Day #268: Daily Bible Reading Plan - September 22nd
Scripture Reading: Numbers 25 - 28 ...
Human nature continually displays why the judgment of God is just. Some people say they get tired of hearing about sin, but that's like saying you're tired of hearing about cancer. Just as cancer eats away at the body, so sin eats away at the soul. If you discover you have cancer, it does no good to pretend you don't, and denying that sin exists is equally foolish. How much better to seek the cure!! That's what God offers in His Word ... the only cure for the disease that infects every human being alive today, as it has since Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden. And while the effects of sin are many and varied in our lives, the most harmful is our separation from God and the resulting eternal death.
At first reading the judgment of God upon the surrounding nations, and upon the Israelites, appears unfathomable. But in the context of God's holiness, we need to grasp the fact that sin leads to death, physical and spiritual death. When the men of Israel committed sexual immorality and adultery with the women of Moab and then worshiped their gods, they were guilty of gross idolatry. They were already committing idolatry when they committed sexual immorality, and they multiplied their guilt when they worshiped the Baal of Peor ... the false gods of the Moabites. God's judgment was swift and deserved! 24,000 people died in the plague before the zeal of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stopped the plague.
God says of Phinehas, "He was as zealous as I am for my honor among them" (25:11). Think about that statement. How zealous is God for His own honor? And He says that Phinehas was as zealous as He was! How zealous are WE for God's honor today? People are often allowed today to question God, to "put God on trial," so to speak, by saying that it is unfair of God to save some and not others or to allow suffering and death in this world. If God is in control, why doesn't He DO something? Really? Remember what God did with Job when after his long debate with his friends he questioned God ... "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me!" (Job 38:2-3). And when Paul expresses how some question God's choosing of some, we find God's question being straight-forward and direct once again: "Who are you O man, to talk back to God?" (Romans 9:20).
Can ANYONE who claims to believe in the holy and righteous and perfect God who reveals Himself in His Word honestly question His judgment of sinners like ... like you and me??? Several times God threatened to destroy the entire nation of Israel, but Moses or someone else stood in the gap and God held back ... The Savior would come from this people, just as God had promised. So when you see the judgment of God, remember, this is only a foretaste. Each time, God stopped the plague that He sent. Each time God spared some. But God's reprieve is only temporary. Eventually, all who reject Him, who commit idolatry by putting other "gods" before Him, WILL face death - eternal death. The suffering and trials of this life for those who know God's mercy, for those today who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, are temporary. But for those who leave this life without a Savior, their suffering is just beginning. Why? Because God is holy!!
As God commands Moses to take a second census of Israel, it reveals two things: first, God had kept His promise to make of Abraham's descendants a great nation; and second, God remembered His judgment on those who had refused to enter the promised land forty years earlier. Why the census? "Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. For the LORD had told those Israelites they would surely die in the desert, and not one of them was left except Caleb ... and Joshua ..." (26:64-65). God had said to Moses then, "As surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times - not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it" (Numbers 14:21-23).
It is a heavy burden today to see so many scorn God, questioning His holiness and His justice, making a mockery of His Name, ignoring His Word, committing immorality and idolatry and yet claiming that they are "Christians." Surely God's judgment upon them will be as severe or more severe than upon those who openly worship other gods! And if it were not for God's grace in MY life ... and I pray in yours, we would do likewise and face the same judgment. Only the grace of God in Jesus Christ that moves sinners like you and me to confess our sins and to place our hope in God's forgiveness through faith in Jesus ... only such grace saves us from the coming wrath of God. Apart from grace we would all die - eternally, as the just judgment of God upon our sin. The physical death of 24,000 was but an example of God's coming judgment upon the entire human race.
Yet, those who come to God, who approach Him in the way He has commanded, WILL enter the promised land. For Israel, it was Canaan; for those who know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, it is heaven and, finally, the new heaven and the new earth. God now appoints Joshua to take Moses' place. Moses would see the promised land, but would not enter it, as God had told him when he and Aaron robbed God of His glory when they brought forth water from the rock in the wilderness. But Moses would enter a better promised land ... as Aaron had before him. Now it was time for the next step in God's plan to establish His kingdom on the earth. To show that it was God who determined the leader of Israel, Joshua was commissioned before the whole assembly of the people of Israel (27:22-23).
Then God told Moses to remind the people of the offerings they were to bring and of the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Weeks. All of these pointed ahead to Jesus, who would BE the perfect sacrifice, offering Himself for all those who would believe in Him, so that they ... so that WE might enter the promised land. Every day you and I are getting closer to the promised land. Like Israel, we can feel as though we are wandering in the desert, as David described in Psalm 63: "O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1). But we're getting closer to the promised land!
God's justice and coming judgment are sure and certain, yet just as certain are God's grace and forgiveness to those who come to Him through faith in the Savior, the Messiah, the Christ, JESUS!! God has made a way and we who believe are getting closer to the promised land every day. God knows the number of our days and one day we will be singing with the angels as we bow down in worship before our holy and righteous God. In that day we will approach Him without fear, for Jesus died and rose again on our behalf and faith means believing that He will get us into the promised land. We do not doubt, as the Israelites did, but trust wholly and completely in Jesus.
As John writes in his first letter to the churches, "He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life" (I John 5:12-13). If your faith rests in Jesus today rejoice in God's promise, in His love and His grace, for He is with you NOW, and with every passing day you are getting closer to the promised land!
"My Father in heaven, were it not for Your faithfulness and Your promises, I would surely live without hope, waiting for this life to end. But because of Your love and the gift of Your Son I believe there IS a promised land, and that one day I will enter it because of Your grace to me in Jesus. Strengthen me daily with the confidence and hope that comes only by true faith and help me to persevere as I bear witness to the truth that YOU ARE GOD!! To You I give my praise, my thanks and my life, in Jesus' name, Amen"
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
"RESTING in Jesus Christ ..."
Day #267: Daily Bible Reading Plan - September 21st
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1 - 4 ...
Rest seems to be elusive ... hard to find and even harder to maintain. There is physical rest, there is mental rest, there is emotional rest, and then there is spiritual rest. When the pace of life gets hectic we search for rest, often not knowing what we are even looking for. When trials come and we become overwhelmed with sorrow or despair we look for rest, yet the rest we desire is the removal of that which is causing us pain, so when it continues, we find no rest. In hundreds, even thousands of other ways, we as human beings find it impossible to find true spiritual REST ... because we are looking in all the wrong places! There is only ONE place to find it: in Jesus Christ. That is true because the rest we crave is rest from the power of sin and its consequences.
The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:22-25: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have we wait for it patiently." Those without the Spirit of God go on about life believing they can find rest somewhere, somehow, in this world. They cling to the false hope that we will find the "cure" for what ails mankind. Others have given up and live for the moment, believing that in seeking self-centered pleasure or satisfaction in other things - even in doing good for others, they will find rest.
The writer of Hebrews, along with the rest of the writers of Scripture, states, "It still remains that some will enter that rest (God's rest)" (4:6). "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience" (4:9-11). GOD's rest is goodness and perfection. God created everything and said it was good, it was perfect, and man was VERY good, created in the image of God. Sin did not exist. All was well. So God rested from His labors ... until Satan's rebellion in heaven and his temptation of Adam and Eve and their fall into sin and disobedience.
How tragic is the state of mankind. How hopeless are the lives of those without Jesus and without the Spirit of God. Once again we find the words of Paul in Romans 8 descriptive of the position of sinful man:: "The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God" (Romans 8:7-8). Spiritual death and unrest plagues mankind like an epidemic. But GOD has the cure ... the ONLY cure!!
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe" (1:1-2). Do not pass by the first five words: "In the past GOD SPOKE!" We worship and serve a God who SPEAKS!! God could have left the entire human race in the spiritual darkness of sin, spiritually dead and unable to know God or to enter His rest, but instead, He determined to save some through ... a message ... a message of "good news," the Gospel. Most think the Gospel was first preached following the resurrection of Jesus, but the writer of Hebrews says here that "We also have had the gospel preached to us, JUST AS THEY DID" ... But the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith" (4:2).
