Nehemiah 1:1-2:6
In today’s Scripture we take a look at the man Nehemiah, and the great role that prayer took in his life. Some people, unfortunately including some Christians, only come to God in prayer when there is some desperate need. Their prayer relationship with Him is very weak and shallow. Then there are others, like Nehemiah here, who have a very strong relationship with their Savior, which is strengthened through prayer and faith. Let’s take a look at one example in the Book of Nehemiah, where he trusted in the Lord for help in prayer.
Nehemiah was the personal cup bearer to the Persian emperor Artaxerxes I, who ruled from 464-424 BC. The cup bearer's job was to choose and taste the food and wine of the emperor to ensure that it was not poisoned. He would also frequently act as a personal butler to him, as well. Thus Nehemiah had direct access to the emperor, and was an important and influential person.
Our account takes place in approximately the year 445 BC. Many of the Jewish people had already started returning to the Promised Land from their years of captivity, and work had already begun on the rebuilding of the Temple. Nehemiah’s brother returned from a visit to Jerusalem, and brought him some distressing news about the condition of the city. The city was still in rather bad condition after being destroyed many decades earlier, and the walls were still torn down (vs. 3). In Nehemiah’s day walls around a city were essential. They offered safety from raids, and symbolized strength and peace. Without walls there could possibly be another destruction of the new Temple.
Naturally this depressed Nehemiah. Nehemiah didn’t just wallow in his depression, rather he came before God in prayer and fasting (vs. 4). He poured his heart out to God in prayer, and looked for ways God could use him to help the situation. Fasting helps us to focus our prayers, and focus our mind on God, and off of ourselves and worldly matters. It taps into the limitless power and wonderful plan of God. It is not an attempt to twist God’s arm into doing something He doesn’t want to, with a “see what I’m doing, God” attitude. Nehemiah’s prayer contained praise, thanksgiving, repentance, specific requests, and commitment to the Lord (vs. 5-11). While during his prayer, Nehemiah felt led to travel to Jerusalem and help in the rebuilding of the city, particularly the walls and gates.
Nehemiah had another reason to pray. Not only would he need to obtain the emperor’s permission to take a leave of absence from his position as cup bearer, but his depression and sad demeanor was very risky. Being sad in the emperor’s presence was a serious offense in ancient Persia (vs 2:2). The emperor could execute anyone who was sad in his presence if he so chose to. And to ask to take a leave from work might also greatly anger him. However, Nehemiah did not allow his fears to stop him from doing what God had called him to do. We must not allow our fears to become more powerful than God in our life. God is greater than all of our fears. Nehemiah knew this, and when asked by the emperor why he is sad, he said a prayer under his breath, bringing all of this quickly to God, trusting in Him to handle it all, and move upon the most powerful man in the world at that time to look with favor upon him and his requests.
Nehemiah prayed at all times throughout his life, even when he was talking to other people (2:4). He knew God is always in charge, and was always present with him. Nehemiah had established an intimate relationship with God, and he could confidently pray throughout his day. We need to cultivate a strong relationship with God through deep and personal prayer so that we have that relationship already established in an emergency. When Nehemiah’s emergency came while standing in front of Artaxerxes, he already had a strong prayer relationship.
We pray powerfully when we pray according to the promises of God. When we pray based on who He is and what He has done, our faith grows and we receive God’s blessing. Using the Scriptures and its promises when praying will activate His Word and remind us of His power and past blessings in our life.
Saturday, August 1, 2020
Friday, July 31, 2020
A Most Valuable Treasure
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-50
I think it’s fair to say that we all like nice surprises. If we start out with a little of a good thing, and then find that we have more than before, that’s a nice surprise. If we find something of great value, and are then able to obtain it, that’s good, too. And who wouldn’t like to find a buried treasure on their property! Tales of hidden, buried treasures have led people on great adventures. Action-packed books and movies have told of these treasures, and the quests to find them. In our Scripture today, we have several short parable examples like these that Jesus told His disciples, as He taught of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The first two examples that Jesus gave to describe what the kingdom of heaven is like, were two very small things that grew much larger (vs. 31-33). The first was the example of the mustard seed. A mustard seed is very small, many dozens can easily fit in a small bottle. Yet, as Jesus described it, when planted, the mustard plant grows into a large bush, often at least 15 feet tall. Out of something so small, comes something large and towering.
Jesus continues on with another example, that of leaven or yeast. When making a loaf of bread, there are several ingredients, and yeast is often one of them. The baker doesn’t use too much, but it is important, as it grows and grows, making the bread rise into a loaf and giving it a good flavor. Otherwise it is a flat bread. Again, it is something small, but grows into something much larger.
God’s kingdom has small beginnings, but it grows and produces great results. The early church started out with a small number of disciples, and now there are believers all across the world. Yeast permeates and changes all that it contacts. It starts out small, but grows and grows, like God’s kingdom. We need to affect and change in a good way all who we come in contact with, as well.
