A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

David's Army (#19940819)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men” (I Samuel 22:1,2).

As David was fleeing for his life from King Saul, a rather pitiful and unpromising company began following him, and they became the nucleus of what would soon be his army. Others joined them, and David trained them, “For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God” (I Chronicles 12:22). Soon they were no longer discontented misfits, but a remarkable array of “mighty men” (v.21). One group, for example, was said to be “men of war fit for the battle, . . . whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains” (I Chronicles 12:.

In many remarkable ways David was a type of Christ, his life foreshadowing the experiences of the greater “son of David” who would come a thousand years later. In such a parallel, his army is a type of the earthly “host of God,” the great company of those who have chosen to follow Christ, each of whom has been called to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Timothy 2:3).

The followers of Christ were once also in distress, for “the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen” (I Corinthians 1:28). He is now “the captain of their salvation” (Hebrews 2:10), urging that each one should strive to “please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (II Timothy 2:4). When He is finally ready to take the kingdom, these will be with Him in His triumphant return and eternal reign (Revelation 19:14; 22:5). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Precious Treasures (#19940820)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth . . .” (I Peter 1:7).

Precious—“Of great price, costly, valuable, very dear, highly esteemed, expensive.” People and temporal things are said to be precious to us; yet, how much more precious to us should things of a spiritual nature be. Peter loved to use the word, “precious” in his epistles. Note Peter’s precious treasures: Precious Trials—“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth” (I Peter 1:7). Precious Blood—“Redeemed . . . with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:18,19). Precious Corner Stone—“To whom coming, as unto a living stone . . . chosen of God, and precious . . . a chief corner stone, elect, precious” (I Peter 2:4,6). Precious Lord—“Unto you therefore which believe He is precious” (I Peter 2:7). Precious Faith—“To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 1:1). Precious Promises—“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (II Peter 1:4). Precious Death—“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).

This last verse is not from Peter, but should be included in the list of God’s precious things, serving, as it does, as the final evaluation of the things of this life. It is a precious, comforting thought to know that “to be absent from the body (is) to be present with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:. NPS

[Soldier4Christ]

The Measure Of Better (#19940821)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith” (Proverbs 15:16,17).

There are many such comparisons as those in our text that have been incorporated in the book of Proverbs. We tend to think in financial terms, but the true measure of “worth” has nothing to do with money. In fact, one could almost develop an inverse law to the effect that the more money one has, the less happiness and contentment he enjoys. Note the frequency of such “equations” in Proverbs.

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (Proverbs 16:. “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife” (Proverbs 17:1). “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Proverbs 16:19). “Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6).

That which is better, therefore, is to be found “with the fear of the LORD,” “where love is,” “with righteousness” and “quietness therewith.” It is better when one is “of an humble spirit,” who “walketh in his uprightness.”

This is a lesson that the many affluent Christian men and women of our prosperous nation urgently need to learn today. Note Paul’s counsel to young Timothy: Speaking of men who are “destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness,” he warns: “From such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:5,6). Then comes a very sobering commentary: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, . . . and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:9,10). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Action Verbs (#19940822)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the doorposts of thine house, and upon thy gates” (Deuteronomy 11:18–20).

This passage is similar to others (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:6–9) throughout Moses’ writings and concerns the preserving and propagating of the news of God’s miraculous protection of the people of Israel and the marvelous legal code He had revealed to them. We can understand better the care by which this preservation was to take place, by noting the action verbs used in this passage:

First, the people were to “lay up” or impress the information in their hearts and souls. Every fiber of their being was to be aware of and in submission to the law. This personal commitment was to be aided by physical reminders “bound” on each person’s hands and clothing, in plain sight, so that it could not be ignored or forgotten.

Next, the personal saturation was to move from the family leaders into the family, particularly the children. Parents were to “teach” the law, “speaking” of it at every opportunity, whether sitting, walking, lying down, or rising up. In this way, the personal would become corporate.

Finally, it was to become public, for each was instructed to “write” portions of the law where all could see and know of the personal commitment within.

Before God will give us a public ministry, there must be an inner submission to and love for the things of God. This should be obvious to all around us. Then God can use us at home and elsewhere to His glory. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Word Of The King (#19940823)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?” (Ecclesiastes 8:4).

Perhaps the arch-type of absolute monarchs was Babylonia’s King Nebuchadnezzar, of whom the prophet Daniel could say: “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory” (Daniel 2:37). The word of this and every true king was with power, the king being answerable to no man but himself, for his authority came from God. “For there is no power but of God” (Romans 13:1). Many kings have had to learn this truth the hard way, however, for they have found that God could remove them as quickly as He had ordained them when they abused that power.

But there is one King who will never fall; one “who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings; . . . to whom be honor and power everlasting” (I Timothy 6:15,16). The Lord Jesus Christ has asserted: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18), and one day all creatures in heaven and earth will acknowledge: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things” (Revelation 4:11). In that day all “the kingdoms of this world (shall) become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

This one, who is King of all kings, is also the one who is “called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). The word of this King is of such power that He could speak the mighty cosmos into existence. His word could calm a violent storm and call Lazarus back from death. “The word of God is quick, and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12), and “His word was with power” (Luke 4:32). Therefore, “all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen” (II Corinthians 1:20). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

These Are Written (#19940824)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name” (John 20:30,31).

