TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 4:1-11
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. - Matthew 6:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost tells the story of the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve. When he wrote the companion volume, Paradise Regained, the story of course featured Christ, the second Adam. But the poem does not tell the story of Christ’s redemptive death and resurrection, as one might expect. Instead, it dramatizes His temptation by Satan in the wilderness.

In Milton’s view, Christ’s victory in this event perfectly paralleled the Fall. Though our first parents succumbed to Satan’s temptation, Jesus did not. Because of His perfect obedience, the doors of heaven are open for all who believe.

Today’s account wasn’t the only time Jesus faced temptation, but it was a defining moment. He’d just been baptized by John, affirmed by His Father and the Spirit, and was about to embark on public ministry.

At this time, Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (v. 1). This shows us that temptation is not a sign we’re out of God’s will--quite the opposite. If we were off the path we’d already be where Satan wanted us. Since temptation was part of Jesus’ earthly journey, we can surely expect it to be part of ours.

With what did Satan tempt Christ? First, with physical need. He was hungry, and Satan suggested He make bread from stones. Second, with personal glory. If He jumped from the Temple, He would step into the sandals of the kind of Messiah everyone was expecting. And third, with immediate power. Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of this world.

How did our Lord respond? In all three cases, with quotations from Deuteronomy. Against the first temptation, He implied that God’s power is not to be used for selfish ends. Against the second, He pointed out that God’s promises can’t be abused for personal gain. To Satan’s third attempt, He proclaimed that God alone is worthy of worship. Compromise was out of the question. Sub-mission to God’s plan and timing was everything (cf. James 4:7).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus resisted temptation by quoting God’s Word. We can do the same!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-18
Why are you downcast, O my soul? . . . Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. - Psalm 42:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the most famous journeys in modern literature is that of Frodo Baggins in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. As the forces of good and evil in the story face off, the outcome hinges on a magic ring. Forged by an evil power, it has to be destroyed. But the only fire hot enough lies far away in hostile territory.

So Frodo and his friend Sam set out on a difficult journey. They sleep many nights outdoors; food and water are often scarce. Enemies stalk them. Frodo struggles with the deadly influence of the ring he carries. The odds against success are astronomical, and so he also battles moods of discouragement and hopelessness.

The prophet Elijah also faced intense opposition, and he knew these feelings.

We all can get discouraged, depressed, and weary in our pilgrimage. The race is hard, the way is long, the fight is punishing. Elijah isn’t an isolated case. All through the Psalms, we see emotional and spiritual mood swings from discouragement to praise.

Sometimes we slide slowly into depression, but other times it hits quickly and unexpectedly, even right after a spiritual victory. That was the case for Elijah. He’d just won a public challenge against the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel, and successfully prayed for the end of a long drought. But when Queen Jezebel threatened him, Elijah ran, ending up in the southern desert. His “prayer” for death was a self-pitying one, born of feelings of loneliness and barrenness in his prophetic ministry.

Yet God showed Elijah mercy and grace. First, He sent an angel to provide for his physical needs. Then, at Mount Horeb (or Sinai), a place resonant with historical echoes of Law and covenant, God gently taught Elijah an object lesson. Elijah wanted God’s power to be dramatically used now, but God’s plan was more subtle and patient (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). Finally, God encouraged Elijah with additional tasks, a successor, and news of a faithful remnant.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Here’s a question for personal reflection today: Are you open and honest with God about your negative feelings? Or are you afraid to tell Him you’re discouraged or depressed?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Corinthians 11:16-31
Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. - 1 Peter 4:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1912, Scottish evangelist John Harper and his six-year-old daughter, Nana, boarded the famous Titanic for its fateful maiden voyage. He was on his way to a new ministry at Moody Church in Chicago.

When the doomed ship struck an iceberg, Harper put Nana into a lifeboat, then began preaching the gospel to anyone who would listen. He gave away his lifejacket. Even in the water, he continued urging those he encountered: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

Harper died in the very act of sharing his faith. Suffering and even death for Christ’s sake are part and parcel of the life of pilgrimage. Paul and Peter even regarded it as a privilege (Phil. 1:29; 1 Peter 4:13).

