A Plan for the Future - Part 2 of 2

Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer's praise, The worries of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace.

This is Lisei Bradley, Jr., welcoming you to another broadcast of the Baptist Bible Hour. Hearts and mouths and hearts and voices, sound the notes of praise above. Jesus reigns and depredices, Jesus reigns, the God of love. Singing saints on yonder throne, Jesus moves the world above. Hallelujah, hallelujah, Jesus moves the world above. Jesus, hallelujah, whose glory brightens, all above, and gives its word. Lord of life, my smiling light, and tears of joy, my saints on earth, when we're fading above, my kind, Lord, we are the only God we find. Hallelujah, hallelujah, Lord, we are the only God we find. In the glory, great forever, thine and everlasting ground, nothing from thy love can sever, those whom thou hast made thine own. At the objects of thy grace, destined to behold thy face, hallelujah, hallelujah, destined to behold thy face. Stay in your face, so thine I'm hearing, rain on rain, my glorious day, when the awful someone's hearing, heaven and earth shall pass away, when with open, open hearts they'll sing, glory, glory, glory to our King. Hallelujah, hallelujah, glory, glory to our King. We continue with the message today entitled, A Plan for the Future. I hope these studies in the Psalms have been a special blessing to you. If they are, we would appreciate it if you would pray for us, and if you can, help us with support.

These summer months are traditionally challenging, and that's the case at this time. So if you can help us, you can send a donation to Baptist Bible Hour, box 17037, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. In the book of Proverbs chapter 7, we find the description of the young man who is being led down the wrong path. Verse 5, that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. This is the wise man speaking to his son saying, keep my words, lay up my commandments with thee, beware of this strange woman, this stranger that flattereth with her words, lead you in the wrong direction. Verse 21, with her much fair speech she caused him to yield.

With the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straight way, as an ox goeth to the slaughter. Does that sound like freedom?

Here's a young man that's being taken in. He's being enticed, he's being flattered, and therefore he's going into sin. Does this give him freedom? No, he's described as being like the ox go into the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till a dart strike through his liver, as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Hearken unto me now therefore, O children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths, for she hath cast down many wounded, yea many strong men have been slain by her.

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. That doesn't sound anything like liberty, does it? That's not freedom, that's bondage. That's the result of sin. Sin doesn't elevate, sin doesn't lift us up, sin doesn't give us greater opportunities, sin doesn't advance us in this world.

Oh yes, there are those that will praise you if you follow their advice. If you live according to the lifestyle that they feel is appropriate and in order, but as far as anything of real value, anything of lasting benefit, sin doesn't set you free, it enslaves you. Titus chapter 3 of the third verse says, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lust and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. If a person is deceived as they live according to these various lusts, desires, and pleasures, then that's not freedom. They may be announcing that they are free from time to time, I'm my own person, I'm going to make my own choices, I'm going to do what I want to do, but they have deceived themselves. They've been deceived by the wicked one, they're going down the wrong path, destruction is out before them. Sin is slavery, but in contrast, holiness is freedom.

Freedom from bondage, freedom from those things that tie you down, that control you, that take over your life, and ultimately ruin your life. Romans chapter 6 verse 16 says, Know ye not that to whom ye heal yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom you obey, whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered unto you. Now what's the description of those who are continuing in the pathway of sin, continuing the way they were inclined by their fallen nature? They are the servants of sin, not just wallowing in sin, not just partaking of sin as they may see fit, not just choosing that part of it which is acceptable to them, they are the servants of sin. Being then made free from sin ye became servants of righteousness. What a contrast, servants of righteousness.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh, for as ye have yielded your members servants of to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when you were the servants of sin ye were free from righteousness. You were the servants of sin and at that time, yeah you were free. Free what? Free from righteousness. That's the only freedom the person can claim that is living an ungodly life. Free from righteousness. Oh how wonderful when a person walks in a godly path, free from bondage, free from guilt, free from fear, free from the destruction that sin brings.

This holy path is for your good. Also many young people struggle with that. As Solomon was giving this lesson in the book of Proverbs to his son, how many sons, how many daughters, how many young people today draw the conclusion, my parents are just too hard-boiled.

They're just behind the times. It's unfair the way they restrict me. I think I ought to be allowed more freedom. I ought to be allowed to go more places. I ought to be able to choose my friends. I ought not to have to report to my parents who I'm associating with.

What is this? But the idea that any rule that I'm not pleased with has to be destructive. It's not for my benefit. It's restricting my life. It's restricting me unnecessarily.

