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Welcome to Day 2462 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 21:8-13 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2462 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2462 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we continue our trek through the Psalms, and we’re going to explore Psalm 21:8-13 from the New Living Translation. In this passage, David reflects on the justice and power of God, especially as it relates to how God deals with His enemies and defends His people. While Psalm 21 began with a focus on God’s blessings and favor toward the king, these verses shift to describe God’s righteous judgment against those who oppose Him. Let’s read the passage in full and then break it down together. Psalm 21:8-13 (NLT): 8 You will capture all your enemies. Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you. 9 You will throw them in a flaming furnace when you appear. The Lord will consume them in his anger; fire will devour them. 10 You will wipe their children from the face of the earth; they will never have descendants. 11 Although they plot against you, their evil schemes will never succeed. 12 For they will turn and run when they see your arrows aimed at them. 13 Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts. God’s Judgment on His Enemies: In verse 8, David begins by proclaiming God’s power and authority over His enemies. “You will capture all your enemies. Your strong right hand will seize all who hate you.” This imagery of God’s “strong right hand” is a common biblical expression that symbolizes God’s power and might. David is acknowledging that no enemy can escape God’s justice—His hand will capture them all. It’s essential to recognize that the enemies referred to here aren’t just David’s personal adversaries, but they represent all who oppose God and His purposes. This verse emphasizes that God will not allow evil to prevail indefinitely. Those who stand against Him and His people will ultimately face His righteous judgment. For us, this is both a sobering and comforting truth. It’s sobering because it reminds us of God’s holiness and the reality of His justice. But it’s also reassuring to know that God is in control in a world where evil often seems unchecked. He sees everything and will act in His perfect timing to bring about justice. David continues this thought in verse 9, saying, “You will throw them in a flaming furnace when you appear. The Lord will consume them in his anger; fire will devour them.” This vivid language of fire and consuming anger is used throughout Scripture to describe God’s judgment. Fire is often a symbol of purification and destruction—burning away the impurities and eradicating what is evil. Here, David is describing the fate of those who rebel against God. When God appears—when His presence is fully revealed—His enemies will not be able to stand. They will be thrown into a fiery judgment, consumed by the righteous anger of the Lord. This isn’t an arbitrary or capricious punishment—it’s a response to the deep and willful rebellion of those who have rejected God’s...

Welcome to Day 2461 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Slaying the Sea Monster – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2461 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2461 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the twenty-second lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today, our lesson is: Slaying the Sea Monster! Slaying the Sea Monster When we think of creation, we think of everything beginning with God’s spoken word—as Genesis 1 tells us. But some Old Testament writers concentrate on another aspect of creation—and a weird one at that. In Psalm 74, in the middle of God’s ordering of the sea and dry land, His establishing of the sun, moon, stars, and the seasons, we find another event: God destroying sea monsters. 12 You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth. 13 You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters. 14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan[a] and let the desert animals eat him. 15 You caused the springs and streams to gush forth, and you dried up rivers that never run dry. 16 Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight[b] and the sun. 17 You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter. (Psa 74:12-17). Warring the Sea Monster The reference to God breaking “the heads of the sea monster” and crushing “the heads of Leviathan” has led many on a desperate study of Old Testament zoology. But this, along with many other confusing Old Testament images, has a cultural context. In the ancient world, the original (“primordial”) chaotic conditions of creation were often portrayed as a monstrous dragon. This is reflected in stories from ancient Babylon and Israel’s closest neighbor, Ugarit (ancient Syria, just north of Israel). In the literature of ancient Ugarit, the god Baal battles Yamm, who is portrayed as a chaotic, churning sea, and a terrifying sea dragon named Tannun or Litanu. These terms are equivalent to the Hebrew words in...

