James 4:7 - 5:6
If you’re like me, every day you find yourself trying to dodge the fiery darts of the devil, to bystep the stumbling blocks he has thrown into your path. He is always there trying to get us to mess up. How do we get him off of our back without falling into his traps? In our passage from the epistle of James, he gives us some more of the practical instructions that fill his letter. In today’s passage he writes on how we can resist the devil so he will flee from us.
James begins our Scripture today with the admonition to submit ourselves to God and to resist the devil (vs. 7). God has already defeated Satan through the death of Jesus on the cross, and he will be forever destroyed when Jesus returns. Right now, however, Satan continues to try and tempt us into sin and following him rather than God. We can resist the devil’s terrible influence by submitting ourselves to Christ. What does that entail? We accept His wisdom and will, not ours or the world’s. We trust His power and love, again not ours. We also obey His commands.
When someone is bothering us, harassing us, and being a bully, the best place to be is right up next to the strong person who has promised to protect us. Throughout Scripture the Lord God has promised to protect us from the enemy of our soul, and the best place for us is to be near Him. James tells us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us (vs. 8). How can we come near to God? There are several things we need to do in order to draw near to Him. First, we need to submit to God (vs. 7). Yield to His authority and give Him control of our life. Then we need to resist the devil (vs. 7). We can’t yield to his temptations and expect to also stay close to God.
Next, James also instructs us to wash our hands and purify our hearts (vs 8). Cleansing the hands refers to amending our outward behavior. Purifying the heart is our inward behavior, our thoughts, motives, and desires. Lead a pure life, and replace our desire to sin with a desire to follow God. We also need to grieve in sincere sorrow for our sins (vs. 9). In order to remain close to God we need to be truly broken over our sins. Another thing that is needed in order to be near to God is to be humble before Him (vs. 10). Recognize that our worth comes from God alone. He gives us our worth and dignity. When we are submitted to Him, He can work through us and do great things.
As we continue in our Scripture passage, James gives us a warning about boasting about our plans for the future (vs. 13-16). Making goals is good, but they will disappoint if we leave God out of them. The future is in His hands. One thing we can ask ourselves is, how would we react if God stepped in and rearranged our plans for the future? We must put God’s desires at the center of our planning. If we do, He will never disappoint us.
Verse 17 gives us a brief warning about what we may think is sin or not sin. We all know that doing something wrong is a sin, but do we realize that it is also a sin to not do right? This is sometimes referred to as sins of commission and sins of omission. For example - telling a lie is a sin, but so also is not speaking up with the truth. Hurting someone is wrong, and so is not being a friend when they need one. We sin, not only when we break one of God’s laws, but also whenever we do not do His will, including when we know the right thing to do, but don’t do it. Partial obedience is disobedience.
In closing this passage, James gives some practical instructions about the role of riches in our life (vs. 1-6). Money will be worthless when Christ returns, so we should spend our time accumulating the kind of treasures that will be worthwhile in God’s eternal kingdom. Don’t be tempted to adopt worldly standards rather than God’s standards. God’s people should be distinct by their peaceful and humble atitudes. They should also be more concerned with sharing, and meeting the needs of others than with accumulating earthly treasures.
All people are under either the lordship of Christ or the lordship of the devil. One or the other. There is no middle ground. Who is your lord?
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Monday, October 1, 2018
No Excuses!
Psalm 19
Today’s psalm is another one that King David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, wrote. There are three parts to this relatively short psalm. The first is how God reveals Himself to us in nature (vs. 1-6). The second part is how God reveals Himself through His Word, the Bible (vs 7-11). The final part is how God reveals Himself through daily experiences (vs. 12-14). In nature we see God’s power and our finiteness. In Scripture we see God’s holiness and our sinfulness. We also learn about God through His forgiveness and salvation.
As a youth, David spent many days and nights watching over his father’s flocks of sheep. Then as a young man he spent many years in the wilderness around Israel fleeing from the murderous anger of King Saul. In both instances he would have slept out under the stars. Many evenings he looked up at the vastness and beauty of the heavens, and praised God in awe and wonder at His creation. David would also have seen the glories of creation throughout the day - the beauty of the meadows the sheep grazed in, the forests and deserts he hid in from Saul, the sun rise and sunset each day. In many of his psalms he speaks of God’s work in creation, as he did here (vs 1-6). As we look out at the universe, it is impossible to not know that a great God created all of this. It didn’t just happen. The creation shows God’s power, love, and care. The design of the universe, its intricacy and orderliness, point to an involved and loving Creator. How can one not believe?
The Apostle Paul was referencing this psalm when he said that no one had an excuse for not believing in the one true God, Yahweh. He has given proof of His existence through all of creation (Romans 1:19-20). Why do people resist God’s testimony and revelation through nature? Nature points to the existence of God.
The psalm now changes gear as David tells of the second way in which God reveals Himself to mankind, and that is through His Word (vs. 7-11). The Bible is God’s revealed Word, and tells us about salvation. Each of the verses, from verse 7 through 9, contain a synonym for the Bible. Many people think that the Bible is just a book of “do this” and “don’t do that”, preventing us from having any enjoyment in life. However, David did not think so. The Bible doesn’t prevent enjoyment. It does help us to avoid sin, and to enjoy fellowship with God. It encourages us in a way that is good for us. Sin may seem enjoyable for a short season, but soon it takes a nasty toll. Just as we try to keep our children from anything that would harm them, so too does God wish that for us, His children, and He has given His Word to instruct us.