In the next several verses, Jesus gives short, little parables where people find something of great value, and give up what they have in order to obtain it (vs. 44-46). Both examples picture salvation as something hidden from most people, but is so valuable that people who have it revealed to them are willing to give up all they have in order to possess it. Buried treasures are exciting, but rare. We can have a real treasure, which is accessible to all who confess their sins and also receive and follow Jesus.
We can look at both the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price as being God and His kingdom, and also as believers. Jesus is like the pearl or the hidden treasure. If we want to follow Him, we can’t be stuck on the things of this world. It costs everything to follow Jesus, but once we do, we realize He is worth more than anything else. Nothing this world offers will ever fulfill us as much as a relationship with Jesus. The kingdom of heaven is more valuable than anything else we can have. We must be willing to give up everything to obtain it.
We can also look at the parables as the pearl and treasures being Christians, and Jesus as the merchant. He found us, and loved us so much that He gave up everything for us. Jesus left His throne in heaven, coming to earth to live a poor, simple life, and giving His life for us upon the cross, shedding His precious Blood for our salvation. The kingdom of heaven’s value is our life, paid for by the life of Jesus.
Our Scripture passage concludes with the parable of the dragnet, a large net that was thrown into the water and then pulled to shore with hopefully a catch of fish enclosed in it (vs. 47-50). Just as a net that is thrown in a lake and then pulled out catches many objects besides fish, so within the church are many who claim and pose to be Christians, but are not. At the time of God’s judgment the good and bad will be separated.
How much is Jesus worth to you? It cost Him His life to pay the penalty for our sins. Forgiveness of sin, a relationship with God, and a home in heaven is worth everything we have.
I think it’s fair to say that we all like nice surprises. If we start out with a little of a good thing, and then find that we have more than before, that’s a nice surprise. If we find something of great value, and are then able to obtain it, that’s good, too. And who wouldn’t like to find a buried treasure on their property! Tales of hidden, buried treasures have led people on great adventures. Action-packed books and movies have told of these treasures, and the quests to find them. In our Scripture today, we have several short parable examples like these that Jesus told His disciples, as He taught of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The first two examples that Jesus gave to describe what the kingdom of heaven is like, were two very small things that grew much larger (vs. 31-33). The first was the example of the mustard seed. A mustard seed is very small, many dozens can easily fit in a small bottle. Yet, as Jesus described it, when planted, the mustard plant grows into a large bush, often at least 15 feet tall. Out of something so small, comes something large and towering.
Jesus continues on with another example, that of leaven or yeast. When making a loaf of bread, there are several ingredients, and yeast is often one of them. The baker doesn’t use too much, but it is important, as it grows and grows, making the bread rise into a loaf and giving it a good flavor. Otherwise it is a flat bread. Again, it is something small, but grows into something much larger.
God’s kingdom has small beginnings, but it grows and produces great results. The early church started out with a small number of disciples, and now there are believers all across the world. Yeast permeates and changes all that it contacts. It starts out small, but grows and grows, like God’s kingdom. We need to affect and change in a good way all who we come in contact with, as well.
In the next several verses, Jesus gives short, little parables where people find something of great value, and give up what they have in order to obtain it (vs. 44-46). Both examples picture salvation as something hidden from most people, but is so valuable that people who have it revealed to them are willing to give up all they have in order to possess it. Buried treasures are exciting, but rare. We can have a real treasure, which is accessible to all who confess their sins and also receive and follow Jesus.
We can look at both the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price as being God and His kingdom, and also as believers. Jesus is like the pearl or the hidden treasure. If we want to follow Him, we can’t be stuck on the things of this world. It costs everything to follow Jesus, but once we do, we realize He is worth more than anything else. Nothing this world offers will ever fulfill us as much as a relationship with Jesus. The kingdom of heaven is more valuable than anything else we can have. We must be willing to give up everything to obtain it.
We can also look at the parables as the pearl and treasures being Christians, and Jesus as the merchant. He found us, and loved us so much that He gave up everything for us. Jesus left His throne in heaven, coming to earth to live a poor, simple life, and giving His life for us upon the cross, shedding His precious Blood for our salvation. The kingdom of heaven’s value is our life, paid for by the life of Jesus.
Our Scripture passage concludes with the parable of the dragnet, a large net that was thrown into the water and then pulled to shore with hopefully a catch of fish enclosed in it (vs. 47-50). Just as a net that is thrown in a lake and then pulled out catches many objects besides fish, so within the church are many who claim and pose to be Christians, but are not. At the time of God’s judgment the good and bad will be separated.
How much is Jesus worth to you? It cost Him His life to pay the penalty for our sins. Forgiveness of sin, a relationship with God, and a home in heaven is worth everything we have.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Bringing Good From Suffering
Romans 8:26-34
Today’s Scripture passage from the Book of Romans contains a very familiar verse for many Christians, verse 28. It is a verse that many have found encouragement from, a verse that has carried them through many a difficult time. Today we’ll take a closer look at that verse, along with the passage surrounding the verse.
