Hebrews 4:12-16
Today we continue on with our readings from the Book of Hebrews, and the author mentions in this passage both Jesus as our compassionate High Priest, how we can boldly approach the throne of God, and the Bible as as sharp, two-edged sword. We have someone who can sympathetically plead our case with God the Father. If we have the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we can enter, ourselves, into the throne room of God. These are privileges that the Blood of Jesus has bought for those who have put their faith and trust in Him. Let’s take a look at our Scripture passage today.
The first verse of our passage describes the Word of God as living (vs. 12). It is living as its Author is God, divinely inspiring the humans who were His instruments in writing it. It is also living because the Holy Spirit brings its message in our hearts. Like a surgeon’s knife, it cuts deep within us, revealing who we are and what we are not. It shows what is within us, both good and evil. The Bible can transform our life, keeping us anchored to God during the storms we face. Verse 12 also describes God’s Word as a two-edged sword. It is comforting and nourishing to those who have given their lives to Jesus. But it is a tool of judgment and execution to those who have not accepted Him.
Next our author of Hebrews continues on with one of his running themes throughout this book - that of Jesus being superior to every aspect of the old Jewish faith. Under the Levitical law the people could only approach God with their sacrifices for sins through the priests, and the High Priest could only approach the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement. Jesus is superior to the Jewish priests, including the High Priest (vs. 14). They were only human, and had to deal with their own sins, as well as the people’s. Jesus is both God and man, without sin. He intercedes for us to God, and assures us of God’s forgiveness. The Jewish High Priest could only go to the Holy of Holies once a year. Jesus is always at God’s right hand, interceding for us, always available to hear us.
Jesus faced temptation, just like we do, yet Jesus did not sin (vs 15). He can sympathize with us. He knows what we are going through, and is not indifferent to us. Jesus shows us, though, that we do not have to sin when facing the draw of temptation. If we turn to Him during our trials, Jesus will give us the strength to turn away and follow His path.
God wants us to come in confidence to Him for everything we need as we face the challenges in our lives (vs 16). He loves us, and wants us to draw near in prayer. There are two specific things this verse in Hebrews says that God will give us when we come to Him. Those are mercy and grace. Mercy means that God does not give us what we deserve, which would be divine judgment. Our sins warrant God’s judgment. However, because of Jesus, when we accept Him as our Savior, He is compassionate, and forgives us. Grace means God gives us what we don’t deserve. We are not worthy of God’s love, favor, or salvation, but because of Jesus, He gives them to us freely.
Hebrews urges us to “hold fast” to our confession of faith (vs 14). We are to hold on to what the Bible says about our situation with a strong faith, the kind that will not let go. We can always come to God in prayer. We need to come with reverence because He is our King. However, we can also come with assurance because He is our Friend.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Monday, October 22, 2018
In The Shadow Of The Almighty
Psalm 91
This psalm for today is a favorite of many believers, and is definitely one of my favorites. It is a passage of Scripture we can go to when we are afraid, when the fears of this dangerous world get too strong. Our world is so stressful and filled with scary events. We can easily be overwhelmed. Psalm 91 is where to turn to. Jesus calls us to trust Him and run to His arms for protection.
The psalmist, who is not known, starts off right at the beginning by saying to whom the Lord God gives His divine protection. It is to those who dwell and abide with Him (vs 1). They are those who have a close and personal relationship with God. When we have put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, He will be a secret place of protection for us. Shadows are often a good place to hide, and we can hide in the shadows of God’s safekeeping. God is also called here in verse 2 our refuge and fortress. A refuge is a place to go to to find quick shelter. A fortress is a building intentionally built to provide special security. The enemy has no access into a fortress. We are protected and safe there. When we turn to God to be our refuge and fortress, Satan and the fears he brings with him cannot get to us.
A vivid picture of protection we see in the natural world is that of a mother bird protecting her young chicks. She spreads her wings over them, and they are safe from both predators and storms. That’s the same way the Lord protects us when we come running to Him (vs 4). With God protecting us, the enemy has to get past Him before he can get to us. His truth, which is His Word, is the shield we can can safely stand behind.
Night often brings our worst fears (vs 5). More murders, muggings, and crimes take place at night. Many fires start at night, as well. It is then that sickness keeps us awake. Our worries loom much larger at night. Yet God watches over us at night, as well as during the day. He never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). Darkness is not dark to Him (Psalm 139:12). We are children of the Light, and need not fear the darkness (I Thessalonians 5:5). During the day, as well, we can trust the Lord to watch over us (vs 5-7). Do we need to make a trip into the bad part of town? Maybe a child of ours is being called into military service. We don’t need to fear those “arrows”. When we hear on the news broadcasts of deadly influenza striking in our city, or some other calamity, do we need to panic when we have the Lord as our protection? Our psalmist assures us that we do not! He protects us from pestilence and destruction.
