Week 28 Devotions

July 9 - - “How soon we forget.” How many times have you heard people say that? How many times have you said it? The fact is, we all have a problem with our memories, so don’t be too critical and don’t be too hard on yourself. And even though God has blessed us with minds that can compete with even the most complex of computers, we still demonstrate an incomprehensible ability to forget even the simplest of details. Prior to entering into the Promised Land, Moses spent a great deal of time reminding God’s people of the many, marvelous miracles God had performed in their lives. “Be careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9). That theme is repeated throughout scripture. “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His miracles” (Psalm 105:1&2). “Think of the wonderful works God has done, the miracles and the judgments He has handed down” (105:5). Unfortunately, “our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miracles. They soon forgot His many acts of kindness to them.....how quickly they forgot what He had done!” (105:7,13). Miracles take place around us every day. Unfortunately, like some of the Israelites, we do not seem to be impressed by what the Lord is doing. Maybe, we don’t see His miracles. Maybe, we attribute His miracles to medicine, science, or fate. But, like our spiritual ancestors, we need to open our eyes. We need to remember what God has done. And, we need to share God’s miracles with our children and grandchildren. Why? Because if we don’t, not only will we forget, but so will our descendants. And history has proven the horrible consequences that come to those who forget God’s miracles in their lives. July 12 - - The Hebrew writer tells us, “the Word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are” (4:12). How can that be? How can the Word of God be as relevant for us today as it was for those who first read it many centuries ago? How is it possible that the Word of God knows me so well and when someone uses God’s Word or quotes from God’s Word, it often seems as though they are speaking directly to me? It’s because “nothing in all creation can hide from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done” (4:13). We need to understand that God’s Word is not a collect-ion of writings from the mind of man. Peter says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God” (II Peter 1:20& 21). The God who sees all and knows all, is the same God who inspired human beings to record His infinite wisdom so that we might find true life by following His Word, which is His will. The individual who was inspired by God to write what we know of as Psalm 139, spent 176 verses reaffirming the importance of God’s Word. This is the longest chapter by far, in the entire Bible. Listen to the many things the author says about God’s Word. “Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord” (vs.1). “Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!” (vs.5). “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following it’s rules” (vs.9) “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (vs.11). “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law. I am but a foreigner here on earth; I need the guidance of your commands” (vss.18&19). “Your laws are all I want in life” (vs.39). “Your law is more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver!” (vs.72). “I will never forget your commandments, for you have used them to restore my joy and health” (vs.93). “Your word is my only source of hope” (vs.114). “Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much” (vs.140). “Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble” (vs.165). Jesus Christ said of himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). He also said, “you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). Love the Word of God. Read the Word of God. Memorize the Word of God. Live by the Word of God, and the Word of God will be the lamp and the light that helps you successfully navigate your journey through life (vs.105).

