TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 15:11-32
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. - Matthew 7:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Pigs have developed a reputation as a synonym for filth and laziness. Several expressions about sloppiness and disregard for appearance use the word pig to convey contempt or disgust. They roll in mud to cool themselves. They will eat almost anything. They’re known to carry a host of diseases and parasites. And anyone who has ever lived within a mile of a pig farm can attest to pigs’ unpleasant odor. In some cultures, to be compared to a pig is the greatest insult.

The prodigal son of today’s reading had immersed himself in the life of pigs. He was attending to pigs that, while unclean, had something to eat, which was more than he could say for himself (v. 16). What a stark contrast with the life he had just recently abandoned with a wealthy father who loved him.

The insult of being less fortunate than swine was actually minor compared to what the son had inflicted on his father. By asking for his inheritance from a parent who was still living, the son essentially said he wanted to live his life as though his father were dead. He compounded the insult by rejecting not only his family, but also his family’s way of life (v. 13). What his father intended to bestow on him as a gift, he wasted in an instant.

The pigs, ironically, brought the young man to his senses. He was lower than the worst animals on his own, but if he returned to his father’s house as a servant, he could eat with food to spare (v. 17). It’s an interesting picture of the change in perspective undergone by anyone who rejects God and then recognizes the foolishness of doing so. Once so proud as to deny His existence, the sinner’s heart can be turned to desire to serve Him.

But the father, as a portrait of our heavenly Father, had not lost the slightest bit of love for his son. The moment he saw that his son had turned toward him, the sins and indignity the son had committed against him were of no consideration—all the father desired was to celebrate the return of his lost child (vv. 20, 32).

APPLY THE WORD
The final statement of the loving father speaks powerfully to the true nature of rebellion against God. Those who reject His love may believe that they are putting the thought of God to death—but being without Him is truly a death in itself. If you have been ignoring your Father’s love, embrace the life He has waiting for you. And if you know someone who has left God behind, await their return with a heart of compassion.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 2:15-25
So the man gave names to . . . all the wild animals. - Genesis 2:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
The late Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey said, “In real life, unlike in Shakespeare, the sweetness of the rose depends on the name it bears. Things are not only what they are. They are, in very important respects, what they seem to be.” Granting a name to something helps forge its identity and acknowledges the importance that the object or individual be known, recognized, and understood.

In Genesis 1, God assigned names to day, night, sky, land, seas, and mankind—the name Adam and the Hebrew word mankind are identical. And after placing the animal and plant kingdoms under Adam’s authority (Gen. 1:28), God assigned Adam the task of naming the animals (v. 19). It was the first specific task God had given Adam. This undertaking showed that the animals were important to God since He desired names for them, and they were important to Adam because he chose how each of them would be known.

Adam and the animals would forever have a connection, an important relationship to each other. But that importance was not enough to be considered companions. The animals were, in a sense, Adam’s subjects, but they were not his equals. Adam needed a helper perfectly suited to be his partner (v. 18).

Unlike the animals (and Adam himself) that were formed out of the ground (v. 19), Eve had a unique origin. She came from within Adam’s body (v. 21). Adam gave her the name woman because she had come from man. This was really a name more for her gender as a whole than for her specifically. The name Eve came later, also given by Adam, to describe her role as the mother of all (3:20). Adam gave Eve two names—she gave him a remedy to his isolation and the perfect complement.

The relationship between Adam and Eve was the most intimate one in all of creation. She had been taken from his flesh and they were united as one in relationship and purpose. And although they were naked, between them they had nothing to be ashamed of. Their nakedness and vulnerability was yet another difference between them and the animal kingdom.

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Today’s study begins a look at the importance of animals in God’s plan of grace. Though we’ve established a clear separation between animals and humankind, they still share an important relationship. We have a responsibility to care for the well being of creation, which means we can’t dismiss problems that affect animals of all kinds. To do so would be to disregard the animals created by God and named by Adam.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 8:1-22
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock. - Genesis 8:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
For those who believe the biblical account of Genesis, the Flood is the defining event of the geological record of our planet. It explains evidence that other scientists believe required billions of years of mostly gradual changes. Did the Grand Canyon erode ever so slowly under the chronic duress of an ancient river, or did a cataclysmic event carve out its path in mere moments? Are fossils proof of organic life entrapped and preserved periodically over eons, or did the worldwide flood ensnare traces of every living thing and deposit them in layers during the devastating global transformation brought on by God?

