Psalm 63-65

In Psalm 63 David is fleeing the coup of his son Absalom. Unreal trauma and heartbreak often helps our perspectives focus on what really matters, and this is no different. Notice that David doesn't want the palace back. He wants God.

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is not water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.


Because of his knowledge of God everything else was dwarfed. Because of his knowledge of God even in the worst of times his relationship with God brought him peace.

But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth....But the king shall rejoice in God...

Exodus 33-36

In Exodus 34, God gives Moses a series of instructions by which the Israelites should live. Some of these are profound, like "Do not make cast idols" and "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest" (Exodus 34:17, 21), but then there are rules like "Do not cook a young goat in its mother's milk" (Exodus 34:26). Why lump in such a mundane stipulation with rules that directly refer back to God's original acts of creation? And for that matter, what's the big deal about cooking a young goat in its mother's milk (and does this leave open the possibility of cooking a young goat in a different female goat's milk?)?

Frankly, I have no idea why this rule made the list (and neither do the editors of my Zondervan study Bible). But that's not really the point; the point is that it mattered to God. More broadly, God concerns Himself not only with issues of the greatest significance but also with the most minute of details. He is a God who knows every last inch of every last corner of His creation, and if He takes an interest in the way food is prepared, we know that we have His full attention and faithfulness in matters of eternal importance too.

Galatians 1-3

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse" (Galatians 1:8)! Paul is anything but ambiguous about what it means to modify the Good News. But why is this such a big deal?

Simply put, to undermine the integrity and the completeness of the Word is to assert yourself above God Himself. We know from Hebrews that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) and we know from the Gospel of John that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:1, 14). God's redemptive work in Jesus is complete (John 19:30), and the Gospel is the complete story of that work. 

If you try to alter the Gospel, then, you are in effect positioning yourself, and not God, as the author and conductor of eternity. May it never be so!

Luke 5-6

"The proper response to the revelation of God is worship." This notion has been bandied about for some time now, but does it have any foundation in Scripture? We see in Luke 5 that it does. Jesus instructs Simon to cast his nets one more time, and although Simon's recent experience suggested that this next time would be no more successful than the last, by faith he agreed. The results were miraculous.

Perhaps the most interesting part of that story, though, is Simon's response. Given an example of God's power and holiness right before his eyes, Simon's thoughts turn to how unworthy he is by comparison. "'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man'" (Luke 5:8)! Simon understood how he pales in comparison to God incarnate, and he moves to observe the appropriate separation between his sinful state and Jesus' majesty. Jesus, however, not only refuses to permit Simon to back away but indeed reaches out to him and draws him close. What a wonderful microcosm of the Gospel in this one brief episode!

Jeremiah 42-46

How easily we are led astray! In the span of less than a chapter, we see a remarkable transformation in the hearts of the Israelites. What begins as, "Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God" (Jeremiah 42:6) becomes "All the people disobeyed the Lord's command" as a result of a few "Arrogant men" speaking against Jeremiah (and by extension God; Jeremiah 43: 4, 2).

But is our fickleness and gullibility the fundamental problem here? The reality is that there is enough sin in the human heart that we don't need any prompting to turn away from God (Isaiah 53:6). How much more grateful should we be, then, for the new creation that we are in Christ!

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me" (Psalm 51: 10-12).

Job 41-42

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

One of the most tragic and heart breaking accounts in all the Bible concludes with a happy ending. Job's story is so unnerving that we talk and think about the calamity more than we even think about the ending. For those of us who know God, this is what we have to look forward to. The worst of trials will in the end pass, and turn out good. God's character is gracious, merciful, and lavish. He restores, and not just fully. He restores fully and then some. If you recall back in chapter 1, Job wasn't too bad off to start. One of the crucial factors in Satan singling out Job was in his claim that Job loved God because of how much God blessed Job.  What a God! He's all we have, and He's all we need.

Part of your Day - Psalm 60-62

So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day. Psalm 61:8

So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I dive through traffic day after day.
So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I hang out with friends day after day.
So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I deal with grumpy coworkers day after day.
So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I try to instruct my child day after day.
So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I workout day after day. 

I'm sure most of the time David loved to perform his vows, and chances are sometimes there was something else he would rather do. Regardless, there are parts of our lives that are repetitive. We do them day in and day out. When we know God, like David knew him. singing praises to His name is one of the best parts of our day. 

