Mischievous Device

Scripture:  Psa.21:11 
Supporting Scripture:  Jer.11:15-23 

Hello "Fan" - tastic Passengers, 

Have you ever wondered why are the nations in an uproar against God and His Church?  As a matter of fact, every minute of each day, Scripture tells us that, they aimlessly Devise a "vain" thing for the downfall of God's people (Psa.2:1).  Notwithstanding, in situations of this nature, the Lord will always give knowledge of the enemy's plot to His faithful servant (Jer.2:18-19).  Furthermore, every mischievous device that the crafty forms against God's people, He will disable, disappoint; and cause to be of none effect (Job 5:12). 

What is a Mischievous device ? -  

A mischievous device is something which is formed by design, or invented; scheme; artificial contrivance; stratagem; project; used for bad purposes.  For example, Scripture says, "They imagined a mischievous device..." (Psa.21:11) 

What does it mean to imagine? - To imagine is to form a mental image/picture in ones mind of something not present in the physical.  For example, before you and I could wear a Cotten garment, someone somewhere in the world had to form a mental image of someone planting cotton trees. 

The Formation of a Mischievous Device 

The Bible says of the wicked,  that they intended evil against the righteous (Psa.21:11).  It is that evil intention which is rooted in a heart that is desperately wicked, that is ultimately transformed into a "mischievous device" in the mind(Jer.17:9).  

Does God see the Mischievous Device? 

Scripture explains the magnitude with which the eyes of God sees the degeneration of every heart of mankind, as it explains that even since Noah's day,, "...every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen.6:5). 

Furthermore, Scripture in Hebrews 4:13 says, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Heb.4:13). 

Jeremiah the prophet of God, in his day, met with a "mischievous device" of conspiracy of murder, from his very own people. Him, therefore, not knowing the evil plot of the enemy against him said, “But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered" (Jer.11:19).   Nevertheless, God who sees what is in the heart of all mankind, saw the wickedness which was in the heart of the men of Anathoth towards their fellow-man Jeremiah and provided His servant with what I call, spiritual intelligence, as He revealed the plot to His servant.  Scripture says, "And the Lord hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings" (Jer.11:18). 
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The Heart 

Psychological Perspective 

“Heart” denotes the “inner man,” the essence of personality; being the seat and center of all life. The psychological term of nearest equivalency to the old English word “heart,” is that of “ego,” which represents the “I, self, person.” It is that term which is formalized, as a logical necessity, to denote that “center” to which all of a person’s psychological activities and characteristics refer. The “heart of man” represents, then, that innermost center which is of ultimate importance; which is the basic, central, substantive, and of profound essence. 

Scriptural Use 

The word heart is employed in Scripture to express certain important dimensions of man and God’s concern and dealings with man. It is used, then, for example, to denote: 

A. The “inner man,” to which the apostle Peter refers to as, “the hidden person of the heart” (1 Pet.3:4). It is that central essence of man, with which God is primarily concerned.   

Consequently, it is that portion or essence of man which God the Lord looks on, searches and tries (1 Sam.16:7; Prov.10:8; Jer.11:20; 17:10; 20:12).   

B. The heart also refers to that central agency and facility within man, whereby, he/she imagines, intends, purposes, thinks, and understands (Ezek.13:2). 

For the purpose of our topic of study Scripture tells us the following three things about the heart : 

1.   Imaginations originates from the heart (Prov.6:18) 

2.  Intents are present there in the heart (Heb.4:12)  

3   Many devices are in the heart of man (Prov.19:21) 

Scripture tells us that the prophet Jeremiah's life was in danger because of his message that God gave him to proclaim to the nations, when it says, “Therefore thus saith the Lord of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the Lord, that thou die not by our hand" (Jer.11:21).  We can see that on this occasion, these were men from Jeremiah's hometown, who were plotting against him. 

Ultimately, in any setting in life, whether, home, work or Church life, when we have some who believe the message of the Gospel, while others choose not to believe; the faith of those that believe condemns those that believe not.  Therefore, those who do not believe, have an enmity against them that believe.   Consequently, to  this end; Jesus in quoting from the prophet Micah says, “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household" (Micah 7:6; Matt.10:35-36). 

Nevertheless, God's care of Jeremiah, is shown in this, He did not allow the men of Anathoth to kill Jeremiah by their mischievous device of murder.  This shows us how God indeed, preserved and defended His servant amidst the flood of evil which strived against him. 

Today, God want you to know this for certain - against you or any member of your family, Scripture says, "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand" (Prov.21:19). 

In conclusion, God knows the diverse types of devices that are in men’s hearts, that are designed against His counsels (Psa.2:1-2; Mic.4:11).  Consequently, He overrules the various designs of man that are contrary to His council because it is, "the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand" (Pro.19:21).  Furthermore, Scripture says, “The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand" (Isa.14:24).  The counsel of the Lord often breaks men’s measures and baffles their devices.  This is because their devices cannot in the least way, alter His counsel, nor disturb the proceedings of them.  God will disappoint every device of the crafty that formed against you and cause it to be of none effect (Job 5:12; Isa.54:17).  Finally, If any mortal who contend, strive with or fight against God and His Church, think they can outwit God Himself, by means of their mischievous devices, the Bible says, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision" (Psa.2:4; 35:1; Isa.41:11; 49:25; Jer.1:19).  Blessed be the name of Jehovah! 

Your Conductor, 

Joy 

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