Apart from the scientific issues, the Flood poses an even bigger question for us as we consider how God relates to all that He made: how could God inflict such destruction on creation? This act of wrath is actually best explained in the promise God gave: never to repeat it. The Flood is just as much a story of grace, mercy, and love as it is of judgment.

Noah’s family and a floating zoo of every species known to man did not escape God’s attention after He flooded the world from above and below (vv. 1, 2). The popularly remembered “forty days and forty nights” of rain had sustained a flood that didn’t completely dry until over a year later (v. 14, cf. 7:11). The birds aboard the ark became scouts for Noah as he awaited a safe opportunity to disembark (vv. 6-12), but Noah ultimately relied on God’s command to know the appropriate time (vv. 15-16).

Noah’s first act was to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, and it pleased God. In response, God vowed to Himself never to curse the ground and destroy life in that way again. But look at the indictment of humanity nested in that promise: “every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood” (v. 21). Many critics of the flood account find it unconscionable to believe God would destroy innocent life. But the time of innocence had become a distant memory on the earth. The punishment God meted out was just—and tempered by His grace toward Noah.

APPLY THE WORD
We can grow so accustomed to the grace of God that we start to think we deserve good things from His hand. We begin to believe that happy, healthy, and undisturbed lives are our birthright. But this passage is a reminder of the gravity of our sins against God and our proclivity for wickedness to inhabit the very heart of our intentions. Take this time to confess your sins to God and to praise Him and thank Jesus Christ for taking the penalty of your sins.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 15:1-21
I am your shield, your very great reward. - Genesis 15:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
The presidential oath of office is traditionally taken with the president-elect’s right hand raised and left hand placed on the Bible—but the choice of book or the use of one at all isn’t a formal mandate. The importance of the commitment being made is illustrated by the use of a book meaningful to the person taking the oath. John Quincy Adams used a book of law. Lyndon Johnson used a Catholic book of liturgy. And Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in on his word alone.

When God made His covenant with Abram to provide certainty that he would possess the land God had shown him, He used animals to demonstrate His commitment. And it wasn’t Abram who was making the oath and swearing his allegiance; this ceremony entailed God confirming His promise. So to God, the choice and sacrifice of animals had considerable significance.

Today’s reading is a beautiful moment in Scripture. It includes a stirring word of comfort in verse 1 followed by the promise of a divinely appointed birth and a multitude of descendants. With the words “Count the stars—if indeed you can count them,” God inspired faith in Abram (v. 5). He believed that his descendants would be innumerable, but he had a hard time understanding how he could take possession of the land (v. 8).

God instructed Abram to bring a young cow, goat, and ram, as well as a dove and pigeon. Each animal would later become part of Israel’s sacrificial tradition, so all of these animals played key roles in demonstrating Israel’s faith in God and their purity before Him. It’s fitting, then, that God used them to promise His faithfulness to Abram.

When it came time to ratify the covenant—specifically the covenant that the land would belong to Abram’s descendants (v. 18)—God caused a firepot and torch to appear and go between the animals Abram had divided in two. It was as though Abram could see God’s hand confirming His Word as He spoke. The people currently inhabiting the land were still numerous (and sinful), but God made an unmistakable promise and deepened Abram’s courage and faith (vv. 16, 19-21).

APPLY THE WORD
Pray today to remember God’s opening blessing to Abram in this passage and cherish it as your own. Do not be afraid. God is your shield, your very great reward. Like Abram, you face many uncertainties and challenges. What you await from God you might not see as clearly as the night stars or a blazing torch that Abram saw. But you can take comfort in knowing that you are his descendant of faith. Your new life in Christ shines as one of the stars in Abram’s sky.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 17:1-6
Let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. - 1 Kings 18:36
TODAY IN THE WORD
The tax collectors in the temple approached Peter one day to ask about Jesus’ contribution to the annual temple tax (cf. Ex. 30:11-16). Jesus answered by showing He could comply with regulations without endorsing their merits. He explained to Peter privately why the tax in support of God’s house shouldn’t be applied to God’s Son. But out of sensitivity for the leaders, Jesus came up with a miraculous way to pay: with a coin Peter could find in a fish he had not yet caught (Matt. 17:27)!

We have already studied a few examples of God guiding animals explicitly to do His will or fulfill His Word, most notably in Jonah when a great fish swallowed the disobedient prophet. But God has also used animals in a more benevolent (but still miraculous) capacity. Today we see one such example of animals rewarding obedience rather than punishing evil.