In verses 11 and 12, we read that the Lord has appointed angels to give us aid when attacked by the devil and his forces. These angels oversee God’s people, guarding those who seek refuge in Him. They preserve our steps. The angels will take us up, lift, and carry us, seeing we are not overwhelmed by the deception of Satan.
When we are in the presence of the Lord we have nothing to fear. God’s presence can take away all despair and doubt. Do we truly believe that we live in the secret place of the Most High, and that we abide under the shadow of the Almighty? If we are believers, and we truly believe this, we can live without fear. We can trust the wings of God to be our shield.
We need to trade in all of the fears that we have for trust and faith in God. We also need to be sure that we are “dwelling” and “abiding” in the Lord in order to be certain of His sure protection. When we are feeling anxious and worried with problems and fears, remember in Whom we dwell - the Lord God Almighty, and the truth of His Word. Give those problems to Him. We can find refuge and shelter under His wings. Those who have put their trust in God need have no fear when others are all in a panic over the events in the world.
This psalm for today is a favorite of many believers, and is definitely one of my favorites. It is a passage of Scripture we can go to when we are afraid, when the fears of this dangerous world get too strong. Our world is so stressful and filled with scary events. We can easily be overwhelmed. Psalm 91 is where to turn to. Jesus calls us to trust Him and run to His arms for protection.
The psalmist, who is not known, starts off right at the beginning by saying to whom the Lord God gives His divine protection. It is to those who dwell and abide with Him (vs 1). They are those who have a close and personal relationship with God. When we have put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, He will be a secret place of protection for us. Shadows are often a good place to hide, and we can hide in the shadows of God’s safekeeping. God is also called here in verse 2 our refuge and fortress. A refuge is a place to go to to find quick shelter. A fortress is a building intentionally built to provide special security. The enemy has no access into a fortress. We are protected and safe there. When we turn to God to be our refuge and fortress, Satan and the fears he brings with him cannot get to us.
A vivid picture of protection we see in the natural world is that of a mother bird protecting her young chicks. She spreads her wings over them, and they are safe from both predators and storms. That’s the same way the Lord protects us when we come running to Him (vs 4). With God protecting us, the enemy has to get past Him before he can get to us. His truth, which is His Word, is the shield we can can safely stand behind.
Night often brings our worst fears (vs 5). More murders, muggings, and crimes take place at night. Many fires start at night, as well. It is then that sickness keeps us awake. Our worries loom much larger at night. Yet God watches over us at night, as well as during the day. He never sleeps (Psalm 121:4). Darkness is not dark to Him (Psalm 139:12). We are children of the Light, and need not fear the darkness (I Thessalonians 5:5). During the day, as well, we can trust the Lord to watch over us (vs 5-7). Do we need to make a trip into the bad part of town? Maybe a child of ours is being called into military service. We don’t need to fear those “arrows”. When we hear on the news broadcasts of deadly influenza striking in our city, or some other calamity, do we need to panic when we have the Lord as our protection? Our psalmist assures us that we do not! He protects us from pestilence and destruction.
In verses 11 and 12, we read that the Lord has appointed angels to give us aid when attacked by the devil and his forces. These angels oversee God’s people, guarding those who seek refuge in Him. They preserve our steps. The angels will take us up, lift, and carry us, seeing we are not overwhelmed by the deception of Satan.
When we are in the presence of the Lord we have nothing to fear. God’s presence can take away all despair and doubt. Do we truly believe that we live in the secret place of the Most High, and that we abide under the shadow of the Almighty? If we are believers, and we truly believe this, we can live without fear. We can trust the wings of God to be our shield.
We need to trade in all of the fears that we have for trust and faith in God. We also need to be sure that we are “dwelling” and “abiding” in the Lord in order to be certain of His sure protection. When we are feeling anxious and worried with problems and fears, remember in Whom we dwell - the Lord God Almighty, and the truth of His Word. Give those problems to Him. We can find refuge and shelter under His wings. Those who have put their trust in God need have no fear when others are all in a panic over the events in the world.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Jesus - Our Willing Sacrifice
Isaiah 53
Our passage today from the prophet Isaiah is one that is familiar to many believers, as it foretells the suffering and death of the Messiah for our sins. The whole chapter concentrates on telling of the Suffering Servant, the Lord Jesus, and what He went through for love of us. It is frequently read around Good Friday to remind us of the sacrifice Jesus paid for us. It is good to look this passage over at other times, as well, so I’m glad the Lectionary brought it up today.
Though I have read this passage many times over, one thing that stuck out for me as I read it this time was in verse 10. God the Father willingly sacrificed His Son for us, “it pleased the LORD to bruise Him”. This wasn’t something that God had to debate over and over in His mind, and reluctantly agree to do, against His will. How much does God the Father love us? Enough to sacrifice His only Son. Some of you know I have two children. Could we sacrifice our child for people who despised and hated us? I could never willingly give either one up to be tortured and die for others. Not even for someone who loved me, let alone for someone who treated me terribly. Yet that is exactly what God did for us. We were rebellious sinners when Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8).