David's God is our God - II Samuel 20-24

And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 
II Sam. 21:20

This monster of a man pretty much sums up the unbelievably intense battles that David faced. We are told so much about David.  There is enough recorded in the Bible on the life of David to make it a lifelong study, and the fascinating thing is that David is such a flawed person. Throughout his life he makes serious mistakes, and yet God is merciful and David never loses hold of his faith in his "rock, fortress, and deliverer."

I believe on of the reasons we are told so much about him is that it makes passages like ch. 22 so much more real. The more you think about who David was and what he did, the more powerful his words are.

David points everything back to God, David says ad infitum that God saves him, God delivered him, God responded to his call. Even though he failed, he was used by God and he persevered because of his view of God. 

For you are my lamp, O Lord,
    and my God lightens my darkness.
For by you I can run against a troop,
    and by my God I can leap over a wall.
This God—his way is perfect;
    the word of the Lord proves true;
    he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

“For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?

II Samuel 22:29-32

Bezalel is Probably a Bible Name You Should Know - Exodus 29-32

 In chapters 29 and 30, God anoints Aaron and consecrates the priests. This is obviously  a huge deal, with fragrant spices, sacred oil, and specifically detailed instructions that all shout: God is holy and this is a serious matter!

I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God. Ex. 29:45-46

A personal, loving God. The same God we serve today. This is so awesome! In fact, it's so awe inspiring that we can easily miss what comes next. Did you see who God focuses on next?

The artists.

There in the desert, as God establishes His people, as He sets into motion His very heart, the artists fall directly after the priests. Am I the only one who is wondering how I missed that so many times? Of all the professions, of all the people in the desert, it is the artists He speaks to next. I dare say, this is a powerful and beautiful reflection of the importance He places on art.

Exodus 31:1-6
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you...

God is the greatest artist, and we are made in his image. One of the most spectacular ways we can show his glory and reflect His nature is through our God given gift of creativity.

The church today isn't really known for it's artistic ability. The world doesn't often think of us as creative at all. But considering God's emphasis on artistic beauty in Ch. 31:1-11 do you think that's a good thing?

Artistic beauty, just like any truth about God, is something that we should be using to show others our God. Encourage it, develop it, and don't miss it any longer.

II Corinthians 11-13 Your Thorn in the Flesh

II Cor. 12:7-8 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

We don't know what this thorn in the flesh was for Paul, but we all know what thorns in the flesh look like for us. We know what pain and suffering look like. We know what it feels like to want something so bad and seemingly never get it.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

"My grace is sufficient for you." In the face of trial we are to look beyond it into the glorious mercies that abound in our lives. Look to the cross. Look to eternity. If you are in Christ his grace is abundant and truly has been lavished on you. 

"My power is made perfect in weakness." Christ truly wants to show His might and power through us. The word perfect here contains the idea of completeness. Christ's plan is to mold us and shape us into his image. We are weak, we sin, we need his power. We will never be what Christ wants us to be until we fail and are content in our weakness. Content enough in our own weakness to run to Christ.

For when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul said that, can you? 

Luke 3-4 The Temptation of Christ

There is temptation in my life right now, and there is temptation in your life right now. We cannot fail in overestimating it's power. Just because you have a certain thought does not mean you are predestined to fall in it. Likewise, we cannot fail in underestimating it's power. Even something as "small" as the struggle of bitterness in lacking a very good thing can lead to disastrous ramifications. (Heb. 12:15)  Temptation is so strong in our lives because it's not just about us. We are targeted by Satan and his demons because we resemble Christ. As we grow in our peace with God and are conformed more and more into Christ's image the temptations are only accelerated.

Understanding that foundation is crucial in finding the method and motivation for victory.

The person and work of Jesus Christ seen in Luke 4 brings us hope. Just as our temptation is part of a larger story so is our deliverance from its power.

And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit to Galilee. 
Luke 4:13-14a

Notice, Satan wasn't done. He would be back. Don't get discouraged because Satan is ruthlessly persistent. That says nothing about you, the same was done to the perfect Christ. Notice also, that the same spirit who led Jesus through the wilderness and empowered him for victory is now alive in all of us who are joined to him by grace through faith!

You and I can overcome demonic temptations today the same way Christ did in the wilderness. Quoting God's law and obeying God's law. Trust the Father, obey, and rely on Him who conquered sin and it's damnable consequences. 

Jesus, thank you.