Something happened following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ... something so significant that it changed the course of human history. Jesus conquered sin and death on the cross and in His resurrection and then, seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, He sent forth His Holy Spirit into the world to open the eyes of the blind, to open deaf ears, to renew transform closed minds, to revive dead hearts ... to open the door to God's rest, to eternal salvation, to a new heaven and a new earth where everything will be restored to its original perfection and where we who believe will live in the very presence of God - FOREVER!!
Having explained the uniqueness of Jesus in Chapter 1, we hear God's warning through the words of the writer of Hebrews in Chapter 2: "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away ... how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" (2:1-2). Paul writes in II Corinthians 6:2 that "this is the day of salvation." It is this "DAY" that the writer is speaking about here. There is still time for some to enter into God's rest through faith in Jesus Christ, but the time is short. It was short two thousand years ago, so what does that mean for us, today? We must pay attention to what God has revealed through the writers of Scripture concerning Jesus and the way to enter God's rest.
Foolish people today declare that there are multiple ways to enter God's rest, but only one Savior qualifies to open the door into God's presence. The eternal Son of God became a man "so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" (2:14-15). He goes on to say that it is "Abraham's descendants" (believers - Galatians 3:29) that Jesus came to help. "He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people" (2:17-18). The eternal Son of God became a true and sinless man in order to take our place on the cross and suffer God's punishment against OUR sin and so obtain for us the Father's forgiveness.
"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess" (3:1). How often do you think about Jesus? Do hours or days go by without considering what He has done for you, that even now He intercedes for you before the Father, that by His Spirit He empowers you to overcome the sin that remains within you? Faith in Jesus is not a one time declaration or a momentary moment of guilt that drives you to cry out for a Savior. Faith in Jesus is entering God's rest ... resting from YOUR work and trusting in HIS (4:10). The "effort" we put forth (4:11) is in keeping our eyes on Jesus and trusting that "He who began a good work in 'us' will bring it to completion" on that day when we enter into His perfect rest.
God declared that most of those in the past would not enter His rest because they did not trust in His promise of a Savior. They trusted instead in their own works, as so many do today. These, too, will not enter God's rest, though they declare their faith in Jesus ... for God knows their hearts. "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first" (4:12-14). That confidence is that "Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe ... sin had left a crimson stain, HE washed it white as snow!" You are washed by the blood of Jesus or you are still in your sin. There is no other way to enter the Father's rest!
"THIS is the DAY the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!!" Nothing will be hidden from God's sight. Everything will be laid bare. On that day, will you be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of your own, but that which is by faith? "Since we have a great High Priest ... let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (4:14). Do not give in to the temptation to doubt, even for a moment! "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!" (Acts 16:31). Jesus IS "the Way and the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6) and ALL who believe in Him HAVE eternal life and will finally enter God's perfect rest.
"There remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God ... Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest" ... fixing our thoughts on Jesus ... our Savior, our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Lord!!! Rest in Jesus Christ today and you will find rest for your soul!!
"I thank You, Father, for speaking in Your Word and for giving me ears to hear as Your Spirit works within me. I trust in Jesus for all I need to stand PERFECT in Your holy presence, resting in HIS righteousness, which has been credited to me by faith. I confess that I HAVE BEEN SAVED by grace through faith - and that this is YOUR gift to me. Let my life be a testimony to You, my God, as I walk through this life by faith and then enter Your rest, where my faith will be sight!! In Jesus' name, Amen"
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1 - 4 ...
Rest seems to be elusive ... hard to find and even harder to maintain. There is physical rest, there is mental rest, there is emotional rest, and then there is spiritual rest. When the pace of life gets hectic we search for rest, often not knowing what we are even looking for. When trials come and we become overwhelmed with sorrow or despair we look for rest, yet the rest we desire is the removal of that which is causing us pain, so when it continues, we find no rest. In hundreds, even thousands of other ways, we as human beings find it impossible to find true spiritual REST ... because we are looking in all the wrong places! There is only ONE place to find it: in Jesus Christ. That is true because the rest we crave is rest from the power of sin and its consequences.
The Apostle Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:22-25: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have we wait for it patiently." Those without the Spirit of God go on about life believing they can find rest somewhere, somehow, in this world. They cling to the false hope that we will find the "cure" for what ails mankind. Others have given up and live for the moment, believing that in seeking self-centered pleasure or satisfaction in other things - even in doing good for others, they will find rest.
The writer of Hebrews, along with the rest of the writers of Scripture, states, "It still remains that some will enter that rest (God's rest)" (4:6). "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience" (4:9-11). GOD's rest is goodness and perfection. God created everything and said it was good, it was perfect, and man was VERY good, created in the image of God. Sin did not exist. All was well. So God rested from His labors ... until Satan's rebellion in heaven and his temptation of Adam and Eve and their fall into sin and disobedience.
How tragic is the state of mankind. How hopeless are the lives of those without Jesus and without the Spirit of God. Once again we find the words of Paul in Romans 8 descriptive of the position of sinful man:: "The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God" (Romans 8:7-8). Spiritual death and unrest plagues mankind like an epidemic. But GOD has the cure ... the ONLY cure!!
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe" (1:1-2). Do not pass by the first five words: "In the past GOD SPOKE!" We worship and serve a God who SPEAKS!! God could have left the entire human race in the spiritual darkness of sin, spiritually dead and unable to know God or to enter His rest, but instead, He determined to save some through ... a message ... a message of "good news," the Gospel. Most think the Gospel was first preached following the resurrection of Jesus, but the writer of Hebrews says here that "We also have had the gospel preached to us, JUST AS THEY DID" ... But the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith" (4:2).
Something happened following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ... something so significant that it changed the course of human history. Jesus conquered sin and death on the cross and in His resurrection and then, seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, He sent forth His Holy Spirit into the world to open the eyes of the blind, to open deaf ears, to renew transform closed minds, to revive dead hearts ... to open the door to God's rest, to eternal salvation, to a new heaven and a new earth where everything will be restored to its original perfection and where we who believe will live in the very presence of God - FOREVER!!
Having explained the uniqueness of Jesus in Chapter 1, we hear God's warning through the words of the writer of Hebrews in Chapter 2: "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away ... how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" (2:1-2). Paul writes in II Corinthians 6:2 that "this is the day of salvation." It is this "DAY" that the writer is speaking about here. There is still time for some to enter into God's rest through faith in Jesus Christ, but the time is short. It was short two thousand years ago, so what does that mean for us, today? We must pay attention to what God has revealed through the writers of Scripture concerning Jesus and the way to enter God's rest.
Foolish people today declare that there are multiple ways to enter God's rest, but only one Savior qualifies to open the door into God's presence. The eternal Son of God became a man "so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" (2:14-15). He goes on to say that it is "Abraham's descendants" (believers - Galatians 3:29) that Jesus came to help. "He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people" (2:17-18). The eternal Son of God became a true and sinless man in order to take our place on the cross and suffer God's punishment against OUR sin and so obtain for us the Father's forgiveness.
"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess" (3:1). How often do you think about Jesus? Do hours or days go by without considering what He has done for you, that even now He intercedes for you before the Father, that by His Spirit He empowers you to overcome the sin that remains within you? Faith in Jesus is not a one time declaration or a momentary moment of guilt that drives you to cry out for a Savior. Faith in Jesus is entering God's rest ... resting from YOUR work and trusting in HIS (4:10). The "effort" we put forth (4:11) is in keeping our eyes on Jesus and trusting that "He who began a good work in 'us' will bring it to completion" on that day when we enter into His perfect rest.
God declared that most of those in the past would not enter His rest because they did not trust in His promise of a Savior. They trusted instead in their own works, as so many do today. These, too, will not enter God's rest, though they declare their faith in Jesus ... for God knows their hearts. "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first" (4:12-14). That confidence is that "Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe ... sin had left a crimson stain, HE washed it white as snow!" You are washed by the blood of Jesus or you are still in your sin. There is no other way to enter the Father's rest!
