The Coming Day On The Mt. Of Olives

Zechariah 14:4-9

If anyone were to ever think that the Bible is a dull and dusty book, they have not read our Scripture passage for today.  What we read today in our verses from the Prophet Zechariah about what will occur when the Lord Jesus returns to earth, is certainly not dull.  We watch many movies and TV shows filled with action, yet they are just fiction, just stories.  What Zechariah describes is just as action filled and exciting, however this is not fiction.  It is something that will occur on the day Jesus returns to earth.  Let’s look at this Scripture passage.

The Prophet Zechariah’s ministry was during the years after the Babylonian captivity, after the Jewish people returned to their homeland.  He encouraged the people to remain faithful to God, and continue in the work of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.  He taught that God is sovereign over the whole world, despite any appearance to the contrary.  The book also contains many of the visions he had of the future, particularly of the coming Messiah, prophecies of both His first and His second coming.  The prophecy in our passage today is one highlighting the day of Jesus the Messiah’s Second Coming.

As our Scripture opens, Zechariah describes an event that will occur on the day that Jesus returns to earth, at the tail end of the Tribulation.  When He returns, He will come back to the Mount of Olives, which is just outside of Jerusalem, on the east side of the city.  Jesus and His apostles were very familiar with that area, having traveled around it frequently.  The village of Bethany, where His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, is on the southwestern side, and the Garden of Gethsemane is at the foot on the western side of the mountain, just outside of Jerusalem’s east side.  And it was from the Mount of Olives that Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11).  When His feet touch the mount, it will split down the middle, the divide running from the east to the west, making a valley in the middle (vs. 4).

During the Great Tribulation, believers in the Lord Jesus will be terribly persecuted, with multitudes being martyred.  This persecution will run right up to that last day when Jesus returns, and the split in the Mount of Olives will provide a route of escape for those persecuted believers who live in Jerusalem at the time (vs 5).  Zechariah states that when Jesus returns, He will bring all of His saints with Him, resurrected believers who had either died or were raptured prior to this event.

Next the Prophet Zechariah describes how at this time, when the Lord returns to earth, there will not be the clear light that we know and observe from the sun, but neither will there be darkness like we have a night (vs. 6-7).   We see something very similar described in the Book of Revelation, where in the City of God there is no need for the sun to provide light during the day, nor the moon to reflect light at night, for the Lord God gives the light (Revelation 21:23; 22:5).  The Lord’s reign is one of divine nature, and will transcend natural laws and human understanding.

Another event that will occur at this time is that a river of living water will begin to flow out of Jerusalem (vs. 8).  This river will flow in two directions.  Half will flow towards the east, to the “Eastern Sea” which refers to the Dead Sea, east of Jerusalem.  The other half will flow towards the west, towards the “Western Sea”, which is the Mediterranean Sea.  The Dead Sea will no longer be undrinkable and unpalatable, as the life-giving water from the Lord will flow into it.  This river symbolizes the life-giving and purifying presence of the Lord, and will flow year-round.

In verse 9 we read of the beginning of the reign of the Lord Jesus on earth.  He is king over all the earth, One Lord and One Name.  This fulfills the promise of His eternal kingdom (Revelation 11:15).

In closing, we see a preview in this prophecy of Zechariah’s of the events right at the time of Jesus’ return to earth.  We can know the promise of God’s protection and provisions during the time of the Tribulation, and during any time of trial in our life.  At that time, and in all times we need to embrace the divine light of Jesus Christ, living in His truth and guidance, and we can have the spiritual nourishment and blessings that flow like living water from a relationship with Jesus.  Are you ready for His return, and are you living in anticipation of that day?

What Is Truth?

John 18:33-38

Is there such a thing as absolute truth?  Absolute truth means that something is true no matter what, regardless of opinion.  A couple of examples are that the sun is hot, and that gravity pulls objects downwards to earth.  There are some people who think that all truth is relative, that we can each have our “own truth”.  What's true to you may not be to me is their philosophy.  They believe that the truth is not black and white, but various shades of gray.  However that is not reality or true.  If someone could take a flight to the sun, they would find out, regardless of if they believed it or not, that it is super hot.  If their “personal truth” didn’t include gravity, once they jumped off of a building they'd quickly find out that there is absolute truth.  Pontius Pilate asked when he questioned Jesus on the day of His crucifixion, “What is truth?”  Let’s look at the Scripture passage, and see what the Lord can teach us here.

Several hours before our Scripture passage begins, the Sanhedrin had arrested Jesus.  He was given a mockery of a trial and they charged Him with blasphemy, the penalty being death.  However, being under Roman rule, the Jews were not allowed to execute anyone on their own.  Since the Jewish leaders really wanted Jesus dead, they brought Him to Pontius Pilate, who was the Roman Governor of Judea at the time, hoping he would agree with them and order Jesus’ execution.  The Sanhedrin added the charge of Jesus supposedly calling Himself a king so the Romans might also charge Him with treason.

Jesus was standing before Pilate when our Scripture began, and Pilate questioned Him about the accusation of being the “King of the Jews” (vs. 33).  If Pilate found this to be true, then he had to act, as no one could threaten the rule of the emperor, Tiberius Caesar.  Jesus responded by asking Pilate whether he was asking this on his own accord, or had the Jewish leaders put him up to it.  He answered that he wasn’t Jewish, and that they were the ones who arrested Him (vs. 34-35).  Jesus acknowledged that He was a king, but that His kingdom was not a part of this world (vs. 36).  Jesus’ kingdom is heavenly and eternal, not earthly and temporal.

Jesus continued by saying that He came into this world to bear witness to the truth.  His mission is to reveal God’s truth to humanity.  Those who genuinely seek the truth will hear His voice (vs. 37).  Pilate gave a skeptical and possibly sarcastic answer with “What is truth?” (vs. 38).  He then went back out to the Sanhedrin and told them he did not find any fault in Jesus.  That affirms Jesus’ sinlessness.  He is the perfect, spotless Lamb of God (I Peter 1:19).

Jesus could have responded to Pilate’s question with the words that He had spoken to His disciples the night before, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6).  Jesus is Truth.  Not just a part of a truth, but Truth itself.  All that He has said is truth, and thus the Word of God, the Bible, is truth.  It is truth whether it agrees with someone’s personal philosophy or not, whether it agrees with what they like or not.  It is truth yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and in every circumstance.  It is not subject to someone’s “personal reality”, as many like to say today.

Many people don’t want to admit that there is such a thing as objective or absolute truth - something that is true at all times and in every place.  They especially fight the idea of objective or absolute truth in moral issues.  In a world that questions whether truth, especially moral truth, exists, the issues are debatable with them.  However, with Jesus they are not.  Jesus shows us truth exists, and if we want to know what it is, we should look to Him.

As Christians, we are called to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel, just as Jesus did.  This involves sharing the message of salvation and living out Biblical principles.  We are also reminded in this passage that as believers, our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus’ heavenly kingdom, and are encouraged to live with an eternal mindset, prioritizing spiritual over worldly concerns.