All throughout His ministry Jesus endured rejection and hatred from the majority of the very people He came to save (vs 3). Not only did He suffer physically when His enemies tortured and crucified Him, Jesus suffered internal grief over those who rejected salvation through Him. Even today our Savior grieves when the millions of mankind curse and reject Him. We all can probably think of a number of despicably wicked people, and when we hear that they die, we might not be too sorry that they’re gone and in hell. Jesus, though, grieves when people die having rejected Him, no matter how wicked they were. He came and died for all of us.
Those who crucified Jesus, and those who observed this, felt He was being punished by God and rejected by Him (vs 4). Why would God allow the Savior to suffer so? Jesus was our substitute (vs 5). Our sins demanded a sacrifice for us to be forgiven. However the blood of animals, the Old Testament sacrifices, could not truly forgive our sins (Hebrews 10:4). Though He never sinned Himself, Jesus was the substitute for sinners. He assumed the part of the sacrificial lamb. He was our scapegoat. Jesus took our sins and carried them away. He took the chastisement from God so that we would have peace with the Father. Though sinless, He took the wrath that we sinners deserved. God treated Jesus as if He had committed every sin ever done (vs 6). Could we do that to our child? Yet because He loves us so much, God was willing to do that. Because Jesus loves us so much, He willingly endured that for us.
God chose to save the world through a suffering and sacrificial Messiah, rathering than a conquering king, contrary to what the people of the day believed or would want. This is contrary to human pride and the way of the world. The Jews intended Jesus to be buried in disgrace with other criminals (vs 9). Instead, though, He was given the grave of the wealthy and honorable Joseph of Arimathaea (John 19:38-42). Jesus’s execution was totally undeserved. The Messiah’s strength was shown in humility, suffering, and mercy.
This one sacrifice of Jesus provided complete satisfaction in settling the penalty due for sin (vs 11). Jesus knew exactly what needed to be done to settle that penalty, and willingly provided it to justify the many who came to Him. His reward for His work will be to enjoy the “spoils” of His victory throughout eternity (vs 12).
Because Jesus was bruised for our iniquities we can be free from the debt of sin and its consequence, which is death. When we accept Jesus as Savior we have been given life - physical life, spiritual life, abundant life (John 10:10). This all because God loved us enough to sacrifice His Son.
Our passage today from the prophet Isaiah is one that is familiar to many believers, as it foretells the suffering and death of the Messiah for our sins. The whole chapter concentrates on telling of the Suffering Servant, the Lord Jesus, and what He went through for love of us. It is frequently read around Good Friday to remind us of the sacrifice Jesus paid for us. It is good to look this passage over at other times, as well, so I’m glad the Lectionary brought it up today.
Though I have read this passage many times over, one thing that stuck out for me as I read it this time was in verse 10. God the Father willingly sacrificed His Son for us, “it pleased the LORD to bruise Him”. This wasn’t something that God had to debate over and over in His mind, and reluctantly agree to do, against His will. How much does God the Father love us? Enough to sacrifice His only Son. Some of you know I have two children. Could we sacrifice our child for people who despised and hated us? I could never willingly give either one up to be tortured and die for others. Not even for someone who loved me, let alone for someone who treated me terribly. Yet that is exactly what God did for us. We were rebellious sinners when Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8).
All throughout His ministry Jesus endured rejection and hatred from the majority of the very people He came to save (vs 3). Not only did He suffer physically when His enemies tortured and crucified Him, Jesus suffered internal grief over those who rejected salvation through Him. Even today our Savior grieves when the millions of mankind curse and reject Him. We all can probably think of a number of despicably wicked people, and when we hear that they die, we might not be too sorry that they’re gone and in hell. Jesus, though, grieves when people die having rejected Him, no matter how wicked they were. He came and died for all of us.
Those who crucified Jesus, and those who observed this, felt He was being punished by God and rejected by Him (vs 4). Why would God allow the Savior to suffer so? Jesus was our substitute (vs 5). Our sins demanded a sacrifice for us to be forgiven. However the blood of animals, the Old Testament sacrifices, could not truly forgive our sins (Hebrews 10:4). Though He never sinned Himself, Jesus was the substitute for sinners. He assumed the part of the sacrificial lamb. He was our scapegoat. Jesus took our sins and carried them away. He took the chastisement from God so that we would have peace with the Father. Though sinless, He took the wrath that we sinners deserved. God treated Jesus as if He had committed every sin ever done (vs 6). Could we do that to our child? Yet because He loves us so much, God was willing to do that. Because Jesus loves us so much, He willingly endured that for us.