Week 27 Devotions

July 2 - - As we have been reading about the various kings of Judah, Israel, and other nations, it is obvious that the direction of a whole kingdom of people is largely determined by the moral compass of it’s leader or leaders. “When the wicked are in authority, sin increases” (Proverbs 29:16). “When there is moral rot within a nation, it’s government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability” (28:2). Paul writes in the New Testament, “Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God” (Romans 13:1&2). Ideally, governments exist to help protect moral order for it’s citizens. And moral order can only exist when government’s laws are based on God’s laws. If individuals within a society are disobeying God’s laws, then government has the moral responsibility and authority to punish those doing wrong (Rom.13:3-7; I Peter 2:13-17). On the other hand, a Christian has no moral obligation to obey government’s laws that directly conflict with God’s laws (Acts 4:19-22; 5:26-33). But, God has demonstrated His ability to use both good governments and bad governments in ultimately accomplishing His plans (Isa.14:26&27). Christians are to pray for those in authority in government, that God would give them wisdom in establishing and enforcing His laws (I Timothy 2:2). Why? “So that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.” Christians should also pray that godly people be in positions of leadership in government. Why? Because if godly people are not in positions of leadership within government, a nation of people will not live in “peace and quietness.” The writer of Proverbs reminds us, “When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding” (28:12). “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan” (29:2). With God on our side and with prayer at our disposal, we are responsible for the kind of government that will lead us, and the kind of nation we will be. If we are content to let the wicked rule, we have no right to complain. If we desire the godly to rule, then we must pray for those in present and future authority over us. And we must do what is necessary to see that God’s laws are what we are governed by and not man’s laws. For scripture reminds us that God will bless that nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12). What type of government do you want leading you? What are you doing to establish such a government? July 5 - - No matter how nice the house is that we live in or the number of houses we may own; no matter how intelligent we may be or the degrees behind our name; no matter how famous we may be or the number of famous people we call our friend; death is an unbiased equalizer. Solomon says, “none of us has the power to prevent the day of our death” (Ecclesiastes 8:8). The Psalmist assures us that no one has sufficient enough riches to escape the grave (Psalm 49:6-9). Our wisdom and our careful planning cannot prevent us from escaping the same fate which visits us all (49:10&11). Because this is true, Solomon went so far as to conclude, “it is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time” (Ecc.7:2). Funerals help us reflect on how we want to end this race we call life. Jerusalem is often equated with heaven. “So he took me in the spirit to a great, high mountain and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It was filled with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious gem, crystal clear like jasper” (Revelation 22:10&11; Isaiah 60:1&2,19). The Psalmist says, “Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem” (84:5). In other words, those who “set their sights on the realities of heaven,” who “do not think only about things down on earth,” who “let heaven fill their thoughts” (Colossians 3:1&2); those who “place their hope in the resurrection to a better life” (Hebrews 11:35), and those who “look ahead to the great reward God will give them” (Heb.11:26) will discover when they physically die, an existence that “no eye has ever seen here on earth, no ear has ever heard, and no mind can even begin to compre-hend” (I Corinthians 2:9). “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!” (Psalm 84:10). Far better to be a gatekeeper in the house of God than possess financial riches in the house of the wicked. God will not withhold anything good from those who love Him and do what is right (84:11). We should all long for that day when the Lord says, “this one has become a citizen of Jerusalem” (87:6). So, what are you doing right now to plan for that day? What steps are you taking and decisions are you making to someday see the new Jerusalem? We would be wise to think about such things because death does come to us all.

Week 26 Devotions

June 25 - - It is amazing how many times when we are not happy, that we blame others for our discontent and look outside ourselves to find that happiness. King Ahaz of Judah was an evil king. Not only had Ahaz been unfaithful to the Lord, but he also encouraged the people whom he ruled to sin, as well (II Chronicles 28:19; Romans 1:32). And instead of looking within himself and repenting for his non-existent relationship with the Lord, Ahaz assumed there must be other gods more powerful than the God. “Why, look at the success that King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria has had against us and others! Why not worship his gods instead of our God?” (II Kings 16:10-18; II Chron.28:22-25). How many times have husbands or wives become dissatisfied with their spouses and instead of looking within themselves to see how they might need to change, had an affair with someone else who temporarily made them feel better? For that reason, God told Hosea to marry a prostitute. “Some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, openly committing adultery against the Lord by worshipping other gods” (Hosea 1:1&2). Gomer was the wife of Hosea. Her first child was Hosea’s (1:3). No mention is made of the father of Gomer’s next child, which leads us to wonder if even Gomer knew who the father was (1:6). There was no doubt that the third child Gomer gave birth to, was not Hosea’s (1:8-10). Only by placing ourselves in Hosea’s position and imagining what he must have felt like when his wife kept whoring around, can we even remotely imagine what God feels when we abandon Him for some other god, some other lover, something or someone else to fill the void in our hearts that only He can. Only God can save us (Isaiah 17:10). We would be wise to imitate the example of King Hezekiah of Judah. “There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the Lord in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses. So the Lord was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did” (II Kings 18:5-7). Hezekiah’s predecessors, peers, and successors were afraid of the king of Assyria and found them-selves oppressed by the many pagan nations around them because of their love affair with these pagan nation’s gods. But, because of his love affair with the One, True God, King Hezekiah successfully revolted against the king of Assyria and refused to pay him tribute. King Hezekiah conquered the Philistines and more (II Kings 18:5-7). Why would we leave our first love for someone else that only seems more attractive in the moment? And why would we forsake our love of God for other pagan idols that can really give us nothing? Consider your answer the next time you are tempted to commit adultery against God by committing sin. June 28 - - The debate between Christians over whether consuming alcohol is a sin or not, has been going on for centuries. One thing is for sure, drunkenness is never permitted in scripture. “Don’t let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper” (Proverbs 23:31&32). “Destruction is certain for the city of Samaria - - the pride and joy of the drunkards of Israel.... Destruction is certain for that city - - the pride of a people brought low by wine.... The proud city of Samaria - - the pride and joy of the drunkards of Israel.......Israel is being led by drunks” (Isaiah 28:1-3,7; see also Isa.5:11,22). No matter how many prophets God sent to Judah and Israel; no matter how many times God pleaded with Judah and Israel to turn from their wicked ways; and no matter how many times Judah and Israel were warned what would happen should they not repent, they persisted in their evil and ignored the pleas of a loving and graceful God. “They refused to listen to the Lord their God” (II Kings 18:12). Both would be defeated by their enemies and eventually many of their people were deported to other lands. Israel was the first to fall (II Kings 17:23; 18:11). The King of Assyria transported many Israelites to other lands and brought many foreigners to live in Israel. It was a common method for victorious kings in crushing the nationalistic pride of their defeated foes. But still, God pleads. “Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.....No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool. If you will only obey me and let me help you.....” (Isaiah 1:16-20). How blessed we all are to have a God whose love for each of us, and whose love for all of us; is wider, higher, deeper, and longer than any of us can comprehend, or any of us deserves (Ephesians 3:17-19).