Welcome to Day 2460 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 21:1-7 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2460 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2460 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we will focus on Psalm 21:1-7 from the New Living Translation. This psalm is a song of thanksgiving and celebration for the victories and blessings that God has given to His chosen king. As we journey through these verses, we’ll see how King David acknowledges God’s provision, strength, and favor. We’ll also uncover how this psalm speaks to our own lives, especially in the ways we experience God’s blessings and victories. Let’s start by reading the passage in full: Psalm 21:1-7 (NLT): 1 How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! He shouts with joy because you give him victory. 2 For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested. 3 You welcomed him back with success and prosperity. You placed a crown of finest gold on his head. 4 He asked you to preserve his life, and you granted his request. The days of his life stretch on forever. 5 Your victory brings him great honor, and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty. 6 You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. Rejoicing in God’s Strength: Psalm 21 begins with King David expressing his joy in the strength of the Lord. He says, “How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord! He shouts with joy because you give him victory.” The very first verse sets the tone for the entire psalm—it’s a song of praise and gratitude for what God has done. As the king, David had been victorious in battle many times, but he knew that those victories weren’t because of his own strength or wisdom. He was fully aware that it was the Lord who gave him the strength to succeed. Therefore, his joy is rooted not in his accomplishments but in God’s power and provision. This is a profound reminder for us as well. When we experience victories in life—whether they are big or small—it’s essential to recognize that our strength ultimately comes from the Lord. It’s easy to take credit for our successes or to attribute them to our hard work, intelligence, or resources. But like David, we should rejoice in God’s strength, knowing that He is the source of every victory. David’s response is one of joy—he shouts with joy because of the victory God has given him. His heart is filled with gratitude, and he can’t help but praise the Lord. As we reflect on our own lives, how often do we stop to truly rejoice in what God has done? We should be intentional about celebrating the ways God has shown up in our lives and given us strength, even when we face challenges. God’s Generosity in Answering Prayer: In verse 2, David continues, saying, “For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested.” Here, we see the king acknowledging that God has answered his prayers, providing him with the desires of his heart. David recognizes that God, in His goodness, has given him not only...

Welcome to Day 2459 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2459 – Living in Troubled Times – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 09/08/2024 Anticipation of Christ’s Return – Living in Troubled Times 2 Peter 3:14-18 Last week, our focus was on what we should do in light of the coming day of the Lord. And we determined that we should Clean up. Look up. Speak up. These three commands alone will keep us plenty busy until the Lord returns. Today’s passage is 2 Peter 3:14-18, on page 1897 of your Pew Bibles. I will read it from the NLT for clarity of flow.   14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. 15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction. 17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. Beware! Be ready! Those two commands could summarize the theme of Peter’s second letter. In Chapter 1 Peter warned against moral corruption, encouraging believers to beware of temptations and be ready with a virtuous life. In Chapter 2, he warned against false teachers, urging us to beware of their deceptive wickedness and be prepared to stand against their lies. Finally, in Chapter 3, Peter reminded us that scoffers would come, doubting the coming judgment. In light of this challenge, Peter encouraged us to beware of their persuasive skepticism and always be ready for the coming judgment. Peter wrote this letter to remind believers of sound teaching, to encourage diligence in the faith, and to strengthen biblical foundations of beliefs and practices. As he transitions to his final words to believers everywhere, we see him emphasize the need to read Scripture rightly, rejecting the destructive heretical interpretations of the false teachers. Only in this way will we be stable in the face of false teaching and fruitful in our spiritual growth. In these five verses, Peter leaves his readers with four strong commands:

• Be diligent (3:14).
• Be confident (3:15-16).
• Be on guard (3:17).
• Be fruitful (3:18).

In that order, let Peter fill in the blanks and firm up his final words.     — 3:14 — The first thing we notice about Peter’s clear command to be diligent is that he ties it in with the previous discussion. He begins with the logical connector, “And so,” pointing us back to his appeal...

Welcome to Day 2458 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 20:6-9 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2458 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2458 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we will complete our journey through Psalm 20 by focusing on verses 6 through 9. This section of the psalm is a declaration of confidence in God’s deliverance and power. It’s a powerful conclusion to a psalm that began as a prayer for the king before battle. In these last few verses, the psalmist expresses faith that God will give victory to His anointed one. Together, we’ll explore the meaning of these verses and consider how they apply to us in our daily lives as followers of Christ. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 20:6-9 from the New Living Translation: Psalm 20:6-9 (NLT): 6 Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power. 7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. 8 Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. 9 Give victory to our king, O Lord! Answer our cry for help. Confidence in God’s Rescue: In verse 6, we see a decisive shift in tone. The psalm began as a prayer for deliverance and protection for the king, but now the psalmist declares confidently, “Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.” There’s no longer a sense of uncertainty or pleading—there is assurance. The psalmist is confident that God will rescue His anointed one, King David, and grant him victory. This declaration of confidence is rooted in the understanding of God’s covenant relationship with His chosen people. In the Old Testament, the term “anointed” referred to someone chosen by God for a specific purpose, often a king or a priest. In this case, the anointed king is David, and the psalmist expresses faith that God will protect and deliver him because of the special relationship that God has established with him. For us today, this verse holds great meaning as well. As believers, we are “anointed” through our relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Anointed One. Jesus is our King, and God has promised to rescue and deliver all who belong to Him. This confidence that the psalmist speaks of can be our confidence as well. We can know that the Lord rescues His people—He hears our cries and answers us from His holy heaven. When we face challenges and battles in life, we can rest assured that God is with us. His great power is at work to deliver us from our troubles, just as it was for King David. Whether our struggles are spiritual, emotional, or physical, God is faithful to intervene and rescue us according to His will. The True Source of Strength: In verse 7, we see one of the most well-known and profound statements in this psalm: “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.” This verse draws a sharp contrast between two sources of strength. On the one hand, there are...