God chose to save the world through a suffering and sacrificial Messiah, rathering than a conquering king, contrary to what the people of the day believed or would want. This is contrary to human pride and the way of the world. The Jews intended Jesus to be buried in disgrace with other criminals (vs 9). Instead, though, He was given the grave of the wealthy and honorable Joseph of Arimathaea (John 19:38-42). Jesus’s execution was totally undeserved. The Messiah’s strength was shown in humility, suffering, and mercy.
This one sacrifice of Jesus provided complete satisfaction in settling the penalty due for sin (vs 11). Jesus knew exactly what needed to be done to settle that penalty, and willingly provided it to justify the many who came to Him. His reward for His work will be to enjoy the “spoils” of His victory throughout eternity (vs 12).
Because Jesus was bruised for our iniquities we can be free from the debt of sin and its consequence, which is death. When we accept Jesus as Savior we have been given life - physical life, spiritual life, abundant life (John 10:10). This all because God loved us enough to sacrifice His Son.
Friday, October 19, 2018
What Rules Our Heart?
Mark 10:17-31
What would you be willing to part with for the Lord Jesus? Is there something so dear to your heart that you could never give it up if the Lord asked you to? These are some questions that are brought forth in our Gospel reading for today. Let’s take a closer look at our passage, and then consider what our answer might be.
As Mark begins here, a young man came up to Jesus, and calling Him “Good Teacher”, asked Him what he needed to do in order to obtain eternal life (vs 17). This young man was thinking in terms of some religious deed that would guarantee him entering heaven. So many people do the same, thinking some great religious work will gain them entrance into heaven. Eternal life is in and through Jesus Christ alone. Jesus responded by asking him why he called Him “good” (vs 18). Since only God is truly good, and since Jesus is God, was this man prepared to acknowledge Jesus’s deity? Jesus didn’t contradict the man’s statement. He asked him why he was saying that. Jesus is God in the flesh. He is good. Jesus wanted this man to acknowledge it for himself.
Then, in answer to his question, Jesus said to keep all of God’s laws, and proceeds to list some of the bigger, obvious ones. The young man insists he has done so (vs 19-20). Though the young man may have been blameless in terms of external actions, neither he nor any of us are in terms of internal attitudes and motives. Jesus gave him a challenge which brought out the barrier in his heart to God’s Kingdom - his love of money and possessions (vs 21-22). Money represented his pride of accomplishments and self-effort. This probably kept him from obeying the 1st commandment. Jesus wanted him to turn his heart and life over to God. What barriers are keeping you from turning your life over to God?
When Jesus told this man to sell his possessions and give to the poor, He was not making philanthropy or poverty a requirement for salvation. God doesn’t necessarily want every believer to give everything they have away. He does, though, want us to use our possessions to serve others. We must not let anything we have keep us from serving Jesus. Could we, if God asked, give up our house, car, level of income, or position?
Jesus was exposing this man’s heart. The young man was not as blameless as he thought, since he loved his possessions more than following Jesus. He was not willing to submit to the Lordship of Christ no matter what He asked of him. Are we? This young man would not acknowledge his sin and repent, nor submit to a sovereign Savior. He went away lost.
What did Jesus mean when he was talking about a camel going through a needle’s eye in verses 24-25? Jesus is saying that salvation by human efforts is impossible. It is wholly by God’s grace. Many people in that day, as well as today, believe that with financial donations to church or charity, and with good works, one can purchase salvation. The more wealth one had, the easier that would be. It is difficult for the rich to come to Jesus for salvation because, with their physical needs always met, they become self reliant. When they feel empty, they buy something new, rather than turning to God. Jesus is making it completely clear - no one, not even the rich, can buy salvation.
Jesus’s teaching was contrary to the prevailing thought of that day, and even by many today (vs 26-27). Many thought that wealth was God’s blessing on those He loved. This is a misconception. Many good believers live in hardship, while some are blessed with wealth. Wealth is not a sign of God’s blessing. No amount of wealth or works can buy salvation. It is entirely the gracious work of God.
Have you given up something in your life for Jesus? Verses 29 and 30 assure us that anyone who gives up something for His sake will be repaid a hundred times over!
What would you be willing to part with for the Lord Jesus? Is there something so dear to your heart that you could never give it up if the Lord asked you to? These are some questions that are brought forth in our Gospel reading for today. Let’s take a closer look at our passage, and then consider what our answer might be.
As Mark begins here, a young man came up to Jesus, and calling Him “Good Teacher”, asked Him what he needed to do in order to obtain eternal life (vs 17). This young man was thinking in terms of some religious deed that would guarantee him entering heaven. So many people do the same, thinking some great religious work will gain them entrance into heaven. Eternal life is in and through Jesus Christ alone. Jesus responded by asking him why he called Him “good” (vs 18). Since only God is truly good, and since Jesus is God, was this man prepared to acknowledge Jesus’s deity? Jesus didn’t contradict the man’s statement. He asked him why he was saying that. Jesus is God in the flesh. He is good. Jesus wanted this man to acknowledge it for himself.