Week 25 Devotions

June 18 - - When Athaliah, the wicked mother of Ahaziah, learned that her son was dead, she set out to kill the rest of his family also, so that she could reign as Queen (II Kings 11:1). But, a sister of Ahaziah was able to hide one of Ahaziah’s infant sons, Joash and his nurse, for six years without Athaliah knowing about it. After six years of putting up with Athaliah’s incompetent reign, a godly priest named, Jehoiada, went out on a limb and gathered support from the military to place the young boy, Joash, on the throne where he belonged (11:4; II Chronicles 23:1-11). If word of the plot had leaked to Athaliah, she could have had Jehoiada and Joash killed. But, Jehoiada was willing to risk his life so that God’s law could be restored as the law of the land. When Joash was crowned king, Jehoiada presented the young boy with a copy of God’s law (II Kings 11:12; II Chron.23:11), had the evil Athaliah killed (II Kings 11:13-16; II Chron.23:12-15), had Joash and God’s people make a covenant to follow God (II Kings 11:17-21; II Chron.23:16-21), and served as Joash’s adviser for as long as Jehoida lived. Jehoiada was more than just a priest. He was a devout man of God who was determ-ined to use whatever position and opportunities God gave him to influence others to serve the Lord also. Jehoiada lived to be 130 years old. And because he had “done so much good in Israel for God and His Temple”, Jehoiada was buried in the same place reserved for the kings who served Israel (II Chron.24:16). God places doors of opportunities before us everyday, to influence others for Him. His promise to all people is that if we “seek after Him, we will find Him” (Matthew 7:7&8; Jeremiah 29:13&14; Deuteronomy 4:29; Hebrews 11:6). So, how are those who don’t know God going to find God unless those who do know God share God with them? As Paul says, “Faith comes from listening to the Good News about Jesus Christ” (Romans 10:17). But, “how can people believe in Christ if they have never heard about him? And how can people hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Rom.10:14). And who is commissioned by God to tell others about Him? You and I! Unfortunately, after Jehoiada’s death, Joash started listening to advisers who did not share Jehoiada’s love for God. And when Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah tried to call God’s people to repentance, King Joash had the son of Jehoiada killed. But, regardless of whether everyone receives our message or rejects it, our responsibility is to simply be faithful. Jehoiada was. There are many great people of faith that we read about in scripture, some of whom belong to the Great Faith Hall of Fame (Hebrews 11). Jehoiada’s name is not one we normally hear about. And yet, it took great courage on his part to steer the kingdom of Judah in the direction he knew it should go. Most of us will also navigate through life without much fanfare. But, the point is not whether the world notices us so much as it is that we are faithful to God. Jehoiada was. What about us? June 21 - - When we read through God’s Word, isn’t it amazing how long God waits before He pronounces His judgment? While some would question God exercising judgment at all, I don’t understand sometimes why He waits as long as He does before lowering the boom. The fact is, when we look at others and think that God should be punishing them, the apostle Paul says in Romans that we are really condemning ourselves (2:1-16). God has demonstrated unbelievable kindness, tolerance, and patience in our lives. He has blessed us way beyond anything we deserve. And why? Because, God wants us to turn to Him (Romans 2:4). But, instead, we stubbornly refuse to give up our selfish and evil ways that only ruin us anyway. If God’s goodness toward us, is not sufficient in our giving our affection to Him, then God turns to other ways of getting our attention. He first uses minor incidents to get our attention so we don’t have to suffer any major judgments. God said to those living in Israel and in Judah: “I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But, still you wouldn’t return to me. I kept the rain from falling when you needed it most, ruining all your crops...But still you wouldn’t return to me....I struck your farms and vineyards with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured all your fig and olive trees. But still you wouldn’t return to me.....I sent plagues against you like the plagues I sent against Egypt long ago.....But still you wouldn’t return to me......I destroyed some of your cities as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.....But still you wouldn’t return to me” (Amos 4:6-11). It seems as though most of us just don’t get it until it’s too late. Not until we find ourselves wallowing in the consequences of our decisions do we finally come to our senses and turn to Him (Luke 15:11-32). Not until we find ourselves in the stomach of a whale do we finally relent from our stubbornness and repent of our sins (Jonah 2:1-10). Not until we find ourselves struck with the hideous disease of leprosy do we see how rebellious we’ve been and repent of our sins (Numbers 12:1-12). “The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day” (Lamentations 3:22&23). God’s desire for us has always been the same: “Do what is good and run from evil - - that you may live!” (Amos 5:14&15). “The Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what He requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). “Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good” (Romans 12:9). God doesn’t want us simply going through religious motions (Amos 5:21-23). We may fool others, but we never fool God. What God wants from us is, “a river of righteous living that will never run dry” (5:24). Now that we know what God wants, what is preventing us from doing it?