Elijah was a prophet known for his extreme faithfulness, which often put him in harm’s way. No king in Israel was more harmful to the people of God than King Ahab. In stark contrast to Jonah’s refusal to minister to a godless people, Elijah was not afraid to deliver God’s message of judgment to the king infamous for his violence against the prophets.

God instructed Elijah to flee and seek shelter in a ravine. Of all the times when hiding out in the wild would be less than ideal, a severe drought would probably be the worst. But God proved through Elijah that being without basic provisions is much safer than being outside the will of God.

Elijah got his water from a brook, which wasn’t miraculous (it later dried up, opening a door for yet another miracle; vv. 7-16). But God promised Elijah that ravens would bring him food, well beyond any natural phenomenon. They provided meat and bread for him twice a day (v. 6). At a time when the nation was under judgment for its Baal worship and suffered a lack of their daily needs, Elijah received special provisions as one of God’s faithful servants. The wicked king in the palace was tormented while the man hiding in the cave had all he needed.

APPLY THE WORD
Elijah gives us a profile in courage. He braved the consequences of delivering God’s message in the face of evil. He stayed true to God when his own instincts of survival could have tempted him to provide for his own safety. Is doing the right thing a far cry from doing the easy thing, today? Ask the Lord for strength to make the difficult but important decisions He would have you make. Let the Lord provide in His way as you stay faithful to Him.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 6:1-28
They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. - Daniel 6:22
TODAY IN THE WORD
Jim Jablon began 2011 with a pair of houseguests named Ed and Lea: he was residing in a lion’s sanctuary, and Ed and Lea are the not-yet-ferocious feline occupants with whom he lived for an entire month. The publicity stunt raised money for his wildlife rehabilitation shelter in Florida. Some critics feared Jablon would foster the misconception that lions make good pets, while others pointed out the safety concerns. Jablon completed the month together with the two-year-old lions with just a few minor scratches and many donations to his cause.

There’s a reason Jablon’s stunt made news. Even if the great cats were completely calm, the risk of injury would frighten the bravest soul. In today’s reading, that brave soul was Daniel. He knew his prayers would put him in the lions’ den. He refused to let that change a thing.

Daniel was a man of excellence. Not only did he instill so much confidence in King Darius that he was in line to be the first in command (v. 3), but Daniel’s worst enemies were unable to find fault with him (v. 4). Misguided as his fellow administrators and satraps were, they understood Daniel well—his allegiance to God and His Word took precedence over his loyalty to the king (v. 5).

After the plotters coerced the king into issuing a temporary ban on any prayer to any being, Daniel’s response was the perfect mix of humility and boldness. He did exactly what he had been doing before the decree was issued. Without protest, without compromise, without fear, Daniel prayed. He knew the consequences of his actions. He prayed and thanked God and asked Him for help (vv. 10-11).

To the chagrin of King Darius, Daniel was thrown to the lions, sealed in, and imprisoned overnight. An angel of God shut the lions’ mouths—but notice the angel did not take away their hunger. The animals feasted on Daniel’s enemies, who were punished for their wicked schemes. Daniel escaped without a scratch, all to the glory of God.

APPLY THE WORD
Daniel’s response to unfair treatment is a good example of how to respond. Daniel thanked God despite the outrageous injustice. Even without considering the punishment awaiting Daniel, think of how hard it would be to wield the immense influence Daniel held without using it to complain—how is such a grateful attitude possible? Probably because Daniel did pray so fervently. He was accustomed to depending on God. May we do the same with frequent prayers of thanks!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 2:1-20
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger. - Luke 2:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Tradition holds that it was an underground cave that hosted Jesus’ birth into the world. The supposed spot is marked and preserved beneath the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Where the manger is believed to have rested, an altar now stands commemorating the significance of His miraculous birth. Gilded decor now surrounds the site, yet the exact location of Christ’s birth remains unclear. The text doesn’t mention a cave or even the type of place where it happened—but we do know the infant Jesus was placed in a manger.

A feeding trough, a bed of hay, some wooden or stone bin devised for use with livestock—it possibly could have been located either within or outside a house rather than a cave or inn, but that was the bed of the King of kings. That was the only place Mary could choose to lay her baby to rest. But it wasn’t Mary and Joseph alone who chose; God the Father selected an animal’s manger to be the first bed His Son would ever sleep in. Regardless of the other details, we know that for sure.

