I Thessalonians 3:1-13
Nobody likes to go through periods of problems or trials. Some Christians are under the false assumption that once someone becomes a believer there should be no more problems. Some preachers, especially some on television, actually teach that a believer’s life should be smooth sailing, and that problems are a result of sin or lack of faith. As we shall see in our Scripture passage today, this is not the case. Paul, the great missionary apostle, endured many trials throughout his life. His epistles never focused on health, wealth, or self-esteem, but instead on the spiritual quality of a believer’s life. Let’s look at this portion of Scripture from Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica.
As a brief background to our Scripture, Paul had come to the Greek city of Thessalonica to bring the Gospel to the people there. After about three weeks of preaching and teaching the people about Jesus and the salvation He brings, Paul was run out of town by enemies of the gospel. He then went to the village of Berea, where he preached the gospel to them, also. However, his enemies followed him from Thessalonica, and ran him out of Berea, as well. Paul then went on to Athens, and he sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the new Christians were doing, to give them encouragement and strengthen their faith (Acts 17:1-15).
The persecutions and problems that Paul was experiencing were not due to some sins he had committed, nor to a lack of faith. Scripture is clear that those who live godly lives will be persecuted (II Timothy 3:12). We face adversity just as Jesus did, so that we may be transformed into His image and reflect His character to those around us (Acts 14:22). The Christian life involves obedience to Christ, despite temptations and hardships. Problems and persecutions can also build character, perseverance, and sensitivity to others.
Satan is the tempter, trying to cause failure in believers (vs. 5). Paul was not ignorant of his methods, and neither should we. He saw that the attacks he experienced in both Thessalonica and Berea were from the devil. Satan’s goal is to try and destroy Christians any way possible. If he can discourage a believer and neutralize any good they can do, any work for God they can accomplish for Him, then he will try. Paul took action to counterattack Satan’s maneuvers. Don’t let him succeed.
When Timothy returned to Paul from visiting the young church in Thessalonica, he brought good news to Paul that Satan had not succeeded in destroying the new church there or the faith of the new believers (vs. 6). This was a great encouragement to Paul in the trials he was going through. Our example and testimony can help people to endure and stay faithful to the Lord during difficult times (vs. 7). Christians who stand firm in the Lord during persecution and pressure encourage others. We need to stand firm in the Lord no matter what life may throw our way (vs 8). When we remain close to Jesus we can stand in faith, and never be shaken.
Paul was rejoicing in the faith of the Thessalonians. During those brief few weeks he preached the Gospel in that city, each new convert brought joy to his heart, and now he was rejoicing in the growth of their faith (vs 9-10). It should bring joy to a believer to see another person come to saving faith in Jesus, and then grow in the faith. In each of his epistles Paul thanked God for those who had been saved in whatever town he was in, and prayed for their growth.
As Paul closes this chapter in his letter to the Thessalonian church, he urges them to show love to each other (vs 12). We must actively and persistently show love to others. God loves us, and we must share His love with others. We must bring the love of Christ to the world, even if witnessing is uncomfortable. That is true, real love.
As he has throughout this epistle, Paul refers to the second coming of Jesus (vs. 13). Jesus will gather all believers, both those who have died and those who are alive at that time, into His kingdom. He urges us to be living good and holy lives. Holy living is very often connected in Scripture with the return of Jesus.
In conclusion, we need to remember that trials and problems are common to all believers, and we should use them to draw us closer to the Lord and to glorify Him by them. Also to remember, as Paul frequently writes, that Jesus is coming again, and we need to always be ready for that day.
Psalm 50
Courtroom drama shows are very popular on TV, from Perry Mason and Matlock to The Practice and Boston Legal. Our Scripture passage today, in Psalm 50, can be viewed as being in a courtroom, where God, as the Judge, is bringing charges against those who profess to be His people. Let’s step inside the courtroom and see what God is telling us here.
As our psalm opens in verses 1-6, God has entered the courtroom as the Supreme Judge, and He calls all of heaven and earth to witness the charges He is bringing against people who claim to follow Him. The first charge is found in verses 7-15, and is against empty ritualism. The second charge is in verses 16-21, and is against those who rebel against Him. The psalm closes in verses 22-23, with God offering a solution to us.
The first charge that the Lord God brings is against those who are only outwardly religious. Their worship services are meaningless and superficial. Their worship is not really directed to Him. These people’s sacrifices had become meaningless to them. It has become just an empty ritual. Mere rituals do not please God, and He does not want it. Yahweh is not like the pagan gods, and He doesn’t need our offerings in order to survive (vs. 9-13). God has no needs, no deficiencies, that need to be fulfilled by our services. He created and owns everything.