"THIS is the DAY the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!!" Nothing will be hidden from God's sight. Everything will be laid bare. On that day, will you be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of your own, but that which is by faith? "Since we have a great High Priest ... let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (4:14). Do not give in to the temptation to doubt, even for a moment! "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!" (Acts 16:31). Jesus IS "the Way and the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6) and ALL who believe in Him HAVE eternal life and will finally enter God's perfect rest.
"There remains a Sabbath-rest for the people of God ... Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest" ... fixing our thoughts on Jesus ... our Savior, our Mediator, our Redeemer, our Lord!!! Rest in Jesus Christ today and you will find rest for your soul!!
"I thank You, Father, for speaking in Your Word and for giving me ears to hear as Your Spirit works within me. I trust in Jesus for all I need to stand PERFECT in Your holy presence, resting in HIS righteousness, which has been credited to me by faith. I confess that I HAVE BEEN SAVED by grace through faith - and that this is YOUR gift to me. Let my life be a testimony to You, my God, as I walk through this life by faith and then enter Your rest, where my faith will be sight!! In Jesus' name, Amen"
Friday, September 19, 2014
"These things are written so that you may believe!"
Day #266: Daily Bible Reading Plan - September 20th
Scripture Reading: John 19 - 21 …
Everybody "believes" something. Belief is based on knowledge and leads to an action or a response. You live your life in a certain way based on what you believe. The majority of people live their lives believing that the God who reveals Himself in the Bible doesn't exist, and so they make up their own gods and worship them in one way or another, unwilling or unable (or both) to imagine the horrible consequences of their MISTAKEN belief. What you don't know CAN hurt you!
From the beginning God has revealed Himself in His creation and through various means. God chose one man and made of his descendants a great nation, as He promised He would, and spoke through Moses and the prophets to these people … thus, the Old Testament Scriptures (writings). The writer of Hebrews explains the revelation that came through Jesus Christ and the Apostles: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe" (Hebrews 1:1-2).
As you read through the Gospel record of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ you are reading God's special revelation. John explains the purpose of his writing in Chapter 20, verses 30-31: "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name." There can be no message that is more important for mankind - for you and me and all people - than this message … the good news that Jesus died on the cross to bear God's wrath against OUR sins and that by believing in Him, trusting in His sacrifice, we HAVE eternal life.
This is what Jesus Himself said back in chapter 3, verse 16: "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." As Jesus hung on the cross the foolish soldiers who mocked Him and cried out, "Hail, king of the Jews!" could not have known the truth of their words. Neither could Pilate, the Roman governor who had placed above His head for all to see, "King of the Jews!" The religious leaders of the Jews insisted that the Romans crucify Jesus because "we have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God" (19:7). They used the very law that THEY had broken over and over again to condemn the One who was perfect, and in so doing they heaped even greater condemnation on themselves.
Pilate begged Jesus to defend Himself, saying, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" (19:10). But Jesus knew better! "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above" (19:11). Jesus did not go to the cross as a helpless victim, but by the will of His Father in heaven and in obedience to the Father's plan. Isaiah wrote the amazing words, "It was the LORD's will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the LORD makes His life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in His hand" (Isaiah 53:10).
Even in the tearing of His clothing, God's Word was fulfilled, according to Psalm 22:18: "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." How could the Psalmist have written such a thing if it had not been revealed by the Spirit of God? In His last words Jesus spoke of forgiveness, of compassion for His mother and of His coming kingdom … and as He hung on the cross in those hours of darkness, our debt was paid, the veil in the temple was torn, symbolizing the access that believers now have into the presence of the Father, and Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" The Greek word is "tetelestai," and it means "the debt is paid," or "Paid in full!" Oh, amazing grace, how sweet the sound!!
Though His body was beaten and weak, Jesus did not die in weakness. It was time … His work was done, so He committed His Spirit to the Father and entered heaven until the third day … His body was placed in a tomb, again in fulfillment of the words of Isaiah, and the disciples mourned. Jesus had told them He would rise again on the third day, but their hearts were too heavy to imagine the truth of His words and their minds were weighed down with guilt and fear. … Then it happened, as He said it would … the tomb was empty!! We who believe do not picture Jesus on a cross or show a body covered in a tomb because the cross and the tomb are empty. Jesus rose victorious over death!!
Few seem to understand today that the Gospels record for us the eyewitness testimony of those who saw Jesus after His resurrection. He appeared not once, not twice, but numerous times over a period of forty days. Some believed immediately, others wanted "proof" that they weren't seeing a ghost, but John explains that all these things, from His birth and the beginning of His ministry, to His death and resurrection … all these things were written so that YOU and I may believe, and by believing have life in His Name … in the name of Jesus. It cannot be argued that the disciples believed as you turn to the book of Acts, which we will look at in coming weeks. Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times, but whom Jesus lovingly and powerfully reinstated in chapter 21, would testify to the rulers and elders of the Jews, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
No other religion offers such a promise … no other religion leads to eternal life. All of them teach their rules and laws and call people to work to please their god, hoping they have done enough to earn a life beyond the grave, but in Jesus Christ GOD provided the only sacrifice that satisfies His justice and delivers those who believe from the guilt and power of sin. In Jesus God sets the captives free!! In the details of chapter 21 John reveals that we will have "spiritual bodies" in the world to come, for we shall be like Him (I John 3:1-2). Paul writes the same thing in I Corinthians 15:42-49: "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised a spiritual body. … Just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven."
The sure and certain hope that we have in Jesus Christ is that we who believe will be raised from the dead and made like Jesus Christ and will live in a new heaven and a new earth, a perfect world in perfect bodies, praising and worshiping and serving God forever!! As we are loved by God, so we will love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! Oh, glorious day … for those who believe. If you have believed these things and know the truth, rejoice that God has revealed these things to you and given you His Spirit to work faith in your new heart and mind. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus (II Corinthians 5:17). And if you have not yet believed these things, may God even now open your eyes to see the truth, to believe in Jesus and to be saved!!
"My Father in heaven, it is You who have given me life in Jesus Christ and it is now for You that I live. With Paul I confess that 'I have been crucified with Christ and now I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me' (Galatians 2:20). Words cannot possibly express my thankfulness. Let my life, O LORD, my God, display my love for You as I live even now in the light of Your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen"
Scripture Reading: John 19 - 21 …
Everybody "believes" something. Belief is based on knowledge and leads to an action or a response. You live your life in a certain way based on what you believe. The majority of people live their lives believing that the God who reveals Himself in the Bible doesn't exist, and so they make up their own gods and worship them in one way or another, unwilling or unable (or both) to imagine the horrible consequences of their MISTAKEN belief. What you don't know CAN hurt you!
From the beginning God has revealed Himself in His creation and through various means. God chose one man and made of his descendants a great nation, as He promised He would, and spoke through Moses and the prophets to these people … thus, the Old Testament Scriptures (writings). The writer of Hebrews explains the revelation that came through Jesus Christ and the Apostles: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe" (Hebrews 1:1-2).
As you read through the Gospel record of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ you are reading God's special revelation. John explains the purpose of his writing in Chapter 20, verses 30-31: "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name." There can be no message that is more important for mankind - for you and me and all people - than this message … the good news that Jesus died on the cross to bear God's wrath against OUR sins and that by believing in Him, trusting in His sacrifice, we HAVE eternal life.
This is what Jesus Himself said back in chapter 3, verse 16: "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." As Jesus hung on the cross the foolish soldiers who mocked Him and cried out, "Hail, king of the Jews!" could not have known the truth of their words. Neither could Pilate, the Roman governor who had placed above His head for all to see, "King of the Jews!" The religious leaders of the Jews insisted that the Romans crucify Jesus because "we have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God" (19:7). They used the very law that THEY had broken over and over again to condemn the One who was perfect, and in so doing they heaped even greater condemnation on themselves.
