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Welcome to Day 2432 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 14:1-7 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2432 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2432 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, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’ll delve into the powerful and thought-provoking Psalm 14 from the New Living Translation. This Psalm, attributed to David, provides a vivid portrayal of humanity’s folly and the hope found in God’s salvation. As we read through Psalm 14:1-7, we’ll explore the depths of human nature and the assurance of God’s deliverance. Let’s embark on this journey together. Psalm 14:1-7 (NLT): 1 Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. 3 But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! 4 Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord. 5 Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey him. 6 The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the Lord will protect his people. 7 Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel? When the Lord restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice. The Fool’s Denial of God: David begins Psalm 14 with a stark declaration: “Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!” (verse 1). This opening verse sets the tone for the entire Psalm, emphasizing the folly of denying God’s existence. David uses the term “fools” not to describe a lack of intelligence but a moral deficiency. The fool, in this context, is someone who lives as though there is no accountability to a higher power. This denial leads to corruption and evil actions. When one rejects the foundational truth of God’s existence, moral decay follows. This verse challenges us to consider the importance of acknowledging God in our lives and the moral implications of our beliefs. God’s Search for the Righteous: In verses 2 and 3, David paints a picture of God’s perspective: “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!” Here, we see God’s active involvement in human affairs. He searches for those who are wise and seek Him. However, the verdict is bleak—everyone has turned away, and no one does good. This universal statement highlights the pervasive nature of sin and the universal need for redemption. It echoes the sentiment found in Romans 3:23, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” These verses...

Welcome to Day 2431 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – When Giants Walked the Earth – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2431 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2431 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 sixteenth 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, When Giants Walked the Earth. If they haven’t read it, most people have at least heard the story of David and Goliath of Gath (“the Gittite”). The names of the hero and villain have iconic status. But how many people know anything about the giant Goliath, other than that he lost his head to a boy named David from Israel? 2 Samuel 21:15-22 and 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 tell us that there were other unusually tall warriors among the Philistines.- The lists are not identical, but putting them together we read that there were four: Saph (also called Sippai), Lahmi, Ishbibenob, and an unnamed warrior. The descriptions are similar to those given by Goliath, noting “great stature” and the dimensions of their weaponry. Unlike Goliath or any other named warriors, the unnamed giant is said to have six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. This malformation, known as polydactylism, is only mentioned in the description of this giant. The Bible does not mention it when it discusses other giant clans. Wait a minute—giant clans? There are several people groups described as giants or among whom giants lived in the Old Testament:-

1. There are the Anakim, who are descendants from the Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4 (compare Num 13:33), and whom the people of Israel encountered under Moses, and later under Joshua (Num 13:22-33; Tosh 15:13-14).
2. At one time, before the children of Israel traveled through the Transjordan, the land to the east of the Jordan River was heavily populated with tall people known as Emim (Deut 2:10-11) and the Zamzummim, also called the Zuzim (Deut 2:20).
3. The Amorites, another group that stood in the way of Israel claiming the promised land, are described as being exceptionally tall (Amos 2:9- 10).
4. Lastly, there were the Rephaim, which are mentioned nearly 20 times, most often in association with the conquest of the promised land, when Moses encountered King Og of Bashan, whose bed measured to 13 feet in length (Deut 2:11, 20-22: 3:11-13: Tosh 12:4:13:13).

Goliath was Rephaim. He and the four giant warriors listed alongside him are descended from Rapha (non) in Gath (2 Sam 21:22: 1 Chr 20:8). If rapha is interpreted as a proper name, Rapha, then the...