Sweet Communion - Job 39-40

“God inquires of Job concerning several animals.  In these questions the Lord continued to humble Job. In this chapter several animals are spoken of, whose nature or situation particularly show the power, wisdom, and manifold works of God. The wild ass. It is better to labour and be good for something, than to ramble and be good for nothing. From the untameableness of this and other creatures, we may see, how unfit we are to give law to Providence, who cannot give law even to a wild ass's colt. The unicorn, a strong, stately, proud creature. He is able to serve, but not willing; and God challenges Job to force him to it. It is a great mercy if, where God gives strength for service, he gives a heart; it is what we should pray for, and reason ourselves into, which the brutes cannot do. Those gifts are not always the most valuable that make the finest show. Who would not rather have the voice of the nightingale, than the tail of the peacock; the eye of the eagle and her soaring wing, and the natural affection of the stork, than the beautiful feathers of the ostrich, which can never rise above the earth, and is without natural affection? The description of the war-horse helps to explain the character of presumptuous sinners. Every one turneth to his course, as the horse rushes into the battle. When a man's heart is fully set in him to do evil, and he is carried on in a wicked way, by the violence of his appetites and passions, there is no making him fear the wrath of God, and the fatal consequences of sin. Secure sinners think themselves as safe in their sins as the eagle in her nest on high, in the clefts of the rocks; but I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord, Jeremiah 49:16. All these beautiful references to the works of nature, should teach us a right view of the riches of the wisdom of Him who made and sustains all things. The want of right views concerning the wisdom of God, which is ever present in all things, led Job to think and speak unworthily of Providence.”

“Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and humbles a saint, and makes him glad to part with his most beloved sins. There is need to be thoroughly convinced and humbled, to prepare us for remarkable deliverances. After God had shown Job, by his manifest ignorance of the works of nature, how unable he was to judge of the methods and designs of Providence, he puts a convincing question to him; Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? Now Job began to melt into godly sorrow: when his friends reasoned with him, he did not yield; but the voice of the Lord is powerful. When the Spirit of truth is come, he shall convince. Job yields himself to the grace of God. He owns himself an offender, and has nothing to say to justify himself. He is now sensible that he has sinned; and therefore he calls himself vile. Repentance changes men's opinion of themselves. Job is now convinced of his error. Those who are truly sensible of their own sinfulness and vileness, dare not justify themselves before God. He perceived that he was a poor, mean, foolish, and sinful creature, who ought not to have uttered one word against the Divine conduct. One glimpse of God's holy nature would appal the stoutest rebel. How, then will the wicked bear the sight of his glory at the day of judgment? But when we see this glory revealed in Jesus Christ, we shall be humbled without being terrified; self-abasement agrees with filial love.” – Matthew Henry

Don't Destroy - Psalm 57-59

The Psalms is a book of beautiful poetry, put to well known tunes of that day.  These three chapters are all written to be sung to the tune known as "Don't Destroy."

These chapters were written during the time when King Saul was actively pursuing David to kill him.  King Saul perceived David to be a threat to his position as king, and Saul needed to be sure his position was secure.  Each of these songs was written by David as a petition to God for His protection, and a song of praise for His preservation.  He opens each chapter with a cry out to God, and after he is continuously saved, closes each chapter with praise.

Psalm 57:1
God Most High, have pity on me!

Have mercy. I run to you for safety.

In the shadow of your wings,

I seek protection till danger dies down.

 

Psalm 57:11

May you, my God, be honored

above the heavens;

may your glory be seen

everywhere on earth.

 

Psalm 58:1

Do you mighty people talk
only to oppose justice?
Don't you ever judge fairly?

Psalm 58:11b
...everyone will say,
God does indeed rule with justice!

Psalm 59:1
Save me God!
Protect me from enemy attacks!

Psalm 59:17
I will sing your praises,
You are my mighty fortress
and You love me!
 

 

 

 

How to Regret a Relationship - 2 Sam 15-19

"The Bible does not put halos over anyone’s head. David was a man after God’s heart but as a husband and father he was nothing short of a failure. In 2 Samuel 18 we see the end result of a very sad story. We see a pathetic lament of a broken hearted father full of guilt and shame for his negligence toward his son now dead. What regret are in these words!