In closing, as we remember, and as Pontius Pilate testified, Jesus was innocent of any sin, both then and all throughout His life.  His death was a sacrificial one for our sins, the innocent for the guilty.  Knowing this, we need to show Jesus our gratitude, and commit to following Him each and every day of our lives.

Some Names And Titles Of Jesus

Revelation 1:1-8

Most of us will hold several different titles throughout our life.  First, we are either a son or a daughter of two parents, and likewise a grandson or granddaughter.  Often we are also a brother or sister to one or more siblings.  Later we might become a husband or wife to another, and then perhaps a mother or a father to one or more little ones.  Then at whatever job we hold we have titles.  Some might be more prestigious, like senator, judge, or doctor.  Others might be less so.  Whatever the title, they help in describing who we are.  Our Scripture today speaks of several of the many titles that the Lord Jesus Christ has.  Let’s take a quick look at this passage.

The first title that we read in these opening verses of Revelation is that of “Christ” (vs. 1-2, 5).  This word comes from the Greek word “Christos”, which means “Anointed One”, the Hebrew word being “Mashiach”, from which we get the word “Messiah”.  Throughout the New Testament Jesus is frequently called Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him to be the long promised Messiah, the Savior of mankind.

The next title we read is that of “Faithful Witness” (vs. 5).  A witness is someone who tells others what he has seen or knows.  We frequently see witnesses giving their testimony in the courtroom.  One always hopes that their testimony will be truthful.  We can depend on the witness testimony of Jesus being truthful, as He is the Truth (John 14:6).  The witness of Jesus is one that reveals the character and ways of the Father, as he who has seen Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9).

Next we see Jesus called the “Firstborn From the Dead” (vs. 5).  As we read in all four Gospels, Jesus took our sins upon Himself, and was crucified.  He died and was buried, and on the third day He rose again from the dead.  Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have the promise to all believers, those who have put their trust in Him, will also rise.  This proves that eternal life is possible for us, too, as Jesus taught us in John 11:25.

Jesus is also given the title of “Ruler Over the Kings of the Earth” (vs 5).  God is the One who raises men to power and removes them from power (John 19:10-11).  Politicians and other rulers may think that they are in their position through their own ingenuity and that of their political party, but it is God who placed them there, and He can and will remove them at His will.  As we read throughout the Book of Revelation, and also in many of the books of the prophets, and in Psalms, Jesus is ruler over all.  One day all creation, including every ruler who ever lived, will bow the knee to Him (Philippians 2:9-11).

We also read that another title of the Lord Jesus is that of the “Alpha and the Omega”, the “Beginning and the End” (vs. 8).  Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.  Greek was the language that the New Testament was written in, and a common language spoken and understood throughout the Roman Empire.  It would be like saying “A through Z” in the Latin or Roman Alphabet.  Jesus is everything, the whole dictionary, the whole encyclopedia, or today we could say He would be the whole Wikipedia.  He is the Creator of everything from A through Z, from the first to the last.

As we read through this passage, we see that as believers, we have the privilege of interceding for one another in prayer, just as our Lord does (vs. 6).  In this verse we read that God has made us kings and priests.  One thing that a priest does is to intercede to the Lord on behalf of the people.  He has called us believers to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Faith, along with others in general.

In closing, I want to look at one sentence in this passage that should brighten our spirits, and that is “Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (vs. 5).  Jesus loved us so much that He came to earth, shed His precious Blood to wash away our sins.  Both the penalty and the power of sin have been broken by His sacrifice.  If you ever wondered about His love for you, you do not need to doubt any longer.  As the children’s hymn says, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

Meeting God In The Morning

Psalm 5

What is the first thing you do in the morning after waking up?  Many people hop out of bed, take a quick shower, hurriedly get dressed, and rush off to work.  This routine is often the same with Christians, starting the day in a hurry, rushing through the hours, and unfortunately God is given the leftovers of the day.  This is a poor pattern that can quickly fall into a bad habit, and can leave one open to the attacks and temptations of our spiritual enemy, the devil and his minions.  David learned this, as we will see in our psalm for this last week before Advent.

Psalm 5 opens like many of David’s other psalms open, and that is with a prayer for the Lord to hear him when he cries out to Him for help (vs. 1-3).  David states very plainly in these early verses his promise to Yahweh that he will come to Him in prayer every morning.  Why is this important?  For a believer, this is especially important.  If you ask any Christian who has a good habit of praying in the morning, that their day goes much better than on a day when they miss that time in communion with the Lord.  Prayer in the morning equips us in our battle with the devil, which every believer will face to varying degrees each day.

Prayer in the morning also gives us the opportunity to bring our troubles, concerns, and worries to the Lord before we head out into our day, rather than carrying them around ourselves.  Instead of fretting over the concerns of the new day, we should allow God’s peace to flow into us.  Morning prayer sets the tone for the day that follows.  If the morning begins with worry, that will only increase as the day moves along.  But if we start the day with Jesus, we will more likely remain in His peace as the day continues.

As David continues in this prayer psalm, he reminds himself and the readers that Yahweh is a holy God (vs. 4-7).  Unlike some of the pagan gods, He does not take part in wickedness.  As a matter of fact, there is no evil in His presence at all.   God is opposed to all those who work iniquity, are liars, take life, and are dishonest and deceitful.  Likewise, David does not want to have anything to do with these people, just as no true believer would, either.  We are not perfect, though, and depend on God’s mercy and forgiveness when we fall (vs. 7).  However, such wickedness should never be a habit or lifestyle.

David knew that the unbelievers were watching his life, looking for him to slip, and so he prayed that God would lead him and make His ways plain for him to follow (vs. 8).  The unsaved world is carefully watching Christians, just waiting for us to fall into some sin.  That should be a special motive for walking carefully before God.  If we walk carelessly, the world will soon see it, and that will bring shame on Jesus.  Great damage will be done to the cause of Christ, and His Name maligned.  We should be sure we are not putting a stumbling block before people.  There are already enough of those.

As our psalm continues, we are reminded that Christians should be a joyful people (vs. 11).  One reason we can rejoice is that God defends us against our enemies.  He is covering us so that we can survive anything and everything if we just trust in God and hold steadfast to His Word.  He will cover us and bring us into a place in Him where the evil one can’t touch us.

Joy is not an emotion.  It is a supernatural expression given to us by the Holy Spirit indwelling us.  Happiness is a fleeting emotion that depends on circumstances.  Joy is a deep and abiding sense of contentment that provides a foundation for our lives in Jesus Christ.  David knew he could have joy in his life in spite of all the many trials and tribulations he went through.  We will never find joy by seeking self-centered excitement and pleasures.  True joy results when we give ourselves to God, knowing He holds our future in His hands.

In closing, David knew that the Lord would bless him and all believers, surrounding them with His favor (vs. 12).  God’s favor isn’t like a dream vacation.  Instead, it is life-saving protection.  In the middle of our life-long grind and certain death, He gives us a Lifesaver in the Lord Jesus Christ, who covers us with righteousness.  We can trust Him, knowing that He saves, and preserves us.