Week 24 Devotions

June 11 - - “Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. Destruction is certain for those who think they are wise and consider themselves to be clever” (Isaiah 5:20&21). God pronounced this warning through the prophet, Isaiah. It’s amazing how these words are applicable to any time and any place in history. The apostle Paul would write several centuries later, “In him (Jesus Christ), all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). Jesus had himself said, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And the Psalmist added, “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good” (127:1). Evil is never content simply to wallow in it’s own filth. Evil is always evangelistic and tries to convince others to wallow in it’s filth also (Romans 1:32). And one method evil uses in persuading people, is to completely turn around the definition of what is good and what is evil. Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers (II Corinthians 4:4) to the truth. When he does, those who are evil, masquerade as “angels of light” (II Cor.11:3&4,13-15) and try to convince the populace that they are enlightened, that they have the best interests of people in mind, and that it is the godly people who pose the biggest threat to society. Elijah was a great man of God. Unlike the rest of us, Elijah was taken up to heaven before he physically died (II Kings 2:1-12). But, when he confronted the wicked King Ahab, Ahab’s greeting to this godly man was, “So it’s you, is it - - Israel’s troublemaker?” (I Kings 18:17). Elijah responded to King Ahab by stating the truth, “I have made no trouble for Israel. You and your family are the troublemakers.” Why was Ahab and his family the troublemakers? Elijah said, “You have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshipped the images of Baal instead” (18:18). Unfortunately, many of the Israelite people felt the same way that King Ahab did and it took an unbelievable miracle from God to convince them otherwise (18:19-40). So long as we follow God with our whole heart, there will be those who accuse us of causing trouble for our increasingly pagan society. We may be tempted, like Elijah, to run and hide (19:1-4) while keeping our beliefs to ourselves, but God is still on His throne. Not only will the truth ultimately be revealed, but those who find the truth, believe the truth, accept the truth, and live by the truth, will find their lives free to be all God created them to be (John 8:32). So, don’t be discouraged when evil redefines what is good and what is bad. God will prevail! June 14 - - Few of us realize how much we influence others, for good or for evil. During the period of the divided kingdom, we often read a commentary about a king at the end of his life, with words that he was either good or bad like his ancestors. What is amazing is the number of times we see the name of Jeroboam, son of Nebat recorded in Israel’s history, long after he was dead. We first met Jeroboam during King Solomon’s reign. Solomon had been disobedient to God by marrying foreign women and allowing his wives to worship their pagan gods. Even worse, Solomon actually worshipped these pagan gods with his many wives. God pronounced judgment upon him (I Kings 11:1-8) and God told Solomon that He would tear the kingdom away from Solomon and give it to one of his servants (11:9-13). One of Solomon’s officials, Nebat, had a son named, Jeroboam (11:26). After Solomon’s death, Jeroboam was made king over ten of Israel’s tribes, which would be known as the northern kingdom of Israel (12:20). Jeroboam was an evil ruler who immediately established alternate places for the Israelites to worship God (Dan and Bethel), complete with calf idols. Jeroboam led the Israelites away from God through his worship of pagan gods (12:25-33). When Jeroboam was rebuked by a prophet of God for his evil, Jeroboam became angry with the prophet (13:1-5). Later, God spoke to Jeroboam through another prophet, “you have done more evil than all who lived before you” (14:1-11), and God pronounced judgment upon Jeroboam. Nadab, Jeroboam’s son, ruled over Israel for two years and the Bible says, “he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his father, continuing the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit” (15:25&26). Baasha killed Nadab and Baasha ruled over Israel 24 years. He killed all the descendants of Jeroboam (15:28-30). Baasha is also described as evil, following “the example of Jeroboam, continuing the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit” (15:32-34; 16:2&3,7). And from that time on, every evil king was compared to the wicked Jeroboam, continuing the evil that Jeroboam had committed long before (16:19,26,31; 21:22; 22:52; II Kings 3:3). For generations, the name of Jeroboam was synonymous with evil and idolatry. I wonder if that is how Jeroboam wanted to be remembered? I wonder if that is how you want to be remembered? Seize the time left in your life to leave a good and godly legacy and not an evil and idolatrous one.