Our Scripture today begins with Paul telling us some comforting words. How many of you have come to God in prayer over some serious matter, and just didn’t know what to say or how to effectively pray? You were confused or too upset, maybe even crying too much to even really pray. Paul shares here in our Scripture that the Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers, and makes intercession for us (vs. 26-27). We don’t always know how we should pray. When we go to God in prayer, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid by translating our prayers according to God’s good purposes for our lives. The Holy Spirit will pray for and through us. He hears our inner cries and guides us by applying Scriptures. He intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will. The Father understands and agrees with what the Spirit thinks.
We now come to the verse (vs. 28) that many people have claimed during difficult times they have gone through. People are encouraged to think that their trials are working for their good. One thing we need to realize is that this verse applies only for Christians, those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior. The verse reads “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Things work for good to those who love God, not just anyone. This is a promise for believers who love God and are seeking to live for Him.
God orchestrates every event in life, including suffering and temptations, to accomplish both our earthly and eternal benefit. Though not all things we experience are pleasant in themselves, we are promised that God uses everything for our benefit. We must have faith that He will turn our hardships and failures into something for our good. God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. He doesn’t work to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose. The devil may try to work out his evil schemes in our life, but God will work to bring good from it, and further His kingdom.
Paul continues on in verse 29 to remind us that God is in the process of forming us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. We were chosen to become like God’s Son, Jesus. The Holy Spirit is in the process of moulding us into becoming like Jesus’ character. That is God’s will for every believer. It is a continual process, called sanctification. God will remove from our lives whatever interferes with that, which is sometimes a painful or difficult process. Have you ever worked on a project that has taken a while to complete? Perhaps a sewing project or some woodworking craft. You work on it steadily, day by day, when you can. We are God’s personal project. He is committed to the task of forming us into the image of His Son, Jesus. God doesn’t always provide everything we want, but He will provide us with all that is necessary to fulfill His purpose for our lives. His goal is to sanctify us, not simply to satisfy each immediate desire.
As we continue on, in verse 31 the word “if” would be better translated “since”. Since God is for us, who can be against us? Our spiritual enemies will not ultimately triumph over us. We have a mighty team on our side as we pray. We may have big problems, but we have an even bigger God!
Jesus has promised that nothing and no one can separate us from His love (vs. 32-34). He is seated at the Father’s right hand, always interceding for us. God, who did not spare His Son for us, will not abandon us. God brought the greatest good, our eternal life, from the greatest suffering, Jesus on the Cross. He can bring good from any suffering.
Today’s Scripture passage from the Book of Romans contains a very familiar verse for many Christians, verse 28. It is a verse that many have found encouragement from, a verse that has carried them through many a difficult time. Today we’ll take a closer look at that verse, along with the passage surrounding the verse.
Our Scripture today begins with Paul telling us some comforting words. How many of you have come to God in prayer over some serious matter, and just didn’t know what to say or how to effectively pray? You were confused or too upset, maybe even crying too much to even really pray. Paul shares here in our Scripture that the Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers, and makes intercession for us (vs. 26-27). We don’t always know how we should pray. When we go to God in prayer, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid by translating our prayers according to God’s good purposes for our lives. The Holy Spirit will pray for and through us. He hears our inner cries and guides us by applying Scriptures. He intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will. The Father understands and agrees with what the Spirit thinks.
We now come to the verse (vs. 28) that many people have claimed during difficult times they have gone through. People are encouraged to think that their trials are working for their good. One thing we need to realize is that this verse applies only for Christians, those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior. The verse reads “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Things work for good to those who love God, not just anyone. This is a promise for believers who love God and are seeking to live for Him.
God orchestrates every event in life, including suffering and temptations, to accomplish both our earthly and eternal benefit. Though not all things we experience are pleasant in themselves, we are promised that God uses everything for our benefit. We must have faith that He will turn our hardships and failures into something for our good. God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. He doesn’t work to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose. The devil may try to work out his evil schemes in our life, but God will work to bring good from it, and further His kingdom.
Paul continues on in verse 29 to remind us that God is in the process of forming us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. We were chosen to become like God’s Son, Jesus. The Holy Spirit is in the process of moulding us into becoming like Jesus’ character. That is God’s will for every believer. It is a continual process, called sanctification. God will remove from our lives whatever interferes with that, which is sometimes a painful or difficult process. Have you ever worked on a project that has taken a while to complete? Perhaps a sewing project or some woodworking craft. You work on it steadily, day by day, when you can. We are God’s personal project. He is committed to the task of forming us into the image of His Son, Jesus. God doesn’t always provide everything we want, but He will provide us with all that is necessary to fulfill His purpose for our lives. His goal is to sanctify us, not simply to satisfy each immediate desire.
As we continue on, in verse 31 the word “if” would be better translated “since”. Since God is for us, who can be against us? Our spiritual enemies will not ultimately triumph over us. We have a mighty team on our side as we pray. We may have big problems, but we have an even bigger God!