2 Samuel 18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

I can write two words over this verse: TOO LATE. David was now willing to die for his dead son. It was too late. He should really have said, 'would God I had lived consistently before thee; or taught of you of God’s love, or, communicated with thee?or, would God I had forgiven thee? or would God I had lived for thee!'  David has deep regrets over his failed relationship with his son Absalom. May God give us wisdom to learn from David’s mistakes so we do not have to lament with such hopeless regret concerning the relationships we have in our lives.

This passage tells us of a father-son relationship between David and Absalom. Absalom means father of peace but his life was one of bitterness. Absalom was the son of a foreign princess from Geshur. As a boy growing up, maybe he was the envy of his peers; the heart throb of every girl. He was a hunk without a blemish. No pimples graced his face. He was popular, handsome, rich, and famous. His hair was heavy, too. In spite of all this, Absalom went to an early grave. Why? He could not get along with his father. His heart was unforgiving and rebellious toward his permissive dad.

What relationships are you living to regret?"

- notes courtesy of Matt Recker, Pastor,  
Heritage Baptist Church, New York City, NY

Do the details really matter? Exodus 25-28

Without delving into the how's and why's of worship too much (I am not capable of properly addressing this issue, and believe that good men will differ on many of the specifics) this passage of scripture gets VERY specific on how the items in the temple were to be designed and arranged. 

While we no longer utilize the lampstand or the priest's breastplate of precious gems, our worship is no less important to God.  The details do matter!  God instructed specific measurements, specific precious metals and gems.  These were details that were costly and extraordinary.

When we come to worship, we are able to boldly approach the throne of grace because of Christ's sacrifice that was costly and extraordinary.  Read these chapters imagining the beauty and majesty of the golden angels.  The prayerful preparation taken for each step of the worship.  The solemnity of the sacrifice.  There was beauty in the Old Testament sacrifice, but just a glimpse of the beauty of the ultimate sacrifice in Christ!

The gift of giving - 2 Corinthians 9-10

Recently we attended an event where we were learning about a ministry on the other side of the world in a country very different from the United States.  This event was designed to help us catch a vision for the ministry to children who have debilitating birth defects that could be all but corrected if treated early enough.  The surgeries necessary can be accomplished for what many of us spend on a weekend get away with our families. 

At the end of the event, the missionary encouraged us with two statements.  First, he reminded us that each one of us what in that room because someone prayed for us.  Now, I believe he was referring to the fact that most of us were believers, and we received that free gift because someone cared enough for our souls to pray for us and with us.  What he may not have realized, is that there were folks there who are tragically lost in their sin, and yet they were also there because someone is praying for them.

Second, he told that us that when we give to the ministry to these little ones, that they and their families JOY in the opportunity to pray for us!  What a thought!  A "friend" from Kijabe, Africa will bathe my family in prayer!  Intercede on our behalf for God to meet needs and bring blessing to our home. What a gift!  One day in eternity, we can meet the family who received life changing medical treatment from our gift, and rejoice with them over how God worked in our family as a result of their prayers from Africa!

If you ever doubt that God can provide for you when you give sacrificially, read these promises:

2 Corinthians 9: 7-15

" Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don’t feel sorry that you must give and don’t feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. ⁸ God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others. ⁹ The Scriptures say,

“God freely gives his gifts
to the poor,
    and always does right.”

 

¹⁰ God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food. He will increase what you have, so that you can give even more to those in need. ¹¹ You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift.

¹² What you are doing is much more than a service that supplies God’s people with what they need. It is something that will make many others thank God. ¹³ The way in which you have proved yourselves by this service will bring honor and praise to God. You believed the message about Christ, and you obeyed it by sharing generously with God’s people and with everyone else. ¹⁴ Now they are praying for you and want to see you, because God used you to bless them so very much. ¹⁵ Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!"

Not just another Christmas carol - Luke 1-2

This passage contains Mary’s Magnificat or Song of Praise.  She offers this song of praise to God for finding her faithful and choosing her to give birth to the Son of God. 

The German theologian Dietrich Bonheoffer recognized the revolutionary nature of Mary’s song.  Before being executed by the Nazis, Bonheoffer spoke these words in a sermon during Advent 1933:

“The song of Mary is the oldest Advent hymn. It is at once the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary Advent hymn ever sung. This is not the gentle, tender, dreamy Mary whom we sometimes see in paintings.…This song has none of the sweet, nostalgic, or even playful tones of some of our Christmas carols. It is instead a hard, strong, inexorable song about the power of God and the powerlessness of humankind.”