Week 23 Devotions

June 4 - - The apostle Paul writes in the New Testament, “and you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her.....As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.’” (Ephesians 5:25,31&32). With this passage of scripture Paul shows how sex between a husband and a wife is a holy and sacred relationship. The reason God created the sexual relationship between a man and a woman to be so physically enjoyable, was because God wanted a husband and a wife to find their greatest intimacy in that context. As we read through the Song of Solomon, we sense the passion this husband and wife have for one another. It is obvious they enjoy one another’s companionship. One can feel their excitement as they anticipate being together. That is how a marriage relationship is to work. A husband and wife should find in each other their best friend, their most trusted confidant, the one person to whom they can talk with about anything. But, that takes work. It takes a commitment of one’s mind, as well as one’s actions. It means keeping our relationship pure by not permitting our mind to think of other men or women in unholy ways (Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:1-3; Philippians 4:8&9; Matthew 5:27-30). It also means doing things with our spouses and to our spouses that demonstrate our respect and honor for them (Ephesians 5:28&29,33; I Peter 3:1-7). Unfortunately, Solomon and his wife allowed other distractions to come between them and Solomon was eventually overcome by his lust for women, sex, and pleasure. Marriage is hard work. It requires discipline. But, enjoyed in the context for which God created it, marriage gives us a small glimpse into the intimacy we can enjoy with God. June 7 - - There are some things in life we think a lot about: the weather, eating, working, and paying the bills to name a few. There are other things in life we think sometimes about: mowing the lawn, moving, and changing jobs for example. One thing we spend very little time thinking about, is death. That’s right. Death can be screaming at the top of it’s lungs and we ignore it. A close friend or family member has been diagnosed as terminally ill and we refuse to accept the prognosis. Or, that same person may be wanting to talk about their condition and we won’t visit with them about it. But, at a funeral of someone close, we find ourselves face to face with our own mortality. Solomon’s advice sometimes seems a bit crazy. “It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). And how can that be? “For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time.” Good point. “A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now” (7:4). “Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us” (7:3). The truth is, “there is a time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance” (3:4). How many of us, while attending a funeral, have found our own minds wandering and questioning what really does happen when we die? How many of us have asked ourselves if we are ready to die? “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death” (Proverbs 14:12). There is only one path that leads to life. The Bible says it is a narrow path and few are traveling upon this narrow path (Matthew 7:13&14). The majority of the world is traveling on the wide path that leads to destruction. The narrow path is one that is clearly marked for us by none other than the One who called himself, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Take some time today to contemplate whether you are ready for death. The question is not whether our walk is a perfect walk. None of us can claim such a distinction (Ecc.7:20). But, the guide who leads us down that path is perfect, and he is committed to successfully seeing us through to the end (Philippians 1:6). Have you thought at all about death lately?