Pilate begged Jesus to defend Himself, saying, "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" (19:10). But Jesus knew better! "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above" (19:11). Jesus did not go to the cross as a helpless victim, but by the will of His Father in heaven and in obedience to the Father's plan. Isaiah wrote the amazing words, "It was the LORD's will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the LORD makes His life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in His hand" (Isaiah 53:10).
Even in the tearing of His clothing, God's Word was fulfilled, according to Psalm 22:18: "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." How could the Psalmist have written such a thing if it had not been revealed by the Spirit of God? In His last words Jesus spoke of forgiveness, of compassion for His mother and of His coming kingdom … and as He hung on the cross in those hours of darkness, our debt was paid, the veil in the temple was torn, symbolizing the access that believers now have into the presence of the Father, and Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" The Greek word is "tetelestai," and it means "the debt is paid," or "Paid in full!" Oh, amazing grace, how sweet the sound!!
Though His body was beaten and weak, Jesus did not die in weakness. It was time … His work was done, so He committed His Spirit to the Father and entered heaven until the third day … His body was placed in a tomb, again in fulfillment of the words of Isaiah, and the disciples mourned. Jesus had told them He would rise again on the third day, but their hearts were too heavy to imagine the truth of His words and their minds were weighed down with guilt and fear. … Then it happened, as He said it would … the tomb was empty!! We who believe do not picture Jesus on a cross or show a body covered in a tomb because the cross and the tomb are empty. Jesus rose victorious over death!!
Few seem to understand today that the Gospels record for us the eyewitness testimony of those who saw Jesus after His resurrection. He appeared not once, not twice, but numerous times over a period of forty days. Some believed immediately, others wanted "proof" that they weren't seeing a ghost, but John explains that all these things, from His birth and the beginning of His ministry, to His death and resurrection … all these things were written so that YOU and I may believe, and by believing have life in His Name … in the name of Jesus. It cannot be argued that the disciples believed as you turn to the book of Acts, which we will look at in coming weeks. Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times, but whom Jesus lovingly and powerfully reinstated in chapter 21, would testify to the rulers and elders of the Jews, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
No other religion offers such a promise … no other religion leads to eternal life. All of them teach their rules and laws and call people to work to please their god, hoping they have done enough to earn a life beyond the grave, but in Jesus Christ GOD provided the only sacrifice that satisfies His justice and delivers those who believe from the guilt and power of sin. In Jesus God sets the captives free!! In the details of chapter 21 John reveals that we will have "spiritual bodies" in the world to come, for we shall be like Him (I John 3:1-2). Paul writes the same thing in I Corinthians 15:42-49: "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised a spiritual body. … Just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven."
The sure and certain hope that we have in Jesus Christ is that we who believe will be raised from the dead and made like Jesus Christ and will live in a new heaven and a new earth, a perfect world in perfect bodies, praising and worshiping and serving God forever!! As we are loved by God, so we will love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! Oh, glorious day … for those who believe. If you have believed these things and know the truth, rejoice that God has revealed these things to you and given you His Spirit to work faith in your new heart and mind. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus (II Corinthians 5:17). And if you have not yet believed these things, may God even now open your eyes to see the truth, to believe in Jesus and to be saved!!
"My Father in heaven, it is You who have given me life in Jesus Christ and it is now for You that I live. With Paul I confess that 'I have been crucified with Christ and now I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me' (Galatians 2:20). Words cannot possibly express my thankfulness. Let my life, O LORD, my God, display my love for You as I live even now in the light of Your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen"
Thursday, September 18, 2014
"Seek the LORD and live …"
Day #265: Daily Bible Reading Plan - September 19th
Scripture Reading: Amos 5 - 9 …
As the prophet, Amos, was sent to Israel to proclaim God's coming judgment, he offered a small ray of hope to those who were about to lose their property, their homes and in many cases, their lives: "Seek me and live … Seek the LORD and live … " (5:4,6). As the Word of God warns of His coming judgment upon the earth in our day, those same words come to us as we hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ: "Seek me and live … Seek the LORD and live!"
Many within Israel thought it would be different. They thought God did not notice their sins, but God says, "I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins" (5:12). Though they tried, they could not hide from the LORD, the only true God, the great "I AM." Still God called out to them, "Seek ME and live!" The prophet Isaiah spoke to these same people, "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7). Only because of the stubborn foolishness of those without the Spirit of God will they persist in their sin and unbelief without confession, repentance and seeking God.
Amos, along with the other prophets, predicts the coming judgment of God as he describes the "day of the LORD" (5:18ff.). It is sometimes amazing how much like the days of the prophets our day is. People want God to send His judgment on others, failing to realize that they, too, lie in the path of His coming wrath. Amos declares, "Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! … That day will be darkness, not light!" (5:18). The "day of the LORD" points to the coming judgment of God upon Israel, in the present and in the future, as well as His judgment upon all those who do not know Him and who do not come to Him in the only way He has prescribed: through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
Repeatedly, Amos states, "the LORD is His Name," or "whose name is God Almighty!" Only the God who reveals Himself in the Scriptures contained in the Bible as the "LORD," the Great "I AM," "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," is to be worshiped, for He alone is God Almighty. All the supposed gods of the nations are poor impostors who cannot save from God's coming judgment. "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion," Amos declares (6:1). The same is true of those who are "lukewarm" in the church today … who do not take seriously the warnings found throughout the Bible. They go on about their lives and their supposed worship as though God does not see - but He DOES!!
Paul wrote to those who presumed on the grace and mercy of God in Romans 2:1-5, when he says that those who judge others and do the same things condemn themselves. "Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed" (2:4-5). That will be the "day of the LORD," described by Amos.
God says that He hates the pride of Jacob, and so He sets a "plumb line" (7:8) by which He measures the obedience (or lack thereof) of those who claim to be His people. King Amaziah of Israel told Hosea to go back to Judah and to be quiet! But who can stop the word of the Lord from being fulfilled? Who today can say that God will not fulfill every word that He has spoken through the prophets and apostles, and through Jesus, the Christ, the eternal Son of God. Those who want to believe in a Jesus that would not judge anyone have never read the Bible, even the red letters!! Jesus told His disciples shortly before His crucifixion that when the Holy Spirit came He would "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (16:8). Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerualem and called His sheep to hear His voice, to believe in Him and be saved … from what? God's coming wrath and judgment.
Before the judgment came, God said that He would send a "famine of hearing the words of the LORD" (8:11). For almost 400 years prior to the birth of Christ there were no prophets in Israel. Then came John the Baptist, the forerunner, pointing to the coming of the Savior, calling people to repentance. In our own nation and in many places around the world today it seems as though there is a famine of God's Word. People have gathered for themselves teachers who will tell them what they want to hear, as Paul predicted in his letters to Timothy. Many find it difficult to find a place where they can hear the Word of God preached and where there are those who are seeking the LORD and placing their faith in Jesus Christ alone to be saved. Can the judgment of Almighty God be far behind? Is it even now beginning to fall upon us?
Where is there any hope in this message? What are we to hold on to as we live among a people so depraved, so determined to scorn the God who made them, and as we see our own sin and how far we fall short of God's glory? Where is there HOPE?? Only in the promises of God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ, our Savior and our Lord!! God offered hope even at the end of Amos' declaration of judgment: "Surely the eyes of the Sovereign LORD are on the sinful kingdom. I will destroy it from the face of the earth - YET I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob" (9:8).
"In that day," says the LORD, "I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be" (9:11) … "I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them" (9:15). Not all who have returned to the land of Israel in our day will escape the judgment of God. The nations will be gathered against Israel and difficult times lie ahead … yet God will save a remnant from Israel and from the nations for Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. His call still goes out today, "Seek the LORD and live …"
What have YOU done with Jesus? Have you acknowledged the LORD, the great "I AM," as God? Do you believe in Him, and have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ? As this world races towards the "day of the LORD" one will appear who will appear to offer peace, who will unite all nations and all religions together in an effort to establish himself as the one to be worshiped … millions will be deceived, desiring peace and security for themselves rather than worship and praise of the LORD, the one and only true God. Then the end will come suddenly upon those who do not know Him and who have not sought Him …
Where will you be on that day? Where are you today? I warn you and urge you to "seek the LORD and live!" Through the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross we who have been given the Holy Spirit confess our sin, turn from it and trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and life eternal. We have no other hope, for "we have THIS hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). May this hope be yours today as you repent of your sins and place your trust in Jesus Christ. "Seek the LORD while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near" and find that His promises are all 'Yes! and Amen" in Christ Jesus!!