“With all my heart I praise the Lord,
and I am glad because of God my Savior.
 
God cares for me, his humble servant.
From now on, all people will say God has blessed me.

God All-Powerful has done great things for me,

and his name is holy.

He always shows mercy to everyone who worships him.

The Lord has used his powerful arm to scatter those who are proud.

God drags strong rulers from their thrones
and puts humble people in places of power.

God gives the hungry good things to eat,

and sends the rich away with nothing.

God helps his servant Israel and is always merciful to his people.

The Lord made this promise to our ancestors,

to Abraham and his family forever!”

Show me your ways - Jeremiah 32-36

Judah was in the very worst of times.  The Babylonian armies were at the city walls.  The city was in the midst of falling to its enemies.  Despair, discouragement, and destruction had fallen upon the city and its people like the darkness of night.  Yet, in the midst of it all, God calls out to the people of Jerusalem and says, Call unto me, and I will answer . . .   

If you read through the prophets and history of Israel at the time of Jeremiah’s prophecy you quickly discover that it was the nation’s sinfulness, idolatry, and lack of repentance that brought the correcting hand of God’s justice upon them.  They deserved and needed what God was bringing upon them.  While they may have felt innocent and undeserving, they had earned God’s judgment. 

There are times where we find ourselves in the darkness of despair.  Perhaps we have earned the corrections God has brought into our lives.  Or perhaps, we are being refined through a trial that seems undeserving, but is in God’s grand design.  In the midst of that record breaking hurricane that holds every prospect of our destruction, we find ourselves sitting in a row boat, wishing we had a much bigger bucket. 

While the people of Jerusalem deserved their lot, notice the grace of God in the midst of His divine judgment.  God continued to provide an invitation accompanied by a definite promise.  God said through Jeremiah,  “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”  In other words God said, in the midst of your hopelessness if you will call unto me then I will answer in supernatural ways. 

 

Job 37-38 - God's Power and Glory

Elihu concludes his discourse (in Job 37) with some great sayings concerning the glory of God. Light always is, but is not always to be seen. When clouds come between, the sun is darkened in the clear day. The light of God's favour shines ever towards his faithful servants, though it be not always seen. Sins are clouds, and often hinder us from seeing that bright light which is in the face of God. Also, as to those thick clouds of sorrow which often darken our minds, the Lord hath a wind which passes and clears them away. What is that wind? It is his Holy Spirit. As the wind dispels and sweeps away the clouds which are gathered in the air, so the Spirit of God clears our souls from the clouds and fogs of ignorance and unbelief, of sin and lust. From all these clouds the Holy Spirit of God frees us in the work of regeneration. And from all the clouds which trouble our consciences, the Holy Spirit sets us free in the work of consolation.  With God is terrible majesty. Sooner or later all men shall fear Him.

                                    - Taken from Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Psalm 54-56

The psalmist, David, went through a lot of drama in his life.  These three psalms are psalms of prayer and praise to God.  David cries out to the Lord when he is being attacked, not only by his enemies, but also by some of his closest friends.   David realizes that God is the only one who can help him in his time of need.  Psalm 56:3-4 sums up the three passages with these stanzas:

                                    “When I am afraid,

                                                I put my trust in you.

                                    In God, whose word I praise,

                                                in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

                                                What can flesh do to me?”

How often are we afraid, frustrated, or hurt because the world, our friends or acquaintances are attacking us.   It is comforting to know that we can simply bring our troubles to Him and He will take care of us.   He will never give us more than we can bear.  Just like David, we should look to Christ in times of need and He will always be there to care for us. 

Prayer:

Lord, grow my faith.  You are sovereign and trustworthy in ALL things.  Strengthen my resolve not only to declare but also to act in such manner that shows that I trust in you.

2 Samuel 10-14

This passage starts out exemplifying David as a tremendous king and leader.  He offers his condolences to the son of a neighboring king who recently died.   This kindness is repaid with war.  David had God on his side and his faithfulness is rewarded with an easy victory.

But David let this power go to his head.  While his men are out fighting the battle, David is home.  His inflated confidence causes him to succumb to temptation and instead of focusing on God, his flesh wins the battle.  As a result, God was not pleased with David, and promised in 2 Samuel 12: 10 “… your family will never live in peace again.”  We see that in the next few verses and continuing chapters that David’s life was full of strife, from losing a newborn child, to shame coming upon his daughter, and also losing two more children, one through death and the other through exile. 