The manger was the specific feature the angel gave the shepherds to identify the resting place of the Messiah, which introduces another connection between animals and Jesus’ birth. The shepherds hurried off to find the new family. It is significant that the first announcement of the birth of God’s Son would greet the ears of people whose calling in life was to tend sheep (see John 10).

These circumstances were low and meager—but for the King of heaven, wouldn’t anything on earth pale in comparison to His former glory? And there’s another perspective as well. By choosing these otherwise humble lodgings and greeters, God wasn’t denigrating His Son—He was bringing significance to the lowly. The manger had a new purpose: giving rest to Jesus and identifying Him as the Christ! And the shepherds had a profound role: they announced the arrival of their Savior, which brought amazement to those who heard and glory to God in the highest (vv. 18, 20). That was the reason Jesus arrived in the first place, to redeem a fallen world to God’s glory.

APPLY THE WORD
Animals are not the stars of this story, but we should remember that the same is true of us. The animals that ate from that manger, the shepherds standing out in that field, they weren’t the least bit glorious. But Jesus included them, and He includes us, in His story of redemption. Take this moment to recognize that Jesus is the Lord of all creation and should be the center of our attention. Praise and glorify Him today!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 2:21-24
If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons. - Leviticus 12:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 2004, the U.S. federal government changed the way they issued food stamps so dramatically that the name of the program became obsolete. The decades-old coupon system gave way to a debit card system managed entirely electronically. The new system made administration easier and fraud more difficult. And for those who benefited from the support, the change reduced another problem: the public embarrassment they felt every time they bought food.

In any economic system, situations arise when the poor simply can’t hide their state of need. One such occasion in ancient Israel came at what should have been a joyous time: after the birth of a child. The form of their sacrifice made a public statement about their economic place in society.

According to the law, a woman was considered unclean after giving birth and required a waiting period followed by a sin offering and purification offering (Lev. 12:1-8). The sacrifices called for a lamb and a pigeon or dove, but a woman who couldn’t afford a lamb could offer a dove in its place.

For Mary and Joseph, a lamb was too great a sacrifice to surrender (v. 24).

That’s not to say Mary and Joseph felt ashamed by their need to offer the poor man’s sacrifice—but Luke did point out this detail for a reason. Jesus was being presented in the temple as the firstborn son of Mary and Joseph, common people from Nazareth (cf. Ex. 13:2, 12). The doves used for Mary’s sacrifices point out their lack of means—but their attention to the requirements of the Law is also one of many signs that Mary and Joseph were people of faith who obeyed the Word of God. They had nothing to be ashamed of.

If you read on in the verses that follow today’s reading, you’ll see that the family was greeted in the temple by Simeon and Anna. He received a greeting worthy of royalty and praise befitting a Savior. There was nothing common about this child and nothing poor about the supply of faith surrounding Him. Financial wealth was not a sign of the coming of His kingdom, but fulfilled prophecy was.

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Many believers won’t say it out loud, but our actions often reveal the underlying belief that social standing and financial success are important indicators of our spiritual well being. While there is definitely a spiritual, moral element to how we manage our money, being a strong believer does not guarantee prosperity. Today, find your true wealth from the status of your faith and obedience to Christ rather than your income or possessions.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 6:1-15
We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish. - Matthew 14:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Tom Stoppard’s play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, the story of Hamlet is loosely retold from the vantage point of two of the original play’s minor characters. Just as the audience of the Shakespeare’s masterpiece had little understanding or interest in the lives of the bit players, the retelling by Stoppard finds Rosencrantz and Guildenstern completely baffled by some of the events in Hamlet’s drama as it unfolds in the background. A change in perspective brings a completely different understanding of the action.

We’re going to take a different perspective today on the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. The story is one of the most well known miracles of Jesus, even among people only faintly acquainted with the Bible. It is recorded in each of the four Gospels, and it has been retold in our day in many ways, focusing on several different characters: Jesus, the disciples, the crowds, and even the boy who provided the food (v. 9).

Since this month’s theme is “Animals of the Bible,” let’s take a moment to consider the two small fish in the story. Perhaps they seem like the least significant participants in the drama, but the fish didn’t just happen to arrive on the scene. They were once free, caught, prepared, and brought by a boy who had come to see Jesus. They were mundane creatures, but Jesus had a plan for them.