The Scriptures are not a chain to bind us, but rather a light for our path. God’s Word brings us the message of salvation. It will give us true, godly wisdom for our life (vs. 7). When we are down, it alone can bring us true joy. It gives us enlightenment, as it is pure and true (vs. 8). The Scriptures also warn us of danger to both our body and our soul (vs. 11). Most people, if they are smart, take heed to warning signs and instructions. They read and carefully observe them, rather than casting them aside with scorn. The Bible is just such an instruction to us. God’s Word is also eternal, enduring forever (vs. 9). Over the ages many have tried to destroy or discredit it, but they have all failed. The Bible is still here.
In verse 10 we read how David compared God’s Word to that of honey. Honey is natural, not manufactured by man. It is nutritious and naturally sweet. It has a number of healing qualities, such as being a natural antibiotic, brings relief to coughs, and can help in healing of wounds and burns. Honey has also been used in beauty products, as it is a natural moisturizer, and good for the skin. God’s Word is also nutritious and sweet for our souls. It brings us healing, and makes us beautiful people, as well.
God will also use the normal guilt we feel over our sins to lead us to Christ (vs. 12-13). He has promised that if we confess our sins He will forgive them (I John 1:9). David asks God to approve of his words and thoughts (vs. 14), which we should do, as well, praying that His love will guide all we say and think.
In closing, this psalm has shown that all of mankind stands accountable to God, because we have both His verbal communication to us in the Bible, and also His non-verbal communication through nature. As Paul said, when we stand before God, there will be no excuse for not having accepted Him.
Today’s psalm is another one that King David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, wrote. There are three parts to this relatively short psalm. The first is how God reveals Himself to us in nature (vs. 1-6). The second part is how God reveals Himself through His Word, the Bible (vs 7-11). The final part is how God reveals Himself through daily experiences (vs. 12-14). In nature we see God’s power and our finiteness. In Scripture we see God’s holiness and our sinfulness. We also learn about God through His forgiveness and salvation.
As a youth, David spent many days and nights watching over his father’s flocks of sheep. Then as a young man he spent many years in the wilderness around Israel fleeing from the murderous anger of King Saul. In both instances he would have slept out under the stars. Many evenings he looked up at the vastness and beauty of the heavens, and praised God in awe and wonder at His creation. David would also have seen the glories of creation throughout the day - the beauty of the meadows the sheep grazed in, the forests and deserts he hid in from Saul, the sun rise and sunset each day. In many of his psalms he speaks of God’s work in creation, as he did here (vs 1-6). As we look out at the universe, it is impossible to not know that a great God created all of this. It didn’t just happen. The creation shows God’s power, love, and care. The design of the universe, its intricacy and orderliness, point to an involved and loving Creator. How can one not believe?
The Apostle Paul was referencing this psalm when he said that no one had an excuse for not believing in the one true God, Yahweh. He has given proof of His existence through all of creation (Romans 1:19-20). Why do people resist God’s testimony and revelation through nature? Nature points to the existence of God.
The psalm now changes gear as David tells of the second way in which God reveals Himself to mankind, and that is through His Word (vs. 7-11). The Bible is God’s revealed Word, and tells us about salvation. Each of the verses, from verse 7 through 9, contain a synonym for the Bible. Many people think that the Bible is just a book of “do this” and “don’t do that”, preventing us from having any enjoyment in life. However, David did not think so. The Bible doesn’t prevent enjoyment. It does help us to avoid sin, and to enjoy fellowship with God. It encourages us in a way that is good for us. Sin may seem enjoyable for a short season, but soon it takes a nasty toll. Just as we try to keep our children from anything that would harm them, so too does God wish that for us, His children, and He has given His Word to instruct us.
The Scriptures are not a chain to bind us, but rather a light for our path. God’s Word brings us the message of salvation. It will give us true, godly wisdom for our life (vs. 7). When we are down, it alone can bring us true joy. It gives us enlightenment, as it is pure and true (vs. 8). The Scriptures also warn us of danger to both our body and our soul (vs. 11). Most people, if they are smart, take heed to warning signs and instructions. They read and carefully observe them, rather than casting them aside with scorn. The Bible is just such an instruction to us. God’s Word is also eternal, enduring forever (vs. 9). Over the ages many have tried to destroy or discredit it, but they have all failed. The Bible is still here.
In verse 10 we read how David compared God’s Word to that of honey. Honey is natural, not manufactured by man. It is nutritious and naturally sweet. It has a number of healing qualities, such as being a natural antibiotic, brings relief to coughs, and can help in healing of wounds and burns. Honey has also been used in beauty products, as it is a natural moisturizer, and good for the skin. God’s Word is also nutritious and sweet for our souls. It brings us healing, and makes us beautiful people, as well.
God will also use the normal guilt we feel over our sins to lead us to Christ (vs. 12-13). He has promised that if we confess our sins He will forgive them (I John 1:9). David asks God to approve of his words and thoughts (vs. 14), which we should do, as well, praying that His love will guide all we say and think.