But God had a lesson in this for David.  God never stopped loving David.  David never stopped loving his children, although it appears that he didn’t like them very much sometimes.  At the end of this passage, David’s son comes home, much like the prodigal son, however for different circumstances. 

Chapter 14:14 puts it this way – “We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.  But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast." Christ chastens us when we run from Him, or even stray a little, but He has always provided and will always provide a way for us to come back to His open arms.  Christ’s love for us is more than we can imagine. 

God is our Ally – Exodus 21-24

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“But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.”—Exodus 23:22

THE Lord Christ in the midst of His people is to be acknowledged and obeyed. He is the vice regent of God and speaks in the Father’s name, and it is ours implicitly and immediately to do as He commands. We shall lose the promise if we disregard the precept.

To full obedience how large the blessing! The Lord enters into a league with His people, offensive and defensive. He will bless those who bless us, and curse those who curse us. God will go heart and soul with His people and enter in deepest sympathy into their position. What a protection this affords us! We need not concern ourselves about our adversaries when we are assured that they have become the adversaries of God. If Jehovah has taken up our quarrel, we may leave those foes in His hands.

So far as our own interest is concerned, we have no enemies; but for the cause of truth and righteousness, we take up arms and go forth to conflict. In this sacred war, we are allied with the eternal God; and if we carefully obey the law of our Lord Jesus, He is engaged to put forth all His power on our behalf. Wherefore we fear no man.
                                               
                                               - taken from Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook”

2 Corinthians 6-8

Here we see Paul teaching the Corinthians the importance of giving.  Not only through financial means but also intangible giving.  At first it seems as though Paul is advising a socialistic way of living, but I think his realm really only involves the church itself.  Paul starts by referring to the Macedonians and their love for giving and taking care of other believers.  2 Corinthians 8:4 states …”, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.”  The Macedonians were not necessarily a wealthy people but they gave of what they had and even more.  The most important aspect is that they gave gladly and with joy for giving.  They had a desire to help those in need.

But why should I give to those with a need.  First, everything we have is God’s already; He has simply entrusted us with it.  Second, as part of the body of Christ, we have a responsibility to take care of other parts of the body.  Which of us would not feed our stomach when it hurts from hunger just because our arms are not hurting.  There is a need and one part of the body can meet the need of the other just by giving it food.  Likewise, the body of Christ must see the needs of others and meet those needs.  We have the means, we simply must use what God has given us. 

Mark 15-16 – Go and tell the World

Christ’s death, burial and resurrection is all very familiar to us.  The shame and humiliation that Christ endured, to us seems terrible, but to Christ, He knew it was part of God’s plan for Him.  Even His own people mocked Him.  Yet, He was willing to die for each sinner. 

For most of us (me included), when we are wronged by someone or something, we tend to view that person or thing negatively; but not Christ.  Christ followed through with the plans that God had for Him knowing that the world needed a Savior. 

After His resurrection, Christ instructed His disciples to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”  There was a need and Christ was the answer. 

As Christians, we are commanded to tells others about Christ and the power of His salvation.  I don’t think that this means each and everyone of us is called to be a preacher or evangelist, or even a missionary for that matter.  However, we still have been commanded to spread the gospel.  Maybe your world doesn’t extend more than 50 miles from your house on a daily basis.  Each day we should be an example of Christ’s love so that others may know of the power of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

Jeremiah 27-31 – Timing is everything

In this passage we see that Israel is being taken into captivity.  God tells Jeremiah to prepare a sign that all of the neighboring countries would be subject to the king of Babylon.  But why would God purposefully allow His people to be taken into captivity?  Why would God command them to submit to an evil king?

We as Christians, often ask this same question, but maybe in a different context.  “Why is God allowing this to happen to me?”  “Why can’t I get ahead;” “Why is God not answering my prayer?” 

Probably the most familiar verse in this passage is Jeremiah 29: 11 (ESV) – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  God is in control and His timing is perfect.   If you are a parent, you know that you only want the best for your children.  And, as a parent, you also know that you and your child don’t always think alike.  Children want things now (at least mine do) and they can’t understand why they must wait for something.  As parents we try to teach our kids that some things just take time and that this is a good lesson on patience.  How often though do we fall into the same mentality. 