Before the fish and loaves had even been gathered by the disciples, Jesus had in mind the miracle He would perform (v. 6). The fish were a significant part of that plan. Not the most important part, but an element Jesus used powerfully.

This is not to overrate the importance of the specific fish to the story, but rather to call attention to the detail of God’s sovereignty as He prepared to show His power and authenticate the teaching of His Son (v. 14). Those two small fish were led to that spot at that time to be a part of a miracle that fed a multitude and showed them that Jesus was more than just a man.

APPLY THE WORD
God knows what He is going to do. Take comfort from that truth today if you are facing situations that you don’t know how to resolve. Our Lord is not stumped or surprised by our circumstances; you never know what seemingly insignificant things He might use to put His power on display in your life. Also, never assume that small acts of kindness aren’t worth the trouble. God uses them to make a big difference, perhaps even life-changing, in ways that we can’t imagine.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 21:1-11
Your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey. - Zechariah 9:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
On June 24, 1945, about six weeks after the surrender of Germany, Stalin commissioned a parade through Red Square. Representatives from each of the Soviet fronts marched in Moscow to commemorate the victory. Though the people of the Soviet Union had suffered immense casualties, the parade put their still-formidable military might on display as is customary for any military victory parade.

The reception given by the crowd at the Triumphal Entry of Jesus carried the enthusiasm of such a parade—a mighty king coming to celebrate the conquests that expanded His kingdom. But Jesus didn’t ride into Jerusalem in a chariot or on a war horse. Despite having all authority, Jesus rode gently on a donkey and the colt of a donkey (v. 5).

The text doesn’t provide all the background information behind Jesus’ request that the disciples acquire the donkey and her colt. It’s possible that Jesus knew the owner of the animals and even arranged beforehand for their use. Whether or not Jesus was demonstrating divine foreknowledge here isn’t the main point: the most significant aspect is that He understood the implication of what He was requesting. Jesus was arranging to ride into Jerusalem in a manner that fulfilled a prophecy of Zechariah that had a military tone in its original telling (Zech. 9:9-13).

Jesus wasn’t riding into Jerusalem as the victor of a great battle, at least not the way people under Roman rule would have expected. Jesus was coming to surrender His life. He would bring victory over sin to be sure, and His kingdom would reign above all others. But anyone expecting Jesus to wield a sword or mount an insurgency would be disappointed.

The crowds shouted, “Hosanna,” which literally means “Save!” They called for praises of salvation in the highest heaven, again deservedly. Little did they know that the salvation Jesus brought would arrive not through conquering by the sword but by surrender of His life. The animals upon which He rode were an ironic indication that the victory over sin would arrive via a humbler, gentler road than expected.

APPLY THE WORD
The Triumphal Entry is a scene filled with paradox and mixed emotions. We rejoice with the crowds of Jerusalem that Jesus does reign victorious over sin by His death on the cross, and as He imparts that victory to us in our lives. But we also pause to recognize the deep, agonizing suffering that paid for that victory, the one that came after this victorious reception. Jesus approached His death willingly; may we praise Him by surrendering our wills to Him today.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Samuel 17:32-37
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
We have seen how God in His Word has used animal imagery to teach us about His own nature. We have recounted examples of animals throughout Scripture that have entered the story of God’s judgment on evil and His provision of grace and forgiveness. Now, for the final week of our study, we’ll explore various passages that use animals to teach lessons about the life of a believer and the way we think about and relate to our Lord and Savior. The first four of those illustrations are brought to us by David and his son, Solomon.

David was in many ways a portrait of his descendant, Jesus Christ. Not only was he king over Israel and the pride of the tribe of Judah, David was also a shepherd. We may generally associate that image with the tender care and gentle guidance we as sheep require from Christ, but David showed in today’s passage that being a shepherd also requires a fierce courage to battle fearsome foes.

David wasn’t afraid of Goliath, no matter how big and boastful he was. Saul didn’t just question David’s assertion, he flat out rejected the possibility that David could win (v. 33). All visible evidence pointed to Saul being correct. But David informed Saul of his experience fighting off a lion and bear that were threatening his sheep (vv. 34-36).

This was not a matter of presenting David’s qualifications. He didn’t think that he himself had the power to defeat Goliath—or even a lion or bear. While David did physically best the animal adversaries that attacked his flock, he didn’t take credit for the victory. He attributed his protection to the Lord (v. 37).