In closing, this psalm has shown that all of mankind stands accountable to God, because we have both His verbal communication to us in the Bible, and also His non-verbal communication through nature. As Paul said, when we stand before God, there will be no excuse for not having accepted Him.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
A Complaining Spirit
Numbers 11:4-15, 18-23
Complainers and whiners. We all know a few. Children are prone to that behavior - they complain they don’t like what’s for dinner, they don’t like their teacher, they’re bored, on and on. It’s not very pleasant to listen to, and hopefully their behavior matures as they get older. Complaining and whining is an even sorrier sight when it repeatedly comes from adults. It’s not pleasant to be around, and God is not happy with that behavior, either. Our Old Testament reading this week comes from the Book of Numbers where we’ll see how a whole nation fell to complaining and whining against God.
As our passage begins, we read of the people of Israel complaining about what God was providing them to eat (vs 4-6). From when they left slavery in Egypt till when they entered the Promised Land, God had miraculously provided them with manna to eat. They did not have to go out and hunt for it. They did not have to plant or harvest it. God provided it free of cost, every single day regardless of the weather or season. Yet the people started to complain. It was boring, every single day. They wished they had the food they had eaten while as slaves in Egypt. The Israelites had a growing contempt for God’s provisions, given to them at no cost. They lost their taste for the gifts God had given.
Too often we focus more on what we don’t have, and stop being thankful for what we do have. How about the house or car I have? Am I thankful to God for them, or do I complain and whine that they aren’t what I’d rather have? We can say the same thing about our jobs, clothes, anything we have. People can always find something to complain about. Instead of looking around for something to moan about, look for something to praise God for. Count your blessings (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). God blesses an obedient spirit, but will judge a complaining one. We can’t grumble and honor God at the same time. Remember all of the blessings He has given us.
We should be careful to not hang around with complainers. In our account today, the complaining first started out with a smaller group of people. They were complaining and whining, and then over a short period of time, it spread all around so that soon the majority were complaining to Moses about the food. If we are always hanging around with complainers soon we will be singing their song. Complaining poisons the heart with ingratitude, and is contagious. God has to judge it, which He did with the Israelites.
Another thing that our complaining does is it makes other people, those who have to hear our whining, very miserable (vs 10-15). The people were continually moaning and crying to Moses, and soon he couldn’t take it anymore, and he poured out his heart in grief to God. God was tired of it, too. He answered Moses’s prayer for relief, and that of the people with their complaining, and told Moses He would give them meat to eat, so much meat that they would be sick of it (vs 19-20).
All of this complaining had worn Moses down, and this great servant of God had a moment of disbelief that God could do what He said He would do (vs. 21-22). How could God possibly get enough meat to feed over 600,000? Moses was looking at the creature rather than the Creator. God’s promises don’t depend on man for their fulfillment (vs. 23). God’s power will never diminish! What He says He will do, He will do!
Let us remember the fate of the Israelites. Because of their unbelief in God and His power, and their continual complaining and whining, they had to wander through the wilderness for 40 years until that generation died. When we say that what God has given us isn’t good enough, we reject Him. Let us remember to praise and thank Him for all that He has done for us, and all of His blessings.
Complainers and whiners. We all know a few. Children are prone to that behavior - they complain they don’t like what’s for dinner, they don’t like their teacher, they’re bored, on and on. It’s not very pleasant to listen to, and hopefully their behavior matures as they get older. Complaining and whining is an even sorrier sight when it repeatedly comes from adults. It’s not pleasant to be around, and God is not happy with that behavior, either. Our Old Testament reading this week comes from the Book of Numbers where we’ll see how a whole nation fell to complaining and whining against God.
As our passage begins, we read of the people of Israel complaining about what God was providing them to eat (vs 4-6). From when they left slavery in Egypt till when they entered the Promised Land, God had miraculously provided them with manna to eat. They did not have to go out and hunt for it. They did not have to plant or harvest it. God provided it free of cost, every single day regardless of the weather or season. Yet the people started to complain. It was boring, every single day. They wished they had the food they had eaten while as slaves in Egypt. The Israelites had a growing contempt for God’s provisions, given to them at no cost. They lost their taste for the gifts God had given.
Too often we focus more on what we don’t have, and stop being thankful for what we do have. How about the house or car I have? Am I thankful to God for them, or do I complain and whine that they aren’t what I’d rather have? We can say the same thing about our jobs, clothes, anything we have. People can always find something to complain about. Instead of looking around for something to moan about, look for something to praise God for. Count your blessings (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). God blesses an obedient spirit, but will judge a complaining one. We can’t grumble and honor God at the same time. Remember all of the blessings He has given us.
We should be careful to not hang around with complainers. In our account today, the complaining first started out with a smaller group of people. They were complaining and whining, and then over a short period of time, it spread all around so that soon the majority were complaining to Moses about the food. If we are always hanging around with complainers soon we will be singing their song. Complaining poisons the heart with ingratitude, and is contagious. God has to judge it, which He did with the Israelites.
Another thing that our complaining does is it makes other people, those who have to hear our whining, very miserable (vs 10-15). The people were continually moaning and crying to Moses, and soon he couldn’t take it anymore, and he poured out his heart in grief to God. God was tired of it, too. He answered Moses’s prayer for relief, and that of the people with their complaining, and told Moses He would give them meat to eat, so much meat that they would be sick of it (vs 19-20).