Has our religious activities become just rituals that we are going through without really thinking about them anymore? Has our church attendance, prayer, and Bible reading become just something that we check off of a to-do list? God wants righteousness. He wants our hearts, not just our empty rituals. God wants us to bring genuine worship, praise and thanksgiving to Him. As Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, God wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
Next our Judge has a second charge to bring against people (vs. 16-21). These charges are directed against wicked and evil people, those in rebellion against Him. He condemns their evil words, deeds, and immoral lives. God warns these wicked people to amend their ways or they will be destroyed. Some of these people have made a pretence of claiming to be believers, but in reality they aren’t. God sees right through that, and tells them that they have no right to quote Bible verses and take His Name, when they won’t obey His Word (vs 16-17). We may be able to deceive some people, but we can never deceive God. People who claim to be believers and claim to read His Word, but do not obey Him, do not fool God. Not everyone who claims to be a believer and calls themselves Christian really are. (Matthew 7:21-23). God will judge them.
As we read in verse 21, sometimes God is silent in the face of sin and evil. Frequently those who are committing certain sins say that it must not be so bad because God isn’t doing anything to stop them. However, God’s silence is not condoning sin. God sometimes withholds punishment for sin in order to give people time and a chance to repent (II Peter 3:9). God does not delight in the death of the wicked. He would rather that they would turn to Him in repentance (Ezekiel 33:11). God’s longsuffering grace must never be looked on as laxity. His judgment on sin will one day be manifested.
In the courtroom, sometimes the judge will give some advice at the time of sentencing, both to the defendant and those present. Here in the courtroom of Psalm 50, God gives some final words in verses 22 - 23. Here He admonishes us to consider, to pay attention to what He says in His Word, and to obey it. He wants us to give Him genuine praise, and to order our lives according to His Word. That brings Him glory.
As we depart God’s courtroom of Psalm 50, let’s be sure that neither of these charges can be brought against ourselves. Let’s be sure that our salvation is sure, that we are not living a life of sin. And let’s also be sure that we are not caught in the trap of empty rituals and empty words. Unlike most judges, He wants us to know that He loves us and will answer us when we call upon Him (vs. 15).
Zechariah 14:4-9
Today we begin the season of Advent in the Christian calendar, a season of preparation for the coming of the Savior. On the calendar we mark Advent as the weeks before Christmas, the day we mark the Lord Jesus coming to earth the first time, coming to be our sacrifice for sin. It is also a time when we can look ahead and consider the second, future coming of the Lord Jesus, when He will return to earth, this time as a conquering King. Today’s Scripture passage is from the Prophet Zechariah, and it gives us a glimpse of Jesus’s second coming.
Zechariah was a prophet to the people of the southern Kingdom of Judah, and was from priestly lineage. His ministry was during the time when the people were returning to their homeland following the years of exile in Babylon, approximately around 520 BC, during the reign of King Darius the Great of Persia.
As our passage today begins, Zechariah forsees the day when Jesus returns at His Second Coming. Zechariah prophesied that on this great day, the Lord Jesus will return, coming and standing on the Mount of Olives. This will fulfill the words that the angels spoke to the apostles on the Day of Ascension, 40 days after the Resurrection, when Jesus was taken up into heaven (Acts 1:10-11). At that time, immediately after Jesus ascended into heaven, angels appeared, telling the disciples that Jesus would return the same way He had ascended. The Mount of Olives is just east of the City of Jerusalem and the Kidron Valley. When Jesus sets foot on the Mount of Olives there will be a tremendous earthquake, when God announces His coming judgment, and the Mount of Olives will split in two (vs. 4). There will then be a valley made, running east and west when the mountain is pulled north and south.
When Jesus came the first time it was as the meek, suffering Savior. When He comes the second time it will be as the conquering King. At this time He will judge the nations and all of mankind for their deeds, and especially whether they have accepted Him as the Savior. Only God’s people will escape His punishment (vs. 5). God knows who His people are. He fought for His people in the past, and He will do so again.
When Jesus returns this second time, those in Jerusalem, and in all of the world, will have to acknowledge that He is the Messiah. Verse 8 says that living waters will flow out of Jerusalem. They will flow to the eastern sea, which is the Dead Sea, lying east of Jerusalem, and also to the western sea, which would be the Mediterranean Sea, west of Jerusalem. If we recall, Jesus spoke of living water when He was speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:7-15). In Revelation 22:17, this is called the water of life. Both are referring to eternal life, which we can have when we accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior. The living water that will flow out of Jerusalem is the Gospel, which will flow like a river, east and west, all over the world. This living water washes away the sins of all who come to Jesus in faith (Hebrews 10:22).
