Learn from Him

B. A. Manakala Only fools say in their hearts, “ There is no God. ” …  Ps 53:1 Wind blows where it wishes; you cannot see it though you may hear it (Jn. 3:8). Am I a fool, if I asked ‘ Where is God? ’ and ‘ Does He exist?, ’ during tough times in life? Isn ’ t it natural for any of us to ask similar questions? Was Father God hurt when Jesus asked, ‘ My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? ’ (Ps. 22:1) We are limited in understanding the depths of God (Job 11:7; 36:26; Ps. 145:3). My knowledge about God is just enough for me to say, ‘ I do not know God ’ ! The whole creation, proclaims that God exists (Rom. 1: 20) God neither gets offended because you think He doesn ’ t exist, nor cease to exist because you think so! Prayer: Lord, open my heart, eyes or whatever, that would help me see and understand you. Amen

B. A. Manakala I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people. Ps 52:9 Some people are very keen on introducing themselves only with their surname, about which they might be very proud. Here is a name that is above all other names! One day at this name every knee will bow (Phil. 2:9-10)! I have been crucified and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20). Let him and his name increase and let me and my name decrease (Jn 3:30). Rejoice that your name is written in heaven (Lk.10:20) and one day you will be given a new name (Rev. 2:17). Earthly names are temporary; gain a heavenly name. Prayer: Lord, help me gain heavenly name than earthly fame. Amen

B. A. Manakala The righteous will see it and be amazed. …  Ps 52:6 Sometimes I sit speechless staring at something, but without seeing what I am looking at, as my mind would be elsewhere. Idols have eyes, but do not see (Ps. 115:5; 135:16). Foolish people have eyes that cannot see (Jer. 5:21). Jesus asked his disciples: you have eyes, can't you see (Mk. 8:18)? The righteous can see a lot more than what others around them see. They can see beyond a pandemic, flood, technology and science. God does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants (Amos 3:7). Moreover, the upright see God's face (Ps 11:7). Look beyond what your physical eyes can see! Prayer: Lord, help me see your amazing plans for the universe. Amen

B. A. Manakala You love to destroy others with your words, you liar! Ps 52:4 In the Old Testament 'eye-for-eye and tooth-for-tooth' is found as the penalty principle. Generally, what we do is more important than what we speak (1 Jn 3:18; Jam 2:17). But the effect is reversed when we are angry: our words become more powerful than our actions (Pro 15:1). Words are powerful to crush even the spirit (15:4), not the actions. Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (16:24). Be cautious about what you speak, especially when you are angry. Remember, too much talk can lead to sin (10:19). Spit only the words that will bless and nourish others, swallow the rest. Prayer: Lord, teach me to use my words only to nourish everyone. Amen

B. A. Manakala You love evil more than good and lies more than truth. Ps 52:3 We parents love to have some vegetables with meals; but our children hate the idea. How do we decide something as good or evil? Knowing good and evil was God's character. We acquired it through eating the fruit of the tree that was in the middle of the garden (Gen 3:22). We think 'whatever I do, talk, suggest and teach is always good; and whatever others do, talk, suggest and teach is generally not so great.' We tend to love evil more than good (52:3). Woe to those who call evil good and good evil (Is 5:20). When we don't fear God we turn to evil (Pro 3:7).   Do not call evil good and love it, and call good evil and hate it. Prayer: Lord, teach me to love good and hate evil. Amen

B. A. Manakala All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you ’ re an expert at telling lies. Ps 52:2 Recently we purchased a knife for our kitchen. It is sharper than any knives we ever used! It often cuts our fingers too. Our tongue can become like a knife (52:2). The wounds made by the kitchen knife are often silly. But the wounds by tongue are tougher to handle. The Bible has many references to tongue: over talk (Pro. 10:19), perverse tongue (15:4b), gossip (26:20), fire (Jam 3:6), unwholesome talk (Eph. 4:29) etc. Most importantly tongue can bring healing too (Pro. 15:4a). You can determine how to use your tongue, whether to cut or to heal Prayer: Lord, help me use my tongue in the right manner. Amen