Unpacking God's Generosity: Why Fairness Isn't What You Think
This podcast episode dives into the profound theme of God's generosity and the concept of fairness in the Christian life. Host David Spoon explores the parable of the vineyard workers, emphasizing that God's kindness and grace are not bound by human standards of fairness. He challenges listeners to reflect on their perceptions of equity when comparing their struggles to those of others, reminding them that only God understands the complete picture of each person's journey. Through engaging anecdotes and scriptural references, Spoon encourages a heart of gratitude instead of bitterness towards God's blessings in others' lives. The discussion ultimately highlights the importance of trust in God's perfect judgment and timing, reassuring listeners that they will never be shortchanged in their relationship with Him.
Transitioning into the core message, David Spoon delves into the parable of the vineyard workers from Matthew chapter 20, a teaching rich with implications for believers. The parable illustrates the nature of God's grace and generosity, challenging the mindset of fairness among workers who grumble over their wages. David expertly navigates the theological nuances of the text, suggesting that this story is not just about earthly fairness but about divine kindness and the unexpected nature of God's economy. He reminds listeners that God's understanding of fairness transcends human perceptions, urging them to trust in His perfect justice and timing. The discussion encourages an attitude of gratitude rather than resentment, framing the Christian journey as one of reliance on God's grace rather than personal merit.
Takeaways:
- The essence of faith is not to determine what is fair, as only God knows all nuances of life.
- We should embrace the generosity of God instead of feeling entitled to more than others.
- The parable of the vineyard workers teaches believers about God's grace and kindness to all.
- In moments of struggle, remember that God is our ever-present help in times of need.
- Our understanding of fairness is often flawed; we must trust in God's perfect judgment.
- Being critical of God's kindness to others reflects a misunderstanding of His grace.
Transcript
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David Spoon:Hello, everybody.
David Spoon:I've got sunshine on a cloud.
David Spoon:A day when it's cold outside.
David Spoon:I've got.
David Spoon:Here's what's coming up on today's experience.
David Spoon:It's Dr.
David Spoon:Dave's devotional Diamonds of the Day, also known as DDDs, where my daily devotions become some of our spiritual reflections.
David Spoon:Sound effects play throughout the show which have nothing to do with life.
David Spoon:But the Bible teaches there's a time to laugh.
David Spoon:Hearty har har.
David Spoon:The review of the goofy news which proves Jesus is coming back sooner than you think.
David Spoon:And if you're a Bible believing born again Christian, you're saying, come on, Lord, right?
David Spoon:Come on.
David Spoon:Life lessons for our faith that we can actually use probably won't if we sit on our blessed assurance humor that will force you to think, why does this guy have a radio show?
David Spoon:What am I, chop liver?
David Spoon:Huh?
David Spoon:Huh?
David Spoon:Also Bible trivia for fake and yet somehow real cool prizes, your phone calls and more.
David Spoon:Living this life not always easy running in.
David Spoon:Oh.
David Spoon:Welcome to the David Spoon Experience, Local, national and heavenly talk.
David Spoon:My name is Doctor.
David Spoon:You know, I can hold that doctor thing a really long time, Doctor.
David Spoon:You know, I'm actually a doctor with a doctorate, Dr.
David Spoon:David Spoon.
David Spoon:And I'll be your host for the next 5,400,000 milliseconds.
David Spoon:Get ready for one of the more bizarre experiences on live radio.
David Spoon:Here is the key to the show.
David Spoon:We don't know what we're doing.
David Spoon:We have no idea what's going to happen and we don't care.
David Spoon:But for the next few minutes, I want to talk hope with you.
David Spoon:So here we go.
David Spoon:We're asking questions about living life as a Christian.
David Spoon:Here's an excellent question for you to respond to.
David Spoon:Super easy, and you can do it.
David Spoon:Get ready for the question.
David Spoon:Are you ready?
David Spoon:Are you braced?
David Spoon:Are you prepared?
David Spoon:If you're driving, keep your eyes open.
David Spoon:Here we go.
David Spoon:What Bible book?
David Spoon:What book in the Bible?
David Spoon:66, 39 in the old and 27 in the new.
David Spoon:What Bible book do you find the most comfort from?
David Spoon:What book in the Bible do you find the most comfort from?
David Spoon:That is the question.
