Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Drink of Living Water"

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” John 7:37
   

Yesterday we left David “in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1). But he finds his spiritual thirst quenched by God alone, his Rock and Salvation. The Son of David, Jesus Christ, says to the disciples and to us many years later: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38).

Having spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness, where He was tempted, Jesus relied on the Father and refreshed multitudes with living water. Having cried out in agony from the cross, “I thirst,” Jesus won the victory over the evil wilderness forces of sin, death, and the devil.

He now offers us the cool water of His Word and sacraments to quench our spiritual thirst day by day. Spiritual dryness will occur because of our sin and the circumstances around us. But the great thirst-quencher stands ready to help us and through us to pour forth a stream of living water to a dry, thirsty world. With the desert traveler we still cry out for “water, cool, clear water.” But God has supplied us with an endless drink of living water through Jesus Christ. How wonderful that we also have water from our spiritual canteen to share with others!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Spiritual Dryness"

O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
   

An old song describes the desert traveler as longing for “cool, clear water.” In the old West, desert travel was perilous – hot, dry, dusty conditions, miles and miles of wilderness, prickly cactus, volcanic rock, precious canteens of water for horses and travelers, scarce water holes, sometimes empty, sometimes filled with brackish water, the body dehydrated, weary, tested beyond human endurance. The utter gratitude for reaching journey’s end and drinking an unlimited supply of cool, clear water!

In today’s psalm verse the writer uses this desert imagery to describe spiritual dryness. David knew the meaning of desert travel from his experiences in fleeing from Saul. He had endured physical thirst and desperation. Here he applies these physical realities to his spiritual thirst for God. Alone, rejected, hopeless, discouraged, he wants a close relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, “the spring of living water” (Jeremiah 2:13).

Do you know the reality of spiritual dryness? Have you felt isolated from God? Troubled on the job, in your family, perhaps even in your church, you wander around desperately seeking a drink of cool, clear water. But you are alone, with a punctured canteen. You cry out to God, but He does not seem to hear. You are spiritually exhausted. You can barely face the next day with its people, problems, and demands. You try to live on what you have within, but your mouth is dry and parched. From time to time you think you see a lake of water ahead, only to discover a mirage. Spiritual dryness has overwhelmed you. Where is God’s cool, clear, thirst-quenching refreshment?

Come to Jesus, the Living Water!

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Vault Without Fault"

By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
   

A dramatic moment occurred during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. All-around competition in women’s gymnastics reached a climax in the vault event. America’s first opportunity for a gymnastics gold medal rested on the shoulders of 94-pound Mary Lou Retton, a 16-year-old West Virginian. She needed a perfect score of 10 to capture the individual title. With confidence and dynamic energy, Mary Lou exploded on the vault into not one but two perfect 10s. Her clutch performance has been labeled as “the vault without fault.”

Young gymnasts throughout the country aspire to achieve like Mary Lou Retton, but few succeed. We would like to accomplish in our lives at home, in school, and on the job a “vault without fault,” but we also fall far short. How many dreams are shattered, goals unreached, and opportunities lost!

The writer to the Hebrews, though, points us to a high priest who brings hope to us all. Other priests, themselves weak and sinful, offered daily sacrifices in the temple for their own sins and the sins of the people. But Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, came down from heaven to earth and lived among us without fault. He was tempted as we are, yet was without sin. In a climactic moment on Calvary, with the future of the whole human race at stake, He needed to make a perfect sacrifice for us. And He did just that!

Now, through His sacrifice, we are perfect in God’s eyes – forgiven and cleansed. Now, like Mary Lou Retton, we seek to reach our God-given potential. Therefore, as the Hebrews writer suggests, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Shadow of God’s Hand"

“I have put My words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of My hand.” Isaiah 51:16
   

What could be worse than walking under a mercilessly hot sun with no shade in sight? Skin grows dry and parched. Headache begins. We feel faint. Many times our daily life brings temptations and problems which beat down on our heads like the blazing sun. We try to cover up and protect ourselves but fail to dispel the heat.

Isaiah describes God’s salvation with the words, “I have … covered you with the shadow of my hand.” God with His powerful hand reaches down to us and provides refreshing cool, life-giving shade to protect us from sin and temptation. Our Bible reading emphasizes both God’s might and His mercy. He, the great, merciful God, will take care of His own and will save us, His children, from our enemies.

Alone, we die in sin. But God’s Son went to Calvary for us, where He endured the blazing wrath of God on our sins. He won the victory. Now forgiveness is ours through Jesus Christ. God’s hand shades us from all guilt and shame.