"O LORD my God, to You be endless praise for Your holiness, righteousness and majesty! You alone are God and I worship You with all my heart. I thank You for giving me ears to hear the warnings of judgment in Your Word and for moving my heart to respond in repentance and faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. Give me wisdom and strength to live in this world as an ambassador of Your truth and of Your kingdom, of the reign of Your Son Jesus Christ. Open the ears of those whom You have chosen through the words You have placed in my mouth, that they may seek You and live! In Jesus' name, Amen"
Scripture Reading: Amos 5 - 9 …
As the prophet, Amos, was sent to Israel to proclaim God's coming judgment, he offered a small ray of hope to those who were about to lose their property, their homes and in many cases, their lives: "Seek me and live … Seek the LORD and live … " (5:4,6). As the Word of God warns of His coming judgment upon the earth in our day, those same words come to us as we hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ: "Seek me and live … Seek the LORD and live!"
Many within Israel thought it would be different. They thought God did not notice their sins, but God says, "I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins" (5:12). Though they tried, they could not hide from the LORD, the only true God, the great "I AM." Still God called out to them, "Seek ME and live!" The prophet Isaiah spoke to these same people, "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7). Only because of the stubborn foolishness of those without the Spirit of God will they persist in their sin and unbelief without confession, repentance and seeking God.
Amos, along with the other prophets, predicts the coming judgment of God as he describes the "day of the LORD" (5:18ff.). It is sometimes amazing how much like the days of the prophets our day is. People want God to send His judgment on others, failing to realize that they, too, lie in the path of His coming wrath. Amos declares, "Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! … That day will be darkness, not light!" (5:18). The "day of the LORD" points to the coming judgment of God upon Israel, in the present and in the future, as well as His judgment upon all those who do not know Him and who do not come to Him in the only way He has prescribed: through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
Repeatedly, Amos states, "the LORD is His Name," or "whose name is God Almighty!" Only the God who reveals Himself in the Scriptures contained in the Bible as the "LORD," the Great "I AM," "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," is to be worshiped, for He alone is God Almighty. All the supposed gods of the nations are poor impostors who cannot save from God's coming judgment. "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion," Amos declares (6:1). The same is true of those who are "lukewarm" in the church today … who do not take seriously the warnings found throughout the Bible. They go on about their lives and their supposed worship as though God does not see - but He DOES!!
Paul wrote to those who presumed on the grace and mercy of God in Romans 2:1-5, when he says that those who judge others and do the same things condemn themselves. "Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed" (2:4-5). That will be the "day of the LORD," described by Amos.
God says that He hates the pride of Jacob, and so He sets a "plumb line" (7:8) by which He measures the obedience (or lack thereof) of those who claim to be His people. King Amaziah of Israel told Hosea to go back to Judah and to be quiet! But who can stop the word of the Lord from being fulfilled? Who today can say that God will not fulfill every word that He has spoken through the prophets and apostles, and through Jesus, the Christ, the eternal Son of God. Those who want to believe in a Jesus that would not judge anyone have never read the Bible, even the red letters!! Jesus told His disciples shortly before His crucifixion that when the Holy Spirit came He would "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (16:8). Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerualem and called His sheep to hear His voice, to believe in Him and be saved … from what? God's coming wrath and judgment.
Before the judgment came, God said that He would send a "famine of hearing the words of the LORD" (8:11). For almost 400 years prior to the birth of Christ there were no prophets in Israel. Then came John the Baptist, the forerunner, pointing to the coming of the Savior, calling people to repentance. In our own nation and in many places around the world today it seems as though there is a famine of God's Word. People have gathered for themselves teachers who will tell them what they want to hear, as Paul predicted in his letters to Timothy. Many find it difficult to find a place where they can hear the Word of God preached and where there are those who are seeking the LORD and placing their faith in Jesus Christ alone to be saved. Can the judgment of Almighty God be far behind? Is it even now beginning to fall upon us?
Where is there any hope in this message? What are we to hold on to as we live among a people so depraved, so determined to scorn the God who made them, and as we see our own sin and how far we fall short of God's glory? Where is there HOPE?? Only in the promises of God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Christ, our Savior and our Lord!! God offered hope even at the end of Amos' declaration of judgment: "Surely the eyes of the Sovereign LORD are on the sinful kingdom. I will destroy it from the face of the earth - YET I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob" (9:8).
"In that day," says the LORD, "I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be" (9:11) … "I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them" (9:15). Not all who have returned to the land of Israel in our day will escape the judgment of God. The nations will be gathered against Israel and difficult times lie ahead … yet God will save a remnant from Israel and from the nations for Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. His call still goes out today, "Seek the LORD and live …"
What have YOU done with Jesus? Have you acknowledged the LORD, the great "I AM," as God? Do you believe in Him, and have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ? As this world races towards the "day of the LORD" one will appear who will appear to offer peace, who will unite all nations and all religions together in an effort to establish himself as the one to be worshiped … millions will be deceived, desiring peace and security for themselves rather than worship and praise of the LORD, the one and only true God. Then the end will come suddenly upon those who do not know Him and who have not sought Him …
Where will you be on that day? Where are you today? I warn you and urge you to "seek the LORD and live!" Through the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross we who have been given the Holy Spirit confess our sin, turn from it and trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and life eternal. We have no other hope, for "we have THIS hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). May this hope be yours today as you repent of your sins and place your trust in Jesus Christ. "Seek the LORD while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near" and find that His promises are all 'Yes! and Amen" in Christ Jesus!!
"O LORD my God, to You be endless praise for Your holiness, righteousness and majesty! You alone are God and I worship You with all my heart. I thank You for giving me ears to hear the warnings of judgment in Your Word and for moving my heart to respond in repentance and faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. Give me wisdom and strength to live in this world as an ambassador of Your truth and of Your kingdom, of the reign of Your Son Jesus Christ. Open the ears of those whom You have chosen through the words You have placed in my mouth, that they may seek You and live! In Jesus' name, Amen"
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
"Life is too simple to be so complicated …"
Day #264: Daily Bible Reading Plan - September 18th
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 25 …
Reading through Solomon's proverbs is like finding small tidbits of wisdom that all have a common source … in this case, God. When God created the world everything was perfect; then came sin. People today spend countless hours and thousands of dollars trying to understand how life "works" and how to fix broken relationships, only to find out that the cause of all the brokenness in our world goes back to the problem inside all of us: the rejection of God's truth and a refusal to do things HIS way! As you read through the proverbs you need to keep this in mind.
God's Word is truth that speaks honestly about life, with nothing held back. The proverbs in Chapter 25 and the next few chapters were "copied" during the time of King Hezekiah, one of the godly kings of Judah. When Solomon says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings," (25:2), he may be explaining that because of God's glory, His perfection, we can never fully understand Him. But that which has been revealed to us, that which kings may "search out," brings wisdom and is the glory of kings. Kings have no glory of their own except that which they find in God as they rule for Him. King Hezekiah did that for most of his life.
Verses 3-5 speak of earthly kings and earthly kingdoms. Who can figure out the hearts of men? But God has His unchanging principles. "Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness" (25:5). Righteousness is a key word throughout the Bible. God's righteousness is the standard by which all other righteousness is measured. As God warns in verses 6-7, no one should approach the king without being invited to do so, for no one is worthy. Yet GOD is King over all and through Jesus God calls US to approach Him and makes us righteous by faith in Christ. All this again points to how we live in this world as citizens of God's kingdom, even though we live under the rule of earthly kings. Jesus Christ is Lord!!