Then, in answer to his question, Jesus said to keep all of God’s laws, and proceeds to list some of the bigger, obvious ones. The young man insists he has done so (vs 19-20). Though the young man may have been blameless in terms of external actions, neither he nor any of us are in terms of internal attitudes and motives. Jesus gave him a challenge which brought out the barrier in his heart to God’s Kingdom - his love of money and possessions (vs 21-22). Money represented his pride of accomplishments and self-effort. This probably kept him from obeying the 1st commandment. Jesus wanted him to turn his heart and life over to God. What barriers are keeping you from turning your life over to God?
When Jesus told this man to sell his possessions and give to the poor, He was not making philanthropy or poverty a requirement for salvation. God doesn’t necessarily want every believer to give everything they have away. He does, though, want us to use our possessions to serve others. We must not let anything we have keep us from serving Jesus. Could we, if God asked, give up our house, car, level of income, or position?
Jesus was exposing this man’s heart. The young man was not as blameless as he thought, since he loved his possessions more than following Jesus. He was not willing to submit to the Lordship of Christ no matter what He asked of him. Are we? This young man would not acknowledge his sin and repent, nor submit to a sovereign Savior. He went away lost.
What did Jesus mean when he was talking about a camel going through a needle’s eye in verses 24-25? Jesus is saying that salvation by human efforts is impossible. It is wholly by God’s grace. Many people in that day, as well as today, believe that with financial donations to church or charity, and with good works, one can purchase salvation. The more wealth one had, the easier that would be. It is difficult for the rich to come to Jesus for salvation because, with their physical needs always met, they become self reliant. When they feel empty, they buy something new, rather than turning to God. Jesus is making it completely clear - no one, not even the rich, can buy salvation.
Jesus’s teaching was contrary to the prevailing thought of that day, and even by many today (vs 26-27). Many thought that wealth was God’s blessing on those He loved. This is a misconception. Many good believers live in hardship, while some are blessed with wealth. Wealth is not a sign of God’s blessing. No amount of wealth or works can buy salvation. It is entirely the gracious work of God.
Have you given up something in your life for Jesus? Verses 29 and 30 assure us that anyone who gives up something for His sake will be repaid a hundred times over!
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Jesus Is Greater
Hebrews 3:1-6
This week’s New Testament reading in the Book of Common Prayer’s lectionary continues in the Book of Hebrews. The first two chapters showed us how Jesus is superior to the angels. Today, as we start the third chapter, we will look at how Jesus is superior to Moses. This epistle was written primarily to believers of Jewish background who were considering returning to the Jewish faith. The author, who is unknown, is showing that Jesus is superior to anyone who had come before Him. Let’s look at our passage today, and see what he has to say about Jesus and Moses.
Moses, along with King David, was the Jewish people’s greatest hero. He had led the people out from slavery in Egypt, received the Law on Mt. Sinai, and led the people through the wilderness for 40 years to the border of the Promised Land. As our author shows, Jesus is greater than Moses (vs 1-3). Jesus is God in the flesh. He existed before Moses. He created Moses, and empowered him to do all he did. Moses led the people of Israel out of Egyptian slavery. Jesus leads us out of sin’s slavery. The deliverance Jesus offers is eternal.
Our author was not putting Moses down. He acknowledged that Moses was a faithful servant (vs 5). Jesus, though, was the faithful Son (vs 6). Moses was a witness to what would be spoken by God in the future (vs 5). Jesus was the message itself. He is the full revelation of God to the world, (Hebrews 1:3). Moses was faithful in God’s house (vs 2). Jesus was the builder of the house, and the Son over God’s house (vs 6). The “house” refers to a family of people rather than a building or dwelling. Moses was only a part of God’s household of faith, whereas Jesus was the Creator of that household. He was the fulfillment of all Moses witnessed to. Jesus is greater than Moses, and equal to God.
If we are believers in the Lord Jesus, we are a part of that house, built by God (vs 4). We are God’s workmanship, the masterpiece He has, though we are still under construction and might not look like much yet. Step by step, day by day, He is working in us and building us (Ephesians 2:10).
In verse 1, our author exhorts us to consider attentively, perceive, observe, and to pay attention to the Lord Jesus. Jesus is an apostle, meaning “one who is sent”. He is also our high priest. We come to God through Him. As stated throughout this passage, He is the ruler of God’s house, whom we should obey.
We need to have a commitment to remain faithful to God through everything (vs 6). Those to whom this epistle was written, were faltering in their faith when hardships came, and were tempted to turn back to their former Jewish faith. We need to know God is sovereign, and able to work all things for our good, regardless of the situation (Romans 8:28). Without enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by temptation, false teaching, and persecution. Verse six is not speaking of how to be saved, or remaining saved. This is more of a proof of real faith. The ones who returned to the rituals of the Levitical system proves they were never truly members of God’s household.
