I have no idea what this chapter means… Even after reading 3 to 5 times, in different versions. Let’s try again.

Something about the value of people or things that are dedicated to God. You can “borrow” what you dedicated, but you have to pay the valuation (+20% in some cases). “Borrow” because once you receive it, you cannot give it or resell it because it already belongs to God.

I still don’t understand… maybe someday…

Today’s chapter was short, but very very timely.

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. (Psalm 120:1, 2 ESV)

I have always been a person who believes that people are generally good. It’s natural for me to trust people. This is why these verses spoke to me. I may not know it, but people might already be deceiving me.

I do not want to change my view of people, I do not and cannot live a life that is always guarded. So this is what I do: I will trust God that when there are people who wish to do me and my family harm, He will deliver me from them.

At one point in my life, this was me:

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (Ephesians 4:18, 19 ESV)

It didn’t seem like it then of course. And there were many times after I had become a Christian that I would revert to this lifestyle. For me these verses have two reminders. (1) That I should be careful, (2) more importantly, it’s never too late or impossible for anyone. No matter how hard the heart, how callous or how dark the life – God’s love is strong enough to break through.

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. (Ephesians 4:28 ESV)

God created all men, Jesus died for all men, and the Holy Spirit is given to all men who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. In God’s standard of Holiness, we all fall short. We must understand the heart of God.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)

Same goes for texts, chat messages, blogs, tweets and status updates.

Inanimate things – like land and rocks, wind and waves – even they understand the supremacy of God. Man might be able to utilize and harness these things, but I doubt that man is able to make these things rejoice “with joy and singing”.

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:3, 4 ESV)

Let us encourage one another with the reminder of God’s love and faithfulness. He has shown it countless of times. The ultimate evidence is that He provided the “Way of Holiness” – a path through the wilderness that brings us straight to God’s Kingdom – Jesus.

Nothing complicated, we are either with God or against God. With God, we can experience many blessings – a great life. Against God, we will experience discipline, again and again until we realize our sin and repent. Note that this was written for God’s children. Those of us who, when we cried out to Him, He saved from slavery and despair.

The difference between being with God and against God is great. Don’t be stubborn, choose God.