Today’s reading is a “résumé” of sufferings Paul had endured during his missionary journeys. He “boasted” about this in order to deflate the claims of false teachers who were setting themselves above the Corinthians and confusing them. Spiritually, Paul knew he was “talking crazy,” but it was necessary to assert his apostolic authority in order to keep the gospel pure. His commitment and sacrifice spoke volumes about his apostolic call!

What had Paul suffered? He’d been imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and shipwrecked. His life had been at risk again and again. He’d endured hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. He’d worked incredibly hard for the churches under his care. By worldly standards, these aren’t reasons to boast, but in Christ’s service they’re badges of honor. Paradoxically, events that appear to be defeats can be evidence of God’s power! In fact, one of the purposes of spiritual power is to develop patience and endurance (Col. 1:11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We’re about two weeks into our month’s study of the Christian journey. Reflect on what we’ve seen in Scripture so far, and on what you’ve learned personally. What characters, stories, or biblical truths have really hit home for you? How has the idea of pilgrimage changed your perspective on life?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 23:1-6
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. - Psalm 23:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Meditating on today’s verse in his Morning and Evening devotional, Charles Spurgeon wrote:

“Behold, how independent of outward circumstances the Holy Ghost can make the Christian! What a bright light may shine within us when it is all dark without! How firm, how happy, how calm, how peaceful we may be, when the world shakes to and fro, and the pillars of the earth are removed! Even death itself, with all its terrible influences, has no power to suspend the music of a Christian’s heart, but rather makes that music become more sweet, more clear, more heavenly. . . . In Thee, my God, my heart shall triumph, come what may of ills without! By Thy power, O blessed Spirit, my heart shall be exceeding glad, though all things should fail me here below.”

There are times when the road of pilgrimage descends into the valley, but there the light of Christ shines brightest.

Psalm 23 gives “snapshots” of the Christian journey, from enjoying peace and plenty to facing death itself. What’s the overarching theme? “The Lord is my shepherd.” What does this mean? “I shall lack nothing”(v. 1) carries the idea of fullness, or contentment.

God is our shepherd and we can be content even when we walk through the “valley of the shadow of death.” Elsewhere, the phrase is translated “darkness and the deepest gloom” (Ps. 107:10–16). One translator renders it as “the chasm of Death’s dominion.” For an unbeliever, death is an inevitable law of nature, the final goodbye, and the ultimate loss.

But for us, it’s simply another place where the Lord takes care of us. We need not fear, for His presence comforts us (cf. 1 John 4:18). His “rod and staff” symbolize His guidance, protection, and authority in our lives. Death cannot conquer–God is in control. He has the power to set a banquet table for us, even in the presence of our enemies!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Yesterday, we asked you to write in your spiritual journal. If you don’t already keep one, why not start keeping a journal today?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 12:20-26
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. - John 12:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
Writer George MacDonald had a wonderful insight into the meaning of Christ’s death:

“Christ died to save us, not from suffering, but from ourselves; not from injustice, far less from justice, but from being unjust. He died that we might live–but live as He lives, by dying as He died who died to Himself that He might live unto God. If we do not die to ourselves, we cannot live to God, and he that does not live to God, is dead.”

Just as the wise man in Eliot’s poem (see March found both birth and death in his visit to the Christ–child, so we who follow in Jesus’ steps find spiritual rebirth and dying to self inextricably linked. This is the crux of the spiritual journey.

Dying to self is essential to true pilgrimage. We might say submission is the hinge on which sanctification turns. Surrender of this sort is a daily, progressive choice. We don’t really understand our salvation unless we live as though our entire life and identity are found only in Christ (cf. Gal. 2:20).

In today’s reading, Jesus knew that He stood very near to His death and resurrection. He knew how painful it would be, but He had total confidence in His Father’s plan.

He used a natural illustration to speak of what was about to happen to Him, and to teach a spiritual principle. Before they grow, seeds must die. That’s nature’s way. And the life that comes from a seed is not just another seed, but something new and different. In the same way, when the natural dies, the spiritual that springs up is a new creation (cf. 1 Cor. 15:36–44).