Jesus has promised that nothing and no one can separate us from His love (vs. 32-34). He is seated at the Father’s right hand, always interceding for us. God, who did not spare His Son for us, will not abandon us. God brought the greatest good, our eternal life, from the greatest suffering, Jesus on the Cross. He can bring good from any suffering.
Monday, July 27, 2020
God's Word Stands Forever
Psalm 119:89-104
Today we have our weekly visit into the Book of Psalms. Today’s passage comes from the longest psalm in the Book of Psalms, and by far the longest chapter in the Bible. This psalm is divided into 22 sections of eight verses, each one beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In just about every verse of this lengthy psalm is a word or synonym for God’s law, such as law, precept, testimony, commandment, ordinance, judgment, etc. I have selected a few verses from our passage to take a closer look at.
The first verse we’ll look more in-depth at is verse 89, “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” God’s Word, the Bible, is settled in heaven. It stands firm and is unchangeable forever. This is how important the Bible is. It is not just a book with some good ideas and philosophies. It is God’s Word, firmly fixed in heaven. God will honor His Word. Everything He has said will come to pass, and we can rely on that.
We can trust God’s promises, trust His forgiveness, trust the future that He has in store for us. God is not a man, like us, and He does not lie (Numbers 23:19). His Word is His bond, and it is anchored in heaven. We can trust and believe it. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Despite so many countless attacks over the centuries, the Bible, God’s Word, is still standing strong. No one has been able to prove it wrong or invalid, and nor will they ever. God’s Word will not change, and is always spiritually relevant.
Let’s next take a look at verse 92, “Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.” When we are in the middle of our times of trouble and affliction, we should not just sit and wallow in our misery. God’s Word can sustain us with joy and delight. Our soul can be revived by God when we recall all He has done for us and for others. We can fill our minds with God’s Word and promises when in the middle of periods of darkness and find His light.
In verses 98 - 100 we read, “You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts.” When we spend time studying God’s Word, it will give us wisdom and understanding, more than our enemies and people of the world. We can have spent years of studying in universities, but without knowing God and His truths, we have nothing. Yet studying God’s Word will bring us His wisdom, the wisdom of the Creator of the whole universe. True wisdom is beyond and more than just amassing knowledge. It is applying that knowledge into one’s life, allowing what God teaches to guide us. The wisdom of God always far surpasses the wisdom of man.
The last verse that we will look at from our Scripture passage today is verse 103, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Here the Scriptures uses the metaphor of taste to describe our experience of God, just as it does in Psalm 34:8. Taste indicates a deep experience beyond the senses of seeing or hearing. Here God’s Word is said to be sweeter than honey. Honey is one of the oldest and most natural sweeteners. It has also been known from ancient times to have medicinal use. People have used it in treating burns and wounds, in coughs and sore throats, and other medicinal uses. Like honey, God’s Word is sweet to our souls and of good help to us, as well. Through God’s Word, we can deeply know that His love and salvation will transform and sustain us.
Though it is a long psalm, Psalm 119 is well worth reading in full. It teaches us just how important God’s Word, the Bible is for us. As we read and study the Scriptures, not just this psalm, but all of Scripture from Genesis through to Revelation, we will find that it is, indeed, sweeter than honey.
Today we have our weekly visit into the Book of Psalms. Today’s passage comes from the longest psalm in the Book of Psalms, and by far the longest chapter in the Bible. This psalm is divided into 22 sections of eight verses, each one beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In just about every verse of this lengthy psalm is a word or synonym for God’s law, such as law, precept, testimony, commandment, ordinance, judgment, etc. I have selected a few verses from our passage to take a closer look at.
The first verse we’ll look more in-depth at is verse 89, “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” God’s Word, the Bible, is settled in heaven. It stands firm and is unchangeable forever. This is how important the Bible is. It is not just a book with some good ideas and philosophies. It is God’s Word, firmly fixed in heaven. God will honor His Word. Everything He has said will come to pass, and we can rely on that.
We can trust God’s promises, trust His forgiveness, trust the future that He has in store for us. God is not a man, like us, and He does not lie (Numbers 23:19). His Word is His bond, and it is anchored in heaven. We can trust and believe it. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Despite so many countless attacks over the centuries, the Bible, God’s Word, is still standing strong. No one has been able to prove it wrong or invalid, and nor will they ever. God’s Word will not change, and is always spiritually relevant.
Let’s next take a look at verse 92, “Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.” When we are in the middle of our times of trouble and affliction, we should not just sit and wallow in our misery. God’s Word can sustain us with joy and delight. Our soul can be revived by God when we recall all He has done for us and for others. We can fill our minds with God’s Word and promises when in the middle of periods of darkness and find His light.
In verses 98 - 100 we read, “You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts.” When we spend time studying God’s Word, it will give us wisdom and understanding, more than our enemies and people of the world. We can have spent years of studying in universities, but without knowing God and His truths, we have nothing. Yet studying God’s Word will bring us His wisdom, the wisdom of the Creator of the whole universe. True wisdom is beyond and more than just amassing knowledge. It is applying that knowledge into one’s life, allowing what God teaches to guide us. The wisdom of God always far surpasses the wisdom of man.