By speaking the words God puts in our mouth, we can also bring the good news of God’s shading hand to others. Repenting of their sins, they too can rest in the shade of God’s protecting hand. The next time you seek the shade of a large tree, remember the gracious hand of God available at all times for you in a hot, desert, land.

[Soldier4Christ]

"A Chariot Witness"

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. Acts 8:30
   

The award-winning film “Chariots of Fire” describes the 1934 Olympic success of the United Kingdom track team. They ran with the intensity of fiery chariots. Eric Liddell, a Church of Scotland believer, anchored that track team and shocked the press by refusing to run on Sunday at the Olympics because of his religious convictions. One year after winning an Olympic gold medal, Liddell journeyed to China as a missionary with the London Missionary Society. He now ran for the Lord as a Christian witness. In addition to teaching science at an Anglo-Chinese college, he served as a rural evangelist, traveling many miles on foot and bicycle. During World War II he spent two years in a Japanese prison camp as an “enemy national” dying there of a brain tumor in 1945. Throughout his career he served as a tremendous inspiration to those around him – a chariot of fire in his witness to Jesus Christ.

In Acts we read about the evangelist Philip, who was asked to seek out a foreign dignitary from Ethiopia traveling home by chariot. “Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.” Philip, like Eric Liddell, ran in order to witness to Christ. The Ethiopian eunuch believed and was baptized through Philip’s witness. No doubt the Gospel came to Ethiopia as the man’s chariot reached his home.

We can also be “chariots of fire” for the Lord. God sent His Son to run the race for us and win the victory on the cross. He endured persecution, suffering, and death to pay for our sins. He chooses us as His own forgiven children. By His power we can run like Philip and Eric Liddell to tell others about Jesus the Savior. What chariot witness does God have in store for you?

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Good Soil of a Receptive Heart"

“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:8
   

Jesus is teaching by the seashore. In the background a sower is sowing seed in the fields. The people gather to hear, but with different attitudes and motivations. They listen spellbound to His parable taken from a familiar scene in their lives. As He describes each kind of soil – the wayside soil of a closed mind, the rocky soil of a shallow faith, and the thorny soil of conflicting interests, the Spirit of God convicts them of sin – poor hearing and false understanding. Now comes the fourth kind of soil.

“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Good soil. Deep, clean, soft soil. Nourishment for the germinating seed. An abundant harvest.

God’s grace at work. He sent His Son to live and die for a world which represented all the wrong kinds of soils. The seed of God’s Word alone contains the power to create receptive soil and bring about a growing plant and an abundant harvest. Even our fruit-bearing comes only from God’s grace. The mighty seed explodes in our lives. He gives us receptive and obedient hearts. We learn to listen and understand, to trust and obey.

May we always be good soil and produce abundant fruit. And may God also make us participants in sowing the seed, so that many may be won for Christ’s kingdom.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Thorny Soil of Conflicting Interests"

“Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.” Matthew 13:7
   

God, the Sower, sows the powerful seed of His Word. Some of the seed falls on soil with thorns. This soil looks clean at the outset but is deceptive. When one turns over a garden with fibrous roots still in the ground, similar trouble lies ahead. When the seed germinates and the young plant begins to grow, thorns and weeds grow up right alongside the plant and choke the life out of it.

Jesus describes the thorny soil as follows: “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).

How devastating to us the thorny soil! We grow as young plants in good soil but all the while permit the many conflicting interests of our life to grow beside us. We lead busy lives filled with activities. We make money. We buy appliances, gadgets, and recreational equipment. We plunge our children into activities. We build a social life – all alongside our hearing the Word of God. Most of these interests need not be wrong in themselves, but the second best is always the enemy of the best. Gradually the thorns begin to choke off the life of God in us.

Do I hear like thorny soil or is my soil receptive to the powerful seed of God’s Word? Thank God that Jesus of Nazareth was not distracted by conflicting interests but shunned Satan’s temptation to material wealth and went to the cross. In His death He won life for a sinful world attracted by thorns and weeds. Thank God for showing us the priceless value of His life and His Word for us.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Rocky Soil of Shallow Faith"

“Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil.” Matthew 13:5
   

God, the Sower, sows the powerful seed of His Word. Some of that seed, according to the parable, falls on rocky soil. In parts of Palestinian fields a thin skin of earth only a few inches deep lies on top of an underlying shelf of limestone rock. The seed falling on this rocky soil would quickly germinate because of the warmth of the soil but no roots would be able to penetrate the limestone shelf. The promising young plant, however, quickly withers and dies when the hot sun scorches it.