David Spoon:If you think you have an answer, if you have an opinion, a comment, a thought, or a question of your own, don't let it die of loneliness.
David Spoon:That would be sad.
David Spoon:Just reach out and give us a call.
David Spoon: -: David Spoon: -: David Spoon:Talking to jam in Jacob.
David Spoon:That's like talking to a person that you can count on.
David Spoon:Aw, how sweet is that?
David Spoon:Thank you, David.
David Spoon:Happy Tuesday.
David Spoon:Happy Tuesday to you, my friend.
David Spoon:How's your day been going so far?
David Spoon:It's going well.
David Spoon:Okay, that's a good thing.
David Spoon:Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick then, right?
David Spoon:Yes, better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
David Spoon:There you go.
David Spoon:So you got to keep that in mind.
David Spoon:Listen, the question's not complex.
David Spoon:There is many times you've opened up the Bible and it has spoken to you.
David Spoon:Why?
David Spoon:Because the word of God is alive.
David Spoon:I don't know if you know this or not.
David Spoon:Same Greek word when it makes reference to Jesus and the resurrection.
David Spoon:Same word, you know.
David Spoon:So the idea here is to understand the word of God is life.
David Spoon:You don't go, bam.
David Spoon:You go, wow, wow, the Lord's speaking to me.
David Spoon: and Revelation: David Spoon:That's the question.
David Spoon:So you can give us a call, Ahala on the phone if you want to.
David Spoon:You can also text us.
David Spoon:Not Texas, text us, this is Texas, but text us.
David Spoon: -: David Spoon: -: David Spoon: -: David Spoon:That's the.
David Spoon:You can also send an email.
David Spoon:David must increase.org d a v I d David, he must increase.org all one thing.
David Spoon:So you can send us an email.
David Spoon: -: David Spoon:Maybe it's because you want to answer that question.
David Spoon:Which book in the Bible, man, just brings you the most comfort for whatever reason.
David Spoon:What book is that?
David Spoon:That's question number one.
David Spoon:The other thing I want to bring up is maybe you've got a praise report you want to share.
David Spoon:Cool.
David Spoon:Do it.
David Spoon:Don't tell me.
David Spoon:I'm too afraid.
David Spoon:Hey, we are your brothers and sisters.
David Spoon:Nobody is rooting for you besides the Lord.
David Spoon:Nobody's rooting for you more than us.
David Spoon:No, we don't all have the same denominations.
David Spoon:But those of us who are Bible believing born again Christians have the same heavenly father.
David Spoon:We are blood relatives through the Lord Jesus Christ.
David Spoon:And we are drinking of one Holy Spirit.
David Spoon:And the bottom line is the unity is in the Trinity.
David Spoon:And the bottom line is.
David Spoon:That's twice I've used bottom line is that we want to bless one another, encourage one another, strengthen one another.
David Spoon:To that end, you can share a praise report.
David Spoon:What has the Lord done in your life that you know you should be like?
David Spoon:Thank you, Lord.
David Spoon:Because the Bible says, let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
David Spoon:Put your feet upon a rock and a new song in your mouth.
David Spoon:Sing it.
David Spoon:Maybe you've got a prayer request.
David Spoon:You got something you got to deal with.
David Spoon:Great.
David Spoon:Bring it.
David Spoon:Whether by phone or by text or by email, bring it.
David Spoon:Let's pray about it, let's petition.
David Spoon:Let's see the kingdom of God invade into the kingdom of men.
David Spoon:And the will of God be done so that we can rejoice, we can be full of joy and full of worship, full of praise, full of appreciation.
David Spoon:Let's do it.
David Spoon:Maybe you got a scripture you want to share.
David Spoon:Something's going on and it's just like this scripture keeps coming back to me, and it keeps coming back to me.
David Spoon:The one that the Lord has been driving home for me is the Hebrews 4:16, which it just says, I come to the throne of grace confidently.
David Spoon:I come with confidence to the throne of grace, to receive mercy and to find grace in our time of need.
David Spoon:Wow, I love that passage.
David Spoon:Really hitting home with me.
David Spoon:Hebrews 4:16.
David Spoon:Check it out.
David Spoon:In whatever version you have, it's fine.
David Spoon:You'll get there.
David Spoon:And what I'm trying to encourage you to do is connect.