David’s faith was precisely where it belonged. He was willing to fight in the name of the Lord, and he entrusted the victory against Goliath to a power greater than his own. In comparison to the might of the Lord, Goliath garnered no respect from his diminutive opponent (v. 36). David demonstrated enough courage and conviction to convince Saul that the victory could be won. He sent David off with a prayer for the Lord’s presence and partnership in his quest.

APPLY THE WORD
The symbols in today’s reading can apply to us and our fears. The lion and bear could be anything that threaten us. Be it a monumental task, a difficult confrontation, or a painful trial, we don’t need to fear, because God is more powerful than any danger. And we are like the sheep in David’s anecdote. Just as his sheep were helpless against wild animals, we can’t face the problems of our lives without God’s protection. Trust in Him and not in your own strength.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 42
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you. - Psalm 42:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Deer don’t typically prefer to stay in any one place out in the open for very long—the ones that do put themselves in danger of an attack from a predator, whether animal or human. For that reason, deer eat selectively and in small meals. When the plants they eat are well watered, deer can get enough water from food without having to stop at streams or watering holes. It’s only in the dry, hot months when the need for water is high that a deer will become vulnerable enough to stop for a drink.

A deer that pants for water is a deer suffering at the pinnacle of thirst. So when David wrote that he longed for God like a deer pants for streams of water, he wasn’t expressing an occasional desire for a quiet moment with God. This was David at his most desperate, weighed down by an acute, painful need for God’s intervention—the verses that follow show that to be the case.

Look at the other images David employed: his tears were his food (v. 3); his soul was downcast and disturbed (v. 5); God had forgotten him (v. 9); he ached to the bone (v. 10). But this is not a psalm of doubt; it’s quite the opposite. David longed for streams of water, but God submerged him in waterfalls (v. 7).

David knew that in his hour of dire need, the only thing he truly needed (and all he really wanted) was to be close to God. That’s why the refrain repeats, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (vv. 5, 11). David expressed his dire longing, but he fully held on to hope that God could more than meet the need.

The beginning of the refrain actually questions the justification of David’s strife. Why are you downcast? David reminded himself of times of jubilation (v. 4) and God’s constant presence, direction, and encouragement (v. 8). The psalm contrasts David’s inner turmoil against a raging river of evidence of God’s support and love for him. The conclusion was obvious: David’s hope was in the Lord.

APPLY THE WORD
Every person will experience a time when the need for hope and assurance becomes almost painful. In your darkest moments, do you long for God or do you long for relief from any source? Desperation can lead us to make terrible choices if we don’t turn to Him for help. If you are in such a time right now, remind yourself of the days when God has met your need and voice your deep desire to feel that again. The refreshing waters of God’s hope spring eternal!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 2004, the Two Hearts Pet Loss Center became the first funeral home in the United States dedicated exclusively to memorializing pets. What may have struck many as a frivolous service has become a lasting trend rather than a passing fad. Many more such businesses have sprung up around the country, and a growing number of traditional funeral homes are offering increased options for animal funerals, burials, and cremations. Many people love their pets dearly enough to mourn their loss with a similar grief they show for people.

Some of the deepest grief stems from a lack of hope for the reality of an afterlife. King Solomon’s darkest hour produced a much different reaction than what his father expressed in yesterday’s study. Ecclesiastes was composed from a viewpoint intentionally restricted to what can be observed under the sun, or in creation. When one can look no further than the grave, the conclusions weren’t hopeful.

“All share a common destiny,” wrote the man known still today for his wisdom (v. 2). The same fate of death awaits us all; evil and righteous, wise and foolish, animal or human. Solomon used images we’ve seen before: a lion to represent the height of majesty in the animal kingdom, and a dog as an animal of little regard (v. 4). But when the two ends of the spectrum meet at the grave, a breathing dog is superior to a fallen lion—and presumably superior even to a person who has passed.

Solomon explained further that those who are alive have hope of enjoying what is before them and even fearing what awaits (v. 5). But to the dead, all knowledge is erased (or at least it becomes useless in this life). It’s important to remember the narrow perspective Solomon used in Ecclesiastes. These conclusions are the natural result of removing the factor of eternity from the equation.

Solomon does conclude with a valuable lesson, even if it does feature the word meaningless more frequently than we might like. We are called to make the most of the days we have and enjoy what we do—leave no amount of energy or enjoyment in reserve.