The last verse that we will look at from our Scripture passage today is verse 103, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Here the Scriptures uses the metaphor of taste to describe our experience of God, just as it does in Psalm 34:8. Taste indicates a deep experience beyond the senses of seeing or hearing. Here God’s Word is said to be sweeter than honey. Honey is one of the oldest and most natural sweeteners. It has also been known from ancient times to have medicinal use. People have used it in treating burns and wounds, in coughs and sore throats, and other medicinal uses. Like honey, God’s Word is sweet to our souls and of good help to us, as well. Through God’s Word, we can deeply know that His love and salvation will transform and sustain us.
Though it is a long psalm, Psalm 119 is well worth reading in full. It teaches us just how important God’s Word, the Bible is for us. As we read and study the Scriptures, not just this psalm, but all of Scripture from Genesis through to Revelation, we will find that it is, indeed, sweeter than honey.
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Good Start But Bad Finish
I Kings 3:5-12; 11:1-10
It’s always good to have a strong start in things, whether it is a race or a project. However, what is more important is having a good finish. One can start off a race at a good speed, but if you stumble and fall along the way, you will finish way back, or perhaps not even at all. One can start a project doing fine, but get distracted, do a sloppy job, or lose interest, and the project is a failure. This is especially true in life. We can start out doing great with grand plans, and then get sidetracked with problems and sins, and life ends with disappointment. This is particularly tragic when it happens in our spiritual life. We have all heard of King Solomon, the son and heir of King David. He is said to be the wisest king in history, and one of the wealthiest, as well. As we read our Scripture passage today, we’ll see how he started out blessed by God, and then we’ll see what caused a tragic ending to his reign.
When King David died, his son Solomon inherited the throne. Shortly after coming to the throne, God appeared to him in a dream, and asked Solomon what he would like to be given. What would you say if God came to you and promised to give you anything that you would ask for? Wealth and riches? Fame? Power? Solomon took the responsibilities of being king very seriously, and he knew that at his young age (probably in his early 20’s) he was inexperienced. To have wealth and fame wasn’t as important to him right then as having wisdom to rule the people properly, so he asked the Lord for an understanding heart, for wisdom (vs. 3:9).
Solomon saw his succession to the throne of his father David as evidence of God’s faithfulness to His promises (vs. 3:6), yet he was humble and knew his need for God’s wisdom to effectively rule. God was pleased that Solomon didn’t ask for personal benefits, such as wealth or power over his enemies. Asking for wisdom is always the best choice to make. God encourages us to ask for wisdom from Him (James 1:5).
Solomon started his reign out on the right path with God. However, he did not stay on that good path. Within a few years he started heading down the wrong way, and as we read a few chapters later in the Book of Kings, his reign and life ended as a tragic disappointment in the eyes of God.
The first mistake Solomon made was to take many pagan women as his wives. God had strictly commanded His people not to intermarry with pagan unbelievers, yet Solomon did not obey. Solomon’s love for his wives led him to abandon his loyalty for the Lord, and he began to worship other gods. He started the downward spiral that future kings would follow in their worship of pagan gods (vs. 11:1-6). What is even worse is that Solomon erected many of the altars to these pagan gods and abominations right within sight of the Temple that he had built for the one true God, Yahweh. Solomon had absolutely no excuse for doing what he did, as he had God’s Laws clearly written in the Books of Moses, and twice God had appeared to him in earlier years.
God has given strict commands throughout Scripture against a believer ever marrying an unbeliever. Solomon’s choice of marrying pagan women led to their drawing him away from worshipping only Yahweh. God will not tolerate compromise with other religions. Believers need to stand against pressure to compromise our faith, and what we know to be true.
Compromise begins when we ignore God’s instructions, and follow the world’s practices. When we start loving people, activities, or things more than we love God, we start on the downward path, just as Solomon did. Compromise is a hidden danger, a hidden spiritual landmine. It caused Solomon to drift from the Lord, so that after a few years he was sacrificing to pagan gods. Don’t give Satan a toe-hold, which is what compromise does.
Solomon was different from his father, David. Both had sinned in their lives more than once. However, David truly confessed and repented of his sins, and made efforts to repair the breach with God. Solomon never did, and he fell deeper and deeper into sin. Solomon started out good, but ended so tragically with God. As we go through our life, let us make sure that we do our utmost to end well, and not like Solomon.
It’s always good to have a strong start in things, whether it is a race or a project. However, what is more important is having a good finish. One can start off a race at a good speed, but if you stumble and fall along the way, you will finish way back, or perhaps not even at all. One can start a project doing fine, but get distracted, do a sloppy job, or lose interest, and the project is a failure. This is especially true in life. We can start out doing great with grand plans, and then get sidetracked with problems and sins, and life ends with disappointment. This is particularly tragic when it happens in our spiritual life. We have all heard of King Solomon, the son and heir of King David. He is said to be the wisest king in history, and one of the wealthiest, as well. As we read our Scripture passage today, we’ll see how he started out blessed by God, and then we’ll see what caused a tragic ending to his reign.