Welcome to Day 2457 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 20:1-5 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2457 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2457 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we’re trekking through Psalm 20, specifically focusing on verses 1 through 5 from the New Living Translation. This is a unique and beautiful psalm because it represents a prayer for the king before he goes into battle. It’s a community prayer, asking for God’s blessing and protection on their leader. Today’s study will explore what these verses meant for King David and how they apply to us in our spiritual battles and challenges. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 20:1-5 in the New Living Translation: Psalm 20:1-5 (NLT): 1 In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. 2 May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. 3 May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. 4 May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. 5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers. A Prayer in Times of Trouble: The first verse begins with a powerful declaration: “In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.” Here, we see the community rallying around their leader, lifting up a prayer for divine protection in the face of impending danger. This psalm was likely sung before King David went into battle, reflecting a deep confidence in God’s ability to provide security and protection. This prayer is not just for the king, though. It has broader implications for all of us who face our own “times of trouble.” The psalmist reminds us that when we cry out to the Lord in our distress, we can trust that He hears us and will answer. There’s a comforting assurance here—God is not distant or unaware of our struggles. He is near, and His name—the name of the God of Jacob—is a strong and mighty refuge. The reference to “the God of Jacob” is significant. Jacob, as we know from Genesis, was a man who encountered many challenges and struggles, both externally and within himself. Yet, God remained faithful to Jacob, protecting him and fulfilling His promises to him. In invoking the name of the God of Jacob, the psalmist reminds us that this is a God who stays true to His covenant people, even in times of trouble. Just as God was faithful to Jacob, He will be faithful to us, keeping us safe from harm as we trust in Him. This verse speaks to the heart of every believer who has ever faced difficulty. Whether our troubles are physical, emotional, or spiritual, we can cry out to God, knowing that He is both willing and able to answer. Help from God’s Sanctuary: The prayer continues in verse 2: “May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem.” Here, we see the request for divine help coming directly from...

Welcome to Day 2456 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Cookin The Books – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2456 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2456 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the twenty-first lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today, our lesson is: Cookin The Books. Corporations cook their books. Politicians get caught taking bribes. Scientists fudge data. Should the writer of Chronicles be judged the same way? It’s widely known that the books of 1-2 Chronicles are a reiteration of the history of Israel found in the books of 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings. What isn’t as well known is that the writer of Chronicles carefully and deliberately omits any negative material about David and Solomon from his historical record. Try to find the account of David’s adultery and murder of Uriah in 1 Chronicles—you won’t be able to.- Why would the Chronicler omit it? History written this way isn’t necessarily unreliable or deceptive. If I picked up a book entitled The Native American History of the Pioneer West, I know what I’m getting. I have no reason to believe the contents will be misleading; I have every reason to believe the work is selective and incomplete. I know the book was written with a specific slant, so that I won’t take it as the last word on the American West. First and Second Chronicles deserve the same consideration. Those books went into the Hebrew Bible (and later Bibles) along with the books of Samuel and Kings. Anyone who read their Bible would learn about the unsavory acts of David and Solomon. No one would be fooled. Deception could not possibly be the point. There was another agenda. First and Second Chronicles were written during (or shortly) after the exile of the Jews in Babylon. Israel would once again have its own nation and leadership. The writer of Chronicles wanted the new generation returning to the land to remember and keep the covenant God made with David, and remember that his dynasty had been chosen to rule. Disloyalty to David’s dynasty had fractured the kingdom, producing a deviant religion and, ultimately, the destruction of Israel (Amos 7:9-11). The Chronicler wanted to revive loyalty to David’s line, and so David and Solomon are cast as ideal monarchs. The Chronicler didn’t want to deceive, but inspire. The lessons that make up Theology Thursday on the Wisdom-Trek Podcast for the next couple of years will satisfy the statement, “I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible.” I trust you’ll enjoy them—and, of course, not be...