God Is In Control

Daniel 7:9-14

Who is in charge?  It is good to have that clearly known, whether it is in a company, a classroom, village board meeting, the military, or a country.  When some question who’s in authority, and they get loud and vocal, if they try to take the lead spot themselves, chaos can develop, especially if they are trouble-makers, and not good people.  Our Scripture for today is another vision of end times, a time when wicked people are challenging God’s authority, and try to be in charge in this world.   So who really is in charge, who ultimately has authority?  Our Scripture gives the answer.

Daniel was a young Jewish man who had lived in the Kingdom of Judah when the Babylonian empire overran and conquered his homeland, taking him and many others captive back to Babylon.  Because of his godly wisdom and integrity, Daniel quickly rose to advisory positions within the emperor’s court.  During this time the Lord God gave Daniel several visions of future events, some which would occur over the next several hundred years, and some which were visions of end times.

As our Scripture opens, Daniel described one particular vision he had.  He saw a vision of a throne, and upon the throne sat the Ancient of Days (vs. 9-10).  That was a term which was used several times in the Book of Daniel.  It is a name that is used for God, which emphasizes His eternal nature and sovereign authority.  Our Triune God - the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, has existed from all eternity past.

God is seated upon the throne.  He is in charge, and He has the authority.  His throne is not just an ordinary throne.  It is surrounded by fire, which would emphasize His power and authority.  Also surrounding the throne of the Ancient of Days are multitudes of attendants who minister to Him.  This is not a menial king of some back-woods petty kingdom, but the Ruler of the Universe.  He, alone, has the ultimate authority and the final judgment.

In the Book of Daniel he records some visions that he had of various empires that rule over parts or all of the world at various times in history.  He describes them as different types of beasts.  They correspond to the Babylonian empire, the Persian, the Greek, and the Roman empires, along with the final empire of the Antichrist in the future.  These may have, or will be, powerful empires, and their leaders fearsome.  However, they are nothing to the Lord Jesus.  He will defeat all earthy kingdoms that oppose God (vs. 11-12).  We see so much in this world today that opposes God and the truths found in His Word, the Bible.  He will put an end to all of that!

The word “horn” in verse 11 is symbolic of the blasphemous ruler, often associated with the Antichrist.  Though this person will come against God and His truth, and speak arrogant and pompous words against the Lord Jesus, he will be brought down.  We see that the Antichrist will be destroyed and thrown into a burning flame.  This is also verified in Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10.  We can be reassured of God’s ultimate victory over evil.

As Daniel’s vision continues, he sees the “Son of Man” being presented to the Ancient of Days (vs. 13-14).  The term “Son of Man” is a Messianic title.  Frequently in the Gospels Jesus used that to refer to Himself.  When Jesus returns at His second coming, He will come in the clouds (Acts 1:9-11).   He is presented to the Ancient of Days, God the Father, and then given everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom which will never be destroyed.  Jesus’ kingdom will be universal and everlasting.

In closing, as we see more and more wicked and evil people taking charge in organizations, companies, and in nations around the world, and as we know that at some time in the future, the Antichrist and his minions will arise, taking over rule over a large part of the world, we don’t need to fear or panic.  We know beyond all doubt that Jesus does have the ultimate authority, and we can be certain of His righteous judgment.  He will return, and at that time set up his eternal kingdom.  Daniel’s vision provides us hope and assurance, so let us remain faithful and steadfast in our faith.

A Warning Ahead Of Time

Mark 13:14-23

Many people like to know what is coming in the days ahead.  We like to know the weather forecast several days in advance, along with knowing what’s going on around town in advance.  Sometimes when we don’t know what to expect in advance we can get worried.  Because people like to know what will happen in the future, there is a proliferation of fortune tellers, astrologers, and other prognosticators in many cities.  In our Scripture today the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gives us a glimpse of some of the things that will truly happen in the last days before His triumphant return.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the things that Jesus said would happen in those days.

As our passage opens, Jesus spoke about the “abomination of desolation” which the prophet Daniel had spoken about (Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11).  Daniel’s prophecy of this abomination has two fulfillments.  The first was through the Greek emperor Antiochus IV.  The Greek empire, founded by Alexander the Great, ruled over much of the Balkan peninsula, parts of North Africa, and most of western Asia, including Israel.  Antiochus IV, who ruled the empire from 175 - 164 BC, had a particular hatred for the Jewish people and religion.  In 167 BC he defiled the rebuilt Second Temple in Jerusalem, setting upon the altar statues of Zeus, and sacrificing a pig upon the altar.  He also forced the priests to eat swine flesh.  This was the abomination of desolation Daniel foretold.  Jesus predicted that this will happen again (vs. 14).  Someone similar to Antiochus IV, who also has a particularly vehement hatred for God’s people, will commit a similar abomination, some type of vile sacrilege.  Many believe that the Temple will be rebuilt again in Jerusalem, and that in the last days the Antichrist will similarly defile that Temple.

Jesus describes the days that will follow as being particularly severe for believers, for God’s people (vs. 15-18).   The Antichrist and his followers will persecute Christians so severely that they will need to flee for their lives, sometimes so quickly that they won’t be able to take all of their belongings with them.  Jesus warns them that they won’t even be able to return to their homes for extra clothes.  It will also be particularly difficult for pregnant women, and if it is wintertime.

This time, the Lord Jesus stated, is a time of such great tribulation, that it will be the worst in human history (vs. 19-20).  We might think that the days of World War II were especially bad.  Some here have either fought in or lived through other wars, and they were bad.  However, Jesus said that this time, coming shortly before His return at His Second Coming, will be the worst in human history.  God has mercy, though, and for the sake of His children He will shorten those days.

Jesus then warned us to not be fooled and deceived by people posing as false messiahs and prophets (vs. 21-23).  There have always been people who have posed as great religious leaders, but their message is false.  Unsuspecting people, particularly those who are Biblically illiterate, who don’t know their Scriptures, will fall for these false prophets messages.  Jesus warns us to not be deceived.  We need to be vigilant and discerning who is teaching good and solid Biblical doctrine and who is teaching heresy and other false messages in order to avoid deception.  The way to do that is by getting into God’s Word and studying it, and through prayer, relying on the Holy Spirit.

Those who are alive at that time should not be taken by surprise when these events happen.  Jesus has told us about them beforehand (vs. 23).  He has warned us to be prepared, to understand the signs and stay faithful.  He has warned us to stay vigilant and discerning with the Antichrist and false teachers.  We can trust in God’s sovereignty.  As Christians, we can trust that He is in control, and that He has promised to shorten these days for the sake of His Blood-bought children.

Don't Abandon The Faith

Hebrews 10:31-39

It goes without saying that being persecuted is a terrible thing to go through, whether it is because of who you are or what you believe in.  No one wants to go through attacks of any sort, whether physically, verbally, or economically.  There are many places around the world where Christians are suffering varying degrees of persecution, and this has been the case since the early days of the Apostles.  Our New Testament reading for this week highlights the persecution that some Christians in the early days of the Church endured, and the encouragement they were given to carry on faithfully for the Lord.

