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| Volume 21 Number 4 April 2019 | Page 2 |
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| Volume 21 Number 4 April 2019 | Page 2 |
Louis Rushmore, Editor
The fundamental meaning of “modest” (1 Timothy 2:9) is to be “orderly” or “decorous.” Yes, then, modesty includes both being insufficiently dressed as well as being overdressed. The meaning is broad enough to include deportment—actions and words. Regarding modesty as it pertains to clothing, clothing was originally implemented for two purposes—to conceal the human form and to protect one from the elements (Genesis 3:7, 21). God exchanged Adam and Eve’s fig-leaf aprons with animal skins. Such tunics, irrespective of the material from which they were made, usually extended from the shoulders to the ankles. God determined in the Garden of Eden what constitutes modest dress—for both men and for women.
Often these days, however, clothing neither conceals the human form nor protects one from the weather. When the human form is not concealed—too much skin is exposed, or clothes are essentially painted on one’s body—what passes for clothing is counterproductive to the original purpose of clothing, and it is immodest. First Corinthians 12:23 presumes that especially the children of God will modestly cover their “unpresentable parts.”
For decades, clothing worn in public by the masses—and even by Christians, also—has been too revealing to correspond with biblical modesty. Tight-fitting clothes, low-cut blouses, short skirts and shorts, sundresses, spaghetti straps, off the shoulder shirts, bikinis, crop tops, low-rise pants, ripped or distressed jeans, and so forth are not biblically modest. No one ought to wear such things in public, and especially Christians should never be characterized by such immodesty.
Even more widely today, much of the clothing selected by the masses, and unfortunately by many Christians also, is biblically immodest for public exhibition. Added to the examples of immodesty above, women are wearing leggings and similar clothing, which cling snugly to every curvature and crevice of the human body. Only spray paint could more closely apply merely a hue to one’s nudity. Absolutely nothing is left to the imagination! How could parents be so dull of understanding and concern, both regarding biblical instruction as well as lustful tendencies, to allow their children to sport such immodesty? Husbands, why do you let your wives go into public immodestly attired?
Whose definition of “modest” or acceptable clothing do you embrace? If a husband or a father, do you permit your wife and your children to dress more in keeping with the fig-leaf aprons of Adam and Eve, or do you insist that your family subscribe to God’s definition of modesty? Who is your family’s clothing designer of preference—God or Satan? Just what is the difference between immodest clothing today and “the attire of a harlot” (Proverbs 7:10)?
A God Who Never Sleeps!
Rodney Nulph, Associate Editor
A song that is found in many of our different hymn books has a line that goes something like this, “There’s an all-seeing eye watching you, everyday mind the course you pursue.” The ever-present eye of God is an irrefutable fact. The Psalmist rhetorically asked, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” (Psalm 139:7). “He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3b-4). While God’s omniscience and omnipresence are known facts, sometimes we may forget these attributes of God, especially when we find ourselves in difficult times. The prophet Habakkuk seemed to have forgotten about the awesome fact that God is everywhere all the time, and His power never wanes, nor does He sleep! Habakkuk felt as though God was not hearing his pleas and may have even forgotten about the heinous sins that Judah was committing (Habakkuk 1:2-4). In this interesting dialogue between the prophet and God, God reminded Habakkuk that although it may seem that He was not active, such is never the case! God answered Habakkuk (1:5-11) and powerfully reminded him that He sees all, knows all and will vindicate the righteous and bring vengeance upon the unrighteous. Just exactly Who is this God Who never sleeps?
He is amazing. “Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you” (Habakkuk 1:5). Mankind simply cannot always see the continuous activity of God. When life’s burdens press down, we far too often forget that God is still there and is still at work. Even as Habakkuk’s faith was faltering because he felt as though God was not listening, God was busy fashioning the events on earth to complete His very plans. These plans were so amazing that Habakkuk would be “utterly astounded” (NKJV). We must always remember that God does not settle all of His accounts on Friday! There is never a time when God is not in control of everything this world can possibly muster up. He is amazing!
He is authoritative. “For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans…” (Habakkuk 1:6a). God was the authority and power behind this destruction. The Chaldeans (i.e. Babylonians), surely thought they were the authority and that they were determining the fate of Judah, but such was not the case! We, like Habakkuk, sometimes forget that it is God Almighty that rules among the nations, or as the Psalmist would pen, “he is the governor among the nations” (Psalm 22:28). There is no power except that which comes from God (Romans 13:1). Jesus reminded Pontius Pilate, “…Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above…” (John 19:11). God is authoritative!
He is able. “Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction” (Habakkuk 1:12). Like Habakkuk, we must recount and remember that the God we serve is more than able to handle the world He created. God does not need our input or “wisdom”! Job was quickly reminded of that fact when he questioned God (Job 38-41). I love how Paul penned it. “Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). God is able because He is “strong and mighty” (Psalm 24:8), because power belongs to Him (Psalm 62:11) and He is abundant in strength (Psalm 147:5). Whether man recognizes it or not, God is able!
How often do we fail to recognize that no matter what this life brings, God is bigger? Our humanity, like Habakkuk’s humanity, sometimes forgets the amazing nature of God; we sometimes fail to call to mind the authoritative power of God, and we sometimes even go so far as to forget the ability of the God we serve. Dear reader, there is simply nothing too big for God! May we face life’s struggles with confidence because our God never sleeps!