We can easily get lost in this life, and find ourselves on the wrong path. Often that path will lead us into sin and danger. We need to fix our thoughts on Jesus, and follow Him every step of the way, each day.
This week’s New Testament reading in the Book of Common Prayer’s lectionary continues in the Book of Hebrews. The first two chapters showed us how Jesus is superior to the angels. Today, as we start the third chapter, we will look at how Jesus is superior to Moses. This epistle was written primarily to believers of Jewish background who were considering returning to the Jewish faith. The author, who is unknown, is showing that Jesus is superior to anyone who had come before Him. Let’s look at our passage today, and see what he has to say about Jesus and Moses.
Moses, along with King David, was the Jewish people’s greatest hero. He had led the people out from slavery in Egypt, received the Law on Mt. Sinai, and led the people through the wilderness for 40 years to the border of the Promised Land. As our author shows, Jesus is greater than Moses (vs 1-3). Jesus is God in the flesh. He existed before Moses. He created Moses, and empowered him to do all he did. Moses led the people of Israel out of Egyptian slavery. Jesus leads us out of sin’s slavery. The deliverance Jesus offers is eternal.
Our author was not putting Moses down. He acknowledged that Moses was a faithful servant (vs 5). Jesus, though, was the faithful Son (vs 6). Moses was a witness to what would be spoken by God in the future (vs 5). Jesus was the message itself. He is the full revelation of God to the world, (Hebrews 1:3). Moses was faithful in God’s house (vs 2). Jesus was the builder of the house, and the Son over God’s house (vs 6). The “house” refers to a family of people rather than a building or dwelling. Moses was only a part of God’s household of faith, whereas Jesus was the Creator of that household. He was the fulfillment of all Moses witnessed to. Jesus is greater than Moses, and equal to God.
If we are believers in the Lord Jesus, we are a part of that house, built by God (vs 4). We are God’s workmanship, the masterpiece He has, though we are still under construction and might not look like much yet. Step by step, day by day, He is working in us and building us (Ephesians 2:10).
In verse 1, our author exhorts us to consider attentively, perceive, observe, and to pay attention to the Lord Jesus. Jesus is an apostle, meaning “one who is sent”. He is also our high priest. We come to God through Him. As stated throughout this passage, He is the ruler of God’s house, whom we should obey.
We need to have a commitment to remain faithful to God through everything (vs 6). Those to whom this epistle was written, were faltering in their faith when hardships came, and were tempted to turn back to their former Jewish faith. We need to know God is sovereign, and able to work all things for our good, regardless of the situation (Romans 8:28). Without enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by temptation, false teaching, and persecution. Verse six is not speaking of how to be saved, or remaining saved. This is more of a proof of real faith. The ones who returned to the rituals of the Levitical system proves they were never truly members of God’s household.
We can easily get lost in this life, and find ourselves on the wrong path. Often that path will lead us into sin and danger. We need to fix our thoughts on Jesus, and follow Him every step of the way, each day.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Make Every Day Count
Psalm 90
One thing I have realized as I get older is that time seems to go by a lot quicker than when I was younger. Back then a week was quite a long time, and a year was an eternity. Now the years just speed by. We can hardly turn around and another year has passed. So many of my parent’s generation are passing, and I realize how short life really is. In our psalm for today, the only psalm written by Moses, he reflects on the brevity of life, and the eternality of God.
This psalm was probably written later in Moses’s life, and he starts off by stating that his whole life has been centered on God, and how He has been his refuge (vs 1). Though his first years were ones of ease in Pharaoh’s royal palaces, his later years were difficult, leading the Israelites in the wilderness. Moses knew that we need to have God as our sanctuary and place of protection, as no matter how long or short our life may be, we need His help to get through. His psalm contains a prayer for God to have mercy on us frail human beings, living in this sin-cursed world.
God is infinite. He existed from all time and eternity past, long before the earth or even the universe existed, as He is the One who created them (vs 2). God will continue on for all future eternity, as well. He is not bound by time and its limits (vs 4-6). As Moses said here in verse 4, and years later Peter repeats in II Peter 3:8, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day for God. He is outside and beyond the limits of our time constraints. We may think that things we pray for are delayed in coming, but they are right on schedule for God.
As Moses has established the fact that God has existed from all eternity past, and will for eternity future, he reminds us that our time here on earth is brief. Like the grass or other plant or wildflower - it is here today and gone tomorrow (vs 5-6). James compares the brevity of life to a vapor or mist, like a puff of smoke that vanishes in an instant (James 4:14). We are only here on earth for a very brief time. No one knows how long their life will be. We could live to be over 100, or we could die later today. None of us knows. We all live under a sentence of death from the day we were born. There is no escaping it for anyone. Until the Lord returns, everyone will face death one day.