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written primarily to Jewish Christians, men and women who had converted from a Jewish background to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah.  Many of these new believers’ families turned against them when they became Christians, particularly those in Israel and Judah.  Many of them were disowned by their families and disinherited.  If the new believer was a married woman and her husband wasn’t, her husband often would divorce her, kick her out of the house, and keep her children from her.  If she could, she might go back to her family, but often they had also disowned her.  If they were a male, he often was fired from his job if his employer was Jewish, and then found it difficult to get another job, thus bringing financial hardship on his family.  Because Israel was occupied by the Romans, and a part of the Roman empire, they did not have the authority to put anyone to death, however that wouldn’t stop angry neighbors and family members from making other covert attacks against a Jewish convert to Christianity, such as burning down their house or physically assaulting them when the law was looking the other way.

Because of these frequent persecutions, some of these new believers were becoming quite discouraged.  Some were even considering going back to their former Jewish faith.  They figured that by doing so they might get their job back, their family might accept them back again, and it would end the attacks.

The unknown author of this epistle warned them not to do this.  He proceeded to send them much encouragement while they endured the oppression and mistreatment they were going through.  He urged them to remember the times in the past.  Shortly after they were saved they went through a similar time of persecution, where they were reproached and went through tribulations (vs. 32-33).   In those days they even uplifted and gave support and cheer to others going through similar treatment, including that author while he was imprisoned (vs. 34).  They didn’t allow the fact that many of them had their belongings taken to bother them, as they knew that their true reward was in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

However, now years of harsh persecution was wearing them down.  The writer had reason to believe that some were going to cast away their faith.  He warned them not to do this, as after they had endured, they would receive God’s promise (vs. 35-36).  Jesus is coming back.  It may be a little while, he wrote, but He will not tarry, He will not delay any longer than is decreed in heaven (vs. 37).  He warned them that God is not pleased with any who draw back, away from their faith (vs. 38).  He wants to believe that they are not those who abandon their faith to damnation, but instead are genuinely saved, true believers (vs. 39).

Are any of you enduring persecution for your faith, or are going through some other heavy struggle that is causing you to think twice about your faith, and perhaps are tempted to just turn away from your beliefs?  Like these early Christians, hold on to your faith.  Don’t be one who draws back.  Hold on to the fact that God is still on His throne, and that we know Jesus will come again!

You Can Have A Good Inheritance

Psalm 16

Many parents, if they can afford to, will try to leave a nice inheritance to their children.  Every so often in the news we hear of this or that celebrity or Wall Street business tycoon dying, and then leaving a very sizable inheritance to their children.  Then there are many who have very little that they can leave to their children, and neither did they receive much from their parents, either.  However, if one is a Christian, our Heavenly Father has promised us a good inheritance.  The Apostle Paul writes about that often in his Epistles, and here in the Psalms we see this promise, as well.

Psalm 16 was written by David, and it’s unsure when he wrote it, quite possibly before he became king.  During the early years of his adult life David spent much of his time living on the run from the murderous plots of King Saul.  He would not have had the opportunity to earn a living in the traditional way.  David would likely have had to depend upon the Lord and the generosity of others for his daily needs.  Did he have any inheritance from his father?  We know that David had several older brothers, and was the youngest son.  Though his father was not particularly poor, it’s not likely that he was very wealthy either.  In Jewish culture at the time, the eldest son got a much bigger portion of the inheritance, and then the remainder was divided among the rest of the family.  David’s father seemed very dismissive of his youngest son, David, not even thinking him worth being there when the prophet Samuel came to the family and asked for the family to be gathered (I Samuel 16:5, 11).  David seems to have had lingering feelings of rejection by his parents, as we see in Psalm 27:10.  However, David knew that he had a glorious inheritance through his Heavenly Father (vs. 5-6).

You, too, might not have any earthly inheritance from your parents or family.  Perhaps they had nothing to leave you, or they were estranged from you, or all you were left were bad memories and hurts.  Yet with Yahweh as your Father, you can say with David that He is your inheritance and that you have a good inheritance!

We might feel that we have valid reasons for feeling dissatisfied with the circumstances in our life.  David might have too during the years prior to becoming king, the years he was ignored in his family, being treated like he was unimportant, and the years on the run for his life from the murderous intentions of Saul.  Our view of changing circumstances and contentment is a personal choice.  The way we view our circumstances is more important than the circumstances themselves.  When we go through some very difficult times we have the choice to either sit and wallow in our misery, or to get up and through the power and strength of our ever-present Savior, face the problem.  That is what the Apostle Paul did (Philippians 4:11).  He knew that with Jesus, he could be content whether things were going good or not.  When we draw our ultimate satisfaction from God, who never changes, we can be content despite our circumstances.  Lasting satisfaction can be found only with Him.  When all we have is God, we have all we need.

Although we live in this world, we belong to the kingdom of God, which is diametrically opposed to the system of this world.  (John 17:16; I John 2:15-17).  The Lord can and will give us joy when we turn to Him, and His joy will give us strength day by day, no matter our circumstances (Nehemiah 8:10).  The level of our joy determines the level of our strength.

In closing we should always remember that God’s goodness is not dependent upon our circumstances.  It is always accessible, even when life is filled with difficulties and hardships.  He is our inheritance!

Stand True To The End

Daniel 12

Sometimes as one looks around at the world today, one might get very discouraged.  Things are bad, and only seem to be getting worse and worse.  Not only are conditions all around the world bad, in just about every individual country, they are certainly locally, as well.  Crime has increased, especially violent crime.  And much as the working-poor struggle they can’t break free from poverty.  On top of all that, the persecution of Christians, whether subtly or openly, continues unabated.  We may think that someone is a pessimist if they say that things are only going to get worse, but it’s true.  Things are going to get worse.  However, that is not the final ending.  Believers are promised a great victory in Jesus, which is not only recorded in the final book of the Bible, Revelation, but also in various passages scattered throughout the Bible.  Our Old Testament Scripture in the Book of Daniel is one such passage.

Our Scripture comes from the Book of Daniel.  Daniel, as you may recall, was a Jewish man who, as a young man or youth, had been taken captive into Babylon when that empire had overrun and destroyed the Kingdom of Judah.  Because of his great godly wisdom, he rose to high positions in the empire, yet always remaining faithful to Yahweh.  Now, towards the end of his long life, he has some visions or prophecies of end-times, and what will happen to God’s people.  As our Scripture opens, we read of Michael, a great prince of God’s people (vs. 1).  This is referring to the archangel Michael, who is chief among the angels, and a great warrior against Satan in the spiritual realm.  Daniel relays that there will be a terrible time of trouble, and God’s people will be horribly persecuted.  We see Christians persecuted today in various places, but it will be even worse then.