As Zechariah concludes this portion of his prophecy, he proclaims that the Lord Jesus will be king over all the world (vs. 9). One day every knee will bow to Jesus, and every tongue will acknowledge Him as the only God and Savior (Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:9-11). All false religions will be eliminated when Jesus returns. Satan started all of the false religions, and they will be cast out, and the one, true faith in and through Jesus Christ will be established throughout the world.
As the Advent season reminds us, Jesus will return. As we saw here, He will stand again on the Mount of Olives, the last place He stood before He went to heaven the first time. That can be a day that we eagerly look forward to if we have accepted Jesus as our Savior.
John 18:33-38
The world we live in today finds the concept of absolute truth difficult to accept. We frequently hear that truth is relative, and that whatever one believes is their personal truth. That my truth might not be your truth, and vice versa. There are a few things that everyone accepts as truth, such as that the sun is hot. However other things, especially moral issues such as adultery, lying, cheating, etc, many consider debatable, without a firm right and wrong. In our Scripture passage today from the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims that there is absolute truth, things that are true regardless of popular opinion, and that He is the source of truth.
As our passage opens the Jewish leaders have brought Jesus to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, wishing him to bring sentence of execution on Jesus. With the nation under the rule of the Roman Empire they do not have the authority to execute prisoners, so they brought Jesus to him. Pilate did not believe that Jesus was deserving of death, and several times told the Jewish religious leaders such.
Before making any official sentence one way or another, Pilate takes Jesus into his chambers to question Him. He had heard that one of the charges that the Jewish leaders have brought against Jesus is that the people have been calling Him the “King of the Jews”. Pilate asks Him if this is true (vs. 33). Jesus does not deny that He is a king, but clearly states that His kingdom is not of this world (vs. 36). Jesus’s kingdom is not connected to earthly political and national entities. It does not have its origin in the evil world system that rebels against God. Jesus will conquer the world system at His second coming, but now He seeks to conquer sin in our lives. One day Jesus will return to set up His kingdom here, ruling over all nations. Until then, His kingdom is focused on redeeming the hearts and souls of the lost.
Jesus then gives a challenge to both Pontius Pilate and to all of us. Jesus states that the reason He came into the world was to bear witness to the truth, and that everyone who is of truth will hear His voice (vs. 37). If we wish to accept the truth, we will accept Jesus as the Truth, and as our Savior.
Pontius Pilate knew that Jesus was not worthy of being put to death, and he made several attempts to set Jesus free. First he told the Jewish religious leaders that he didn’t wish to pass sentence on Him, and for them to judge Him according to their laws, (which could not include execution, by Roman decree). (John 18:31). The religious leaders were adamant that Pilate put Jesus to death. Then Pilate tried to find a way of escape to release Jesus, so resorted to an old custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover festival (John 18:39). He felt that since the only other prisoner at the time was a murderer, they would accept Jesus being released, but he was mistaken. The religious leaders would rather have a murderer than Jesus! Then Pilate compromised by having Jesus flogged, and then would release Him (John 19:1-3). Flogging was brutal and sometimes would kill the prisoner. Despite this punishment the religious leaders were insistent on death. Even Pilate’s appeal to their sympathy brought angry responses (John 19:4-15). He finally relented to their pressure.
Pontius Pilate knew what was right, what the truth was in this whole case brought before him, yet he was not able to take a stand for the truth. He let fear and pressure make him back down. He couldn’t stand up for the truth. Pilate recognized the truth of what Jesus was saying, but due to pressure from others he chose to reject it (vs. 36-37).
It is tragic if we fail to recognize the truth, and even more tragic to recognize the truth and then not heed it. Truth is not relative. It is not what the majority of people agree on, or whatever advances our power and goals. Jesus and His Word are the standard for truth and moral behavior. Are we willing to take a stand for the truth in this world today, or will we capitulate to pressure from others and give in like Pontius Pilate did?
Revelation 1:1-8
If asked to give a description of Jesus, what would you say? There are many words and characteristics we could come up with to describe Him. In our Scripture passage today from the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John gives us a few unique descriptions of Jesus, ones that would not apply to anyone else. Tradition says that the Apostle John was the only one of the twelve Apostles who did not suffer a martyr’s death. However, he did suffer much for the Lord. John was exiled on the island of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea, when he had several apocalyptic visions which are recorded in the Book of Revelation.
