The home is the foundation of human civilization.  If a country possesses homes that are pure and stable, then that country will be stronger and greater.  When homes are weak and dysfunctional, the nation will experience greater difficulties of divorce, rape, murder, molestation, drugs, corruption, and other crimes.  Individual citizens are component parts of any country or national entity, and those individuals become who and what they are, to a large degree, as a result of their familial influence and nurturing.  If the principles and values of truth, integrity, honesty, love, and purity are absent in one's formative and adolescent years, then there is a diminished hope for that individual to become a productive and contributing member of society.  The home is the molding mechanism for character and self-esteem.  It is the place where one should learn about fairness and mutual respect for his/her fellow man.  When these values are neglected or abandoned, there will be devastation in the form of moral decay, a weakened government, and a dejected and demoralized people.
Valueless homes produce a valueless society where fear and corruption are pervasive and where evil is triumphant.  Bankers, lawyers, merchants, carpenters, doctors, plumbers, educators, preachers, and even presidents were once pure and wholesome little infants and children.  Their beliefs about the world and their outlook on life are influenced by their nurturing.  Their views about right and wrong and good and evil are formed from what they have seen, read, or been taught.  While man is not destined or bound by the past, and while we do have the power to change, we must recognize the powerfully significant impact of the forces within the family unit that penetrate our hearts and minds to mold our thinking and influence our behavior, and thus influence our society.
For nations to be strong, for churches to be true, for communities to be civilized, they must all recognize the significance of the home.  The future status of these institutions will be dependent upon what is believed and practiced in the home.  Consequently, our homes must see their important and essential role and plan for the future. Families must have a vision for the future (Ephesians 6:1-4).  Indeed, the values of peace, prosperity and well-being before God will vanish if families, as well as leaders, educators, etc., do not consider and make provision for the future.
Do we as parents, as a church, as a community, as a nation want peace? harmony? love? goodwill? safety?  Do we want our children to go to heaven and to experience a life full of purpose and meaning?  Do we want our sons and daughters to be happy and optimistic about the future while possessing a confident assurance about whom they are, what they are doing here, and where they are going? If so, then we must have a vision for the future:  A vision that first and foremost begins with God.  In Proverbs 29:18, vision has reference to revelation; and so if God’s Word does not take priority in our current activities and plans for the future, then we will perish as a nation, home, or church.  However, if we keep the law, there will be happiness (Proverbs 29:18b).

                                                          Adapted from John Moore
 
 

If the struggles between righteous people and unrighteous people are viewed only from the earthly point of view, the righteous have little hope.  It seems, from our vantage point, that God allows the wicked to “get away” with their plans.  Think of the stories involving Cain, Joseph’s brothers, Satan and Job, enemies of Israel, the life of Christ, the Herodian family, and the “successes” of false teachers (then and now).

This psalm is one of the great statements in the Bible regarding these things.  In four quick points, David clears it up in a way that would help him and all other righteous people.  Here is a brief preview of our lesson:
 

• Something is wrong (64:1).
• They are up to something (64:2-6).
• Something shall happen to them (64:7,8).
• Something good shall come of this (64:9,10).

Let us now read the poem as a unit, and then study a few things based on the outline.

The psalm begins with a cry about a problem that David is having.  This is a very common method for beginning a psalm.  Life is filled with problems (both imaginary and real).  The faithful know that it is good to turn to God at such times.  David’s problem here is not just the enemy—it includes his fear of the enemy.  Such fears are normal—even though they must be handled according to the word of God.  If we do not take care of them in a Biblical way, we risk giving in to temptation and giving the victory to the enemy.

The psalm continues with a detailed description of the secret planning sessions and sinful attitudes of those who “are up to something.”  David’s description gives the impression that he had been in the meetings (even though he hadn’t)!  Truthfully, meetings such as these have been occurring almost since the beginning of time, and the agenda is almost always the same.  The meetings are often secret; they involve the sharpening of the tongue (planning the words to use against the righteous); practicing their “aim”; deciding how to ambush the righteous (for they are not at all interested in a “fair fight”); whipping themselves up to a frenzy in support of one another; convincing one another that no one will figure them out (who is watching?  Heh, heh.); and passing the motion that they have “perfected a shrewd scheme.”  Ah, how deeply their thoughts and hearts are involved in their sin.

Then, David suddenly reminds himself (and us) that there is Someone Who sees and understands the entire plot.  And He will see to it that they are wounded by the arrow of judgment (Do you remember the story of Ahab, his hatred of good things and good people, and the arrow that “got” him?? See 1 Kings 22).  In a graphic and sarcastic way, David says that God will make them trip over their own tongues!

In the final section, we are given another of the great statements about the fact that God can—and He will—bring forth wonderful things out of all such situations.  This was true in every similar case in the Bible, and it has been true in every case since then!  When we find ourselves in trouble because wicked people (in or out of the church—it doesn’t matter), let us remember Psalm 64!  Note how many times fear came upon people in the Bible when God dealt with the enemy—and how many people were brought to humble obedience when they understood what was taking place (You can see this several times in Acts of Apostles.).

Let me close with three warnings:
 

    — Skip Andrews
 

SICK LIST:  Sam Grubb had a second biopsy Monday.  He has a lot of stitches but was allowed to go back to work Saturday.  Electa Wilson (Room 140, Gwinnett Extended Care) and Steve Fishel remain in our prayers.    
GROUP 4:  Group 4 is in charge of the services at Plantation South at 1:30.  Also, please meet up front following evening services for visitation assignments.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
LADIES’ CLASS:  Evening ladies’ class will meet Monday, August 28 at 7:30.    Our regular weekly class will begin after Tuesday, September 11—ladies, please review “What We Know.”
FOR THE RECORD: 
AM Class   108
AM Worship   130
PM Worship   130
Wednesday Class  110
Contribution   $5257
Budget   $6500 
Special Contribution:  We often receive extra contributions that are not a part of the regular budget.  This week, we received $10,000 for TFTW.
AWAY:  Ernest and Carolyn Burnette are in the Ukraine.  John Grubb arrived safely in Taiwan.  A typhoon caused a delay in some of his travels but he’s back on schedule.  
FALL MEETING:  Our gospel meeting with James Rogers begins October 15 and goes through October 19.
PAINTSVILLE, KY:  Skip will be preaching during the first five days of a 32-day gospel meeting September 4-8. Last year, they had a 40-day meeting with good attendance and 11 baptism.