David Spoon:That's an important thing.
David Spoon:So the things that I want you to be aware of is that we are here to be a blessing in whatever fashion we can.
David Spoon:We'll talk about different ins and outs a little bit later.
David Spoon:We'll probably do a Jake's take review because we really didn't do one last exit time.
David Spoon:And I've just been chomping at the bit to talk about that one and then other things.
David Spoon:But in the meantime, we're going to jump into, by the way, Matthew chapter 20.
David Spoon:And this will not be the nicest teach I've ever given.
David Spoon:Ha ha ha ha ha.
David Spoon:I've given nice ones.
David Spoon:I've given not nice ones.
David Spoon:I think you guys know that it goes the range.
David Spoon:We try to do the full counsel, the full will of God.
David Spoon:This one is a little more challenging for believers than other people.
David Spoon:And so before we get there, we do have somebody that's calling in, and we want to give them a chance.
David Spoon:Why?
David Spoon:Because it's important to hear from one another.
David Spoon:And when you're listening on the radio, even if you're like, you know, Dave, I can't really participate or do things when somebody calls in or shares or anything like that, you can listen to that and pray for them.
David Spoon: Paul said in Romans: David Spoon:You can do it just that way.
David Spoon:That's a way you can enter into ministry for others.
David Spoon:Okay, we do have somebody on the line, I believe.
David Spoon:Yep.
David Spoon:Let's send them on through.
David Spoon:Knock, knock.
David Spoon:This is David.
David Spoon:Who am I talking to?
Joanne:Hi, Dr.
Joanne:David.
Joanne:This is Joanne.
David Spoon:Happy Tuesday.
David Spoon:Okay.
David Spoon:Happy Tuesday.
David Spoon:You're a little bit.
David Spoon:Your voice is a little bit distant, so I don't know if you're on a speakerphone or what you're on, so.
David Spoon:But happy Happy Tuesday to you.
Joanne:Okay, I'm gonna.
Joanne:I am in my car.
Joanne:I'm so sorry.
Joanne:I don't normally.
David Spoon:That's okay.
Joanne:At the same time on Bluetooth, I'm gonna.
David Spoon:Okay.
David Spoon:You there?
Joanne:Hang on.
Joanne:Hang on just a second.
David Spoon:Okay.
David Spoon:Okay.
Joanne:Can you hear.
Joanne:Is that any good?
David Spoon:Yes, that's better.
David Spoon:That's much better.
Joanne:Okay.
David Spoon:All right.
David Spoon:Okay.
Joanne:I'll just make it real quick.
Joanne:So thank you so much for that great question about a favorite book in the Bible.
Joanne:Lately, it has been Colossians for me.
Joanne:You know, about putting our minds on things above, and you know how our Lord Jesus holds everything together.
Joanne:He's the creator.
Joanne:And I know you pre.
Joanne:You teach that on Thursdays, and I love Thursdays to hear your commentary on Colossians.
Joanne:So thank you so, so much.
Joanne:And I just want to say I'm so glad you and Noelle moved from California to Texas seven years ago today, because your lives have blessed us more than you can possibly imagine.
Joanne:Dr.
Joanne:David, you are such a huge encouragement and comfort to us.
Joanne:So thank you.
David Spoon:It's very, very sweet of you.
David Spoon:You want to hear something really, really weird or bizarre along with that?
David Spoon:My brother Billy is moving out to Texas tomorrow.
David Spoon:Tomorrow.
David Spoon:So literally the same week within the same week that I moved seven years ago, he's moving out to Texas.
David Spoon:I'm like, wow.
David Spoon:Well, the Lord's got something going on.
Joanne:Wonderful.
Joanne:So maybe we can thank him in person for leading you to the Lord.
David Spoon:Over 40 years, three years ago.
David Spoon:Well, I'll let him make the move and settle in, and then once he gets settled in, then I'll touch base.
Joanne:That sounds great.
Joanne:Well, Dr.
Joanne:David, thank you.
Joanne:I'm getting ready to go to a counseling appointment, my first in many, many months.
Joanne:So would you pray for me for a good interaction with this wonderful counselor?
David Spoon:Yeah, let me help.
Joanne:Guide me regardless.
David Spoon:Let me pray for you on that.
