Trivia:
When you are putting honey on your biscuit have you ever thought about the life span of the Queen Bee who is the basis for all of those bees who worked together to bring that wonderful sweet treat to you? Well just how long do you think the Queen Bee lives to birth new bees? Is it 9-12 months; 1-2 years; 3-4 years; or 6-7 years?
By the way do you know what the best selling novel of all time is? Is it Don Quixote; The Hobbit; To kill a Mockingbird; or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone? Make your guess, I must admit that I was surprised as to this answer.
Challenge:
Psalm 55:20-23 "As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises. 21 His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. 22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. 23 But you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction. Murderers and liars will die young, but I am trusting you to save me."
Here in this section David offers several warnings to the young and innocent who are beginning to determine just who they should allow to gain influence in their lives.
Verse 20 He warns first be careful to trust those who call you friend, but betray their friends by
breaking there promises
Verse 21 Those who speak smoothly with words that promise peace and concern but in reality seek
to bring harm and conflict
Verse 23 The wicked (those who openly rebel against God) will end up facing the consequence of
their rebellion towards God and their friendship with Satan
Verse 23 Those who only offer murder and lies in their lives to others will ultimately live short lives
Next David gives this counsel to his youthful participant in life;
Verse 22 Don't take your burdens, problems to the wrong person, but rather take your burdens to
the Lord, for you can trust Him to render help, love and compassion
Verse 22b He will never let those who are striving to follow after Him to slip, or fall and experience
harm and permanent loss
Verse 23c Instead go to God for He is worthy of your trust
In my lifetime I have sought to guide young people to seek friendship and help them find the right sources for assistance. For there are many people who speak smooth, kind, promising, and even seemingly right words but in reality they only have their own gain in mind.
Oh, they may not wish to harm you, but their primary motive is to gain something from your relationship. The first warning sign is that they will speak smooth, complimentary words towards you, or making promises with not taking any even small steps towards helping you. In fact many times they will speak critically about those people in your life who have already proven their concern for you.
When I went to college in Canada, one of the things that they do there for fun is skate on the ice. Oh I had roller skated but never had I skated on the ice, particularly suspended on a tiny, skinny blade. I remember putting on those skates, and standing up and my ankles immediately collapsing, inward and then outward. So with great care I got ahold of the side bar to assist in holding my weight to bring aide to my weak ankles.
Over the next few weekends and honestly years I learned to work at strengthening my ankles, and weaning myself off of the side bar. I can't say that I ever got good at that sport, but I got somewhat better. Ha! Ha! The most embarassing was my wobbling and flailing of my arms to keep from falling and then some two year old child racing by with agility and speed.
Our Heavenly Father has promised to keep us from falling and this promise brings back the memory of my faithful ally -- the side bar.
SO GO WITH GOD for He will help you carry your burdens, and He will look out for your needs, He will stand beside you and help you stay on a firm pathway, and keep you from falling. He won't leave you, or walk away when you face troubles, or unsure times in your life. One of the hardest times in our lives are the times when we are facing something that others have learned to face this time with agility, but we are first timers in facing this. So run to the side bar, His word and He will guide you through this time.
To Kill A Mockingbird