Welcome to Day 2430 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 13:1-6 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2430 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2430 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, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we will delve into the heartfelt and deeply personal Psalm 13 from the New Living Translation. This Psalm, written by David, captures the raw emotions of despair and the profound faith that ultimately triumphs. As we read through Psalm 13:1-6, we’ll explore the journey from sorrow to joy, from doubt to trust. Let’s embark on this path together. Psalm 13:1-6 (NLT): 1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? 3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. 4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. A Cry of Desperation: David begins Psalm 13 with a cry that many of us can relate to: “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?” (verse 1). This opening verse sets the tone of the psalm as David pours out his heart, feeling abandoned and forgotten by God. The repetition of “How long” emphasizes his deep sense of despair and impatience. In verse 2, David continues, “How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” Here, David’s anguish is palpable. He is not only dealing with external enemies but also struggling internally with sorrow and anguish. This dual struggle—both external and internal—adds to his sense of desperation. These verses remind us that it’s okay to bring our raw, honest emotions before God. David’s openness with his feelings shows that God is big enough to handle our doubts, fears, and sorrows. It’s a powerful reminder that we don’t need to hide our true feelings from God; instead, we can come to Him with everything in our hearts. A Plea for God’s Intervention: In verses 3 and 4, David transitions from expressing his despair to pleading for God’s intervention: “Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, ‘We have defeated him!’ Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.” David’s plea is urgent and heartfelt. He asks God to turn towards him and answer him, highlighting his desperate need for God’s presence and response. The phrase “restore the sparkle to my eyes” vividly expresses his desire for renewed hope and vitality. Without God’s intervention, David feels that he cannot continue; his very life depends on God’s response. David also appeals to God’s honor by asking Him...

Welcome to Day 2429 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2429 – Be Sure of Your Source – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 07/21/2024 Exhortation to Spiritual Maturity – Be Sure of Your Source - 2 Peter 1:12-21 Last week, we learned that His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Peter then lists seven qualities we should add to our foundation of faith. If you miss any messages, you can watch them online on our FaceBook page or at PutnamChurch.org. Today’s passage is 2 Peter 1:12-21, on page 1894 of your Pew Bibles. 12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[b] 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Let me ask some questions as we begin today. How do we know the Bible can be trusted? Why is God’s Word set apart from all other claims of divine revelation? Why does it stand above all other standards of divine truth? In 1:12-21, Peter reminds us of the only absolutely reliable source of truth—the Holy Scriptures—and tells us why we can and must trust God’s sacred Word as the sure standard for our beliefs and actions. This is a vital topic in a letter that was written to stir up believers’ memories of sound teaching, to spur them on to diligence in the faith, and to shore up the biblical foundations of their beliefs and practices. In 1:12-18, Peter reminds us what the truth is and isn’t. Then, in 1:19-21, he gives us a rare description of the process by which God communicated his Word through human authors in the Holy Scriptures—and why we can be sure of our source. -1:12-15 —...

Welcome to Day 2428 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 12:1-8 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2428 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2428 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, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we are going to delve into Psalm 12. This psalm, attributed to David, speaks to the heart of human struggles with deceit, oppression, and the power of God’s words. As we read Psalm 12:1-8 from the New Living Translation, we’ll uncover profound insights about the integrity and trustworthiness of God in contrast to human deceit. Let’s embark on this journey together! Psalm 12:1-8 (NLT): 1 Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! 2 Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. 3 May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. 4 They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?” 5 The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.” 6 The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. 7 Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, 8 even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land. The Cry for Help: David begins Psalm 12 with an urgent plea for help: “Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!” (verse 1). This opening sets a tone of desperation and concern for the state of society. David observes a troubling decline in godliness and faithfulness, which leads him to cry out to God. David’s lament highlights a timeless issue: the erosion of moral integrity in society. He feels the weight of living in a world where the righteous are becoming scarce, and it seems like those who live faithfully are vanishing. This cry resonates with us today, as we often witness similar challenges in our own world. The Prevalence of Deceit: In verses 2-4, David describes the nature of the deceit he sees around him: “Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. They say, ‘We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?’” David points out the widespread dishonesty and flattery among people. Neighbors lie to each other, indicating a breakdown in trust and integrity within the community. The mention of flattering lips and deceitful hearts suggests that the deceit is not only prevalent but also deeply ingrained in the way people interact with one another. David’s prayer for the Lord to cut off flattering lips and silence boastful tongues shows his desire for divine intervention. He is aware that human efforts alone are insufficient to address the pervasive deceit. The bold declaration of the deceitful, “We...