I don't like it. I resist it. But the commandments of God are for your good, not for your destruction, not to rob you of the joys of life, but for your benefit. Let's look at the book of Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 24. And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good always, that he might preserve us alive as it is at this day. Why did God give you these commandments? To make your life miserable? To isolate you from the other nations of the earth so that you were so very much different that you couldn't have any interaction with others that this was limiting you?

No. God gave you these statutes for your good always. That's a tremendously important lesson and one that parents ought to be teaching their children. They might understand since God has given the parents the responsibility to guide them, to instruct them, to train them up, then it's not optional.

The parents must impose certain rules, regulations, and commandments and it is for their good. Galatians chapter 5 verse 13 says, For brethren ye have been called unto liberty, only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. You're called to liberty. Following then the commandments of God is not an enslavement, not restricting you to the point that you're miserable, have no life at all, it's for your good. I John chapter 5 verse 3, And this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. If a person comes to the conclusion that the commandments of God are burdensome, they're just weighing me down, they're ruining my life, you don't understand what the commandments are about or do not understand what your walk and communion with God ought to be.

He says they're not grievous. No matter what others might say, no matter what your personal reaction might be, commandments of God are not grievous. This holy walk, this godly walk is freedom, freedom from bondage.

It's for your good and furthermore, it rather than limiting you and drying up your life will enlarge your thinking and expand your opportunities that are good and worthwhile. In the book of Philemon verse 11, Paul is writing, asking that this godly man will take back Onesimus, his runaway slave. And as Paul refers to Onesimus, he says, which in time pass was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me. In fact, the name Onesimus means profitable, but at one point he was an unprofitable servant.

Now he's returning. We don't have a long confession recorded. I think that's significant really.

Certainly there is a place for confession before God and when necessary, confession to others. But here was an example where if there was a confession, the inspired writer did not see fit to make it a part of this epistle. But the significant thing is Onesimus showed up.

Why is that so significant? Because in that time, a runaway slave when caught would normally be put to death for him to return and say, here I am, I'm back. He was putting his life on the line. I think he was clearly manifesting a true spirit of repentance. Now Paul is saying, now he's going to be able to live up to his name. He's been profitable to me since I have been a part of his life, seeing him converted.

Now he will be profitable to you, to you and to me. What happened? When Onesimus was in rebellion and in a sinful state, his life was very restricted. He was running for his life. He was full of fear.

He was in bondage. When he returns and lives a godly life, he's profitable. Profitable to one so notable as the apostle Paul himself and profitable to Philemon, a man who was a godly example in his own right. That can be seen from a practical standpoint in your life. Many of you will be going to work tomorrow. What kind of an attitude will you have when you go? Will you go thinking, oh dear, I dread this old job.

I dread having to put up with these people I got to work with. Do you go there with a negative outlook? Well, if you do, your testimony is not going to be very profitable. But if you go there as a Christian ought to go, being free from the sin of complaint and criticism and resentment and bitterness and anger, your life will be enlarged and expanded.

Let me give you what we're talking about. Colossians chapter 3 verse 22. Servants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. You go to work with this understanding.

Yes, I've got a boss that's difficult, but I'm really working for the one that's over him, Jesus Christ. I'm going there with the idea that I'm going to put in the best I can give. If I'm going to be paid for eight hours, I'm going to put in eight hours of good hard work. I'm going to be committed. I'm going to be faithful.

I'm going to be honest. I'm going to try to get along with people. Scriptures say as much as lies within you to live peaceably with all men.

I'm going to make that effort. And whatsoever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not of the men. You don't grumble about it.

You don't complain about it. You do it heartily because you're serving the Lord, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. That'll make a tremendous difference in whatever your activity is. If you're going to work, if you're going to school, if you understand I'm serving the Lord Christ. If you're staying at home caring for children, keeping house, whatever your role is, if you are doing that with this understanding, I'm serving the Lord Christ.

It may be a day that you're upset with other people, you don't like your situation, there are things that you wish were different, but if you understand I'm serving the Lord Christ so that you're not possessed with a sinful attitude, a sinful spirit, then your life is enlarged. Your thinking has moved you in the right direction because you're thinking in a godly way. This is illustrated very well also in the 31st chapter of the book of Proverbs when it's talking about a godly woman. Verse 10 asks the question, who can find a virtuous woman?