At the end of the tribulation period there will be a resurrection of the dead (vs. 2).  Those who are believers and followers of the Lord Jesus will receive everlasting life.  Those who are not will receive everlasting contempt.  Their time has run out, and God now has nothing but contempt, abhorrence, and aversion for them.

Daniel continues by stating that those who are wise and those who share the message of salvation, leading others to the Lord, will shine like stars in heaven (vs. 3).  Daniel is to seal the scroll, indicating that the full understanding of these prophecies will be revealed in the end times (vs. 4). The prophet saw visions of angelic beings who question how long this time shall last (vs. 5-7).  The “time, times, and half a time” is thought to be about 3 ½ years, a time often called the Great Tribulation, a period of severe persecution for Christians right before Christ’s return.

As our Scripture continues, we read that believers will continue, standing pure and true, through great trials, while the wicked will continue their wickedness and rejection of God (vs. 8-10).  At some date before the end of this time it is believed that the Temple will have been rebuilt, as the daily sacrifices will be ordered to stop, and a great abomination and affront to God will be set up (vs. 11-13).  Those who stay true to the Lord till the end, though, will be blessed.

As we see in this chapter, though there are terrible trials and tribulations that will come for God’s people, we see that we will be delivered and rewarded if we stand true to Jesus.  God encourages us to live wisely, remain faithful during these difficult times, and also to continue to tell others about salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

No matter how dismal things may look in the world today, and no matter how worse they become in the future, no matter how strong Satan’s attacks may seem, God has the ultimate victory.  If you have a relationship with God through saving faith in His Son, Jesus, you have that victory, too.  If you don’t, please repent of your sins and call upon the Lord Jesus, accepting Him as your Savior today!

Two Mites

Mark 12:38-44

Do you ever catch yourself taking a peek at what other people put in the offering plate when it is passed in church?  Most of us would have to admit that we do on occasion.   We all know of some people who, if they are giving a large amount, will make sure those banknotes are opened, face up, right on the top and center.  However, if they give a small amount, that banknote is folded and placed in a corner.  Back in the day when people used checks more often, that would also be put face up if it was written for a large amount.  It might come as a surprise to some to know that one day Jesus spent a bit of time watching what people put in the offering at the Temple, and observing how much or how little they gave.  Our Gospel reading today records this event, and let’s take a look at what God’s Word says.

As our Scripture opens, we read how Jesus gave a condemnation and warning of the scribes of His day (vs. 38-40).  Some might wonder exactly who the scribes were.  The scribes in the New Testament at the time of Jesus were highly educated Jewish scholars and legal experts, in both Old Testament religious and civil laws.  They were responsible for copying and interpreting the Scriptures, and they also drafted legal documents for people.  The scribes were usually associated with the Pharisees, and many were part of the Sanhedrin, which was like the Jewish supreme court in Jerusalem.

Jesus pronounced a condemnation on many in this group.  Though, just like there were a few Pharisees that secretly followed Jesus, and after the Resurrection and Ascension joined the disciples as believers, there were a few scribes that also secretly followed Him.  However, most scribes and Pharisees did not believe.  Jesus condemned the hypocrisy and pride that the scribes had.  Though they had their noses in the Scriptures all day, the Words of God had not sunk in any deeper than that.  How many people today are just as outwardly religious, and seemingly know the Bible, but are just as spiritually lost as the scribes?  The scribes, along with the Pharisees opposed Jesus, their Messiah so much, the two groups did all they could to see that He was crucified.

After Jesus spoke out against the scribes, He went into the Temple to where the treasury boxes were located, which were containers that people would place their monetary offerings.  Jesus took a seat nearby where He could observe the people when they gave (vs. 41-44).  He saw the rich, and how they outwardly gave a lot of money, some probably making sure that others noticed their gifts.  And then there were poorer folk, whose offerings were not nearly as much.  They would not have wanted to draw attention to their giving.

As Jesus watched, a poor widow came up to the offering box, and put in just two mites, which today wouldn’t even equal a penny.  We might scoff at that, wondering why she is even bothering to give that.  It’s not that her gift could even buy a stick of incense.  However, Jesus called His disciples over and pointed out to them what she did, not to embarrass her, but to commend her gift.  Why would He do that, and not commend those who gave large amounts?

As we read, this woman was a poor widow.  Most widows in those days were poor, many even destitute.  In those days there was no such thing as a retirement plan, no monthly pension payments from a good job.  An elderly husband and wife lived off of what they might have been able to save, and unless one was very wealthy, that would be very little.  One worked until one died.  There were very few jobs available for women, so when a woman’s husband died, if they were younger and lucky, they would try to remarry someone.  Hopefully a widow might have a son or two, and they could go live with them.  If not, they were out of luck, and reduced to begging.

That was the case with this poor widow.  Yet she made her way to the Temple in order to give to God what little she had.  This woman was destitute, yet she gave what she had to God, and He noticed.  Jesus knew her condition, and gave her great praise.  He pointed out that though the rich gave large amounts, their gifts did not hurt their wallets.  They weren’t going to go home and eat a dry bread crust.  However this woman’s gift, though tiny, was all she had.  Even though she didn’t know how she was going to live from day to day, she made sure she gave to God.

I am sure that God made sure to provide for her, just as He makes sure to provide for us.  We do not need to fear when we give to God.  Jesus always takes care of His own.

A Copy Or The Original

Hebrews 9:24-28

Do you have a replica or a reproduction of something famous?  Some people have a reproduction of a famous work of art in their homes.  I have a very inexpensive copy of Van Gogh’s  Starry Night, as it is one of my favorite paintings.  The original is worth well over $100 million dollars!  Mine is worth under $10.  Even a very well done reproduction of that, or any number of other famous paintings, are never as good or worth as much as the original.  People can often buy copies of famous documents at museum gift shops, and they aren’t worth much, not like the original.  Even buildings are sometimes reproduced.  There is a ½ sized replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in a northern suburb of Chicago.  As nice as that might be, it’s not the same as seeing the original.  In our Scripture for today from the Book of Hebrews, we read about replicas or copies, and how the replica is never as good as the original.

In the Old Testament we read of how Yahweh gave Moses careful instructions of how to make the Tabernacle, and everything that was to be contained therein, especially the Ark of the Covenant.  Later during the reign of King Solomon, special care was taken in following the instructions in building the Temple.  These were copies or replicas of what is heaven.  As the author of Hebrews continues with his theme of showing how Jesus is superior than things from the Old Testament, he states that Jesus didn’t enter the Holy Place, or Holy of Holies in the Temple, but instead actually entered into the presence of God to atone for our sins (vs. 24).  The original in heaven, in the presence of God, is far better than any copy on earth!

Every year the Jewish High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of a lamb to put upon the Ark of the Covenant to pray for God’s forgiveness of the sins of the people.  The priest had to do this every year on the Day of Atonement, year after year after year.  The High Priest and the sacrificial lamb were a copy of what Jesus would do with His sacrificial death on the cross, and shedding His Blood for our sins.  Jesus was the original and the high priests, lambs, and Tabernacle or Temple were all copies.  Otherwise Jesus would have to die over and over (vs. 25-26).  Every year the priests would bring blood sacrifices, but as we read in Hebrews 10:4, it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, which is why the sacrifices are continually repeated.  However, Jesus’ death was sufficient, and would never need to be repeated again.