APPLY THE WORD
We do have a hope that lasts beyond the grave! As the writer of Hebrews put it, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” (10:23). Yet, even with the eternal in mind, it’s important to recognize the importance of every day on earth. What if this day were your last? Would you spend it complaining? Would you ignore those who mean the most to you? Would you be ashamed to profess your faith? Answer those questions this day with a resounding no.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Proverbs 6:6-11
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! - Proverbs 6:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Ant colonies have earned classification as a superorganism. So great is the cohesive cooperation between the various members of the colony, they act as a self-governing organism of their own. The behavior of each individual is determined by the collective interests of the group. In this system the workers work, the needs of the colony are met, and the queen lives a long life—queen ants can live as long as 30 years! For these reasons, ant colonies instruct ecologists, sociologists, engineers and many more experts who long to learn from the wisdom of the ant.

In the practical sense, Solomon is exactly right in his statement that ants have no commander, overseer, or ruler (v. 6). They govern themselves and work to meet the needs of the group and, as a result, their own needs as well. Solomon may have been the richest man in the world, but he probably would not have achieved so much had he not valued hard work.

Ant colonies are resilient communities. Solomon noticed and valued the traits of wisdom that gave the ants their longevity. They work based on a desire to work, not based on an assessment of short-term need. This habit results in the collection and storage of enough food to sustain them through the barren, dormant winter months. Solomon did not notice the same traits in some of his people.

He singled out the sluggard, the slothful person who spent too much time sleeping and resting from any labor they may have otherwise undertaken. He pleaded with them to arise from their laziness, because poverty and scarcity loomed in their futures.

Solomon chose a negative image to describe the future for sluggards: he depicted the coming poverty and scarcity as thieves. If they were diligent with their resources, a plentiful supply for his people was an expectation, even a right. Having a sufficient amount of goods on which to live was something Solomon’s people should enjoy during a time of national prosperity. But a lack of effort or cooperation would result in the loss of their livelihoods. Their own lethargy would be the culprit.

APPLY THE WORD
The main application of today’s passage is straight-forward: we need to work hard. The benefits are many and obvious. But it’s also important to keep in mind the motivation of the ant’s hard work. An ant doesn’t strive for its well-being alone, but for the good of the community. Regarding the ant as a role model should never lead us to shy away from meeting the needs of our fellow man. Hard work does not preclude us from showing compassion.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 10:16-31
Even the sparrow has found a home . . . a place near your altar, LORD Almighty. - Psalm 84:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Mao Zedong’s great sparrow campaign was one of the worst propaganda mistakes of all time. The “kill a sparrow campaign” promoted the belief that sparrows were pests that needed to be eradicated because they ate grain and reduced the harvest. Schools, work places, and government agencies gave special recognition to people who successfully killed these birds. But in fact, the sparrows actually ate more plant-destroying insects than grain. Pestilence surged as a result of the campaign, and the nation plunged deeper into the Great Chinese Famine.

If Mao Zedong had realized that God not only watched over the sparrows but also used the sparrows to protect us from danger, perhaps he would have left the birds alone. For the twelve disciples the lesson of the sparrows spurred them on to greater action. Jesus was sending them out to do amazing things in His name at great risk, and He used an array of animal images to instruct them.

The disciples were going out as sheep among wolves, not exactly the most encouraging comparison for those young men to hear (v. 16). They needed to know, however, that acting with the power of God’s Son would draw the hatred so many harbored toward Him (vv. 17-18). That explains the need for Jesus to remind them that God was watching over them (vv. 29-31).

Jesus also uses a curious tandem of images: shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves. These animals have been used to describe Satan and the Holy Spirit respectively, and Jesus used to describe the disciples in a speech where both Satan and the Holy Spirit play a part (vv. 25, 20). What a masterful way to capture the dramatic significance of the disciples’ work.

As tense and pivotal as the moment was, Jesus instilled confidence in His followers, not fear. Three times in the final verses of the passage He implores them, “Do not be afraid” (vv. 26, 28, 31). Their only fear was to be reserved for the Father who held their souls in His hand (v. 28). Pleasing and honoring God was to be their only concern.

APPLY THE WORD
Jesus encouraged His followers with the truth, even though on the surface it seemed scary. We can take a similar approach as we assess our lives. Our faith is not a blindfold that compels us to ignore the real fears and concerns swirling around us. We face trials. We face opposition. We also face nothing that supersedes the power of God. We shouldn’t ignore our problems, only see them in the light of God’s glorious protective care. What can stop us from serving Him?