Welcome to Day 2427 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 11:1-7 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2427 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2427 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, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we will journey through Psalm 11. This psalm, attributed to David, captures a decisive moment of faith and trust in the face of danger and adversity. As we read Psalm 11:1-7 from the New Living Translation, we’ll uncover profound insights about where our true security lies. So, let’s dive in! Psalm 11:1-7 (NLT): 1 I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! 2 The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. 3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” 4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. 5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. 6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. 7 For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face. A Declaration of Trust: Verse 1 begins with a bold declaration: “I trust in the Lord for protection.” David establishes his unwavering trust in God right from the start. This sets the tone for the entire psalm and contrasts the advice he receives from others. The second part of the verse reveals the counsel given to David: “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!” In times of danger, it’s natural for people to seek refuge and advise others to do the same. However, David’s response to this advice is rooted in his deep faith in God’s protection. David’s question, “So why do you say to me,” indicates his resistance to the fear-driven suggestion to flee. He acknowledges the reality of the threat but chooses to place his trust in God rather than succumbing to fear. The Reality of Threats: In verses 2 and 3, David describes the danger he faces: “The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” David paints a vivid picture of the threat posed by the wicked. The imagery of stringing bows and fitting arrows suggests a prepared and imminent attack. The phrase “They shoot from the shadows” implies the cunning and hidden nature of the threat, making it even more dangerous. Furthermore, David laments the collapse of the foundations of law and order. This collapse creates a sense of chaos and helplessness, raising the question, “What can the righteous do?” It’s a question that resonates with anyone who has felt overwhelmed by the...

Welcome to Day 2426 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Righting a Wrong – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2426 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2426 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 fifteenth 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, Righting a Wrong. The story of Jephthah and his tragic vow is paralleled by other stories— including a New Testament story that subverts it. The Story After the brief judgeship of Jair (a man from Gilead), the people of Israel fell into idolatry by worshiping foreign gods (Judg 10:6). God then allowed a foreign enemy to oppress the Israelites as punishment. This time, it was the Ammonites who lived on the other side of the Jordan in a place also known as Gilead. The people immediately called on God for deliverance. Ironically, God responded by calling Jephthah, another judge from Gilead. In Judges 11, Jephthah sends a message to the king of the Ammonites. He wonders why the king is not content with the land his god Chemosh had given the Ammonites. Jephthah’s plea is flawed: Milkom was the chief deity of Ammon—not Chemosh. It won’t be the last time he makes a theological blunder. When Jephthah leads Israel against Ammon, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him for battle. Just before the fight, he utters his horrible vow: 30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. He said, “If you give me victory over the Ammonites, 31 I will give to the Lord whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” (11:30-31). Upon his victorious return, it is his only child, his daughter, who greets him. The Story Behind the Story The ancient Israelites believed that geographical areas and nations were under the dominion of other gods, put there by Yahweh, the God of Israel, who had rejected the nations as His people (Deut 4:19-20: 32:8-9). The Jephthah episode reflects that worldview. Judges 11:10-11 tells us that the Israelites worshiped other gods, including Milkom. Human sacrifices were made to Milkom. Through his own theological ignorance, Jephthah wound up performing a human sacrifice, per Ammonite Milkom worship, to fulfill his foolish vow to Yahweh. He had Yahweh in view, but his perspective on worship was warped. Remember, at this time, there was no king, no spiritual leadership, and no centralized system of worship. The Story Repurposed The tragedy of Jephthah is repurposed in the New Testament story of Jesus raising the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:40-56). The