All of this complaining had worn Moses down, and this great servant of God had a moment of disbelief that God could do what He said He would do (vs. 21-22). How could God possibly get enough meat to feed over 600,000? Moses was looking at the creature rather than the Creator. God’s promises don’t depend on man for their fulfillment (vs. 23). God’s power will never diminish! What He says He will do, He will do!
Let us remember the fate of the Israelites. Because of their unbelief in God and His power, and their continual complaining and whining, they had to wander through the wilderness for 40 years until that generation died. When we say that what God has given us isn’t good enough, we reject Him. Let us remember to praise and thank Him for all that He has done for us, and all of His blessings.
Friday, September 28, 2018
True Greatness
Mark 9:30-37
How many people over the years have thought themselves the greatest around? We have seen sports figures, business people, politicians, movie stars, and even religious leaders that act like they believe they are the greatest. Sometimes we may even be tempted to think we are great and deserve a place of honor. Pride and ambition often rises up in our hearts. It did in the disciples, as we read in our Scripture selection for today.
As we begin our passage, Jesus is telling His disciples about His coming death and sacrifice for sin, and resurrection three days later (vs 31 - 32). The disciples, however, did not understand or really hear His words. How many times have we said something to our children, spouse, or someone else, and though they heard, they didn’t really hear a word we said. The same goes for ourselves - someone is talking to us, we hear their voice but our mind is somewhere else, and we didn’t hear a thing.
Why didn’t the disciples understand what Jesus was saying? His words seem quite clear to us. He said very plainly that He would be betrayed, killed, and rise from the dead three days later. What was confusing about what was said? Some of the twelve might not even have been listening to Him, their mind somewhere else. For many of them, though, they might not have wanted to hear that message for fear, or that it conflicted with their own ideas of Jesus’s kingdom and plans for greatness. For so many of the Jewish people at that time, the Messiah was to be a great king who would come and deliver the nation of Israel from their oppressors, namely at this time, the Roman Empire. So for them to hear that Jesus was going to be killed by His enemies went against all they had been hoping for. They did not yet understand what His death and resurrection really meant.
Are there times in our life when God has been speaking to us, but we choose not to hear Him? Maybe what He is saying goes against what we want to believe, or we’re afraid of what He is saying. Just as the disciples needed to, we need to open our ears and really hear God’s words to us.
Later, Jesus questions what the disciples were discussing among themselves while on the road (vs 33 - 37). They were too ashamed to tell Jesus what it was, but He knew. They were debating among themselves which one was the greatest. Though they were confused as to what kind of kingdom Jesus had come to bring, they believed He was a king and had a kingdom. They wanted a place of prominence in that kingdom. They had pride and ambition. They wanted that spot of honor and power, where they would be looked upon with respect and admiration. Many of us, if we had the opportunity, would love to be boss, be king of the hill. Ambition itself isn’t wrong, but when it causes us to disobey God, or work more for our own praise and glory rather than God’s, it has become sin. Our pride causes us to overvalue position and prestige. We should be ambitious for God’s Kingdom and His glory, not our own.
God does not measure success the way the world does. Many of His faithful servants in the Bible had a very difficult life and ministry. The world would not have called them successful, yet God does. The disciples’ concept of greatness and leadership, common both then and now, needed to be revised. It is not those who lord their position over other that are great in God’s Kingdom. Instead it is those who humbly serve others. Jesus, who is God incarnate, is our example. He is God, yet He was willing to wash the feet of the disciples, one of the humblest tasks there is (John 13:1-15).
Jesus taught His followers to welcome children (vs 36-37). This was a new concept, as up until just a couple of generations ago, children in just about every culture were treated as second class, of no value except to work and care for their parents in their old age, and often abused in every way. Jesus treated them with love and value. We should value and treat children well, and most importantly, tell them about Jesus.
True greatness is measured not on earth, but in eternity. When we are before the Judgment Seat of Christ, He will be looking for humility, not earthly accomplishments. A humble person uses whatever the Lord has given them in a way that glorifies Him and benefits others.
How many people over the years have thought themselves the greatest around? We have seen sports figures, business people, politicians, movie stars, and even religious leaders that act like they believe they are the greatest. Sometimes we may even be tempted to think we are great and deserve a place of honor. Pride and ambition often rises up in our hearts. It did in the disciples, as we read in our Scripture selection for today.
As we begin our passage, Jesus is telling His disciples about His coming death and sacrifice for sin, and resurrection three days later (vs 31 - 32). The disciples, however, did not understand or really hear His words. How many times have we said something to our children, spouse, or someone else, and though they heard, they didn’t really hear a word we said. The same goes for ourselves - someone is talking to us, we hear their voice but our mind is somewhere else, and we didn’t hear a thing.
Why didn’t the disciples understand what Jesus was saying? His words seem quite clear to us. He said very plainly that He would be betrayed, killed, and rise from the dead three days later. What was confusing about what was said? Some of the twelve might not even have been listening to Him, their mind somewhere else. For many of them, though, they might not have wanted to hear that message for fear, or that it conflicted with their own ideas of Jesus’s kingdom and plans for greatness. For so many of the Jewish people at that time, the Messiah was to be a great king who would come and deliver the nation of Israel from their oppressors, namely at this time, the Roman Empire. So for them to hear that Jesus was going to be killed by His enemies went against all they had been hoping for. They did not yet understand what His death and resurrection really meant.