That being said, this isn’t meant to be depressing, but rather an encouragement to make every day count. Many of us have heard the question that if you knew you only had six months, or only a month to live, what would you do? Some have made a mental list of what they would do. As believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, what would or should we do? Not knowing how long we have, whether decades or days, we should make our days here on earth count for eternity. Are we only concerned with having a good time, what’s in our closet, or what we will eat? Or are we concerned with what will last for eternity - namely souls? People have said that we can’t take anything with us to heaven, but there is one thing we can bring, and that is other people. Be sure that each day that the Lord gives us will count for Him, His Kingdom, and for eternity.
Perhaps you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior. As our psalm has shown the brevity of life, do not put off the salvation of your soul until the last minute, thinking you have time for God later. We do not know when our last moment will be. Our last day could be today. What a fearful thing it would be to be face your dying breath, and know you are spiritually unprepared to face your Maker!
My one goal in life is to not come to the Lord empty-handed, but instead hear His words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Make every day count!
One thing I have realized as I get older is that time seems to go by a lot quicker than when I was younger. Back then a week was quite a long time, and a year was an eternity. Now the years just speed by. We can hardly turn around and another year has passed. So many of my parent’s generation are passing, and I realize how short life really is. In our psalm for today, the only psalm written by Moses, he reflects on the brevity of life, and the eternality of God.
This psalm was probably written later in Moses’s life, and he starts off by stating that his whole life has been centered on God, and how He has been his refuge (vs 1). Though his first years were ones of ease in Pharaoh’s royal palaces, his later years were difficult, leading the Israelites in the wilderness. Moses knew that we need to have God as our sanctuary and place of protection, as no matter how long or short our life may be, we need His help to get through. His psalm contains a prayer for God to have mercy on us frail human beings, living in this sin-cursed world.
God is infinite. He existed from all time and eternity past, long before the earth or even the universe existed, as He is the One who created them (vs 2). God will continue on for all future eternity, as well. He is not bound by time and its limits (vs 4-6). As Moses said here in verse 4, and years later Peter repeats in II Peter 3:8, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day for God. He is outside and beyond the limits of our time constraints. We may think that things we pray for are delayed in coming, but they are right on schedule for God.
As Moses has established the fact that God has existed from all eternity past, and will for eternity future, he reminds us that our time here on earth is brief. Like the grass or other plant or wildflower - it is here today and gone tomorrow (vs 5-6). James compares the brevity of life to a vapor or mist, like a puff of smoke that vanishes in an instant (James 4:14). We are only here on earth for a very brief time. No one knows how long their life will be. We could live to be over 100, or we could die later today. None of us knows. We all live under a sentence of death from the day we were born. There is no escaping it for anyone. Until the Lord returns, everyone will face death one day.
That being said, this isn’t meant to be depressing, but rather an encouragement to make every day count. Many of us have heard the question that if you knew you only had six months, or only a month to live, what would you do? Some have made a mental list of what they would do. As believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, what would or should we do? Not knowing how long we have, whether decades or days, we should make our days here on earth count for eternity. Are we only concerned with having a good time, what’s in our closet, or what we will eat? Or are we concerned with what will last for eternity - namely souls? People have said that we can’t take anything with us to heaven, but there is one thing we can bring, and that is other people. Be sure that each day that the Lord gives us will count for Him, His Kingdom, and for eternity.
Perhaps you do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior. As our psalm has shown the brevity of life, do not put off the salvation of your soul until the last minute, thinking you have time for God later. We do not know when our last moment will be. Our last day could be today. What a fearful thing it would be to be face your dying breath, and know you are spiritually unprepared to face your Maker!
My one goal in life is to not come to the Lord empty-handed, but instead hear His words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Make every day count!
Saturday, October 13, 2018
God's Judgment On Corrupt Leaders
Amos 5:6-15
Corrupt judges and corrupt politicians. We see and hear about them all the time. It can really make one angry and frustrated when their corrupt decisions affect us, and it’s especially terrible when their dishonest and unethical ways further hurt the poor, who have nowhere to turn for help. Our reading today from the prophet Amos addresses these problems, which were just as prevalent in his day as they are in ours.
Amos had grown fig trees and was also a shepherd in the southern Kingdom of Judah when the Lord called him to preach His Word to those living in the northern Kingdom of Israel. His prophetic and preaching ministry was from about 760 - 755 BC, a relatively short time, but enough for him to bring some powerful messages to the people.
One message Amos spoke forth was against those in power, whether political or legal, who twisted justice and oppressed the poor. Does God see when those who are our leaders, and should be doing right, instead are doing evil? Does He see, and does He care? The poor and oppressed, who cry out to God day and night, ask this. Also their oppressors in the law courts, government, and in business rhetorically ask this, believing the answer is no, He doesn’t see or care. Amos assures us that God does see, and He will bring judgment.