When King David died, his son Solomon inherited the throne. Shortly after coming to the throne, God appeared to him in a dream, and asked Solomon what he would like to be given. What would you say if God came to you and promised to give you anything that you would ask for? Wealth and riches? Fame? Power? Solomon took the responsibilities of being king very seriously, and he knew that at his young age (probably in his early 20’s) he was inexperienced. To have wealth and fame wasn’t as important to him right then as having wisdom to rule the people properly, so he asked the Lord for an understanding heart, for wisdom (vs. 3:9).
Solomon saw his succession to the throne of his father David as evidence of God’s faithfulness to His promises (vs. 3:6), yet he was humble and knew his need for God’s wisdom to effectively rule. God was pleased that Solomon didn’t ask for personal benefits, such as wealth or power over his enemies. Asking for wisdom is always the best choice to make. God encourages us to ask for wisdom from Him (James 1:5).
Solomon started his reign out on the right path with God. However, he did not stay on that good path. Within a few years he started heading down the wrong way, and as we read a few chapters later in the Book of Kings, his reign and life ended as a tragic disappointment in the eyes of God.
The first mistake Solomon made was to take many pagan women as his wives. God had strictly commanded His people not to intermarry with pagan unbelievers, yet Solomon did not obey. Solomon’s love for his wives led him to abandon his loyalty for the Lord, and he began to worship other gods. He started the downward spiral that future kings would follow in their worship of pagan gods (vs. 11:1-6). What is even worse is that Solomon erected many of the altars to these pagan gods and abominations right within sight of the Temple that he had built for the one true God, Yahweh. Solomon had absolutely no excuse for doing what he did, as he had God’s Laws clearly written in the Books of Moses, and twice God had appeared to him in earlier years.
God has given strict commands throughout Scripture against a believer ever marrying an unbeliever. Solomon’s choice of marrying pagan women led to their drawing him away from worshipping only Yahweh. God will not tolerate compromise with other religions. Believers need to stand against pressure to compromise our faith, and what we know to be true.
Compromise begins when we ignore God’s instructions, and follow the world’s practices. When we start loving people, activities, or things more than we love God, we start on the downward path, just as Solomon did. Compromise is a hidden danger, a hidden spiritual landmine. It caused Solomon to drift from the Lord, so that after a few years he was sacrificing to pagan gods. Don’t give Satan a toe-hold, which is what compromise does.
Solomon was different from his father, David. Both had sinned in their lives more than once. However, David truly confessed and repented of his sins, and made efforts to repair the breach with God. Solomon never did, and he fell deeper and deeper into sin. Solomon started out good, but ended so tragically with God. As we go through our life, let us make sure that we do our utmost to end well, and not like Solomon.
Friday, July 24, 2020
The Wheat And Tares
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
One despair of a serious gardener is to find weeds growing side by side with their plants. The gardener hates to go out and view their beautiful flowers and find an ugly weed poking up! The same with the nice rows of carrots and peas, and there in the midst is a string of weeds. I’m not much of a gardener, and occasionally it can be difficult to tell weeds from a good plant, especially when they first come up through the ground. We have to be very careful to not mistakenly pull a good plant when going after those weeds! In our Scripture passage today from the Gospel of Matthew, we read a parable that Jesus told about good plants and weeds. Let’s take a look at the lesson that He wishes to teach His followers.
The parable begins with a farmer having planted wheat in his garden. However, overnight an enemy comes in and plants a bunch of tares or weeds in among the good plants (vs. 24-25). As the plants grow, the farmhands notice that there are tares in among the good grains of wheat, and they ask the farmer if he wants them to pull them out (vs. 26-28). The farmer instructs his help to hold off pulling out the tares until it is time to harvest the crop, as he didn’t want any of the good wheat to accidentally get pulled out in the process of ridding the field of the tares (vs. 29-30).
After the crowds left, Jesus tells His disciples the meaning of this parable. The good wheat represents Christians, those who have accepted Jesus as Savior and are following Him. The tares are unbelievers. What is a “tare”? Tares were the plant “darnel”, which looks very similar to wheat until both plants are fully mature. Jesus is telling us here that sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between a true Christian and someone who might be posing as a Christian, but is really an unbeliever. Frequently we can tell a weed from a good plant right away, and often we can spot an unbeliever right away, too, just by the way they act. However, that isn’t always the case. A weed can look quite similar to a good plant for quite awhile, and sometimes some people may look and act “Christian”, but really are not.
Satan tries to deceive the church by mingling his followers with believers, and sometimes it is difficult to spot them. The devil actively sows his followers in the church. In churches today there are both true believers and the unsaved, who pose as true believers. They may be spreading dissension, spreading subtle false doctrine among the believers. However, God is intent on preserving His people until the harvest, and He will make the separation (vs. 40-43).