Our passage comes from the introduction of this book of recorded visions which was sent to the early churches throughout Asia Minor. These visions came to him from the Lord God, and it is here in the introduction that John gives us some descriptions of Jesus. Let us take a look at them and see what new aspects of Jesus’s character we can learn.
John first describes Jesus as “the One who is, who was, and who is to come” (vs. 4). Jesus is everlasting, both from eternity past and forever into the future. He is the Second Person of the Trinity, always existing with the Father. Jesus was with the Father and partook in creation (Colossians 1:17). He is coming again to judge the living and the dead, and to establish His kingdom here on earth, which is described later in this book.
John further describes Jesus as the “faithful witness” (vs 5). Jesus came to earth to be the sacrifice for our sins, and also to show us the Father (John 14:7-11). The words He spoke were from the Father, and were truth (John 8:40-47; John 18:37). We can trust every word that Jesus has said to be the truth. He is a faithful witness.
The next description given of Jesus in our passage is “the firstborn from the dead” (vs 5). There were a handful of people who had been raised from the dead mentioned in the Bible (Lazarus in John 11:1-44, and Dorcas in Acts 9:36-41 are two examples). These people, though, all had to die again sometime later. Jesus was raised with an imperishable body, never to die again. He was the firstborn from the dead. His resurrection from the dead gives us a living hope that we, too, will live with Him for eternity.
John tells us that Jesus is the “ruler over the kings of the earth” (vs. 5). So many rulers, both in the past and today, are in opposition to God, oppress their people, and are corrupt. Jesus is coming again, and at that time He will set up His rule over all the kingdoms of this earth. At this time every knee will bow to Him (Philippians 2:9-11), including the kings of the earth.
Next John describes Jesus as one who “loves us and washed us from our sins with His Blood”. Jesus is the almighty God, living in heaven, with all of creation at His fingertips, yet He gave all of that up to come to earth to die for our sins, so that we could also enjoy heaven with Him. If that doesn’t show that He loves us, then I don’t know what does! Love brought Jesus out of heaven, and love for us nailed Him to the cross.
We skip down to verse 8 where we read that John calls Jesus the “Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End”. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. He is the first, last, and everything in between. He is the whole dictionary, the whole encyclopedia. Jesus is the supreme sovereign. Nothing is outside of His knowledge. His power is supreme over everything. Jesus is the eternal Lord and Ruler of past, present, and future. He is the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom, and power.
One thing the Book of Revelation makes clear is that Jesus is coming back to earth again. At His return He will be victorious, and visible to all (vs. 7). All people will see it, including those who had been responsible for His death, and they will know that He is Jesus. Are we ready for that day? Do you know Him as your Savior? If not, do not hesitate one more day. Do not be late and unprepared for the Day of His return.
Psalm 93
Psalm 93 is a short, little psalm, but one which tells a great truth about our great God. Yahweh, the one true God, reigns over all creation. He reigns over the earth (vs 1-2) and over the sea (vs 3-4). This brief psalm concludes with verifying the Lord’s authoritative revelation in His Word (vs. 5).
In the pagan religions there were multitudes of gods and goddesses, each with their own specialty that they were the god or goddess of. For example, the pagan Greeks believed that Ares was the god of war, Demeter the goddess of agriculture and harvest, Aphrodite the goddess of love, and Poseidon the god of the seas, floods, and earthquakes. The list goes on and on. Demeter wouldn’t be invoked for war, nor Ares involved with the oceans. This was the same with pagan religions the world over. Our psalmist today, knowing that the pagan gods and goddesses are all false, proclaims that Yahweh, the only true God, is God over all, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them. He isn’t a limited god, with minimal powers. He is the one, only, all-powerful, true God.
Our psalmist describes in verse 1 the royal majesty of God as King. Many of you may have seen pictures or videos of the Queen or other royal monarchs in their royal robes and crown, either at their coronation, opening of Parliament, or other state functions. For most monarchs around the world, their position is mostly ceremonial, and they have no real ruling power. That is not the case with the Lord God. He reigns with power, strength, and majesty. His throne is established from time past, and through all eternity (vs. 2).
When I was a child, I went to Niagara Falls. I remember how extremely loud the waterfalls are. I also remember how wet we got when riding the Maid of the Mist boat close to the falls. The Lord God is mightier than those waterfalls, or any other great waterfalls around the world (vs. 3-4). In the last several years there have been a number of very powerful hurricanes, with their strong winds and surging waves. People are warned to keep away from the oceans and beaches when there is a powerful storm. Our Lord is more mighty and powerful than these storms.