As the author continues, he states that it is appointed for everyone to die, and then will follow the judgment (vs. 27).  Until the date of Jesus’ second return and the rapture, every single one of us will die.  There is no escaping that.  Many people live as though they will live forever, with never a thought about their eternal destiny.  However, the day of their death will eventually come, and after that there will be a reckoning.  The Day of Judgment will come for all of us.  Do we live our life with that in mind?  There are no second chances or “do-overs”, in other words, there is no reincarnation.

For those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior, we can look forward to that day without fear (vs. 28).  He bore our sins, and when we accept Him as our Savior, we receive His free gift of salvation, and we no longer have to bear the penalty of our sins, as His Blood cleanses us from them.  Rather than live in fear and dread of death and the Judgment afterwards, we can eagerly await Jesus’ return.

Do you know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior?  Can you await His return with eagerness?  Or have you placed your trust in some clever copy or replica?  Many people have thought that they had an original, only to be told that it was just a copy, or even a forgery, and it was worth nothing.  Putting your faith and trust in anything but Jesus Christ will get you nowhere, and will bring great disappointment on that Day of Judgment which is coming for everyone, so turn to Him today!

Watch My Mouth

Psalm 141

Oops!  I did it again!  I opened my mouth and let some words slip out that I shouldn’t have.  Has that happened to you?  It sure has happened to me more often than I wish.  If only there was a trap at my mouth to catch every word before they got out, where I could check them over first, and hold back ones that on second thought I know aren’t advisable to say.  Could you use such a device?  This is something that King David wished he had, and was something he actually prayed the Lord would help him with.  We read about this in our psalm for this week.

Our psalm, one of the many that King David wrote, begins with the king’s prayer to the Lord.  David’s life was often like a roller coaster ride, a lot of rapid ups and downs, and quickly whipping around problems right and left.  In all of these he knew that he needed God’s help, and he often prayed to Him, calling out for Him to listen to his voice (vs. 1).  David compared his prayers rising up to God like the smoke of incense rising into the air (vs. 2).  I love the smell of church incense, just like in a dimly lit medieval monastery.  Our prayers do rise up to God like incense, as we read in Revelation 5:8 and Revelation 8:3-4.

God loves to hear our prayers.  They are like bowls of incense, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.  Our prayers, even the “little ones” do not bother Him.  God wants us to pray constantly (I Thessalonians 5:17), and to pray about everything in our lives (Philippians 4:6).  He cares about every detail in our life.  Don’t believe the lie that your concerns aren’t worth His time.

As King David continued, he confessed to the Lord that he knows that his mouth sometimes gets him into trouble (vs. 3).  He opened his mouth and let slip words he wished he hadn’t said.  David asked the Lord to set a guard before his mouth, right at his lips, so no wrong words could escape.  Living in royal palaces, he probably had guards at many of the doors.  They would stand there with heavy staff and spears in their hands, ready to block the entrance for unwelcome people, or the exit for people the king wished to detain.  Nothing could get in or out without royal approval.

Just as David prayed, we are to be very careful with what we say at all times.  Words are powerful.  They can build people up, and they can also tear them down.  It’s so easy to say a damaging word.  Imagine that royal guard standing watch at your mouth.  Every word must pass inspection before it can come out.  This is a good prayer for the beginning of each day.

David continued through the rest of the psalm praying that the Lord would keep him from following the ways of the wicked.  Unless one escapes to a monastery, it is impossible to live a life without running into some disreputable people now and then.  However, we don’t want to let their ways influence us, and this was David’s prayer (vs. 4).  This is a prayer that also echoes the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:13), where we pray to not be led into temptation, and be delivered from the evil one.  If we are not careful, we can easily find ourselves slipping down sin’s slope, soon careening out of control.

Though we read how important it is to steer clear of the influence and ways of the wicked, we are also instructed to accept the counsel of righteous and godly people (vs. 5).  When they seek to give us godly counsel and correction, we should not take offense, nor tell them to leave us alone and get lost.  God tells us here to accept their words, as in reality it is kindness.  A true friend will gently correct us when we need it (Proverbs 27:6).  A false friend either doesn’t care, they are not invested enough in our lives to notice, or are deep in their own sins.

As we close up Psalm 141, we should take its lessons to heart in our lives.  Let’s carefully watch our words, watch who we associate with, and to accept the correction of those we know are good and godly examples.  Then our prayers can rise to the Lord as sweet-smelling incense!

God Always Provides Enough

I Kings 17:8-16

If someone needed your help or assistance, would you help them out?  Most of us like to think that we would.  However, what if by helping them, that would use up the very last of your resources?  By helping them, you would be spending or giving the very last dollar you had, or the very last bite of food you had.  Would you do it then?  This is the dilemma that the woman in our Scripture today faced.  Would she give her very last?  Would we?  Let’s see what lessons the Lord can teach us today.

Our Old Testament Scripture passage is a chapter out of the life of one of my all-time favorite people from the Bible, the Prophet Elijah.  Elijah was a prophet of Yahweh, who preached His message to the people of the northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab.  Because of the people’s sins the Lord judged them by causing a nation-wide drought, where no rain fell for several years.  This naturally upset the people, including King Ahab, and his life was in danger, so Elijah had to flee out into the wilderness where God provided for his daily needs for a few years.

Eventually the brook Elijah was staying near dried up, so the Lord sent him to the Phoenician city of Zarephath, a city in Gentile, pagan territory (vs. 8-10).  This was a journey about 100 miles away.  Elijah was walking, and he was still a “wanted man”, so coming out of hiding meant really trusting God for his safety.  When the prophet arrived at the city border, he met a widow who was out gathering some sticks in order to start a cooking fire in her house.  Elijah was tired, hungry, and thirsty, and he asked the woman for a drink of water and a bite to eat (vs. 10-11).  The widow answered that she only had enough for a small bite for herself and her son (vs. 12).  They were going to eat that, and then prepare to die of starvation.  This long drought had caused famine throughout the area, and the widow had given up hope of living.  Elijah responded by telling her to do as he asked, and she would not starve, nor die (vs. 13-14).  So here we are.  Would the woman give her very last bite of food to a stranger?  Would she believe his word and step out in faith?  Would I?  Would you?

That was a rather bold statement for Elijah to make.  First, the Phoenicians were no friends of Israel.  Why would he expect the widow would help him?  And then, what if the woman did as he requested and God did not replenish her food supply, and she died?  Elijah had faith in the Lord that He would provide for the woman, even though she was a Gentile, if she had faith in the Lord, as well.  He had confidence to say what he did to the widow during a famine because he had lived a life of faith, and had proved God to be faithful.