How does this apply to us? If we love earthly things and live for them, our life will be empty. But to treat the world as of no account, living for eternity instead, is to possess true life (cf. Mark 8:35). If we focus our efforts on the things of earth, we will forfeit the abundant life. But if we live as aliens and strangers, the road leads to fulfillment.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Dying to ourselves and living in Christ is at the heart of pilgrimage. As you meditate on this truth, we suggest these creative responses:

• Draw a picture that uses the metaphor of seeds and growth to communicate the spiritual truth highlighted in today’s verse.

• Write a poem that expands upon the two attitudes contrasted in today’s verse.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 12:5-13
The Lord disciplines those he loves. - Hebrews 12:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Parents have many ways of disciplining their children. Depending on the age of the child and the nature of the offense, they might spank them, send them to their room, ground them, or withhold certain privileges, such as driving the car. None of these are pleasant experiences, but parents punish in order to correct and train their children, to improve their children’s character.

Since they’re not perfect, human parents sometimes fail at this. But when our heavenly Father disciplines us, He always does so with perfect motives and methods. We can have complete trust that His loving discipline is always in our best interests. He’s perfecting us.

In our Christian lives, God’s discipline should be an encouraging thought. Why? Because it proves our status as His children and His loving involvement in our lives. It’s always purposeful, aiming to instruct, teach, correct, develop, and mature us. It demonstrates clearly that our sanctification depends on Him, and He will be faithful to complete it (Phil. 1:6).

We should think of the hardships of our journey in this sense, as a sign of sonship (v. 7; cf. Deut. 8:5). God is training and molding us. If discipline is good in the human sphere, how much more so in relation to our heavenly Father. If it helps parents achieve temporal goals, how much more should He do so to achieve eternal ones.

The results of discipline are all good. We share in God’s holiness, ultimately reaping a “harvest of righteousness and peace” (v. 11). The New American Standard Bible translates that last phrase as “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Discipline produces righteousness because it drives out sin. “Peaceful” conveys that in the midst of difficulties, we’re not angry or anxious about what’s happening, but trusting God and resting in Him (cf. Phil. 4:7). “No discipline seems pleasant at the time,” but we rejoice in it because of the eternal benefits it brings us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We often use the phrase, “child of God,” but do we really grasp what it means? To follow up on today’s devotion, we recommend the following topic for additional Bible study:

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 12:1-9
By faith Abraham . . . obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. - Hebrews 11:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
All United States currency bears the inscription, “In God We Trust.” This started during the Civil War, when many people appealed to the government to acknowledge God on U.S. money. The Secre-tary of the Treasury agreed: “No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.”

Designs were created with congressional authorization, and “In God We Trust” first appeared on a two-cent coin in 1864. “In God We Trust” was declared the national motto in 1956, and began appearing on paper money the following year.

Faith in God is part of the joy of the journey of our Christian life. We trust in One who never lets us down, always knows where we’re going, and is always with us. In the midst of temptation, discouragement, suffering, or discipline, how sweet it is to be “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1).

In this regard, Abraham’s journey to an unknown land can be our model. When God called him, he walked away from his country, his people, and his extended family (v. 1). To obey God meant leaving behind his former life–all that was most familiar and comfortable.

Abraham built His faith on God’s covenant. Divine blessings would flow in, because God promised him that he would become a great nation. They would also flow out, since God also promised that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (v. 3). These promises were all that Abraham had, especially since neither he nor Isaac nor Jacob actually possessed the land.

Abraham obeyed wholeheartedly (cf. Heb. 11:8–10). Despite being 75 years old, he moved with all his family and possessions, showing that this wasn’t temporary. When he arrived in the Promised Land, he ignored the local Canaanite idols and built altars to worship the Lord.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As Abraham looked back on the road of his life, no doubt he saw God’s hand on him, leading all the way. Can you say the same about your life’s journey?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. - 1 Corinthians 12:27
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Eco-Challenge Expedition Race requires superb teamwork. Held annually in a physically challenging location, the race attracts “endurance athletes” from around the world. Teams of four people race day and night over a 300-mile course, competing at events including whitewater canoeing, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Team dynamics and problem-solving are at least as important as athletic abilities, especially since if one member of the team quits or is injured, the whole team is disqualified.