Jesus describes the rocky soil as follows: “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the Word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, he quickly falls away” (Matthew 13:20-21).

This description of seed on rocky soil strikes right at the heart of much modern religious life. We often grow tremendously excited over fads and new trends. We respond to religion as an emotional high. We make a faith commitment with good intentions. But then the good beginning quickly fades away; we lose our initial enthusiasm. We have experienced only a shallow and emotional faith, with no lasting roots in the promises of God.

Am I ever like seed on rocky soil, or is my soil receptive to the seed? Thank God that the powerful seed of His Word produces roots that go deep into the soil of His love. Thank God that Jesus Christ heard the Father’s Word and obeyed, lived in a world of rocky soil, yet committed Himself to death on a cross and offers forgiveness of sins also to those hearers who, at least at times, resemble rocky soil. Thank God for His gift of deep and solid faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Wayside Soil of a Closed Mind"

“As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.” Matthew 13:4
   

The parable of the sower continues. God, the Sower, sows the powerful seed of His Word, with some falling by the wayside. This wayside or path probably refers to a narrow strip of land used as a common walking ground between the fields. This path was trampled down by many feet and therefore totally hardened against the penetration of any seed. Birds could easily see and take the seed for themselves.

Jesus identifies the wayside soil as follows: “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart (Matthew 13:19). The wayside soil tells a grim story. Some hearers of the word do not understand, because they have a hardened, unteachable spirit.

Pride rears its ugly head: “I don’t need to study the Word. I feel quite satisfied spiritually. I’m not like the heathen. I come from a long line of church people, so I heard all of it years ago!” Fear may also intervene: “I don’t want to hear anything new that will challenge my way of life. I’m quite content with my current life-style. Certainly I’m no worse than others I know. Frankly, I’m afraid the Word might upset me, so I’d rather not have anything to do with it.” Both pride and fear spring from hardened hearts, and the evil one easily sees and takes the seed away.

Do I ever hear like seed sown on wayside soil, rejecting the Word of God? Or is my soil receptive to that seed? Thank God for Jesus Christ, who died also for those with hardened hearts. Thank God for sending His Holy Spirit to break down my stubborn refusal and my hardened spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The Sower and His Powerful Seed"

“A farmer went out to sow his seed.” Matthew 13:3
   

Many gardens dot the backyards of our land. If you have planted a garden, by now you are harvesting or anticipating the harvest. But it all begins with sowing the seed. Jesus knew that also, as He told the familiar parable of the sower. Over the next several days we focus on the parable and its meaning for our lives. Ask yourself the question, “Is my soil receptive to God’s seed?’

Jesus moves from the synagogue to the seashore, where large crowds gather to hear Him. He teaches about the Kingdom by using several parables, all down-to-earth examples with immediate application to the people who hear and understand.

He begins with the parable of the sower. Two common methods of sowing were employed. In the broadcasting method, the farmer would simply throw the seed to either side of him and let the wind carry the seed. Or sometimes a sack of seed was placed on a donkey. A hole cut in the corner of the bag permitted the seed to fall to the ground as the donkey meandered through the field. Either method would account for the kinds of soil described in the parable.

Clearly the seed represents the Word of God, described by Jesus as “the message about the Kingdom” (Matthew 13:19). That Word is powerful and effective, always producing a harvest. God, the Sower, provides the good news that the Kingdom comes in Jesus Christ, who suffers and dies to pay for the world’s sin.

We now enter the parable. The Sower wants to sow the good seed of the Word on our soil so that He can produce an abundant harvest in us. Will we be receptive soil? What a joy to receive that seed of the Kingdom in action! Thank God for His powerful Word and His victorious Son! Tomorrow we begin to consider the kinds of soil upon which the seed falls.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Painful or Painless?"

“Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable?” Jeremiah 15:18
   

I sit in the dentist’s office getting two teeth filled. Is it painful or painless? Thanks to modern dentistry, the affected areas are numbed once the needle penetrates the gums with the anesthetic. But few people enjoy the process. This minor procedure causes me to reflect on the purpose of pain in our lives.

Jeremiah, rejected and discouraged in his ministry, cries out to God, “Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable?” He compares his discouragements with a terminal illness, bringing unending pain. God answers him, “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve Me” (Jeremiah 15:19). God doesn’t promise an easy, pain-free life. He doesn’t let Jeremiah engage in self-pity. He simply promises to be with Jeremiah as he speaks the Word of God.

