My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 50.

Scripture

“But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to tell of my statutes and to take my covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline and cast my words behind you.” –Psalm 50:16-17

Observation

Even the wicked want to quote certain scriptures to justify their beliefs. There’s power in the Bible, and everyone wants to find a verse that justifies them. But the wicked pick and choose; they don’t take ALL the scripture but only what they want to believe–they reject God’s discipline and cast scripture they don’t like behind them.

Application

This verse certainly came alive on campus this week. An apostate (person who rejected the faith) chaplain–someone who publicly states he no longer believes in God–was offended by our banners. He rallied another religious leader against me–a “progressive” Christian who tried to tell me how to evangelize today’s “demographic” rather than follow Biblical principles. This, he assured me, is how a loving God would want me to evangelize.

Yes, I want to understand people today, but I believe God’s Word–all of it–is the best manual for evangelism.

Prayer

Father, might I be like the prophets of old–faithful to Your word and Your ways–and not yield to anyone–even religious people–who want to selectively quote Your word while really casting it away.

Amen.