Satan’s purposes are always to damage and destroy God’s purposes, just like the weeds overpower the good plants, robbing them of nutrients, water, and sunlight. As believers we need to be on the lookout for these “tares” in the church. The weeds try to get believers to follow their errors, and we should be aware and prepared, checking every teaching with Scripture. We are instructed, though, not to weed them out ourselves, as it is often difficult to really spot the tare. There are weak believers, who might look like a “tare”, but are still a true “plant of wheat”. God knows their heart. True converts and believers produce fruitful lives. If there is no fruit, there is no true root. There are pretenders in the Body of Christ. We must not let them influence our faith. Instead, we should be influencing theirs.
Weeds (the unbelievers) and wheat (the believers) must live side by side in this world. God allows the unbelievers to remain in the world for a while. At the harvest time, when Jesus returns, the tares will all be uprooted and thrown away into the furnace of fire (vs. 41-43). God’s Day of Judgment is coming. On that day there will be sorrow, there will be pain, but it will be too late for them. Be ready for that day by making sure your faith is sincere.
One despair of a serious gardener is to find weeds growing side by side with their plants. The gardener hates to go out and view their beautiful flowers and find an ugly weed poking up! The same with the nice rows of carrots and peas, and there in the midst is a string of weeds. I’m not much of a gardener, and occasionally it can be difficult to tell weeds from a good plant, especially when they first come up through the ground. We have to be very careful to not mistakenly pull a good plant when going after those weeds! In our Scripture passage today from the Gospel of Matthew, we read a parable that Jesus told about good plants and weeds. Let’s take a look at the lesson that He wishes to teach His followers.
The parable begins with a farmer having planted wheat in his garden. However, overnight an enemy comes in and plants a bunch of tares or weeds in among the good plants (vs. 24-25). As the plants grow, the farmhands notice that there are tares in among the good grains of wheat, and they ask the farmer if he wants them to pull them out (vs. 26-28). The farmer instructs his help to hold off pulling out the tares until it is time to harvest the crop, as he didn’t want any of the good wheat to accidentally get pulled out in the process of ridding the field of the tares (vs. 29-30).
After the crowds left, Jesus tells His disciples the meaning of this parable. The good wheat represents Christians, those who have accepted Jesus as Savior and are following Him. The tares are unbelievers. What is a “tare”? Tares were the plant “darnel”, which looks very similar to wheat until both plants are fully mature. Jesus is telling us here that sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between a true Christian and someone who might be posing as a Christian, but is really an unbeliever. Frequently we can tell a weed from a good plant right away, and often we can spot an unbeliever right away, too, just by the way they act. However, that isn’t always the case. A weed can look quite similar to a good plant for quite awhile, and sometimes some people may look and act “Christian”, but really are not.
Satan tries to deceive the church by mingling his followers with believers, and sometimes it is difficult to spot them. The devil actively sows his followers in the church. In churches today there are both true believers and the unsaved, who pose as true believers. They may be spreading dissension, spreading subtle false doctrine among the believers. However, God is intent on preserving His people until the harvest, and He will make the separation (vs. 40-43).
Satan’s purposes are always to damage and destroy God’s purposes, just like the weeds overpower the good plants, robbing them of nutrients, water, and sunlight. As believers we need to be on the lookout for these “tares” in the church. The weeds try to get believers to follow their errors, and we should be aware and prepared, checking every teaching with Scripture. We are instructed, though, not to weed them out ourselves, as it is often difficult to really spot the tare. There are weak believers, who might look like a “tare”, but are still a true “plant of wheat”. God knows their heart. True converts and believers produce fruitful lives. If there is no fruit, there is no true root. There are pretenders in the Body of Christ. We must not let them influence our faith. Instead, we should be influencing theirs.
Weeds (the unbelievers) and wheat (the believers) must live side by side in this world. God allows the unbelievers to remain in the world for a while. At the harvest time, when Jesus returns, the tares will all be uprooted and thrown away into the furnace of fire (vs. 41-43). God’s Day of Judgment is coming. On that day there will be sorrow, there will be pain, but it will be too late for them. Be ready for that day by making sure your faith is sincere.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
It Will Be Worth It All
Romans 8:18-25
The hiker finally reaches the end of a grueling trail, but they think it well worth the struggle when they see the beautiful scenery that was at the end. The student reaches the end of many years of difficult studies and exams, but feels it was worth it when they receive their diploma and a good career awaits them. The new mother can overlook the many hours of painful labor, and perhaps even months of sickness, when she holds her baby. It was worth it all for her. We can all think of instances when struggles and toils we have gone through are worth it, compared with what is at the end of all those difficulties. That is the message that the Apostle Paul seeks to remind the readers of his letter to the church in Rome in today’s Scripture passage. Let’s take a closer look at Paul’s message.
We all have many struggles and difficulties throughout life. No one is spared this. No one will reach the end of their life’s journey without having gone through some difficult days, often difficult years. This includes Christians. Satan hates believers, and he makes a point of aiming attacks at them. However, Paul reminds us of a blessed truth, that all of the suffering we go through during this life cannot even begin to be compared with the wondrous glory that we will have when we reach God’s kingdom (vs. 18). A split second is nothing compared to eternity. Our pain and trials won’t last for eternity, but we will. The wonder of heaven will make the most difficult life a good bargain.
