have a few ways that God is spoken of that we especially like or cherish.  Many people find comfort in knowing that God is their Shepherd or even their Father.  Some may enjoy Jesus’ declaration to be the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Knowing that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Counselor can give us tremendous assurance.  But could it be that the Bible makes an allusion to God as a dentist?  Psalm 81:10 says, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”  Okay, so maybe that is a bit of a stretch but the Bible does have some other references to teeth and good dental health.  For example, “Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on an unfaithful in a time of trouble” (Proverbs 25:19).  Also, Job said, “My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family” (Job 19:17).
            The Psalmist in Psalm 81 seems to be trying to teach us that our fulfillment and satisfaction in life come from the Lord.  No one else is able to fulfill us like the Lord.  No experience or possession can equal the joy and satisfaction that come from knowing the Lord and walking with Him.  Just as food fills an empty stomach and water quenches a thirsty throat, God brings fulfillment to us as we open our lives to Him.  The absence of God in someone’s life is like the lingering pain and discomfort that come from a broken tooth or a lame foot.
            In Psalm 81:10, the Lord invites us to open our lives to His fulfilling power.  He gives us an open-ended invitation.  If you are battling fear today, open your life to the courage and confidence that God can bring to you in life’s trials and battles.  If you are struggling with guilt today, open your life to the forgiveness and fresh start that God offers to those who turn to Him.  We find this promise in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all un-righteousness.”  If you walk around with worry and burdens, cast those cares upon Him and open yourself to the peace that He promises—a peace that passes all human understanding.
            We can only know God in proportion to the amount of time that we spend with Him.  A healthy walk of faith with the Lord requires more than just a little time on Sunday morning.  We can encounter Him in His Word any day.  We can pray at any time we choose.  A. W. Tozer famously said, “listen to no man who fails to listen to God.”  His point was to be careful where you take counsel or advice.  If you are building your faith, be sure to build with what God provides to you and not just human ideas and opinions.  And, frankly, if you would not take spiritual counsel and direction from someone then do not let their criticisms or judgments bother or badger you either. 
            Fill up your life every day with what God offers you.  He has graciously entrusted us with His Word and we can saturate ourselves with Scripture as much as we wish.  If you are a parent or grandparent, pour God’s truth into the lives of children and grandchildren.  Make the most of every opportunity.  Have a wonderful Tuesday and feel free to share our worship at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.