Are there times in our life when God has been speaking to us, but we choose not to hear Him? Maybe what He is saying goes against what we want to believe, or we’re afraid of what He is saying. Just as the disciples needed to, we need to open our ears and really hear God’s words to us.
Later, Jesus questions what the disciples were discussing among themselves while on the road (vs 33 - 37). They were too ashamed to tell Jesus what it was, but He knew. They were debating among themselves which one was the greatest. Though they were confused as to what kind of kingdom Jesus had come to bring, they believed He was a king and had a kingdom. They wanted a place of prominence in that kingdom. They had pride and ambition. They wanted that spot of honor and power, where they would be looked upon with respect and admiration. Many of us, if we had the opportunity, would love to be boss, be king of the hill. Ambition itself isn’t wrong, but when it causes us to disobey God, or work more for our own praise and glory rather than God’s, it has become sin. Our pride causes us to overvalue position and prestige. We should be ambitious for God’s Kingdom and His glory, not our own.
God does not measure success the way the world does. Many of His faithful servants in the Bible had a very difficult life and ministry. The world would not have called them successful, yet God does. The disciples’ concept of greatness and leadership, common both then and now, needed to be revised. It is not those who lord their position over other that are great in God’s Kingdom. Instead it is those who humbly serve others. Jesus, who is God incarnate, is our example. He is God, yet He was willing to wash the feet of the disciples, one of the humblest tasks there is (John 13:1-15).
Jesus taught His followers to welcome children (vs 36-37). This was a new concept, as up until just a couple of generations ago, children in just about every culture were treated as second class, of no value except to work and care for their parents in their old age, and often abused in every way. Jesus treated them with love and value. We should value and treat children well, and most importantly, tell them about Jesus.
True greatness is measured not on earth, but in eternity. When we are before the Judgment Seat of Christ, He will be looking for humility, not earthly accomplishments. A humble person uses whatever the Lord has given them in a way that glorifies Him and benefits others.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
God's Wisdom Or The World's Wisdom
James 3:13 - 4:6
Our New Testament reading this week continues from the letter James wrote to fellow believers, giving practical instructions on Christian living. James starts out today with comparing two types of wisdom. We all need wisdom in our lives if we want to have a good and effective life, but the key is where our wisdom comes from. As James describes, there is heavenly, godly wisdom, and there is earthly wisdom which comes from the devil (vs 13-18). Naturally, most of us would like God’s wisdom, but how can we tell which type of wisdom we are developing in our life? Let’s look at James’s description of each.
James describes the wisdom of this world as filled with envy and self-seeking or selfish ambition (vs 14-16). Envy is desiring to have something that another has. When we don’t have that item we want, especially seeing our neighbor with a brand new one, we become filled with bitterness. The advertising world knows this, playing up and feeding our desires, which leads to a selfish, or worldly ambition, striving to do whatever we can to obtain our desires. This wisdom is self-centered, often causing strife, taking our eyes off of God and onto ourselves and desires. This is not from God, but rather it comes from an unsanctified heart and unredeemed spirit, generated by Satan.
God’s wisdom, on the other hand, will lead to harmony and peace (vs 17-18). James describes this type of wisdom as being pure, peaceful, gentle, merciful, and without partiality. True, godly wisdom is measured by the depth of a person’s character. We identify trees by the fruit it produces. We can evaluate our wisdom by the way we act. The wisdom of the world leads to disorder and chaos, whereas godly wisdom leads to peace and goodness.
James goes on to describe how the wisdom of the world, filled with its unrestrained desires for material goods and lusts, will lead to conflicts, fighting, and war (vs 1-2). Conflicts, quarrels, and disputes result from evil desires battling within us. We fight in order to fulfill those desires. Thwarted desires can even lead to murder. We should submit to God, and receive His help to get rid of our selfish desires, trusting Him to give us what we truly need.
When we have desires in our life, why don’t we bring them to God in prayer, James asks. He says in verse 2 that we do not have because we do not ask. We serve a prayer-answering God. However sometimes we need to take stock of our prayers and our life. Maybe the motives of our heart are wrong (vs 3). We need to get our heart in the right place.
The most common problems in prayer are not asking, asking for the wrong things, and asking for the wrong reasons. Our prayers will become more powerful when we allow God to change our desires so they correspond to His will for us.
The cure for evil desires is humility (vs 4-6). Pride makes us self-centered. To release us from our self-centered desires, we need to humble ourselves before God. All we really need is His approval. If we seek to embrace and follow the world system which is opposed to God and His Word, then we are resistant to and in defiance to Him. We cannot continue with one foot in the world and one with God. The Scripture here says that if we are a friend with this world system, we are thus God’s enemy. Let’s forsake this world, for all it has to give us is only a cheap substitute for what God offers. Let’s seek His wisdom and ways for our life.
