"Howbeit The Most High Dwells Not In Temples Made With Hands" As Saith The Prophet: And Without Contradiction, The Less Is Blessed Of The Better - Part 1977

Without contradiction, the less is blessed of the better! (Hebrews 7:7)

From the scriptures, we understand that God stands in the congregation of the mighty, He judges among the gods [those who exalt among themselves into high places] while similarly asking us (those who believe in Him by faith), "How long will ye judge unjustly and accept the persons of the wicked? Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. [For] I [the Lord] have said, "Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the Most High." But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes." (Psalm 82:1-8)

A similar message conveyed in Acts 6, when the Grecians murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. (Acts 6:1-7; Acts 9:29; Acts 11:20-21, 29-30; Acts 4:35-37) 

All around us, we see a world that is clearly out of kilter. The foundations of the earth and the societies founded therein, wherein moral value used to be based upon the Word of God are all in quick decline. "Out of course" as the scriptures state, with those with evil hearts walking on in darkness, without any understanding of what is right and just and true. Sadly, in this post-modern era, we are also witnessing new lows for those in authority, seeking to serve only themselves. And even more grieving, is that this lack of moral compassion for those less fortunate is now, of late, filtering down as well to the citizenry.

But our Lord God Almighty (through David the psalmist) speaks to this societal situation. Herein, we learn that the Lord still crowns those who believe in Him with His righteousness -- when our hearts remain focused upon Him; when we who believe sing forth the honour of His Name, making His praise glorious for one and all to hear. 

But for those with evil hearts? "The wicked bend their bow, making ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor. (Psalm 10:2) The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made. The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined, for the wicked boasts of his heart's desire and blesses the covetous. 

Moreover the wicked, through the pride of their own countenance, will not seek after God. Indeed, God is not at all in their thoughts. Their ways are always grievous. God's judgments are far from their thoughts. Their mouths full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. They sit in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: their eyes are privily set against the power. 

Further, concerning those individuals with evil hearts --"he lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draws him into his net ... he crouches and humbles himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones because he hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: He hides His face, He will never see." (Psalm 10:2-13)

"Wherefore, doth the wicked contemn [renounce] God?" he hath said in his heart, "Thou wilt not require [it -- an account of our wrongdoings]?" (Psalm 10:13)

But what does the Lord God Almighty say to those whose hope is in Him? 

As for God His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. For who is God, save the Lord? Or, who is a Rock save our God? It is God that girds me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like hinds feet, and sets me upon my high places. He teaches my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation, and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great." (Psalm 18:30-35)

The question -- "How long will ye judge unjustly and accept the persons of the wicked" -- showing impartiality based on position and riches, is critical. Because, as the psalmist points out, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" 

Still, the Lord is in His holy temple. The Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids try, the children of men. Indeed, the Lord tries the righteous: but the wicked and him that loves violence His soul hates. "Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright." (Psalm 11:2-7) Therefore, then, what should our heart response be, as believers in the Lord Jesus by faith? 

To bless the Lord at all times. His praise continually in our mouth. (Psalm 34:1) Our souls making our boast in the Lord, magnifying the Lord and exalting His Name together. To seek the Lord, and to look unto Him for our instruction and countenance. To taste and see that the Lord is good, and to trust in Him. And to fear the Lord because there is no want to them that fear Him. (Psalm 34:9)

Why? Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their/our cry. The righteous cry the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers them out of them all ... the Lord redeems the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate." (Psalm 34:11-22)

This is the promise of the Lord unto His beloved people.

Moreover, "behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy Name. Thus again, our heart desire, our prayer should be -- "Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee." (Psalm 33:18-22)

According to the measure of faith. 

"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)

Thus, in our hearts, do we put our trust in God, and not be afraid of what man can do unto us. (Isaiah 56:11) 

Because He hides us from the secret counsel of the wicked: from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity, who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even better words, that they may shoot in secret at the perfect [blameless]; suddenly do they shoot at him and fear not. They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily, they say, "Who shall see them?" 

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search; both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart is deep. But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves; all that see them shall flee away. And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of His doing. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in Him, and all the upright in heart shall glory. (Psalm 64:1-10)

Yes, "let the Lord be glorified: but He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed!" (Isaiah 66:5)

Stand in the offering plate.