This spirit of togetherness should also prevail in the body of Christ. Pilgrimage is not a solitary journey, but one we make as part of a community, the church. Spiritual teamwork is fundamental–we’re all in this together! When Elijah forgot this, he fell into depression, and one way God encouraged him was to tell him about others who were still faithful (see March 12).

In our individualistic culture, the truth of community is too easily neglected. What it means is that we must give up “ownership” of our spiritual journeys, not only to God, but also to our brothers and sisters in Christ. It means that we’re part of their journeys, too.

To communicate this idea, Paul used a metaphor of a body. Just as a body has many parts but is one organism, so believers are unified in the Holy Spirit and should act like it. We each have our purposes and need one another. We should share our joys and concerns. We shouldn’t be discontent or jealous of someone with a different purpose or spiritual gift. God has arranged all of us exactly as He pleases (v. 18).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In the spirit of today’s devotion, why not share the spiritual timeline you made yesterday with a believing friend or family member? That is, since your pilgrimage is not solitary but takes place in a community, discuss your journey with a brother or sister in Christ. Perhaps they’ll tell you their story as well.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 10:1-20
Freely you have received, freely give. - Matthew 10:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, J. I. Packer observed: “The Christian is sent into the world as God’s herald and Christ’s ambassador, to broadcast [the gospel] as widely as he can. This is both his duty (because God commands it, and love to our neighbour requires it) and his privilege (because it is a great thing to speak for God, and to take our neighbour the remedy–the only remedy–that can save him from the terrors of spiritual death). Our job, then, is to go to our fellow-men and tell them the gospel of Christ, and try by every means to make it clear to them; to remove as best we can any difficulties that they may find in it, to impress them with its seriousness, and to urge them to respond to it. This is our abiding responsibility; it is a basic part of our Christian calling.”

So, then, the Christian life is not only about ourselves, or even only about ourselves and the church. One of the joys of the journey is to invite others to join us!

In today’s reading, Jesus sent out His twelve disciples as part of their training program and His ministry plan. Divine authority was delegated to them, so that they could do miraculous healings and cast out demons. At this time, they were to go only to the Jews, though after His Ascension they would be sent to all nations (Matt. 28:19–20). Since Jesus Himself interacted with Gentiles many times in the Gospels, these instructions probably indicated that the disciples weren’t yet ready to cross cultural barriers.

What did they preach? “The kingdom of heaven is near” (v. 7). With the advent of the Son, a new chapter had opened in salvation history.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do the unbelievers in your life–in your job, in your neighborhood, or elsewhere–know about the journey you’re on? Can they hear in your words and see in your actions that this world is not your true home? If not, why not?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Acts 11:9-23
Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. - Mark 16:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
Bombardier Jacob DeShazer, part of Jimmy Doolittle’s World War II bombing raid on Japan, afterwards parachuted into China, where he was captured and imprisoned. For years, he suffered torture and deprivation at the hands of the enemy.

At one point, they eased up and provided more food and one Bible to share. When his three-week turn to have the Bible came, he read the Word through several times, studied it, memorized large portions, and finally prayed to receive Christ!

DeShazer immediately began to show Christ’s love to his enemies by befriending a guard. After the war, he and his wife returned to Japan as missionaries. A tract that included his testimony was widely distributed, and many came to hear the man who had forgiven his enemies.

Jacob DeShazer had the freedom and boldness to cross barriers of distance, prejudice, and culture with the good news of salvation in Christ. This is one of the joys of the journey!

Peter’s vision in today’s reading was the Holy Spirit teaching the apostle to think outside his “Jewish box” and take seriously the “all the nations” part of the Great Commission. He saw a sheet full of animals, unclean by the standards of the Mosaic Law. Though the voice from heaven said, “Kill and eat,” Peter’s cultural and religious conditioning made him resist the command. The voice responded: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:9; cf. Matt. 15:17–20).