The rest of the proverbs speak to simple things that help us to live in a world that gets complicated by the deceitfulness and foolishness of people who are not living according to God's Word. Solomon speaks about relationships with "neighbors" in several of these proverbs and points out some thought-provoking truths … we'll look at a few of them:
Verses 8-10: "What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?" In other words, your perspective on what you see may not be accurate if you don't "know the whole story," so be careful what you repeat. "If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man's confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation." How often people hear what someone has said, jump to conclusions and act before considering the best course of action based on God's truth. The result is that our desire to "help" comes back to ruin OUR reputation. Always be sure that you have all the information you need to make wise decisions and to speak wisdom before confronting people. Then do it as graciously as possible, with the love and grace of God as your motives. Don't fail to act when called to do so, but don't be hasty in acting … you can do more harm than good.
In situations like that, "a word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear" (25:11-12). Isn't that a beautiful picture?! Our words are so important and how we use them even more so. Solomon speaks of a "trustworthy messenger," (25:13) and a "gentle tongue" (25:15) as powerful instruments, and often points out in his proverbs how words can either build up or tear down. He even talks about things like not making a nuisance of yourself (25:17) or bearing false witness (25:18). Being a good neighbor is part of life in this world. Remember, Jesus summarized all of God's commands in loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself!
All that you and I do affects those around us - either for the good or for the bad. Something as simple as how to comfort those with a heavy heart is important to God ... don't sing to someone with a heavy heart!! (25:20). Listen and console and show compassion. In words quoted by Paul in Romans 12:20, Solomon writes, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head ... and the LORD will reward you" (25:21-22). And in summary the Apostle Paul adds, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
In each proverb there is either a good outcome or a not so good outcome. In rapid succession, Solomon writes of life with PEOPLE, and compares actions to things ... things like a north wind and cold water and muddled springs. Pictures are used to explain that our words and our actions have consequences. Today we know wisdom comes from the Spirit of God who speaks to us through the written word. The words of Solomon's proverbs, like the rest of the Bible, help us understand that life is really NOT that complicated. As Solomon wrote at the end of his "Ecclesiastes," "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Those of us who have been filled with the Spirit place our trust in Jesus Christ, knowing that we are righteous in Christ before God and heirs of eternal life, therefore we are aliens and strangers here and we serve God in this life by keeping His commands (not to BE saved, but because we HAVE BEEN saved in Christ). Life doesn't have to be complicated, but people make it that way by failing to listen to God's Word and put it into practice. "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and do it!" (Luke 11:28).
"Father, in Your Word You have revealed a 'simple' life, a life lived for Your glory in obedience to Your commands. Give me wisdom to apply Your truth to my daily living, loving my neighbor, choosing my words wisely and setting my heart on seeking Your glory, in Jesus' name, Amen"
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 25 …
Reading through Solomon's proverbs is like finding small tidbits of wisdom that all have a common source … in this case, God. When God created the world everything was perfect; then came sin. People today spend countless hours and thousands of dollars trying to understand how life "works" and how to fix broken relationships, only to find out that the cause of all the brokenness in our world goes back to the problem inside all of us: the rejection of God's truth and a refusal to do things HIS way! As you read through the proverbs you need to keep this in mind.
God's Word is truth that speaks honestly about life, with nothing held back. The proverbs in Chapter 25 and the next few chapters were "copied" during the time of King Hezekiah, one of the godly kings of Judah. When Solomon says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings," (25:2), he may be explaining that because of God's glory, His perfection, we can never fully understand Him. But that which has been revealed to us, that which kings may "search out," brings wisdom and is the glory of kings. Kings have no glory of their own except that which they find in God as they rule for Him. King Hezekiah did that for most of his life.
Verses 3-5 speak of earthly kings and earthly kingdoms. Who can figure out the hearts of men? But God has His unchanging principles. "Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness" (25:5). Righteousness is a key word throughout the Bible. God's righteousness is the standard by which all other righteousness is measured. As God warns in verses 6-7, no one should approach the king without being invited to do so, for no one is worthy. Yet GOD is King over all and through Jesus God calls US to approach Him and makes us righteous by faith in Christ. All this again points to how we live in this world as citizens of God's kingdom, even though we live under the rule of earthly kings. Jesus Christ is Lord!!
The rest of the proverbs speak to simple things that help us to live in a world that gets complicated by the deceitfulness and foolishness of people who are not living according to God's Word. Solomon speaks about relationships with "neighbors" in several of these proverbs and points out some thought-provoking truths … we'll look at a few of them:
Verses 8-10: "What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?" In other words, your perspective on what you see may not be accurate if you don't "know the whole story," so be careful what you repeat. "If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man's confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation." How often people hear what someone has said, jump to conclusions and act before considering the best course of action based on God's truth. The result is that our desire to "help" comes back to ruin OUR reputation. Always be sure that you have all the information you need to make wise decisions and to speak wisdom before confronting people. Then do it as graciously as possible, with the love and grace of God as your motives. Don't fail to act when called to do so, but don't be hasty in acting … you can do more harm than good.
In situations like that, "a word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear" (25:11-12). Isn't that a beautiful picture?! Our words are so important and how we use them even more so. Solomon speaks of a "trustworthy messenger," (25:13) and a "gentle tongue" (25:15) as powerful instruments, and often points out in his proverbs how words can either build up or tear down. He even talks about things like not making a nuisance of yourself (25:17) or bearing false witness (25:18). Being a good neighbor is part of life in this world. Remember, Jesus summarized all of God's commands in loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself!
All that you and I do affects those around us - either for the good or for the bad. Something as simple as how to comfort those with a heavy heart is important to God ... don't sing to someone with a heavy heart!! (25:20). Listen and console and show compassion. In words quoted by Paul in Romans 12:20, Solomon writes, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head ... and the LORD will reward you" (25:21-22). And in summary the Apostle Paul adds, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
In each proverb there is either a good outcome or a not so good outcome. In rapid succession, Solomon writes of life with PEOPLE, and compares actions to things ... things like a north wind and cold water and muddled springs. Pictures are used to explain that our words and our actions have consequences. Today we know wisdom comes from the Spirit of God who speaks to us through the written word. The words of Solomon's proverbs, like the rest of the Bible, help us understand that life is really NOT that complicated. As Solomon wrote at the end of his "Ecclesiastes," "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Those of us who have been filled with the Spirit place our trust in Jesus Christ, knowing that we are righteous in Christ before God and heirs of eternal life, therefore we are aliens and strangers here and we serve God in this life by keeping His commands (not to BE saved, but because we HAVE BEEN saved in Christ). Life doesn't have to be complicated, but people make it that way by failing to listen to God's Word and put it into practice. "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and do it!" (Luke 11:28).
"Father, in Your Word You have revealed a 'simple' life, a life lived for Your glory in obedience to Your commands. Give me wisdom to apply Your truth to my daily living, loving my neighbor, choosing my words wisely and setting my heart on seeking Your glory, in Jesus' name, Amen"
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
"Let the Name of the LORD our God be praised!!"
Day #263: Daily Bible Reading Plan - September 17th
Scripture Reading: Psalms 111 - 113 …
God's Word tells me that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). In the end, everything will work out for my good, so if it looks right now as if something is NOT working out for my good, it must not be the end!! God is still working in the midst of my circumstances and yours and He has promised to be with those who trust in Him and who acknowledge Him as Lord. The writers of the Psalms continually point us to this truth because as we live in this world it can SEEM like evil wins, like those who do not know God prosper, and like those who seek the Lord face more trials and struggles than those who don't … so it seems.
The writers of the Psalms felt the same things we feel as we live in the world today. Yet in their words we find strength to do what they did: turn to the Lord for strength, wisdom and courage to persevere, to endure, to press on. "I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly" (111:1). How important it is to gather often with God's people, knowing that His Spirit unites our hearts and that we are stronger together than we are apart. "Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them" (111:2). Setting our minds on God AND on His deeds brings a peace of mind that cannot be found anywhere else. Then we can say, no matter what men may do, HE is good … ALL the time!!