Yahweh is not a weak god with failings and flaws, like the pagan gods had. He is perfect in His moral character (vs 5). God will never do anything that is not morally perfect. Our only suitable response to a holy God should be a desire to be holy, as well. God says for us to be holy, as He is holy (Leviticus 19:1-2; I Peter 1:15-16).
There are some days when we might feel like we are on a small boat or raft, drifting down the river towards those powerful and dangerous waterfalls. We can hear the roar of the waves, maybe even see the waterfalls in the distance as we drift closer and closer. We are in danger, but we have no way to get safely to the shore before we go over the falls. God is a mighty God, not just in power and majesty as described in our psalm, but also mighty in His love for us, and power to save us. When we call upon the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, He rescues us from the power of Satan and sin, and eternal damnation. When we call upon God for help with the trials and problems of our life, some of them as distressing and serious as a looming waterfall, He is there to help us with His mighty power, as well.
As God’s rule over the earth is stable, so His revelation given through Scripture is trustworthy. Nothing is more powerful than the Lord. Nothing is more steadfast than His reign. Nothing is more sure than His revelation. Let us trust in our powerful and mighty Savior.
Daniel 6:1-28
Jealousy in the workplace is a common occurrence. One worker does a good job on a project and the boss rewards him with a bonus or a promotion. Then some other coworkers get all tied in knots over this. Daniel experienced this in a very serious way in our passage today. His faith and trust in the Lord was also put to the test, whether he would compromise his beliefs or not. Daniel came through his test strong and true. Let’s take a look at this Scripture account.
At the time of the events in chapter 6, Daniel was a very elderly gentleman, over the age of 80. Due to his administrative skills, leadership ability, godly wisdom, and honesty, he had served in high ranking positions under several rulers in the Babylonian and now the Medo-Persian empires. He served under King Nebuchadnezzar, and now King Darius (vs 1-3). Many of the other governmental officials were now very jealous of Daniel. He had risen from being one of the youth taken captive when Nebuchadnezzar overran the Kingdom of Judah to now being second to King Darius. They did not like him, as he was a good and honest worker. Daniel’s enemies wanted to bring him down, and they kept an eye on him to see if he would do anything that they could report to the king on, and have him arrested, or at the very least demoted (vs 4). Daniel conducted his life above reproach, with nothing to hide.
With nothing else to attack him with, his enemies attacked Daniel through his faith in Yahweh (vs 5). Knowing that Darius really liked Daniel, these other politicians knew that they would have to come up with a subtle plot. Darius was a king with a strong ego, so they used that to work against Daniel, and wrote up a temporary law, that no one could pray to any god other than the king for a month, under penalty of death (vs 6-9). Once enacted, the Med0-Persian law could not be changed by anyone, including the king. These men knew that Daniel was a devout follower of Yahweh, and would not keep this law, so unless he would suddenly give up worshipping God, they had him!
Just as they knew would happen, Daniel was not going to change his pattern of prayer to the living God (vs 10). He made no attempt to either change his prayer routine or to hide it. He followed the Old Testament pattern of praying towards Jerusalem (I Kings 8:44-45). Daniel also prayed three times a day (Psalm 55:16-17). God did not get the crumbs of Daniel’s time, even though he was a very busy man with a high-ranking government position. Though he knew this might cost him his life, Daniel was not afraid or ashamed of his faith in God.
Right away the other government officials caught Daniel praying, arrested him, and went straight to the king with their report. “Daniel was praying to Yahweh! Throw him to the lions!” (vs. 11-13). The king had no choice. He knew he had been tricked into signing this law, all due to his ego and their jealousy. Though the king was very distraught over this situation, Daniel was thrown into the lions pit.
Daniel must have spoken to Darius about the Lord God over the years he was a government official close to the king, as King Darius had some hope that Daniel’s God would be able to help him (vs. 16). First thing in the morning, Darius raced to the opening of the lion’s pit and called out to Daniel. He had some hope that God would save Daniel (vs 19-20). Yes, Daniel was alive and unharmed. God openly honored Daniel’s faith, and showed His glory to Darius and the kingdom (vs 21-23). And to show that this was a miracle done to save Daniel, and not just that the lions weren’t hungry or had no teeth, the men who had plotted against him were thrown in, and immediately eaten (vs 24).
Daniel’s faith was a testimony to God, and led to the conversion of Darius (vs. 25-27), as it had to Nebuchadnezzar years earlier (Daniel 4:1-3, 34-37). Daniel wasn’t intent on being popular. He was committed to doing right in the eyes of God. God wants us to have an unshakable faith. If trials, tests, and suffering are what it takes for us to have that, then He will allow them. Trust God even in the face of lions!