In Amos’s day, and sadly often in ours as well, the law courts were not places one could find justice (vs 7). The poor and oppressed found no relief there. The government, courts, and businesses were instead places of greed and injustice. Justice was so perverted that it was like wormwood, a bitter herb.
The Pleiades (or 7 Sisters) is a star cluster, and Orion a well known constellation (vs 8). For centuries the stars were used for navigation across land or sea. If we could trust them to safely guide us to our destination, why are we not letting the Lord God guide us through our life? We should be seeking His ways. If those who work evil don’t change their ways, God promises to bring His fury and ruin upon them (vs 9).
As history has taught us, a society is in trouble if those who seek to do right are hated and scorned (vs 10-12). Don’t we see that today? A good and righteous person is warned against going into politics or big business because they “will be eaten alive”. An honest lawyer is practically a joke. That’s not to say there aren’t good and honest attorneys, politicians, or businessmen, but as time goes on they are fewer, and they are mocked. So many would rather exploit the poor and defenseless, and they hate the truth. God does see all of this. His Word puts a lot of emphasis on how we treat the poor, and those from whom we cannot hope to gain any monetary reward. It shows our true character.
What about us? Most of us are probably not elected officials in government, attorneys, or own a big business capable of exploiting many people. How can Amos’s message apply to us? All of us are able to help the poor, needy, and oppressed around us, and there are plenty around, but we often fail to. What excuses do we give? Maybe we feel that they don’t deserve it. God, throughout the Bible, says otherwise. Maybe we feel we have our own needs, or are afraid that we will become poor like them. God doesn’t approve of that excuse, as He has promised over and over again that He will provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19). In the last two verses of our passage God instructs us twice to seek good and not evil (vs 14-15).
It is only when we seek God and His ways that we will truly find life. Only He can give us an abundant life (John 10:10). The only remedy for a sick and dying world is to seek the Lord and live. Sin can only destroy, so seek the Lord.
Corrupt judges and corrupt politicians. We see and hear about them all the time. It can really make one angry and frustrated when their corrupt decisions affect us, and it’s especially terrible when their dishonest and unethical ways further hurt the poor, who have nowhere to turn for help. Our reading today from the prophet Amos addresses these problems, which were just as prevalent in his day as they are in ours.
Amos had grown fig trees and was also a shepherd in the southern Kingdom of Judah when the Lord called him to preach His Word to those living in the northern Kingdom of Israel. His prophetic and preaching ministry was from about 760 - 755 BC, a relatively short time, but enough for him to bring some powerful messages to the people.
One message Amos spoke forth was against those in power, whether political or legal, who twisted justice and oppressed the poor. Does God see when those who are our leaders, and should be doing right, instead are doing evil? Does He see, and does He care? The poor and oppressed, who cry out to God day and night, ask this. Also their oppressors in the law courts, government, and in business rhetorically ask this, believing the answer is no, He doesn’t see or care. Amos assures us that God does see, and He will bring judgment.
In Amos’s day, and sadly often in ours as well, the law courts were not places one could find justice (vs 7). The poor and oppressed found no relief there. The government, courts, and businesses were instead places of greed and injustice. Justice was so perverted that it was like wormwood, a bitter herb.
The Pleiades (or 7 Sisters) is a star cluster, and Orion a well known constellation (vs 8). For centuries the stars were used for navigation across land or sea. If we could trust them to safely guide us to our destination, why are we not letting the Lord God guide us through our life? We should be seeking His ways. If those who work evil don’t change their ways, God promises to bring His fury and ruin upon them (vs 9).
As history has taught us, a society is in trouble if those who seek to do right are hated and scorned (vs 10-12). Don’t we see that today? A good and righteous person is warned against going into politics or big business because they “will be eaten alive”. An honest lawyer is practically a joke. That’s not to say there aren’t good and honest attorneys, politicians, or businessmen, but as time goes on they are fewer, and they are mocked. So many would rather exploit the poor and defenseless, and they hate the truth. God does see all of this. His Word puts a lot of emphasis on how we treat the poor, and those from whom we cannot hope to gain any monetary reward. It shows our true character.
What about us? Most of us are probably not elected officials in government, attorneys, or own a big business capable of exploiting many people. How can Amos’s message apply to us? All of us are able to help the poor, needy, and oppressed around us, and there are plenty around, but we often fail to. What excuses do we give? Maybe we feel that they don’t deserve it. God, throughout the Bible, says otherwise. Maybe we feel we have our own needs, or are afraid that we will become poor like them. God doesn’t approve of that excuse, as He has promised over and over again that He will provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19). In the last two verses of our passage God instructs us twice to seek good and not evil (vs 14-15).
It is only when we seek God and His ways that we will truly find life. Only He can give us an abundant life (John 10:10). The only remedy for a sick and dying world is to seek the Lord and live. Sin can only destroy, so seek the Lord.
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