Part of the reason God is good all the time is His unchangeable character and that character is revealed in His covenant. The Psalmist writes, "He remembers His covenant forever!" (111:5). It is a blessing to live in this age when the chosen people of God, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, live in the land God promised to their fathers. "He has shown his people the power of His works, giving them the lands of other nations" (111:6). Not only that, God sent His own Son to be born of a woman, of the seed of Abraham, a descendant of King David, from the tribe of Judah, to fulfill His promise to send a Savior. "He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever - holy and awesome is His Name!" (111:9).
Thus, "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; … to HIM belongs eternal praise" (111:10). Perhaps it would be good for us to write down our statements of faith in words as the Psalmist did. Surely, we have the same testimony, and MORE! We can testify about Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, and about the fulfillment of God's covenant in even clearer terms than the Psalmist. I wonder sometimes, what is holding our tongues?! If we know these things … if we really KNOW these things in the depths of our hearts, and if we cherish God's works and "ponder" them - think about them … then won't we be constantly praising our God, the LORD, the Creator of the heavens and the earth??
God never promised us that life would be easy, even when we're serving Him. We tend to think that if we're serving God, He should make things easier; yet, it often seems to work out the other way around. How can that be? Because He wants to display HIS power IN us and through us. "Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in His commands" (112:1). He goes on to declare, "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes" (112:6-8).
What a promise that is! How assuring to know that God is at work in our lives in ways we will never know and can never imagine. He holds believers in His hands and His love endures forever! Meanwhile, "the longings of the wicked will come to nothing" (112:10). Notice that God is always calling us to live today by faith, pointing to a future where the present struggles are no more. More and more often I think of the words of the Apostle John in Revelation 21:3-5: "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. … He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Where else do you find such assurance?!
Evil will not win. The wicked will be overcome and God's kingdom will be established in a new heaven and a new earth. God is with us now and He will be with us then. We already HAVE eternal life and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord … NOTHING!! That's why the words of Psalm 113 are the words of every true believer, every child of God: "Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised!" (113:1-3).
That is our "occupation," our job, our purpose in this life and in the life to come. OUR God reigns over all the earth and it is in His Name that we serve and in His Name that we preach and in His Name that we hope! Putting your faith in Jesus Christ, join with those described in Revelation 12:11: "They overcame … by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." So with the Psalmist "I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly" (111:1).
"Heavenly Father, it is when I set my mind on YOU and Your works that praising You becomes the very breath that I breathe. Not only are You the only true God, the Creator of all things, but You have called me to Yourself in Jesus and given me Your Spirit so I can come to You, 'Abba, Father.' How precious are my thoughts of You, O LORD, my God! I praise You because You are worthy of my praise, in Jesus' name, Amen"
Scripture Reading: Psalms 111 - 113 …
God's Word tells me that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). In the end, everything will work out for my good, so if it looks right now as if something is NOT working out for my good, it must not be the end!! God is still working in the midst of my circumstances and yours and He has promised to be with those who trust in Him and who acknowledge Him as Lord. The writers of the Psalms continually point us to this truth because as we live in this world it can SEEM like evil wins, like those who do not know God prosper, and like those who seek the Lord face more trials and struggles than those who don't … so it seems.
The writers of the Psalms felt the same things we feel as we live in the world today. Yet in their words we find strength to do what they did: turn to the Lord for strength, wisdom and courage to persevere, to endure, to press on. "I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly" (111:1). How important it is to gather often with God's people, knowing that His Spirit unites our hearts and that we are stronger together than we are apart. "Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them" (111:2). Setting our minds on God AND on His deeds brings a peace of mind that cannot be found anywhere else. Then we can say, no matter what men may do, HE is good … ALL the time!!
Part of the reason God is good all the time is His unchangeable character and that character is revealed in His covenant. The Psalmist writes, "He remembers His covenant forever!" (111:5). It is a blessing to live in this age when the chosen people of God, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, live in the land God promised to their fathers. "He has shown his people the power of His works, giving them the lands of other nations" (111:6). Not only that, God sent His own Son to be born of a woman, of the seed of Abraham, a descendant of King David, from the tribe of Judah, to fulfill His promise to send a Savior. "He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever - holy and awesome is His Name!" (111:9).
Thus, "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; … to HIM belongs eternal praise" (111:10). Perhaps it would be good for us to write down our statements of faith in words as the Psalmist did. Surely, we have the same testimony, and MORE! We can testify about Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, and about the fulfillment of God's covenant in even clearer terms than the Psalmist. I wonder sometimes, what is holding our tongues?! If we know these things … if we really KNOW these things in the depths of our hearts, and if we cherish God's works and "ponder" them - think about them … then won't we be constantly praising our God, the LORD, the Creator of the heavens and the earth??
God never promised us that life would be easy, even when we're serving Him. We tend to think that if we're serving God, He should make things easier; yet, it often seems to work out the other way around. How can that be? Because He wants to display HIS power IN us and through us. "Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in His commands" (112:1). He goes on to declare, "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes" (112:6-8).
What a promise that is! How assuring to know that God is at work in our lives in ways we will never know and can never imagine. He holds believers in His hands and His love endures forever! Meanwhile, "the longings of the wicked will come to nothing" (112:10). Notice that God is always calling us to live today by faith, pointing to a future where the present struggles are no more. More and more often I think of the words of the Apostle John in Revelation 21:3-5: "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. … He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Where else do you find such assurance?!
Evil will not win. The wicked will be overcome and God's kingdom will be established in a new heaven and a new earth. God is with us now and He will be with us then. We already HAVE eternal life and nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord … NOTHING!! That's why the words of Psalm 113 are the words of every true believer, every child of God: "Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised!" (113:1-3).
That is our "occupation," our job, our purpose in this life and in the life to come. OUR God reigns over all the earth and it is in His Name that we serve and in His Name that we preach and in His Name that we hope! Putting your faith in Jesus Christ, join with those described in Revelation 12:11: "They overcame … by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." So with the Psalmist "I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly" (111:1).
"Heavenly Father, it is when I set my mind on YOU and Your works that praising You becomes the very breath that I breathe. Not only are You the only true God, the Creator of all things, but You have called me to Yourself in Jesus and given me Your Spirit so I can come to You, 'Abba, Father.' How precious are my thoughts of You, O LORD, my God! I praise You because You are worthy of my praise, in Jesus' name, Amen"
Monday, September 15, 2014
"Our God is greater than all other gods ... His love endures forever!"
Day #262: Daily Bible Reading plan - September 16th
Scripture Reading: II Chronicles 1 - 5 ...
I love God! I do!! Without God I would be helplessly enslaved to the desires of the flesh and hopelessly misled by the temptations of the world around me and of Satan himself, that fallen angel who exists in rebellion against God and who deceives millions into joining him. Apart from God's love and grace and power at work in me, my life would be one desperate attempt after another to find meaning and purpose. But I know that God loved me and saved me through Jesus Christ to live in this world to glorify and enjoy Him, and finally to enter His perfect presence after this life, to praise Him with the angels and the saints forever, time without end. That pretty well sums up why I love God!
"Love" is used so often in this world to describe a mere emotional feeling or attachment to someone or something, but the love of God for us who believe and our love for Him goes much deeper. II Chronicles begins with a description of the relationship Solomon had with God ... or perhaps we should say, that God had with Solomon: "Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great" (1:1). Solomon had a relationship with God, and you and I can have one, too.
Solomon's father, David, had been told by God that Solomon would build a temple for His Name and David and the people had gathered all the materials except for some of the wood that was to come from the cedars of Lebanon. After Solomon had met with the leaders to discuss his plans, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give to you" (1:7). What would YOU ask for? God speaks through James to the early church and says, "You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" (James 4:2-3).
That was not Solomon. This was his request, "LORD God, let Your promise to my father David be confirmed, for You have made me King over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1:9-10). Not only did Solomon make an awesome request, but he made it with such humility that God not only gave him wisdom, but wealth, riches and honor, too! How important to realize that we do not deserve anything from God, but because of His love for His people, He WANTS to give us what we need to serve Him and to make His name great.
