Helping The Ungodly

http://bible.com/1/2ch.19.2.kjv And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord ? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.

How often do we mingle or 'play' with either the ungodly or something they've produced?

Do we watch movies or shows, read or listen to books or music which is not truly edifying?

Do we truly see the time we have here as His? Do we vet our activities as if Christ Jesus is really with us, seeing and hearing what we are? How oft do we dismiss His name being taken in vain?

Or by silence or continuing to watch or listen approve ungodly behavior?

How are we really redeeming the time.

How are we coupling ourselves with 'brethren' who really aren't? Many call themselves Christians, but hold to either outright ungodly positions, or worse are far more subtle in their deception. Perhaps they are unaware, dupped by the deceiver. Lazy not thinking and or caring I'd their is dross (leaven) as long as the 'message' goes out.

How are we accepting, helping, encouraging ungodly behavior either by our silence, or not wanting to stand out and possibly be ostracized?

What will be the results if we don't? Will we hear the same message as Jehoshaphat?

All Who Could Hear

http://bible.com/1/neh.8.2.kjv And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

...with understanding.

So no deaf people, at least physically deaf. In less they had a way to translate.

It definitely included men and women, so who is the 'all who could hear with understanding' group?

Typically in ancient cultures you were considered a 'man' or 'woman' at a younger age. No teen or tween designations. :-)

You were either an adult or child. So, though some think children have to be talked to on their level (or down to), that somehow the Spirit of God is lacking in His efficiency in allowing a child to grasp what is related by an adult.

I'm somewhat amazed by the fervent confirmation of some of the supreme ability of God, yet when it comes to enlightening the minds (or spirits) of children He's somehow inefficient?

As if speaking to them as you would an adult, or allowing them to hear the word of God is beyond His ability to enlighten?

I'm not saying children (or adults) don't need clarity, or won't have questions, but is it really necessary to 'dummy' down conversations, God's word, sermons?

Wouldn't a healthier venue be to speak and then ask them questions, or wait to see if they have questions, allowing the Spirit to move them?

Even a young child has the ability to 'hear with understanding' especially if we factor in the omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient of God.

Would that we all have, by His grace, the ability to hear with understanding.

Understanding

http://bible.com/1/dan.9.2.kjv In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

Daniel didn't understand all of God's plan at the onset. He was in Babylon for quite some time before the pieces 'clicked'.

I find that reassuring and encouraging. We may 'know' God's word, read, pray, etc. but until He opens our understanding we may not grasp the 'whole' picture.

May we all be diligent students of His word and constantly seeking to understand the details of His master plan.