David Spoon:That's really, really important.
David Spoon:Let me pray, Lord.
Joanne:Thank you.
David Spoon:We just ask right now for Joanne that as she goes into the counseling session, that you would give the counselor the wisdom he needs to speak, to share, to encourage her and that, Lord, she would be fully open, fully able to hear and grow.
David Spoon:And you tell us there's great wisdom in the multitude of counselors.
David Spoon:And we're asking you to bless this counselor and this counseling session and let it have an impact, one of which she is able to grow more in you and move closer to the kingdom of God and more to even being a blessing to people than she already is, because that's what she wants in her heart.
David Spoon:So, Lord, bless it to her, give it to her, pour it upon her and let it be a great session for her and for the counselor.
David Spoon:We pray that in Jesus name, amen and amen.
Joanne:Amen.
Joanne:I receive that to God be all the glory we want to be fruitful.
David Spoon:Amen.
Joanne:So thank you, Dr.
Joanne:David Carrion.
Joanne:We love you.
David Spoon:All right, God bless you.
David Spoon:Bye bye.
Joanne:Thank you.
Joanne:Bye bye.
David Spoon:All right.
David Spoon:Great job by Joanne.
David Spoon:Thank you very much.
David Spoon:We have other people that have reached out to us and told us which books they prefer.
David Spoon:A lot of people like the Psalms, Alex Proverbs, another phenomenal, incredible, encouraging book.
David Spoon:I mean, there's just so many.
David Spoon:And I like them all.
David Spoon:I mean, obviously I'm partial to a couple of different things, but I do like this one thing.
David Spoon:I saw Evie Hill preach on it one time.
David Spoon:He just said the whole thing he did was on Genesis 1:1 in the beginning, God.
David Spoon:And he just.
David Spoon:He spent an hour.
David Spoon:It's pretty good for four words an hour.
David Spoon:Just going, it doesn't matter.
David Spoon:In the beginning, God.
David Spoon:In the beginning, God.
David Spoon:And he just kept going back to it.
David Spoon:It was just so powerful.
David Spoon:And I get a lot of comfort out of that myself personally.
David Spoon:And all the books are phenomenal.
David Spoon:Some books are more fun to read.
David Spoon:Don't tell me they're not.
David Spoon:Of course they are.
David Spoon:It's more fun to read about somebody resurrecting than reading about mold.
David Spoon:Don't lie about that.
David Spoon:That's just honesty.
David Spoon:All right, anyway, we're going to go into Matthew 20.
David Spoon:We are already in this.
David Spoon:And if you don't know, we're at the story of the vineyard workers.
David Spoon:These are the people that are working in the vineyard.
David Spoon:And this is actually a teaching that is directed not at unbelievers, but much more to believers.
David Spoon:Now, it is an indirect slight to the Pharisees.
David Spoon:Let's not miss that.
David Spoon:But you got to just follow what the process is in what Jesus is trying to teach.
David Spoon:I'm going to pick it up from verse eight, actually, verse seven.
David Spoon:And then I'm going to go through all the way, because I want you to catch this one thing and I want you to understand with me, please, how absolutely cool this is.
David Spoon:So verse seven, this is after the owner of the vineyard goes out and says, hey, come in the work of the vineyard.
David Spoon:Come in the work of the vineyard.
David Spoon:Come in the work of the vineyard.
David Spoon:And it seems like he goes at 6, 9, 12, 3, and now it's 5.
David Spoon:And they're all just standing around.
David Spoon:He's like, why are you standing around?
David Spoon:Why haven't you been working?
David Spoon:Verse 7, they replied, no one hired us.
David Spoon:The owner of the estate told them, then go out and join the others in my yard, in my vineyard that evening.
David Spoon:He told the foreman, call the workers and pay them.
David Spoon:Beginning with the last workers first.
David Spoon:When Those hired at 5 o'clock were paid, each received a full day's wage.
David Spoon:Then those hired earlier came to get their pay, and they assumed they would receive more.
David Spoon:But they too were paid a day's wage.
David Spoon:When they received their pay, they protested, those people worked for only one hour, and yet you paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.
David Spoon:He answered, one of them, friend, I haven't been unfair.
David Spoon:Didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage?
David Spoon:Take it and go.
David Spoon:I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.
David Spoon:Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my own money?