Our New Testament reading this week continues from the letter James wrote to fellow believers, giving practical instructions on Christian living. James starts out today with comparing two types of wisdom. We all need wisdom in our lives if we want to have a good and effective life, but the key is where our wisdom comes from. As James describes, there is heavenly, godly wisdom, and there is earthly wisdom which comes from the devil (vs 13-18). Naturally, most of us would like God’s wisdom, but how can we tell which type of wisdom we are developing in our life? Let’s look at James’s description of each.
James describes the wisdom of this world as filled with envy and self-seeking or selfish ambition (vs 14-16). Envy is desiring to have something that another has. When we don’t have that item we want, especially seeing our neighbor with a brand new one, we become filled with bitterness. The advertising world knows this, playing up and feeding our desires, which leads to a selfish, or worldly ambition, striving to do whatever we can to obtain our desires. This wisdom is self-centered, often causing strife, taking our eyes off of God and onto ourselves and desires. This is not from God, but rather it comes from an unsanctified heart and unredeemed spirit, generated by Satan.
God’s wisdom, on the other hand, will lead to harmony and peace (vs 17-18). James describes this type of wisdom as being pure, peaceful, gentle, merciful, and without partiality. True, godly wisdom is measured by the depth of a person’s character. We identify trees by the fruit it produces. We can evaluate our wisdom by the way we act. The wisdom of the world leads to disorder and chaos, whereas godly wisdom leads to peace and goodness.
James goes on to describe how the wisdom of the world, filled with its unrestrained desires for material goods and lusts, will lead to conflicts, fighting, and war (vs 1-2). Conflicts, quarrels, and disputes result from evil desires battling within us. We fight in order to fulfill those desires. Thwarted desires can even lead to murder. We should submit to God, and receive His help to get rid of our selfish desires, trusting Him to give us what we truly need.
When we have desires in our life, why don’t we bring them to God in prayer, James asks. He says in verse 2 that we do not have because we do not ask. We serve a prayer-answering God. However sometimes we need to take stock of our prayers and our life. Maybe the motives of our heart are wrong (vs 3). We need to get our heart in the right place.
The most common problems in prayer are not asking, asking for the wrong things, and asking for the wrong reasons. Our prayers will become more powerful when we allow God to change our desires so they correspond to His will for us.
The cure for evil desires is humility (vs 4-6). Pride makes us self-centered. To release us from our self-centered desires, we need to humble ourselves before God. All we really need is His approval. If we seek to embrace and follow the world system which is opposed to God and His Word, then we are resistant to and in defiance to Him. We cannot continue with one foot in the world and one with God. The Scripture here says that if we are a friend with this world system, we are thus God’s enemy. Let’s forsake this world, for all it has to give us is only a cheap substitute for what God offers. Let’s seek His wisdom and ways for our life.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Unjustly Persecuted
Psalm 54
Our psalm today is one written by David. He authored about half of the psalms, many of them being prayers and/or praise to God for help as he fled from his enemies. Today’s psalm reading is one such psalm, written by David as he was hiding from King Saul in the wilderness and forest around the city of Ziph, in southern Judah. While hiding there the residents of Ziph betrayed him, telling Saul he was there. In the midst of these dire troubles, David writes this short psalm of prayer to God.
The occasion for this psalm is found in I Samuel 23:14-29. Why did David have to spend several of his young adult years fleeing King Saul? Hadn’t David killed the nation’s enemy, the Philistine Goliath, sparing the country defeat and slavery? Following that, David had become Saul’s personal court musician, in addition to further military duty. He also became the king’s son-in-law, marrying Saul’s daughter, Michel. What went wrong, causing Saul to turn against David, causing David to flee for his life? Following becoming king, Saul’s spiritual life and relationship with the Lord God took a drastic downward plunge. Throughout the book of I Samuel we read how he consistently disobeyed what he knew to be God’s will. Finally God decided to take the kingdom from Saul and his descendants, and give it to another. Saul realizes this will be David.
As Saul drifts further and further from God, he sinks deeper and deeper into depression and paranoia. Saul’s jealousy rages out of control when he hears songs people have written, praising David’s victories in battle against the country’s enemies. Several attempts on his life were made while he stayed with the royal court, and David finally had to flee for his life while Saul hunted him down.
When we deliberately and knowingly drift from God, consciously disobeying His Word, we cannot expect our life to go smoothly. When Saul came to the throne, he never would have thought, no one would have thought, that he would so violently seek the life of an innocent man. Departing from God can lead us to do things we never would think ourselves capable of. Jealousy and bitterness are two ugly feelings. Left unchecked they can lead us right into the devil’s hands, as they did with Saul. Now we have David and his band of guerrilla fighters fleeing in the wilderness for several years.
While hiding out near the city of Ziph, the townsfolk there betray David to Saul. Why did they do that, we wonder. Perhaps they were looking for a royal reward, money for themselves and the city. Maybe a tax-free status for Ziph. Hiding David could only bring a promise of a reward in the future, if he became king, which was no sure thing in their eyes. People knew, though, that David had done nothing wrong to the king, and was being unjustly pursued. Money and earthly rewards can tempt us to take an easy way, however wrong or hurtful to others it may be.
What did David do at this time? Did he take matters into his own hands? No, David prayed to the Lord as he always had, trusting Him to answer and protect him. The residents of Ziph did not know him, as David said in verse 3, yet they were willing to turn against him. He prayed to the Lord to deal with his enemies, both Saul and his men, and also the Ziphites, as He saw fit.