In writing to the King of Tyre (Lebanon), David explained, "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods" (2:5). How true that was, and how true that IS. Even the King of Tyre declared, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth!" (2:13). This is where wisdom begins ... in acknowledging God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The Apostle Paul proclaimed the same thing to the men of Athens in Acts 17, as he told them about the One who was the "unknown god" to them: "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else" (Acts 17:24).
This is OUR God! And He didn't NEED the temple then ... and He doesn't need a temple now. So why did Solomon build it and why did God give him directions for its construction? Because God wanted His people to know who He was and to worship Him. The temple was for His glory, but was for their instruction. All of the furnishings revealed, so much as human minds can comprehend it, the glory of the one true God. As the Creator of the universe, God dwells in all of His glory in heaven, a place inaccessible to mortal sinful mankind. Yet to reveal Himself in part to us, God told Solomon to build the temple and through the Ark of the Covenant and the Most Holy Place God taught the people how to come near to Him.
Chapter 5 describes the people bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the temple. This time they did it right: the Levites carried the Ark with the poles through the rings, as God had instructed Moses, so that no one would touch it. There was nothing magical about the Ark itself, but it represented the very presence of God and touching it brought death. That had been proven in previous times. Sinful people cannot approach a holy God without their sin being "atoned for," without the debt being paid. The "wings of the cherubim" on the cover of the Ark pointed to the reality of the angels guarding the entrance to the presence of God. The two tablets of the law lay inside the Ark, symbols of God's requirement of perfection ... a requirement no one could or can meet.
With joyous celebration the people worshiped the LORD, their God. The musicians wore fine linen and played "cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: 'He is good; His love endures forever'" (5:12-13). After all the preparation and the return of the Ark of the Covenant, the theme of the song they sang with such powerful accompaniment was God's love.
I love God! But that's not what is so amazing, considering all that I know about God and what He has done for me. What is more amazing is that God loves ME; that HIS love endures forever!! Perhaps it was Solomon who wrote Psalm 106:1: "Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever!" Every true believer must know that our love for God is but a response to God's love for us. Only by His mercy and grace to us can we know that the Creator of the universe is OUR God, and that He is greater than all other gods because in Jesus Christ, our Savior, HIS love endures forever. "God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Give thanks to the LORD our God today and rejoice in His love for you. All who confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can KNOW that our God reigns, that there are no other gods, and that His love for His children will never, ever change or fail. With the Apostle John we can say, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (I John 3:1). Ask the LORD, your God for wisdom to reign wisely over sin and the temptations you face in this world. Pray that He will strengthen you daily to stand firm in your faith, no matter what the circumstances you face. Live to join with God's people in building that spiritual "temple," the Church, which will greet Jesus when He comes to gather His own. Then your life, like Solomon's will serve to bring praise to our God!!
"O LORD, my God, You are great above all the gods that people worship in the world today, for You alone ARE God!! I confess my love for You because I know that You first loved me. I give You thanks for choosing me to be Your child, for redeeming me and forgiving me through the blood of Your Son, Jesus, and for adopting me into Your family. Such love demands my all and I pray that You will continue the work You have begun in me so that one day soon, when I see You face-to-face, my love for You will be as perfect as Your love for me. In Jesus' name, Amen"
Scripture Reading: II Chronicles 1 - 5 ...
I love God! I do!! Without God I would be helplessly enslaved to the desires of the flesh and hopelessly misled by the temptations of the world around me and of Satan himself, that fallen angel who exists in rebellion against God and who deceives millions into joining him. Apart from God's love and grace and power at work in me, my life would be one desperate attempt after another to find meaning and purpose. But I know that God loved me and saved me through Jesus Christ to live in this world to glorify and enjoy Him, and finally to enter His perfect presence after this life, to praise Him with the angels and the saints forever, time without end. That pretty well sums up why I love God!
"Love" is used so often in this world to describe a mere emotional feeling or attachment to someone or something, but the love of God for us who believe and our love for Him goes much deeper. II Chronicles begins with a description of the relationship Solomon had with God ... or perhaps we should say, that God had with Solomon: "Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great" (1:1). Solomon had a relationship with God, and you and I can have one, too.
Solomon's father, David, had been told by God that Solomon would build a temple for His Name and David and the people had gathered all the materials except for some of the wood that was to come from the cedars of Lebanon. After Solomon had met with the leaders to discuss his plans, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give to you" (1:7). What would YOU ask for? God speaks through James to the early church and says, "You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" (James 4:2-3).
That was not Solomon. This was his request, "LORD God, let Your promise to my father David be confirmed, for You have made me King over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1:9-10). Not only did Solomon make an awesome request, but he made it with such humility that God not only gave him wisdom, but wealth, riches and honor, too! How important to realize that we do not deserve anything from God, but because of His love for His people, He WANTS to give us what we need to serve Him and to make His name great.
In writing to the King of Tyre (Lebanon), David explained, "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods" (2:5). How true that was, and how true that IS. Even the King of Tyre declared, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth!" (2:13). This is where wisdom begins ... in acknowledging God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The Apostle Paul proclaimed the same thing to the men of Athens in Acts 17, as he told them about the One who was the "unknown god" to them: "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else" (Acts 17:24).
This is OUR God! And He didn't NEED the temple then ... and He doesn't need a temple now. So why did Solomon build it and why did God give him directions for its construction? Because God wanted His people to know who He was and to worship Him. The temple was for His glory, but was for their instruction. All of the furnishings revealed, so much as human minds can comprehend it, the glory of the one true God. As the Creator of the universe, God dwells in all of His glory in heaven, a place inaccessible to mortal sinful mankind. Yet to reveal Himself in part to us, God told Solomon to build the temple and through the Ark of the Covenant and the Most Holy Place God taught the people how to come near to Him.
Chapter 5 describes the people bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the temple. This time they did it right: the Levites carried the Ark with the poles through the rings, as God had instructed Moses, so that no one would touch it. There was nothing magical about the Ark itself, but it represented the very presence of God and touching it brought death. That had been proven in previous times. Sinful people cannot approach a holy God without their sin being "atoned for," without the debt being paid. The "wings of the cherubim" on the cover of the Ark pointed to the reality of the angels guarding the entrance to the presence of God. The two tablets of the law lay inside the Ark, symbols of God's requirement of perfection ... a requirement no one could or can meet.
With joyous celebration the people worshiped the LORD, their God. The musicians wore fine linen and played "cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: 'He is good; His love endures forever'" (5:12-13). After all the preparation and the return of the Ark of the Covenant, the theme of the song they sang with such powerful accompaniment was God's love.
I love God! But that's not what is so amazing, considering all that I know about God and what He has done for me. What is more amazing is that God loves ME; that HIS love endures forever!! Perhaps it was Solomon who wrote Psalm 106:1: "Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever!" Every true believer must know that our love for God is but a response to God's love for us. Only by His mercy and grace to us can we know that the Creator of the universe is OUR God, and that He is greater than all other gods because in Jesus Christ, our Savior, HIS love endures forever. "God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Give thanks to the LORD our God today and rejoice in His love for you. All who confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can KNOW that our God reigns, that there are no other gods, and that His love for His children will never, ever change or fail. With the Apostle John we can say, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" (I John 3:1). Ask the LORD, your God for wisdom to reign wisely over sin and the temptations you face in this world. Pray that He will strengthen you daily to stand firm in your faith, no matter what the circumstances you face. Live to join with God's people in building that spiritual "temple," the Church, which will greet Jesus when He comes to gather His own. Then your life, like Solomon's will serve to bring praise to our God!!
"O LORD, my God, You are great above all the gods that people worship in the world today, for You alone ARE God!! I confess my love for You because I know that You first loved me. I give You thanks for choosing me to be Your child, for redeeming me and forgiving me through the blood of Your Son, Jesus, and for adopting me into Your family. Such love demands my all and I pray that You will continue the work You have begun in me so that one day soon, when I see You face-to-face, my love for You will be as perfect as Your love for me. In Jesus' name, Amen"
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