The vision’s application was close at hand (Acts 10:28, 34–35; cf. Acts 15:7–11). The Spirit tapped Peter on the shoulder and let him know that the Gentiles at the door had been sent by God. Peter invited them in, which culturally was a very significant thing for him to do. He returned with them to Cornelius’ house and preached the gospel. When the household responded, the Holy Spirit des-cended on them, showing that their faith was genuine and the same as that of Jewish converts.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In response to today’s reading, begin supporting a cross-cultural missionary through prayer and giving. If you’re not sure where to start, ask the missions committee at your church for information and suggestions.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 122:1–9
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” - Psalm 122:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Fanny Crosby had a heart for worship. In her lifetime, she wrote thousands of hymn lyrics, including “To God Be the Glory,” “Rescue the Perishing,” and “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.” Widely published, and used extensively in Moody-Sankey evangelistic meetings, her hymns made her a household name among Protestants in England and North America.

Blind since she was a baby, Crosby had spiritual eyes to see truth and a gift for proclaiming it through music. Thanks to her, our worship times even today are richer!

Worship, and the desire to worship, are among the deepest joys of our spiritual journey. In the Old Testament, the themes of worship and pilgrimage are often linked in passages about the journey to Jerusalem for religious festivals. Adult males were required to go three times every year (Deut. 16:16–17). The journey was filled with longing and anticipation to reach this special city; as they went, travellers sang “songs of ascent” (see Psalms 120–134). The road to Zion was said to be in the heart of every true pilgrim (Ps. 84:5).

In Psalm 122, the psalmist rejoiced to be in Jerusalem and at the Temple, visible reminders of God’s presence and covenant. The streets were crowded with people who felt the same way.

The poet instructed these worshipers: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (v. 6). The city was strongly associated with God’s protection, and those who loved God would find security there (v. 7; cf. Ps. 125:2).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Since the city of Jerusalem is so closely linked in Scripture with the idea of worship, pictures of Jerusalem would add a vivid, visual dimension to today’s devotion. Seek out maps or drawings of ancient Jerusalem, perhaps in a study Bible or commentary, or look for photographs of modern Jerusalem. These might be found in magazines, tour guidebooks, or on Internet sites. Can you find pictures of places connected with specific biblical narratives, and especially with the life of Christ? How can these pictures add to your understanding of Jerusalem’s role in history?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 35:1–10
The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. - Isaiah 35:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Just as the Jews yearned to worship in Jerusalem, so we, too, should joyfully anticipate worshiping God in the new Jerusalem. Listen to the apostle John:

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. . . . 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’. . . . The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. . . . Nothing impure will ever enter it . . . but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21).

On our Christian journey, this is where we’re headed, and this is where we long to be. Today’s reading reflects the joy of the redeemed on that day. Israel’s return from exile foreshadowed this joy but did not completely fulfill it.

Nature, personified in Isaiah’s prophecy, will share in the rejoicing (cf. Rom. 8:19-21). Water will come to the desert, and the wilderness will blossom. Barren places will become fruitful, like the most beautiful and fertile places the author knew. These images reflect radical transformation--the old order of things will pass away.

Humanity will likewise be transfigured. The effects of sin will be undone. The blind will see, the deaf hear, the lame walk. Christ’s miracles showed that the kingdom has indeed come, and in God’s timing will grow from a tiny seed to a tree that fills the whole world (Matt. 11:2-6).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Worship is such a rich theme that we’d like to recommend it for additional Bible study. Go beyond today’s devotion and dig deeper into the topic.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ezekiel 1:1–28
They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. - Isaiah 35:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
“A Morning Psalm for Poets,” by Ann Applegarth, begins:

Praise to you, Morning Star:

my soul explodes with your splendor.

You illumine a trail through this jungle:

dark sod glitters with glorydust.

Sparkles cling to my sandals:

I dance on glimmers of Truth.

On our pilgrimages, God sometimes grants us visions of His glory, an overwhelming sense of His person and presence. We call them “mountaintop experiences,” attempting to convey the magnificent exaltation of such moments. We pray. We sing. We worship.

Today’s reading is just one of many biblical examples. This episode inaugurated Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry during the Exile. His vision of God left several clear impressions. One was light, as he used multiple pictures to express what he saw–a cloud with flashing lightning, surrounded by brilliant light, with a metallic glow at its center. Another was speed. The cloud and the angels moved with incredible swiftness. Another was power. We get the feeling that nothing could stand in the way of these creatures!