Her price is far above rubies. And then it talks about this industrious woman who's caring for her household, concerned for her children, seeing to it that she brings in the right materials for their clothing, seeing to it that they are warm on a cold night. And she opens her mouth, verse 26 says, with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looks well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness.

What's the result of this? Is she in bondage? Is she enslaved? Is her life reduced to some minimal activity that's of no lasting value? Is she not important?

No. Many daughters, verse 28, her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excelest them all. Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates.

What a wonderful picture is there painted. A godly woman, laboring, respecting her husband, her children rising up and calling her blessed. You men at times may face things in the workplace where you're tempted to compromise and it may appear that if you stand for what's right that it could cost your job or at least cost your advancement and you struggle.

How am I going to get through this? This is a terrible challenge that I'm facing. The psalmist says, and I will walk at liberty. Not liberty to sin, but liberty to do right. I'm going to enjoy the freedom. Why? How am I going to have this freedom?

For I seek thy precepts. That's the final test. That's the final answer. Hear all of these persuasive arguments. Hear all these logical considerations that one would present to you and say, yes, this is what you need to do. This is in your best interest, but is it right? Is it godly? Is it honorable?

Is it biblical? You come back and realize I want to seek the precepts of God. When I do that, I'm free. I'm walking at liberty. I don't have to be plagued with a guilty conscience. I don't have to be pulled down with fear.

I don't have to be concerned because I've grieved the Holy Spirit of God and displeased Him. I'm enjoying liberty. Liberty and freedom is doing things God's way. Mind how difficult that is, it seems, for many of us to learn. No doubt you've experienced it along the way. You've had those times when you have been pretty headstrong and decided you were going to do it your way, and you'd have to look back and say it didn't work out very well.

So you'd think, okay, I've learned that lesson now, but next time around the old flesh is as much inclined to go the wrong way as it was the first time. Where are you going to find liberty? Where are you going to enjoy freedom in doing things God's way? God's way. That puts you in total opposition to the thinking of the culture in which we're living today. The popular trend of our time is, think about number one, what's best for you?

What works for you? People love to hear that. Well, that sounds like a good idea. I remember talking to a lady one time and said, you know, all my life I've just given in to other people. I've thought about other people, and I'm through with that. I'm going to start thinking about myself. It's time for me to think about myself.

Well, after having some additional conversations with other people involved in some of the pending problems, it became evident that that had been the problem all the while. She never had thought about anybody but herself. This wasn't going to be a new day. This was going to be a continuation of the same pattern as me, me, me. That doesn't bring liberty. That brings bondage. We're to have the same mind that was in Jesus Christ who humbled himself, took upon himself the form of a servant, not self-seeking, not charting our own course, not self-willed and determined. I'm going to do it my way. I'm going to fit in.

I'm going to be like everybody else. I'm going to do it God's way. And there you find liberty, where you find peace, and you find joy, and you find comfort, and you find direction, and the more you walk in the way, the more you understand the way, and the blessings accompany you as you grow that way. Yes, here's a great promise, a great freedom enjoyed. You know, I just stand amazed at the richness of the Word of God, even in this one Psalm, and I keep telling myself I've got to pick up speed and go along with it, but I think I can't pass over some of these things.

It's so rich, it's so practical that there's things that we need to look at and see how to apply them in our life. And so when we have looked at this portion today, we have seen, first of all, a prayer for mercy. Lord, I need mercy. I desire mercy. I'm not worthy.

I'm undeserving. I desire thy salvation. That's the burden of my heart. And then we have noticed also his plan for the future, that he's making a lifetime commitment, even looking on to eternity when he will keep the commandments of God to perfection, and then great freedom enjoyed in following and serving God in the framework of his commandments. Oh, he Heav'n of Heavens, and he floods above the sky. Let them praises give Jehovah, for his name alone is high. And his glory is exalted, and his glory is exalted, and his glory is exalted, far above the earth and sky. All ye fruitful trees and seers, all ye hills and mountains high, creeping things and beasts and cattle, birds that in the heavens fly, kings of earth and all ye people, princes, great elves, judges all. Praise his name, young men and maidens, ancient men and children small. Let them praises give Jehovah, for his name alone is high. And his glory is exalted, and his glory is exalted, and his glory is exalted, far above the earth and sky. If you would like to help keep the broadcast on your station, you can make a donation by going to our website at BaptistBibleHour.org. Till we come back at the same time tomorrow, this is LeSaire Bragley Jr. beating you goodbye, and may God bless you. Praising my Savior, praising my Savior, praising my Savior. All the day long.