Welcome to Day 2454 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 19:12-14 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2455 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2455 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we will explore the final verses of Psalm 19—verses 12 through 14. These three verses form a reflective conclusion to the psalm, where David moves from marveling at God’s creation and the perfection of His law to a deeply personal prayer. Here, he acknowledges his own need for God’s mercy and guidance, revealing a humility that we can all learn from as we strive to walk in wisdom. As we look closely at these verses, we’ll see the importance of recognizing our own sin, seeking God’s help in avoiding it, and committing ourselves to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. Let’s read Psalm 19:12-14 from the New Living Translation: Psalm 19:12-14 (NLT): 12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Recognizing Our Hidden Faults: David begins in verse 12 by asking a question that reveals the depth of his awareness of human frailty: “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?” This question strikes at the core of one of life’s significant challenges—understanding the full extent of our sinfulness. David acknowledges that sin is not always obvious to us. There are hidden faults, subtle sins, and blind spots in our lives that we may not even be aware of. This verse invites us to reflect on the idea that we are often unaware of the ways in which we fall short. It’s easy to recognize some of our more obvious sins—like anger, dishonesty, or pride—but there are also those sins that are more insidious, lurking beneath the surface. These hidden faults can be things like unrecognized selfishness, envy, or even misplaced priorities. David’s question—“How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?”—is one of humility. He realizes that, on his own, he cannot fully comprehend his own sinfulness. And this is true for all of us. Our hearts are complicated, and without God’s light to reveal the darkness within, we may never fully understand the ways in which we’ve strayed from His path. David follows his question with a plea: “Cleanse me from these hidden faults.” What a beautiful and humble request! He’s not asking to be excused from responsibility; instead, he’s asking God to cleanse him. This is a powerful reminder for us to regularly come before God, not just confessing the sins we know about but also asking for cleansing from the sins we might not yet see. This verse emphasizes the importance of humility in our relationship with God. We must be willing to admit that we don’t always know the full extent of our own shortcomings. It’s a call to examine ourselves, to ask God to reveal anything that might be hindering our relationship with Him,...

Welcome to Day 2454 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2454 – The Day of the Lord – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 09/01/2024 Anticipation of Christ’s Return – The Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3:8-13 Last message: we learned we should be about building God’s kingdom on earth and preparing it as much as humanly possible for Christ’s return when He finalizes God’s kingdom, and that in the end, God Wins! Today’s passage is 2 Peter 3:8-13, on page 1896 of your Pew Bibles. Because of the complexities of the subject matter, I will read it from the NLT for clarity of flow.  8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.[a] 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. When I was a younger believer, Bible prophecy was the hottest of all topics. If you wanted to increase attendance at the local church, you just scheduled a prophecy conference or announced your plan to start a sermon series on the book of Revelation. And it seemed like dozens of books on prophecy were coming out every year! It was sometimes hard to keep up. And, yes, I read the entire ‘Left Behind’ series. They were interesting, but as I studied Scripture in more context, I changed how I look at particular ‘end times’ scenarios. Interest in general has cooled over the decades, but you’ll still find fervent fans of end-times teachers. In light of this curiosity about prophecy and the tendency for some to go overboard on the issue, let me interject a few general facts about the future. I want to share a few essential points of counsel briefly. First, while some things are revealed about the future, much still remains a mystery. One of the marks of immaturity in the Christian life is to read more into the biblical text than is actually there. We can be sure of the big picture regarding Bible prophecy, but many details remain shrouded in obscurity. Second, when searching for answers, continue to leave room for questions. Try not to make the agreement on the particulars of future events| a basis for fellowship with other believers. If you agree on the fundamental saving truths of the faith related to the triune God and the person and work of Christ in His incarnation, death,...

Welcome to Day 2453 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 19:7-11 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2453 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2453 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we continue our exploration of Psalm 19, a psalm of David that reveals the glory of God both in the natural world and in His Word. In the previous episode, we looked at the first six verses of this psalm, where David marvels at how the heavens declare the glory of God, and how creation continuously proclaims His handiwork. In verses 7 through 11, David shifts his focus from the general revelation of God in nature to the specific revelation of God in His Word. These verses are a beautiful meditation on God’s law’s perfection, power, and value, which guides, enlightens, and satisfies the soul. So, let’s dive into these verses together and uncover the treasure that is God’s Word. Psalm 19:7-11 (NLT): 7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. The Perfection and Power of God’s Word: David begins verse 7 with a powerful declaration: “The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” David introduces us to the profound truth that God’s Word is perfect and complete. When he speaks of “the instructions of the Lord,” he is referring to the Torah, the law given to Israel through Moses. But in a broader sense, it includes all of God’s revealed will in Scripture. David tells us that these instructions are perfect, meaning they are without flaws or defects. They are precisely what we need to live a life that pleases God. One of the most remarkable aspects of God’s Word is its ability to “revive the soul.” In our busy, often chaotic lives, it’s easy to become weary and burdened. We face challenges, disappointments, and struggles that can drain our energy and sap our enthusiasm. But David reminds us that God’s Word has the power to restore our vitality and renew our inner being. It revives us, not just physically or emotionally, but at the very core of who we are. David also highlights the trustworthiness of God’s decrees. He says they are “trustworthy, making wise the simple.” In a world where so much information is unreliable, God’s Word stands as a beacon of truth. It is a solid foundation on which we can build our lives. Even those who are “simple,” or lacking in understanding, can become wise by following the precepts of the Lord. The wisdom that comes from God’s Word is not dependent on our intellect or education; it is available to all who seek it with...