At first, Ezekiel saw a large windstorm moving toward him. When it drew nearer, he beheld four living creatures, cherubim who attend the throne of God (cf. Rev. 4:6–8). His description of them portrayed tremendous strength and both speed and stillness. The wheels that went with them were filled with eyes, conveying the idea of God’s all-seeing omniscience.

As awe-inspiring as these sights were, God Himself was above all of it (vv. 25–28). His voice was the voice of ultimate command. His throne reflected His sovereignty. Since we’re made in His image, it’s not surprising that He appeared as a “figure like that of a man,” but high above Ezekiel. Even in the midst of all this brightness, God shone like a rainbow against a cloudy sky.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
When we catch a vision of God’s glory, we can’t help but fall on our faces in worship.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 15:11-32
We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. - Luke 15:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
For the past week, we’ve been considering the joys of our spiritual journey, that is, responsibilities and privileges of pilgrimage that bring us delight and make the journey what it ought to be. Trusting and worshiping are not only things we do–they’re the kind of people we should be. Pilgrimage teaches us how to be and do these things, and the more we learn, the further along we travel on the road to Christlikeness.

But what if we wander from the straight and narrow path? What happens when we fall, or when we fail? Is it all over? Is the journey ruined?

As today’s reading illustrates, the answer is a resounding “no.” God welcomes us back. He doesn’t hold grudges. He’s not waiting to bear down on us like a boot camp sergeant. The fact is that we’re His children, and if we stray, when we return to Him He’ll lead heaven in rejoicing!

In the parable, the younger son did it all wrong, colossally wrong. He took his inheritance money, selfishly damaging the family. He left, showing disrespect and disdain for his father. He indulged in wild living, abandoning the godly values taught him. When he’d run through all his money, he still had his pride, so he took a degrading job rather than repent and return home.

This got old, and he eventually came to his senses. He faced the fact that he’d done wrong, and realized that he had no right to expect anything from his father. He prepared a humble speech, and traveled the long road back.

Astonishingly, his father welcomed him back enthusiastically. He ran to embrace him, and showed both mercy (no punishment) and grace (a banquet). Since the father had nothing to gain, this display showed the greatness of his love. The primary emotion was joy–the son who was lost was found, he who was “dead” was alive again!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If you’ve strayed from the way of godliness, come back to the Lord today! No matter what you’ve done, the Father is waiting to embrace you. Heaven will rejoice at your change of heart!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Jonah 1:1-17
You brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. - Jonah 2:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Francis Thompson’s poem, “The Hound of Heaven,” the speaker flees from God. He hides, seeks fulfillment in other things, and runs in fear from God’s overwhelming love. But as the title implies, God pursues him through the years, relentlessly and patiently.

Why? Not because the speaker in the poem is lovable or worthy or deserves God’s favor, but because God knows that he will find fulfillment and joy only in Him: “All which thy child’s mistake / Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home; / Rise, clasp My hand, and come!”

Yesterday, we saw that God welcomes back the prodigal. But that’s only part of the truth. In fact, God is more aggressive–He’s always working to pursue us and woo us and discipline us back to His side. We often call people who are considering the claims of Christ “seekers,” but the truth is that God is the great Seeker. Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10; cf. Rom. 5:10).

Jonah is a classic case study in regard to this principle. There he was, a man in full-time ministry with clear directions from God about where to go and what to do, rebelliously heading in the exact opposite direction. Why did he disobey? He let his human perspective–the fact that Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, the enemy of Israel–overrule God’s command. Did he really think he could run from God? When we sin, our own stubbornness and rebelliousness blind us to the truth.

How did God pursue Jonah? By means of a storm,

lots (or dice) thrown by pagan sailors, and a great fish. Notice that the prophet had the correct beliefs about God (v. 9), but this was not enough to keep him on the path of obedience. Given a second chance, Jonah took it, but his attitude still wasn’t right. At the book’s close, God was still working to teach His servant more about His love.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Now is a good time to review the “Today Along the Way” applications from earlier in the month. Is there one you skipped before, but feel like returning to now? There may even be one that you did already but feel led to do again!