David Spoon:Should you become angry because I am kind?
David Spoon:And so it is.
David Spoon:Jesus said that many who are first now will be last then, and those who are last now will be first then.
David Spoon:All right, so let's talk about this and break this down, because who is this really dealing with?
David Spoon:Well, it's not dealing with people that are going to hell, obviously.
David Spoon:He's dealing with people that are in the kingdom that are getting paid, that are working in the fields.
David Spoon:And so he's teaching this parable, and it really comes down to this.
David Spoon:He's dealing with people who.
David Spoon:He speaks about people who have been working longer and harder than those around them, yet they get paid the same amount they're receiving nothing more for their additional work.
David Spoon:And time, if you're trying to figure it out.
David Spoon:This is an unbelievable connection to Psalm 73, but we'll get to that some other time.
David Spoon:Here's the conflict.
David Spoon:Essentially, they're saying those who worked one hour are paid as much as us who worked all day.
David Spoon:And it what feels unfair.
David Spoon:Ah, this sentiment creates a dramatic element amongst Christians.
David Spoon:This happens and it's not fair.
David Spoon:It's a constant complaint that some people suffer nothing while others suffer a whole bunch.
David Spoon:And it's not fair.
David Spoon:What do you think is saying that?
David Spoon:That's not the non critic.
David Spoon:This is a parable to believers.
David Spoon:Are you kidding?
David Spoon:He's like going, hey, tough.
David Spoon:That's what he's saying.
David Spoon:He's like, wait, wait, wait, wait.
David Spoon:Let me rephrase it so you don't get so offended.
David Spoon:If I rephrase it right, maybe you'll get more offended.
David Spoon:That'd be better.
David Spoon:It's not for us to determine what is fair, since only God knows every nuance of everything at every moment and at every time.
David Spoon:Let me say that again.
David Spoon:Do you think you've gone through a lot more than other people?
David Spoon:Let me say this again.
David Spoon:I want you to hear it.
David Spoon:Because when we take this attitude on we're telling God just so you can know you're doing a lousy job being God.
David Spoon:That's what we're saying.
David Spoon:It is not for you and I to determine what is or is not fair, since only God knows every nuance of everything and at every moment and time.
David Spoon:So here's the thing that's going to blow your mind.
David Spoon:This is Jesus teaching this parable.
David Spoon:You and I do not actually know what is fair and what is not fair.
David Spoon:Oh, we think we know.
David Spoon:Oh, I know that.
David Spoon:I know that.
David Spoon:I am absolutely certain.
David Spoon:I think I know.
David Spoon:But as I stand before God, I quickly realize I don't know.
David Spoon:And as he said to Job, as we've said before, where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
David Spoon:Which is God's way of saying, you don't know anything.
David Spoon:And this is not us.
David Spoon:You know, this is not us not receiving from the Lord.
David Spoon:This is us getting what the Lord has promised us and thinking, well, compared to this person, compared to this person, I'm not getting a lot and this person's not going through anything and I'm going through all this stuff.
David Spoon:Have you ever noticed it seems like God knows exactly how much every person can really, truly handle, and he knows what everybody's going through, but it doesn't seem that way to us.
David Spoon:We think, well, If I had that person's life, it would be like this or like this.
David Spoon:And it'd be easy and it'd be simple.
David Spoon:That's what you think.
David Spoon:That's cute.
David Spoon:But you have sin inside of you.
David Spoon:You had to be redeemed.
David Spoon:And you and I, we ain't that smart.
David Spoon:What does this mean?
David Spoon:I mean, what is he trying to say?
David Spoon:Calm down, Sparky.
David Spoon:That's what he's trying to say.
David Spoon:The Lord knows perfectly how to give that which should be given and that which should not be given.
David Spoon:The Lord knows perfectly for every single person ever.
David Spoon:How much exact space, total space, limited space, not enough space.
David Spoon:He knows every one of those nuances.
David Spoon:And when we sit there and look at our lives, and then we sit there and complain to God about what we have to go through, we are foolish when we do that.
David Spoon:And God has a very interesting response.
David Spoon:He says, I'm sorry.
David Spoon:Are you upset because I'm nice?
David Spoon:That's what he's saying.
David Spoon:That is exactly what he's saying.
David Spoon:Are you mad because I'm a nicer being than you are?
David Spoon:Then he goes, is it against the law for me to do what I want?
David Spoon:Should you be angry because I'm kind?
David Spoon:That's a br.
David Spoon:Just a brutal indictment.
David Spoon:And I know some people are saying, well, that's really not believers.
David Spoon:That's really this.
David Spoon:It's absurd.
David Spoon:These are all people that are receiving from working in the field.
David Spoon:And yes, it has to do with attitude, but it also has to do with Christian attitude.
David Spoon:So the truth of the matter is you and I don't actually know what's fair.
David Spoon:We don't have all the facts like God does.
David Spoon:However, it's important to understand that God himself, because he is absolutely faithful and true, will never shortchange you.
David Spoon:What did you say, David?
David Spoon:I said that God will never shortchange you.
David Spoon:You don't understand all this stuff.
David Spoon:No, you don't understand what God understands.
David Spoon:That's the truth.
David Spoon:And that's a big part of this parable teaching.
David Spoon:All the graces and the gifts, including eternal life, come from God.
David Spoon:Wait, all of life comes from God?
David Spoon:Had he not breathed into Adam through the power of the Spirit, there would be no people.
David Spoon:Everybody receives it in gift, and it all comes from God's generosity.
David Spoon:And this is the key to this teaching.
David Spoon:It is not for you and I to determine who should or shouldn't receive these things from God and in what amount.
David Spoon:You might be thinking, wow, it would be so cool to be a pastor of 2,000 people.
David Spoon:And then all you do is this.
David Spoon:And maybe that's what you think, that's awesome.
David Spoon:But you don't know.
David Spoon:God knows.
David Spoon:And the way you're designed, maybe it would just be the worst thing in the world.
David Spoon:You don't know.
David Spoon:So the challenge of the parable in this application is, are we bitter because God is kind to others?
David Spoon:And I do understand that there's a connection here to Old Testament thinking and there's a connection here to non believers.
David Spoon:I understand that.
David Spoon:But as you, as a Christian, you read this, what Jesus is telling you and I is, do not have that attitude about God being generous to others.
David Spoon:That is not your call.
David Spoon:That is, you are not in charge of the universe.
David Spoon:God does a phenomenal job of being God.
David Spoon:There is nobody better.
David Spoon:The quality of God is outstanding.
David Spoon:Never forget that.
David Spoon:It's perfect, which for you and I, we are rarely outstanding and we are never perfect except for that perfection that God pours upon us by imputation.
David Spoon:So it's important for us to grasp that Jesus concludes his teaching by saying, many who are first will be last, and those who are last will be.
David Spoon:Can I say this?
David Spoon:I'm going to say it so it doesn't matter.
David Spoon:You should already know that this is a beautiful way to understand that the order of things we think should happen has nothing to do with the true order of things that are in the heart and mind of God.
David Spoon:I find it amazing, the audacity.
David Spoon:Theologians and pastors and all of us who say this is what God has to do.
David Spoon:It's like, there's some things I think you can say in front of the Lord, like, well, I'd really appreciate it if you do this, that whatever.
David Spoon:But telling God what he must do as a human is just weird.
David Spoon:It just seems inappropriate.
David Spoon:I don't know, maybe it's just me, because the truth of the matter is our sense of fairness has been polluted by the power of sin.
David Spoon:And that was why you and I needed to be born again.
David Spoon:God does not have darkness, does not have mud, does not have pollution in how he assesses and determines and pulls things together.
David Spoon:So a big part of this parable.
David Spoon:You know what a really big part of this parable is?
David Spoon:Yes, Lord.
David Spoon:Whatever you think is fair, Lord.
David Spoon:However you want to do it, Lord.
David Spoon:You are in charge, Lord.
David Spoon:You do it perfectly, Lord.
David Spoon:A big part of this parable is understanding that.
David Spoon:Understanding that this is God's economy, it's God's program.
David Spoon:I understand there's people that are like, well, we have to do this and we have to do this.
David Spoon:Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep.
David Spoon:The human perspective is completely different than the divine perspective.
David Spoon:But the divine perspective is very powerful, isn't it?
David Spoon:Since it's the one that determines the way things go.
David Spoon:And God initiated your salvation.
David Spoon:You didn't.
David Spoon:And you should just be thankful that he did.
David Spoon:Because just being there is more than any of us could ever deserve.
David Spoon:I really want you to get that.
David Spoon:You're going to a place and there is going to be an existence where awesome cannot describe it.
David Spoon:It is past man's capacity.
David Spoon:Did you deserve it or do you receive it?
David Spoon:Does he work miracles among you because you keep the law or because you believe that's the key?
David Spoon:And why was Abraham righteous?
David Spoon:Because he believed so much that God declared him a friend.
David Spoon:See that right there.
David Spoon:So past our knowledge, past our understanding, past that whole thing, push, push, push, push.
David Spoon:Leaving it in the hands of the Lord and just being thankful that he chose you to work in the field and the pay that he's going to give you is perfect and he will never shortchange you.
David Spoon:And you don't have to sit there and look at others with some kind of bitterness, but just being generally appreciative for the generosity of God.
David Spoon:You are listening to the David Spoon Experience right here on KAM 770, the true station here in Texas.
David Spoon:Taking a very short break, then we'll come back.
David Spoon:Don't go anywhere.
David Spoon:What is the David Spoon experience?
David Spoon:All right.
David Spoon:Psalm 46:1 3.
David Spoon:This was the first psalm that was read to me when I went to Bible college.
David Spoon:The very first class I ever took in Bible college a bazillion years ago.
David Spoon:Let me just say that.
David Spoon:Psalm 46:1 3.
David Spoon:God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble.
David Spoon:Therefore we will not fear.
David Spoon:Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their suffering.
David Spoon:Here is something to consider that will be just absolutely a mind blower.
David Spoon:How should you and I respond if the earth falls out of its rotation?
David Spoon:Okay, so my brother in law works for JPL and is actually one of the people that helped write the program that helped land the Mars Rover.
David Spoon:On Mars, he helped write the computer programming, okay.
David Spoon:He's much smarter than me in those realms.
David Spoon:Okay.
David Spoon:About my age, a little younger, about my age.
David Spoon:Very, very intelligent guy, right?
David Spoon:And he's the one I always make a joke, you know, what keeps the earth rotating.
David Spoon:And so you'll hear me say that it's on a perfect 23 and a half degree rotation from the moon and from the exact rotation from the sun.
David Spoon:Or it's three mice chasing a piece of cheese in a wheel, one of those two.
David Spoon:So the idea behind that, and that whole story is the Earth is in this absolutely perfect rotation with the moon and the sun.
David Spoon:And without it, the earth would go through a free fall, just even a half a degree off.
David Spoon:It's over.
David Spoon:It's all over.
David Spoon:I mean, there would be instant tidal waves.
David Spoon:Everything would just be upside down.
David Spoon:And if that ever happened, you would know that's the end.
David Spoon:Although that's not how the end is going to happen.
David Spoon:We already know from Scripture.
David Spoon:But here's what the psalmist is saying.
David Spoon:It doesn't matter how bad it gets.
David Spoon:It doesn't matter if your world seems like it's upside down.
David Spoon:It doesn't matter if it's out of rotation.
David Spoon:It doesn't matter if the mountains fall into the sea.
David Spoon:It doesn't matter if the waters roar.
David Spoon:God is a refuge and a refuge is a shelter.
David Spoon:In a storm.
David Spoon:You would first think of a lean to.
David Spoon:That is what a shelter in the storm is.
David Spoon:So when it's raining, you find a lean tooth, you put something on a tree, you put it against something else and you get under it.
David Spoon:So you're away from that.
David Spoon:And it says that God is a refuge, a strength, an ever present help, which means he's helpful today, not just when it's all settled in eternity.
David Spoon:And there lies the problem for some Christians is they keep thinking, well, in the sweet by and by, everything will get worked out.
David Spoon:Well, that is true, that everything will be completely worked out in the sweet by and by.
David Spoon:But God is an ever present help, which means for today and not just for tomorrow.
David Spoon:And then the position of the psalmist is therefore, therefore, therefore.
David Spoon:In other words, it's a conclusion.
David Spoon:So God is our refuge and strength.
David Spoon:Okay, so he's our lean to in a storm.
David Spoon:He's our ever present help.
David Spoon:Therefore I don't have to be afraid.
David Spoon:The David Spoon experience.