Elijah asked the widow for the one thing that she couldn’t spare.  Giving up her little resource, she could now only lean on God.  She was pushed beyond her limit to endure.  She was out of food and without any options.  God was now ready to work a miracle for her, but she needed to trust Him and be obedient.  This woman’s obedience to God’s command through Elijah brought her deliverance.  God never asks you for what you don’t have.  He only asks you for what you want to keep for yourself.  Elijah rebuked the fear in the woman, and told her to give what she had.  In return God supplied what she needed.

Most of us would rather that God would provide in abundance long before our resources are depleted, rather than just enough for each day.  God, though, tells us to trust Him.  When we feel trapped by our circumstances, and feel certain that what we have will not be enough, God can work miracles.  God strengthens us to continue using what little we have, trusting that with His help it will be enough.

Are you afraid that your jar of flour will one day be empty and your jug of oil will fail?  According to the Word of God, if believers in Jesus trust and obey Him, this will not be the case.  God’s grace and mercy will last through all of your necessities.  You can never exhaust the infinite mercies of God.  He hears us when we are scraping the bottom of the barrel.  All else may be gone, but Jesus remains, and His Word declares that our every need will be supplied.

Love God, Love Your Neighbor

Mark 12:28-34

The Bible is a big book.  Those who commit to reading through the whole Bible usually take about a year to do so.  It is not something one can do in just a couple of days.  Considering all of God’s laws and rules contained therein, it is easy to understand why one of the scribes asked Jesus which of these laws of God were the most important ones.  Our Scripture today gives the answer that Jesus told him.

Our Scripture takes place shortly after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and just a few days before His crucifixion.  His enemies were gathering together to try and find a way to entrap Jesus into saying something that they could arrest Him for, and then hopefully execute Him over.  After Jesus told the parable of the wicked vinedressers in response to the Pharisees comments, also wisely responding to their trick question about paying taxes to Caesar, and then gave a good answer to the Sadducees hypothetical question about the resurrection, a scribe came up to Jesus with another question, hoping to entrap Him in His words.  He asked Jesus that out of all the many laws and commandments given in the Scriptures, which one was the most important (vs. 28).

Jesus’ response comes from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, where it states that the Lord God is one, and to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (vs. 29-30).  Jesus also then added a second great commandment, that we need to love our neighbor as yourself (vs. 31).  Though, like the others, this scribe was probably trying to trip Jesus up with His answers, he knew that Jesus answered correctly, and that there was nothing that could be brought against Him with this answer (vs. 32-33).

Let’s look at the first of the two commandments that Jesus said were the greatest ones.  It reads “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”   How can one show that they love God?  Jesus gives us the answer when He gave His discourse to the disciples right before the Last Supper.  He told them that if they love Him they will keep His commandments (John 14:15).  In other words, if we genuinely love God we will obey the Bible, God’s Word, which is where we would find His commands.  Jesus didn’t say that if we love Him, we will only obey those commands that we happen to like or agree with, or only those which align with the current world’s view and philosophy.  He said that we will keep or obey His commandments if we truly love Him.

The second greatest commandment states, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Jesus basically restated this in Matthew 7:12 where He gives us the Golden Rule, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  When someone had asked Jesus who their neighbor was, He gave us the parable of the Good Samaritan to show us who our neighbor really is (Luke 10:25-37).

Jesus did not give us any exceptions to this rule, either.  He didn’t say to love only our nice neighbors, only those who agree with our opinions, only those of the same race or nationality as yourself.  It also isn’t just the folks who live literally next door to us, but instead it is everyone around us, everyone we come in contact with.

This is a difficult one, as this might sometimes include loving our enemy.  It means forgiving them the wrong that they have done to us.  We all say that forgiveness is great until we have something to forgive, especially if it is something huge, like murder, abuse against a child, etc.  Again, whether we like it or not, or whether we agree with it or not, Jesus said loving our neighbor, which includes our enemies, is the second greatest commandment.

These two commandments sum up the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses.  The first four commandments have to do with our relationship with God, just as this first commandment does.  The last six commandments have to do with our relationship with others, just as this second one does.  We can only truly follow these two through the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells all true believers.  Let’s commit to loving the Lord God will all of our hearts, minds, and strength, and loving our neighbor as we do ourselves.

A Better High Priest

Hebrews 7:23-28

Suppose you had to run a race, and it was permissible for you to call on someone else to run for you, who would you pick?  And even though it is generally never permitted, let’s just suppose for a moment that it was okay for you to call on someone else to take a test for you, who would you pick?  Naturally you would pick the fastest runner you knew.  Or you would pick the smartest person you could find in math, or science, or whatever subject the test was.  You would not pick a runner who was just as slow as you, nor someone who struggled just as much in math as you.  We each have a similar problem in the spiritual realm, as each of us has a sin-debt that we cannot pay.  Who can we turn to in order to help us?  Our Scripture from the Book of Hebrews today looks into this.

Every man, woman, and child has a sin nature which we inherited from our first ancestor, Adam.  And our own sinful inclination leads us into sin every day.  Sin requires a blood sacrifice to bring forgiveness, and God set out the laws for this in His Word, the Bible.  During the days of the Old Testament the Jewish people had a priesthood which came from the house of Aaron, from the tribe of Levi, and they performed the sacrifices necessary for sins.  However, there were some problems with this priesthood.  Let’s look at what they were and how the Lord Jesus proves to be the answer, and a better High Priest.

First, each of these priests, including the high priests, were temporary.  Being ordinary humans, they lived and died like everyone else (vs. 23).  Multiple priests were needed over time.  However, Jesus lives forever, and has a permanent priesthood.  Because He is superior, He is able to save completely (vs. 24).

Secondly, these human priests were sinners, themselves, as we all are.  They were no different.  They had to first bring sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer sacrifices for anyone else’s sins (vs. 27).  How could someone who is equally a sinner as I am make atonement for my sins?  Over the course of time throughout the Old Testament there were some high priests who fell into grave sin, including mixing the worship of Yahweh with that of pagan gods.  Would I want someone who failed a class to take the test for me?  That wouldn’t be smart.  So why would I want someone who was equally, or possibly even more sinful than myself, to make sacrifices for my sins?  Thankfully this is where the Lord Jesus steps in as a High Priest who is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners (vs. 26).  He had no sin of His own to make a sacrifice of forgiveness for, so He is able to fully atone for my sins.

These sacrifices given by the Jewish priests needed to be offered over and over again.  The sacrifice of Jesus is unique and sufficient, never to be repeated.  This is because Jesus Christ is both our Great High Priest and also the perfect sacrifice.

Another blessing of having the Lord Jesus Christ as our Great High Priest is that He is in heaven now making intercession for us (vs. 25).  Sometimes we might feel all alone, and wonder if there is anyone praying for us.  We can rest assured that Jesus is praying for us right now!  The storms in our life may get rough, and the clouds get dark, but Jesus is praying for us.  When temptations come and we are tried on every side, Jesus is praying for us.  We don’t ever need to be afraid, because Jesus is praying for us.  Jesus offers unending intercession on our behalf.

Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins opened the way for us to have immediate, unhindered access and admittance to the Father’s presence (vs. 28).  When Jesus finished His work in making the final priestly sacrifice, the veil in the Temple, which closed off the Holy of Holies from man, was torn in two (Mark 15:38).  Access to God was now open to all who believe in Jesus as Savior.

Scripture points us to Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).  Through Jesus we have access to God.  He is not a temporary or weak Savior.  He continually intercedes for us He continues to mark a clear and safe trail for us in life.

A Clean Walk

Psalm 119:1-16

When we go for a walk it’s always good to keep an eye on our pathway to make sure that we observe what lies on the path ahead.  No one wants to land face first in a muddy puddle!  Little children might enjoy getting all muddy, but as adults that is usually not what we like, and we do what we can to avoid the dirt along our pathway.  How about in our spiritual walk as believers and followers of the Lord Jesus?  Every one of us has slipped and fallen in our Christian walk, some into a giant mud puddle of sin, getting spiritually filthy.  How can we avoid this?  Our psalm for this week speaks of how we can cleanse our ways to avoid sin.  Let’s take a look.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, as well as the longest chapter in the Bible.  The author is unknown.  Some believe that it was King David, while many others think that it might have been written by the scribe and priest Ezra, the writer and main character in the Old Testament book of his name.  The psalm is one of nine acrostic psalms in the Bible.  It is divided into 22 sections, each of eight verses which begin with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Each of the 176 verses speak of the author’s desire to follow and obey God’s laws and commandments.  It is here, in these opening two segments, that we find out how to keep clean while walking on the pathway of our Christian life.

All throughout this psalm the author urges his readers to keep following God’s laws and ways.  When we do, God promises to give His favor and to bless our life (vs 1-2).  Unhappiness is caused by an individual’s self-will and sinful disobedience.  When we live according to our own ideas and values, we will always run into trouble.  When we conform our lives to what Jesus wants, we will find the blessings He promises.

We might wonder how we can faithfully follow God’s commands.  As mentioned at the start, we are apt to slip and fall in our spiritual walk with the Lord.  First, we must realize that in our own strength we cannot do anything.  The only way is through the righteousness of the Lord Jesus, which we receive when we accept Jesus as Savior.  Once we have done that, we need to commit to following the Lord each and every day.  How is that accomplished?

God’s Word gives us a way to overcome sin, which we can see in the second part of our passage.  First, we need to spend time reading and meditating on Scripture, and then obeying what we read (vs. 9-10).  Then, we need to be prepared for temptation at any place or time by storing Scripture in our heart and mind (vs. 11).  God promises great joy and peace when we know His Word (vs. 14).  We need to take time to attune our heart and mind to the Word of God (vs. 15).

God takes disobedience seriously because the consequences are so grave.  Wise men and women will choose to live by His Word and obey Him (vs. 9).  When we put God’s Word in our heart, we are less likely to stray into sin, and if we do, we are more likely to get out of that sin, and get back in line with Him (vs. 11).  Strong repeated doses of God’s Word injected into our hearts will fight the disease of sin.  As this psalm repeatedly states throughout each of its many verses, we must ponder, study, and memorize God’s Word.

The world today may tell us that if we have enough money and riches, all of our problems will be solved.  That is not the message that God gives us in His Word, as stated in many places, including in our Scripture today (vs. 14).  Money is not the answer to all of our needs.  A spiritual treasure is so much more important, which God will give as we walk in obedience to His Word.

In closing, let us keep our eyes fixed on God’s commands.  They form the path that we should follow.  The better we know God, the better we can choose the right path.

Do You Want God's Promises?

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Every once in a while we run across someone who is upset because they didn’t get the reward at the end of some type of contest.  Then it’s pointed out to them that they didn’t follow the rules, or follow them correctly, and thus did not qualify for the reward.  We see this when people play games.  Someone wants to win, but they didn’t follow the rules so they are disqualified.  This even holds with something like a recipe or putting a piece of furniture together.  If we want to get the correct results we must follow the instructions properly.  If we acknowledge this to be the case, then why do people get upset when they don’t receive some of the Biblical promises we read of in the Bible, or some of His blessings?   In our Scripture today from the Book of Deuteronomy, we read of something the Lord wants us to do, and then the resultant blessings we will receive if we obey.

As the people of Israel were preparing to enter into the Promised Land after years of traveling through the wilderness, Moses gave them some final instructions, which are contained in the Book of Deuteronomy.  As the passage opens, Moses told the people that the Lord had given them commandments, statutes, and judgments, many of which were restated in Deuteronomy, and that the people were to follow them when they entered into the land the Lord gave them (vs. 1).  They were to fear the Lord (vs. 2), which means holding Him in respectful honor, love, and obedience, acknowledging that God is God, and we are His creation.  Godly fear leads to careful obedience.  We need to fear the Lord as long as we live.  The most obvious way to do so is by obeying His Word.  The fear of God is connected with worship of the one true God.

The Lord promised that if His people would keep His statutes and commandments, and teach them to their children and grandchildren, He would prolong their days in the land He was giving them, that He would multiply them, and give them a land flowing with milk and honey (vs. 2-3).  Here we plainly see, that if we follow His commands correctly, doing exactly as He says, then we will receive what He has promised.  However, if we don’t, then we cannot expect to receive what was promised.  Too many people think otherwise, feeling they can live however they choose, doing whatever they want, and feel the Lord should bless them anyway.  That’s not how things work.

Verse 4 of our Scripture is a very important one for observant and Orthodox Jewish people.  It is known by the Jewish people as the Shema.  This verse is one which is recited twice a day, in the morning and evening, and often as the last words they speak before death.  This confession of their faith was a declaration of Yahweh as one Lord and God, against the polytheism of the neighboring nations.

Moses continues with some serious and important instructions for the people of Israel, and also for us today.  He told the people to keep God’s Words in their hearts (vs. 6).  Many Orthodox Jewish men today will wear tefillin or phylacteries upon their arms and foreheads when they pray as a way to follow verse 8.  These are small leather boxes which are strapped on with leather straps, and contain small scrolls containing portions of the Torah.  Christians today do not wear these, but it is very important for us to read the Bible each day, studying, meditating upon it, and memorizing it.  This way we are able to keep God’s Word in our heart.

Our Scripture passage also tells us to instruct our children about God and His Word the Bible (vs. 7).  Today’s philosophy says that people should not teach their children about God, and then when they are older they can decide on their own what they want to believe.  That is the devil’s philosophy.  We need to teach our children about the Lord Jesus, and salvation through His Blood.  We need to talk about God’s Word with our families each and every day.  If we don’t tell our children about Jesus, and instruct them in God’s Word, we can be sure that the world will instruct them in the ways of the devil.

In closing, we need to see that God’s commandments are so important to us, that we are supposed to put them at the center of our household, discussing and meditating on them each day.  When we do that, we will receive all that the Lord has promised us in His Word.