God’s will is sovereign, and as His children, God only has our best in mind.  Our best  though may not be what we thought.  There may be correction needed or maybe we need to be more patient.  Maybe God is teaching us to trust Him more.  Verse 12 implies if you seek me you will find me, if you search with all your heart.  Finding that perfect will for our lives will most likely not fall into our laps.  There will need to be some diligent seeking and praying. 

Whatever the lesson, just remember that God’s will and way is perfect.  What He has promised, He will do. 

Job 35-36

"Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding" - Job 36:5


Elihu is telling Job about one of God's chief characteristics - He is all-knowing. This perfect knowledge allows God to be impartial in his dealings with men. There is no reason why He would punish Job for righteousness, and then not listen to Job. He goes on to say only the wicked are punished, but the righteous live in the light of God's blessing.. Elihu creates the scenario for Job, by urging him to turn from his iniquity so God would listen to him.

It is easy to say when we see people going through difficult times that they did something wrong. If you do right then you are rewarded, but if you do wrong then you are punished. However, today we are freed from a system of narrow-mindedness to serve a living and true God through Jesus Christ. He is the mediator and the One who declares us righteous before Him.We all have sinned and come short of God's glory. He did not have to do anything on our behalf, but chose to give His only righteous Son so we could have life. God truly is mighty in understanding, justice, and wisdom. He delivered us when we were enslaved and helpless.

Psalm 51-53

See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction! But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. Psalm 52:7-9


The psalmist here gives a clear distinction between a man who only trusts himself versus the man who only puts his trust in God. One man seeks after wealth to sustain him, and the godly man places himself squarely in the love of God to keep him. He does not just keep his trust in God, but continues in giving thanks to the One who preserves him daily. It is an active living faith in the One True God.

If we want to flourish, then we must continue in keeping our trust in Him. Jesus points out to the disciples that one cannot serve money and God. It is the one of the main things that will take our dependence off God. "The love of money is the root of all evil." It is an active faith that denies that wealth is the means of success. Our world lifts up people that "have it all." Let us continue to place our faith in God, and not in any wealth. Dependence leads to gratefulness, and therefore, to praise and obedience.

2 Samuel 5-9

And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. 

-2 Samuel 5:21

God gave us some wonderful insight with this verse. Here David is committed to the Lord in all things, and he goes to battle with his archenemies, the Philistines. However, there is one large detail that separates David from all his foes - the One True God. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.(5:10) After the battle with David, all the Philistines left the gods they trusted in behind for the spoils of war. They could not deliver then, and these created gods cannot deliver now.

We all face battles everyday, internal and external foes. The difference for us today as believers is found in one large detail. "The LORD, the God of hosts," is with us. He actually dwells within us and gives us power in every detail of our life. It does not mean we always get what we want, but it does mean we have an all-knowing, all-powerful God who only wants what is best for His glory and our good. No matter what difficulties are before or behind us this is the reality we face every day. Let us not be fearful or dismayed, but face life's challenges with a comfort and strength that our God is with us.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 

-2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Exodus 17

 “And his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” -- Exodus 17:12
 

So mighty was the prayer of Moses, that all depended upon it. The petitions of Moses discomfited the enemy more than the fighting of Joshua. Yet both were needed. No, in the soul’s conflict, force and fervour, decision and devotion, valour and vehemence, must join their forces, and all will be well. You must wrestle with your sin, but the major part of the wrestling must be done alone in private with God. Prayer, like Moses’, holds up the token of the covenant before the Lord. The rod was the emblem of God’s working with Moses, the symbol of God’s government in Israel. Learn, O pleading saint, to hold up the promise and the oath of God before him. The Lord cannot deny his own declarations. Hold up the rod of promise, and have what you will.

Moses grew weary, and then his friends assisted him. When at any time your prayer flags, let faith support one hand, and let holy hope uplift the other, and prayer seating itself upon the stone of Israel, the rock of our salvation, will persevere and prevail. Beware of faintness in devotion; if Moses felt it, who can escape? It is far easier to fight with sin in public, than to pray against it in private. It is remarked that Joshua never grew weary in the fighting, but Moses did grow weary in the praying; the more spiritual an exercise, the more difficult it is for flesh and blood to maintain it. Let us cry, then, for special strength, and may the Spirit of God, who helpeth our infirmities, as he allowed help to Moses, enable us like him to continue with our hands steady “until the going down of the sun;” till the evening of life is over; till we shall come to the rising of a better sun in the land where prayer is swallowed up in praise.

- taken from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening