The Devotional

Papa “J” says

Being labeled a wiseguy from youth, means that without repentance, one could die as a fool in the end! Proverbs 13:18

One of my first experiences on a submarine was a battle practice with surface ships. The surface ships were looking for us and defending an Aircraft Carrier. As I recall there was a Light Cruiser and three Destroyers surrounding the Carrier. Equipped with sonar the five ships and aircraft kept close vigil of the waters around the Carrier. We waited on the bottom in about 300 feet of water for the group to past over us. Once the circling ships pasted we eased up to 200 feet and just under the the Carrier. Then maneuvering at the same speed and direction as the Carrier we were virtually undetected by the other ships. As I recall we stayed in this position for quite some time until we were in much deeper waters. Then we came up to periscope depth behind the Carrier, launched our attack and dove deep before the Destroyers, Cruiser and aircraft could retaliate. The group Commander who was on board the Cruiser was a bit mad at our Captain, saying that we did not play by the rules in that we were to wait until we were in deep waters before starting the war games. Our captain explained that he did just that and any thing that happened before was a matter of interpretation. Or that in the case of a real war, you have to do what needs to be done, destroy the enemy first and play by the rules on another day!

Psalm 22

Psalm 22:29-31 One problem that we all face is that we live in a closed capsule or system called time. For you and me everything has a beginning and an ending. Thus when we look at the Word of God we cannot see beyond this finite capacity. Even people who are “born again” who fail to understand the supernatural ability given to them by God the Holy Spirit will have trouble understanding infinite things and the Day of the LORD. Ephesians 1:15-23

This Psalm of David from verse 1 to 21 describes all of the limits of time placed on Jesus as He suffered and died for the sin of the world. Sin as described in the bible carries the death penalty. Death is said to be final, but Jesus overcomes death, this is what the Word of God claims and proves in this Psalm written about 1,000 years before the birth of Christ. From verse 22 through 31 God explains that our system of time will end and His system of eternity will take over. Sin, Satan and death will be defeated. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

God does not exist by man's rule or direction, but man can and will survive beyond the limits of time. Psalm 22:29. During time there will always be those to serve God and proclaim the good news that He is Risen to every generation. Psalm 22:30. They will continue to come from every tribe, tongue and nation. This is not by the will of man. God will do this, Psalm 22:31. For God so loved the world... John 3:16 and Romans 5:6-11.