Are you being unjustly attacked, people unfairly turning against you? Follow David’s example and turn the matter over to the Lord to handle. He can repay our enemies far better than we ever can (vs 5). As far as Scripture records, David never took vengeance on Ziph. He knew to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19). Instead David gave praise and sacrifices to the Lord (vs 6-7). We can know, as David did, that as long as we stay in His will, He will watch over and protect us. Let’s trust the Lord God in all of our trials and persecutions.
Our psalm today is one written by David. He authored about half of the psalms, many of them being prayers and/or praise to God for help as he fled from his enemies. Today’s psalm reading is one such psalm, written by David as he was hiding from King Saul in the wilderness and forest around the city of Ziph, in southern Judah. While hiding there the residents of Ziph betrayed him, telling Saul he was there. In the midst of these dire troubles, David writes this short psalm of prayer to God.
The occasion for this psalm is found in I Samuel 23:14-29. Why did David have to spend several of his young adult years fleeing King Saul? Hadn’t David killed the nation’s enemy, the Philistine Goliath, sparing the country defeat and slavery? Following that, David had become Saul’s personal court musician, in addition to further military duty. He also became the king’s son-in-law, marrying Saul’s daughter, Michel. What went wrong, causing Saul to turn against David, causing David to flee for his life? Following becoming king, Saul’s spiritual life and relationship with the Lord God took a drastic downward plunge. Throughout the book of I Samuel we read how he consistently disobeyed what he knew to be God’s will. Finally God decided to take the kingdom from Saul and his descendants, and give it to another. Saul realizes this will be David.
As Saul drifts further and further from God, he sinks deeper and deeper into depression and paranoia. Saul’s jealousy rages out of control when he hears songs people have written, praising David’s victories in battle against the country’s enemies. Several attempts on his life were made while he stayed with the royal court, and David finally had to flee for his life while Saul hunted him down.
When we deliberately and knowingly drift from God, consciously disobeying His Word, we cannot expect our life to go smoothly. When Saul came to the throne, he never would have thought, no one would have thought, that he would so violently seek the life of an innocent man. Departing from God can lead us to do things we never would think ourselves capable of. Jealousy and bitterness are two ugly feelings. Left unchecked they can lead us right into the devil’s hands, as they did with Saul. Now we have David and his band of guerrilla fighters fleeing in the wilderness for several years.
While hiding out near the city of Ziph, the townsfolk there betray David to Saul. Why did they do that, we wonder. Perhaps they were looking for a royal reward, money for themselves and the city. Maybe a tax-free status for Ziph. Hiding David could only bring a promise of a reward in the future, if he became king, which was no sure thing in their eyes. People knew, though, that David had done nothing wrong to the king, and was being unjustly pursued. Money and earthly rewards can tempt us to take an easy way, however wrong or hurtful to others it may be.
What did David do at this time? Did he take matters into his own hands? No, David prayed to the Lord as he always had, trusting Him to answer and protect him. The residents of Ziph did not know him, as David said in verse 3, yet they were willing to turn against him. He prayed to the Lord to deal with his enemies, both Saul and his men, and also the Ziphites, as He saw fit.
Are you being unjustly attacked, people unfairly turning against you? Follow David’s example and turn the matter over to the Lord to handle. He can repay our enemies far better than we ever can (vs 5). As far as Scripture records, David never took vengeance on Ziph. He knew to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19). Instead David gave praise and sacrifices to the Lord (vs 6-7). We can know, as David did, that as long as we stay in His will, He will watch over and protect us. Let’s trust the Lord God in all of our trials and persecutions.
Saturday, September 22, 2018
The Battle Is The Lord's
I Samuel 17:17-51
Today’s Old Testament reading is one that most people are rather familiar with, having heard it as a Bible story when a child. However, there are many Biblical truths and lessons that we, as adults, can learn and apply to our lives today. Let’s jump right in.
As a little background before our passage begins, the people of the Philistines have been attacking the nation of Israel off and on for many years. Currently the armies of each country are facing each other, with a valley between them. Rather than having a traditional battle, the Philistines declare they want a battle by champion, or single combat, where two individuals fight rather than two armies, winner taking all. Their champion will be Goliath, a giant of a man, head and shoulders taller and bigger than anyone else. The Israelites have no one who could come close in size or strength, and they felt doomed. Do you have some giant problems in your life that you feel you can’t face in your own strength?
As our Scripture passage begins, a young, teen-aged David has been sent by his father to bring some provisions to his brothers in the army. While there he hears the challenge and blasphemous cursing of Goliath (vs 20-24). He observes that no one from Israel is willing to stand up to him, to defend the Name of Yahweh. Seeing this, David is righteously indignant! How dare that heathen defy the army of the living God! (vs 26). His brothers, however, get angry at him. David responds by declaring, “Is there not a cause?” (vs 29). Isn’t the name and honor of God worthy enough to fight for? A good question today as well as back then.
David was brought into the tent of King Saul, where he declared he would go and fight Goliath. When Saul saw David he must have laughed, a scrappy teenager verses a giant who was a trained, lifelong soldier! Saul was out of options. He knew that if he didn’t make a move soon, the army and nation would be lost, so he was willing to listen to David, and what he said was important, even to us today.
