Come, My Children, Listen to Me

STUDY: #863 – CHURCH IN THE HOUSE FROM: JUNE 30 - JULY 6, 2015

TOPIC: “Come, My Children, Listen to Me” Psalm 34:11 – 22 King David, inspired by God in this psalm says: "Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." He speaks to the children. He refers to the small ones. Those who are illuminated with the light of the knowledge of the Savior since their childhood are happy. It is good that the children here in church begin to learn and love everything concerning salvation; to learn and acknowledge of the love of Jesus, of all the good they have in the Lord; that they learn to fight for the truth. May our children love integrity and MAY THE TRUTH BE IN THEIR MOUTHS. The younger the person begins to give themselves to God the better it will be, the blessing will be greater, because they will be giving the Lord the first fruits of their years. Those who begin to love and seek God since childhood will not stumble like those who become entangled by the bad habits they learn that stick in the worldly way. For this reason, children are taken to the Lord when born, to surrender them as the first fruit; and so the child will come to gain from there because the light of the knowledge of the Lord will shine from the beginning. David was a warrior man anointed as king of Israel. This great king did not think that to teach the child and young person would be beneath his dignity. Although David’s mind as king was overwhelmed with so much care and issues he could find time and have a heart willing to give good advice to children and young people using his own experience. “Listen to me”, he told them. “Let go of your games and listen to what I have to say.” “Not only pay attention but, observe me and obey me.” What would David teach his listeners? THE FEAR OF JEHOVAH, INCLUDING ALL THE DUTIES OF RELIGION! David was a famous musician, a statesman, a soldier, but does not tell his children: “I will teach you to play the harp, or use a sword or spear or shoot the bow, or teach them the maxims of state policy, but rather he says: “I WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN THE FEAR OF JEHOVAH.” What’s better than all the arts, sciences and better than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. In this we would have to be solicitous: to learn it for ourselves and teach our children! "The fear of the Lord I will teach you." The position taken by King David is the one of A TEACHER. Those who are taught are seen as a child. And those who listen become disciples. Unfortunately there are those who do not want to be taught. We see that today some in the church wiggle in their seats to not hear. This way they will not learn about fearing Jehovah. Others do not shut up and they do this to not hear; they just want to talk and talk to not commit to listen to the one who wants to teach them. AND TO GROW ONE NEEDS TO LEARN TO STAY QUIET AND LISTEN! This is so for those who want a long life ("Who is the man who desires life, and desires to see many good days?" Psalm 34:12). David assumed that everyone wants long life to enjoy happiness and prosperity while living. What is the path to happiness? It is to keep your tongue from evil; difficult thing, but necessary. ("Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit." Psalm 34:13). In his letter the apostle James insists very much on this subject: the tongue (James 1:26, "He who thinks he is religious AND YET DOES NOT KEEP A TIGHT REIN ON HIS TONGUE, he

deceives himself and his religion is vain."). (James 3:2, "We all stumble in many ways. IF ANYONE IS NEVER AT FAULT IN WHAT HE SAYS, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.") ("My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” James 3: 11, 12) ("Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it." James 4:11) Instead of being a brother, judging you become a judge. The royal law of love tells us we should love our brothers as we love ourselves. To talk and judge is to speak against this law and condemn it having it as worthless. To deliberately break a law is to treat it with contempt and disdain. ("There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you- who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:12) We need to fear God before anything in life. It is necessary to depart from evil, from the evil deeds and the wicked ("Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. "Psalm 34:14). But it is not enough to depart from evil, also, ONE MUST DO GOOD! We must turn away from evil and not to be idle but rather to serve God and to serve our brothers. We must seek peace running after it. When we go after it we can see the effort that is frequently necessary to maintain peace and prevent wars, disputes and dissensions. What are you doing with your life? There must be the fear of Jehovah and the good in you! Yes, that’s the way it is, you will love! And you will not become your brother’s judge. When you look at your brother you will love him. But, when the love is out of your life you will be the judge of your brother and you will seek the look in his eyes, the gesture he makes, what he said and you will do it to judge him. Don’t do it! Because what can you possibly know more than the Creator to judge anything or anyone? Because every life is led by God and it is He who judges and deals with every person. You should love and do not become the judge of your brother. Learn the fear of Jehovah if you haven’t yet and from now on devote yourself only to good. Amen.