When we go through tough times, we can be confident that the Lord has a purpose in those struggles. We can trust that God is good, even when the outcome is not. He is good during times of famine, as well as times of feasting. God’s blessings are worth the sacrifices and obedience we make. When we are in despair we need to remember that God is still God. Those of us who trust in Christ have a living Hope, One who does not disappoint (vs. 20).
Mankind is not the only thing that has suffered because of sin. All of creation has, as well. In this passage, the word “creation” refers to everything created, not just human beings. Sin has caused all of creation to fall from the perfect state in which God created it. After the Fall roses now grow thorns, the bee now stings, thistles with needles grow in the grass, and a tall tree falls victim to an infestation that kills it. Creation is in bondage to decay. But one day all of creation will be liberated and transformed. All creation is longing for the curse to be lifted, and has hope for a future glory.
Adam’s Fall has caused misery from then until now. Creation looks forward to when this curse will be lifted (vs. 22). At the time when Jesus returns, the curse from the days of Adam will be lifted, and creation will be restored. Until that day, all of creation groans. That day is drawing closer, and the glory that creation will receive will be worth the wait. However, waiting for our trials and burdens of life to end, even waiting for “the redemption of our body”, seems to take forever (vs. 22-23). Waiting for Jesus to return often seems to take too long, and we might want to give up. Time may drag, but don’t give up. He will come again!
How can we know for sure that not only our bodies, but all of creation will be redeemed and restored? The Holy Spirit is the down payment, the first installment, as a guarantee of our resurrection life (vs. 23). He is the first installment of the glory yet to follow. God cares for us, and He will bring what is best for us, even if it is not what we had planned. Though people sometimes fail to keep their promises, God never makes a promise that He won’t keep (vs. 24-25). Sometimes it takes some time, but we can put our confidence in His goodness and wisdom.
The hiker finally reaches the end of a grueling trail, but they think it well worth the struggle when they see the beautiful scenery that was at the end. The student reaches the end of many years of difficult studies and exams, but feels it was worth it when they receive their diploma and a good career awaits them. The new mother can overlook the many hours of painful labor, and perhaps even months of sickness, when she holds her baby. It was worth it all for her. We can all think of instances when struggles and toils we have gone through are worth it, compared with what is at the end of all those difficulties. That is the message that the Apostle Paul seeks to remind the readers of his letter to the church in Rome in today’s Scripture passage. Let’s take a closer look at Paul’s message.
We all have many struggles and difficulties throughout life. No one is spared this. No one will reach the end of their life’s journey without having gone through some difficult days, often difficult years. This includes Christians. Satan hates believers, and he makes a point of aiming attacks at them. However, Paul reminds us of a blessed truth, that all of the suffering we go through during this life cannot even begin to be compared with the wondrous glory that we will have when we reach God’s kingdom (vs. 18). A split second is nothing compared to eternity. Our pain and trials won’t last for eternity, but we will. The wonder of heaven will make the most difficult life a good bargain.
When we go through tough times, we can be confident that the Lord has a purpose in those struggles. We can trust that God is good, even when the outcome is not. He is good during times of famine, as well as times of feasting. God’s blessings are worth the sacrifices and obedience we make. When we are in despair we need to remember that God is still God. Those of us who trust in Christ have a living Hope, One who does not disappoint (vs. 20).
Mankind is not the only thing that has suffered because of sin. All of creation has, as well. In this passage, the word “creation” refers to everything created, not just human beings. Sin has caused all of creation to fall from the perfect state in which God created it. After the Fall roses now grow thorns, the bee now stings, thistles with needles grow in the grass, and a tall tree falls victim to an infestation that kills it. Creation is in bondage to decay. But one day all of creation will be liberated and transformed. All creation is longing for the curse to be lifted, and has hope for a future glory.
Adam’s Fall has caused misery from then until now. Creation looks forward to when this curse will be lifted (vs. 22). At the time when Jesus returns, the curse from the days of Adam will be lifted, and creation will be restored. Until that day, all of creation groans. That day is drawing closer, and the glory that creation will receive will be worth the wait. However, waiting for our trials and burdens of life to end, even waiting for “the redemption of our body”, seems to take forever (vs. 22-23). Waiting for Jesus to return often seems to take too long, and we might want to give up. Time may drag, but don’t give up. He will come again!
How can we know for sure that not only our bodies, but all of creation will be redeemed and restored? The Holy Spirit is the down payment, the first installment, as a guarantee of our resurrection life (vs. 23). He is the first installment of the glory yet to follow. God cares for us, and He will bring what is best for us, even if it is not what we had planned. Though people sometimes fail to keep their promises, God never makes a promise that He won’t keep (vs. 24-25). Sometimes it takes some time, but we can put our confidence in His goodness and wisdom.
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