To understand the purpose of pain, look to Jesus, who endured untold pain and suffering. He suffered physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But through it all God the Father made His Son the instrument of salvation for the world. Saved by Christ’s painful death, we begin to see the value of pain in our lives. Pain turns us to God for help. Forgiven and restored, we then serve Him as we reach out to others. He promises to be with us in the midst of pain. And He understands our pain, because He Himself suffered for us.

With Him at our side, trusting in His promises, we find it easier to endure the pain that comes to us in this fallen world.

[Soldier4Christ]

"Earthquake"

“There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” Matthew 24:7
   

The other day my wife and I were upstairs soon after supper and noticed everything shaking on the dresser top. Unusual in the Midwest, the shaking turned out to be tremors from a moderate earthquake centered in southern Illinois. While for the world as a whole such tremors are not that unusual, they gave us pause for reflection. How easily and unexpectedly nature can unleash destruction upon thousands of people!

Jesus describes signs of His second coming in Matthew 24 and includes this reference: “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” He refers to such signs as “the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:. We can easily live for the moment, forgetting about the second coming of Christ. Even a slight earth tremor calls us to account as we look away from ourselves to the One who lived, died, and rose again for us and will come again in glory at any moment.

While earthquakes can strike fear into the hearts of people, we also recall the solid foundation of God, our Refuge and Strength, who dwells in the midst of all the turmoil. Thank God for His control of nature and for His redemptive plan, which will soon bring the whole creation “into the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).

[Soldier4Christ]

"When I Called..."

“For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened.” Isaiah 66:4
   

Yesterday we heard about God’s great care for us: “Before they call I will answer.” In the very next chapter of Isaiah, from which today’s text comes, we learn of how people despise the love of God: “When I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened.”

God details the disobedience of His people. Their sacrifices do not come from the heart but only display an external obedience. They choose to go their own way and delight in abominations. They do evil and choose what displeases God. In these ways they refused to answer when God called to them and failed to listen when He spoke His Word.

How tragic that we often fail to listen and refuse to answer the God who calls us with His love! Like Israel we sometimes go through the motions of worship while inwardly pursuing our own selfish agenda. But God’s Word has a way of hitting us like a hammer, and He calls us again to repentance and faith in His Son, the Crucified One. Then by His grace we rewrite the verse of our text: “When I called, they answered in faith, when I spoke, they listened with thanksgiving.”

[Soldier4Christ]

"Before They Call…"

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24
   

Sometimes when we make a telephone call the other person says, “I was about to call you!” Always surprising. But God says something far more surprising through the prophet Isaiah: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”

Israel would go through great trouble because of rebellion against God. In captivity far away from home, they would cry out in anguish. Now God is making the tremendous promise that He will answer Israel’s prayer even before they call. He was already planning to send His Son as the promised Messiah to save the world from sin.

How often we wonder whether our prayers will be answered. We struggle because of our sins. We feel overwhelmed by circumstances. We cry out in despair. But even before we call, God has already answered by sending His Son, who is with us always, “to the very end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20).

Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). We can go to God regularly with all our needs, small or large and we can be certain that He will hear our prayers and answer in His own way and at His own time. How comforting to know about God’s personal, immediate attention!

[Soldier4Christ]

"Sitting"

Talk about them when you sit at home. Deuteronomy 6:7
   

Walking, running, leaping, and climbing obviously qualify as physical exercises leading to better health and an aerobic lifestyle. Sitting at first glance doesn’t seem to fit. It suggests a sedentary life and spectatoritis rather than participation. In the exercise cycle, however, sitting could suggest needed rest between active exercises. We all need a breather before resuming exercise.

The psalmist talks about refusing to sit with the wicked (Psalm 26:5) and describes the man as blessed who does not “sit in the seat of mockers” (Psalm 1:1). Amos criticizes a self-serving elite who lounge on couches to dine on fattened calves (Amos 6:4).

But Moses gives important advice to Israel ready to enter the Promised Land. He asks them to worship the Lord our God as one Lord and to love Him with heart, soul, and strength. He then instructs them to share God’s teaching with their children in every aspect of life. Moses tells Israel, “Talk about them when you sit at home.” Sitting at home provides a needed opportunity to study the Word of God and teach the whole family about God’s love in Jesus Christ for lost sinners.

We remember Jesus commending Mary for sitting at His feet and hearing the one thing needful. We sit to rest and let God refresh us through worship and study of the Word so that we can rise to serve Him through walking, running, leaping, and climbing. Through Christ we can anticipate the promise of Revelation, “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).