David had complete trust in God. He anticipated divine help and victory. As David faced Goliath, he remembered God’s help when in the past he had faced other dangers with a lion and a bear (vs 34-37). David had the right view of God, so he had the right view of Goliath. Goliath may have been the tallest person alive then, but he was small compared to God. David’s confidence was not in himself or any weapons, it was in Who was with him - God.
As David approached Goliath on the field of battle, Goliath called out mocking, derogatory comments, trying to intimidate him (vs 42-44). David chose to listen to God’s words, not Goliath’s. Goliath’s words were from the enemy of our soul. In our trials who are we choosing to listen to? God told David to trust in Him, and look at the results!
David was not intimidated when he stood before Goliath. He knew where his power was going to come from (vs 45-47). His eyes were not on Goliath and his strength or size. David’s eyes were on God, and His strength and size. He knew the battle was the Lord’s, not his (vs 47). We don’t fight battles like the people of the world do, with violence, anger, maliciousness, slander, etc. We fight in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (vs 45). There is authority in the Name of Jesus! When we call upon the Name of Jesus, heaven will back us up.
David was decisive. He didn’t wait for Goliath to make the first move (vs 48-49). He struck the first blow and won. Don’t let Satan make the first blow in our life, either. Depend on God’s Name and strength, not our own. Before a battle, we need feed our faith with the Word of God. We need to be alert to the devil’s tricks (I Peter 5:8). God wants us to depend on Jesus’s strength (Philippians 4:13). Also be sure to put on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18).
God magnifies His Name when we rely on Him. He has us covered, for the battle belongs to Him, not to us! The victory is assured. David was able to stay brave in front of Goliath because he feared and loved God more than he feared anything else. Who or what are the “Goliaths” in your life today? Look beyond what you see, to see what God sees. Look through the eyes of faith, as David did.
Today’s Old Testament reading is one that most people are rather familiar with, having heard it as a Bible story when a child. However, there are many Biblical truths and lessons that we, as adults, can learn and apply to our lives today. Let’s jump right in.
As a little background before our passage begins, the people of the Philistines have been attacking the nation of Israel off and on for many years. Currently the armies of each country are facing each other, with a valley between them. Rather than having a traditional battle, the Philistines declare they want a battle by champion, or single combat, where two individuals fight rather than two armies, winner taking all. Their champion will be Goliath, a giant of a man, head and shoulders taller and bigger than anyone else. The Israelites have no one who could come close in size or strength, and they felt doomed. Do you have some giant problems in your life that you feel you can’t face in your own strength?
As our Scripture passage begins, a young, teen-aged David has been sent by his father to bring some provisions to his brothers in the army. While there he hears the challenge and blasphemous cursing of Goliath (vs 20-24). He observes that no one from Israel is willing to stand up to him, to defend the Name of Yahweh. Seeing this, David is righteously indignant! How dare that heathen defy the army of the living God! (vs 26). His brothers, however, get angry at him. David responds by declaring, “Is there not a cause?” (vs 29). Isn’t the name and honor of God worthy enough to fight for? A good question today as well as back then.
David was brought into the tent of King Saul, where he declared he would go and fight Goliath. When Saul saw David he must have laughed, a scrappy teenager verses a giant who was a trained, lifelong soldier! Saul was out of options. He knew that if he didn’t make a move soon, the army and nation would be lost, so he was willing to listen to David, and what he said was important, even to us today.
David had complete trust in God. He anticipated divine help and victory. As David faced Goliath, he remembered God’s help when in the past he had faced other dangers with a lion and a bear (vs 34-37). David had the right view of God, so he had the right view of Goliath. Goliath may have been the tallest person alive then, but he was small compared to God. David’s confidence was not in himself or any weapons, it was in Who was with him - God.
As David approached Goliath on the field of battle, Goliath called out mocking, derogatory comments, trying to intimidate him (vs 42-44). David chose to listen to God’s words, not Goliath’s. Goliath’s words were from the enemy of our soul. In our trials who are we choosing to listen to? God told David to trust in Him, and look at the results!
David was not intimidated when he stood before Goliath. He knew where his power was going to come from (vs 45-47). His eyes were not on Goliath and his strength or size. David’s eyes were on God, and His strength and size. He knew the battle was the Lord’s, not his (vs 47). We don’t fight battles like the people of the world do, with violence, anger, maliciousness, slander, etc. We fight in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (vs 45). There is authority in the Name of Jesus! When we call upon the Name of Jesus, heaven will back us up.
David was decisive. He didn’t wait for Goliath to make the first move (vs 48-49). He struck the first blow and won. Don’t let Satan make the first blow in our life, either. Depend on God’s Name and strength, not our own. Before a battle, we need feed our faith with the Word of God. We need to be alert to the devil’s tricks (I Peter 5:8). God wants us to depend on Jesus’s strength (Philippians 4:13). Also be sure to put on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18).
God magnifies His Name when we rely on Him. He has us covered, for the battle belongs to Him, not to us! The victory is assured. David was able to stay brave in front of Goliath because he feared and loved God more than he feared anything else. Who or what are the “Goliaths” in your life today? Look beyond what you see, to see what God sees. Look through the eyes of faith, as David did.
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