Welcome to Day 2425 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 10:12-18 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2425 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2425 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, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we will focus on Psalm 10:12-18 from the New Living Translation. These verses shift from lament to a plea for divine intervention and a confident declaration of God’s justice. Let’s dive in and uncover the rich insights these verses offer. Psalm 10:12-18 (NLT): 12 Arise, O Lord! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not ignore the helpless! 13 Why do the wicked get away with despising God? They think, “God will never call us to account.” 14 But you see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans. 15 Break the arms of these wicked, evil people! Go after them until the last one is destroyed. 16 The Lord is king forever and ever! The godless nations will vanish from the land. 17 Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. 18 You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them. A Plea for Divine Intervention: In verse 12, the psalmist cries out, “Arise, O Lord! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not ignore the helpless!” This urgent plea for God’s intervention marks a shift from the earlier lament. The psalmist appeals to God’s justice, asking Him to take action against the wicked and not overlook those suffering. This cry for justice is rooted in the psalmist’s faith that God is both powerful and compassionate. The plea to “Arise” and “Punish the wicked” reflects a deep trust that God can right wrongs and defend the vulnerable. It’s a call for God to manifest His justice in tangible ways, to show that He is not indifferent to the cries of the oppressed. The Wicked’s Misconception: In verse 13, the psalmist questions, “Why do the wicked get away with despising God? They think, ‘God will never call us to account.’” This verse highlights the arrogance and misconception of the wicked. They believe that their actions are unseen and unpunished by God. This false sense of security leads them to continue their evil ways without fear of divine retribution. The psalmist’s question underscores the moral confusion and frustration felt when the wicked seem to prosper without consequence. It’s a powerful reminder that while the wicked may think they are beyond God’s reach, their actions do not go unnoticed. God’s Awareness and Justice: Verse 14 brings a reassuring truth: “But you see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans.” Despite the wicked’s delusions, God is fully aware of the suffering they cause. He observes their actions and will hold them accountable. This verse reassures us that God is not blind to the injustices in the world. He...

Welcome to Day 2424 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2424 – A Fruitful Faith – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 07/14/2024 Exhortation to Spiritual Maturity – A Fruitful Faith 2 Peter 1:1-11 Last week, we learned how to be victorious over our enemy, the devil, which requires that we: Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. Today’s passage is 2 Peter 1:1-11, on page 1893 of your Pew Bibles. 1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Having matured in his faith and reached the end of his life, Peter wanted to leave a written legacy addressing some of the young church's most pressing concerns. In the last days of his life, he wrote this rapid-fire, urgent reminder to warn against false doctrine and moral compromise. And because the Holy Spirit inspired his writing, his final words are as timely today as they were for believers in the first century. Peter’s second letter was written around AD 66, about one year before the aging apostle's execution. Peter knew his time on this earth was nearing its end and that he would die before the Lord returned (2 Pet. 1:14). Brief but powerful, 2 Peter serves as his last written words to the church and a permanent testament of Peter's practical teachings. The first section of Peter's letter provides straightforward counsel on how to keep from...

Welcome to Day 2423 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 10:1-11 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2423 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2423 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, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we will delve into Psalm 10:1-11 from the New Living Translation. In this powerful passage, the psalmist cries out to God amidst the troubling presence of the wicked, seeking answers and divine justice. Join me as we uncover the depths of these verses and gain insights that are as relevant today as they were when they were first penned. Psalm 10:1-11 (NLT): 1 O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? 2 The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. 3 For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord. 4 The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. 5 Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies. 6 They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!” 7 Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats. Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues. 8 They lurk in ambush in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They are always searching for helpless victims. 9 Like lions crouched in hiding, they wait to pounce on the helpless. Like hunters, they capture the helpless and drag them away in nets. 10 Their helpless victims are crushed; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked. 11 The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us! He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!” The Cry of the Oppressed: The psalm begins in verse 1 with a heartfelt cry, “O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble?” Here, the psalmist expresses a profound sense of abandonment and desperation. It’s a cry that many of us can relate to when we face overwhelming challenges, and it seems as though God is distant. This honest question sets the stage for the subsequent verses, where the psalmist vividly describes the actions and attitudes of the wicked. The psalmist’s question is not just rhetorical; it reflects a deep yearning for God’s presence and intervention. This opening verse invites us to bring our own feelings of abandonment and frustration to God, trusting that He hears even our most desperate cries. The Arrogance and Actions of the Wicked: In verses 2 to 6, the psalmist paints a stark picture of the wicked: “The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord. The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.” These verses highlight the arrogance and cruelty of the wicked. They prey on the vulnerable, boast about their malicious intentions, and openly defy God. Their pride blinds them to their need for God, leading them to live as though He does not exist. The psalmist then...