Orange Moon Saturday, March 25, 2023 "Construction and Destruction"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…      

"Construction and Destruction"

   Scripture serves both our learning and our unlearning.

    "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).

   "Doctrine" and "instruction in righteousness" supply truths we need to know, and in which we require growth.  "Reproof" and "correction" concern those matters about which we are in error, exposing our misunderstanding or misinterpretation.  We need construction and destruction.  Or, consider the prophet Jeremiah's calling:

    "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10).

    Note the Old Testament protocol in which the Lord suggests more destruction than construction (twice as much, in fact).  The New Testament balances the procedures, but in both cases, the Word of God calls us to realize our need for greater knowledge and understanding by both the entrance of truth and the exit of error.  "Lead me in Thy truth and teach me… Cleanse Thou me from secret faults" (Psalm 25:5; 19:12).

   Sometimes in our pondering of Scripture, we will discover a new truth to be added to our knowledge of God and His Word, or one that supplies greater insight into a truth already known.  Thereby, the Holy Spirit nurtures and builds us up.  At other times, Bible's light may expose wrong in our understanding, attitudes, and actions.  The Spirit of God rightly assaults the falsehood, tearing down that which hinders our walk in the truth of Christ.  Such demolition paves the way for more nurturing and building, administering valuable destruction that makes possible even more construction.  Things pulled down make a place for things to be built up.  Weeds rooted out provide space for plants to be seeded.  We require both on an ongoing basis.  "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… a time to break down, and a time to build up" (Ecclesiastes 3:1; 3).

    Maintaining awareness of our need for both construction and destruction goes far in maintaining and enhancing our walk with the Lord in His truth.  All believers require the Holy Spirit's application of the Word of God to our hearts and minds throughout our earthly lifetime.  Thereby, new light shines upon us, or increasing illumination graces truths already known.  Or, sometimes our Lord's correction drives away error we could not see in our beliefs, thoughts, attitudes, words, and deeds.  Either way, growth results as the Builder destroys and constructs, and as the Gardener weeds and plants.

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen."

(II Peter 3:18)

"Search me, o God, and know my heart.  Try me, and know my thoughts.  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

(Psalm 139:23-24)

   

Weekly Memory Verse

    "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; Him shalt thou serve, and to Him shalt thou cleave."

(Deuteronomy 10:20)

    

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