The gospel of John was written explicitly to lead people to salvation through faith in Christ. To do that, they must be shown that He was the very Son of the omnipotent God. This in turn required that certain great events in His human life become part of the written word, the holy Scriptures.

John’s gospel was written after the Jewish dispersion in 70 A.D. and so was written especially with the pagan world of evolutionary humanism in mind. Both Jew and Greek needed to know that Jesus was more than a great man, or even a wonder-worker, but that He was the very Creator Himself.

Therefore, John began his evangelistic appeal with a great affirmation of creation, starting with the very words of the only real record of ex nihilo creation in the ancient world—that is, the book of Genesis. “In the beginning was the word . . . the word was God. . . . All things were made by Him . . . . He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not” (John 1:1,3,10).

Then John described in detail seven great miracles of Christ, none of which could ever be duplicated by any sorcerer or magician. Solely by His own spoken word, He turned water into wine, healed a dying lad six miles away, gave perfect limbs to a life-long crippled man, created food for a multitude, walked on water, made perfect eyes for a man born blind, and restored a friend to life who had been dead four days. Finally, He arose from the dead Himself. Many have been those through the years who, on reading this wonderful gospel, have said with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Lifestyle: Our (#19940825)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“To whom also He showed Himself alive after His Passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

It is interesting how often the Scriptures refer to a forty-day period. There are nine different forty-day periods noted in Scripture (the phrase itself occurs seventeen times), and it may be noteworthy that forty days is one-ninth of the original (and prophetic) lunar/solar year of 360 days (note Genesis 7:11; 8:3,4; Revelation 11:2,3). Thus the total of the nine forty-day periods equals the ideal year.

The periods are as follows: [1] the intense rainfall at the flood (Genesis 7:12,17); [2] the first giving of the law (Exodus 24:18; Deuteronomy 9:9,11); [3] the second giving of the law (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:18,25); [4] the searching of Canaan by the fearful spies (Numbers 13:25; 14:34); [5] the defiance of Israel by Goliath (I Samuel 17:16); [6] Elijah’s journey to Horeb (I Kings 19:; [7] Jonah’s reluctant preaching in Nineveh (Jonah 3:4); [8] Christ’s temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2); [9] Christ’s post-resurrection ministry (Acts 1:3).

Each of these periods was a time of great stress and intense testing for one or more of God’s people, except the last. The final forty-day period, encompassing Christ’s ministry to His disciples after His resurrection, was a time of triumph and great blessing. He had come victoriously through the most intense time of stress and testing that anyone could ever experience, and now He could show Himself alive eternally to His disciples and promise them the same victory. Forty days of testing, then forty days of triumph! Even a lifetime of testing is more than balanced by an eternity of blessing. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Lifestyle: Our (#19940826)
by Henry Morris III, Th.D.

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7).

The “grace” that is given (Greek charis) is a distribution by the Holy Spirit of “gifts” (same Greek word) to every believer (I Corinthians 12:4–11). Seventeen different “gifts” are listed in three New Testament passages (Romans 12:3–8; I Corinthians 12:4–10; Ephesians 4:11), all of them intended by the Holy Spirit to minister to the church and to enhance her unity (Romans 12:3; I Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:12).

Three reasons are cited for these gifts (Ephesians 4:12): “The perfecting of the saints,” a process that describes making something useful or suitable that is not yet adequate. James and John “mended” their nets (Matthew 4:21). Paul prayed that he might supply that which was “lacking” (I Thessalonians 3:10). The “gifts” of the Holy Spirit “mend” that which is “lacking” in the saints. “The work of the ministry” is a joint effort of service (II Corinthians 6:1) that recognizes the public visibility of that service (II Corinthians 4:1,2) and steadfastly displays those gifts so that the “ministry be not blamed” (II Corinthians 6:3). “The edifying of the body of Christ” focuses the use of the gifts on the enrichment and betterment of the local assembly of believers (I Corinthians 14:5,12,26).

The goal is to bring “all” (the saints) to a state of doctrinal unity, (“the faith”) so that our maturity can be compared to “the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13), eliminating susceptibility to “every wind of doctrine,” growing up “into Him in all things,” and building the body “fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:14–16). HMM, III

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Lifestyle: Our (#19940827)
by Henry Morris III, Th.D.

“This I say . . . that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk” (Ephesians 4:17).

This succinct command quickly is followed by a sweeping description of the impotent mind of the gentiles in contrast to the utterly changed condition of the believer. The “Gentiles” have a “darkened” perceptive ability rendering them “alienated” because of the “ignorance that is in them,” and an overall “blindness of their heart” which is the root cause of their inability to function, even to feel, in the same way as the children of God (Ephesians 4:18,19; compare Romans 1:21–32; II Corinthians 4:3,4).

The saint of God, however, is told to discard the old man and to “put on the new man” (Ephesians 4:20–24)—as though that simple picture of a powerful reality is adequate instruction to fulfill the earlier command. No longer is the child of God to be “corrupt” by the “deceitful lusts” of his or her old condition, but having “learned Christ” and “been taught by Him,” is to “be renewed in the spirit of (their) mind.” A transformation is now possible through the new mental (intellectual, spiritual) abilities given to us by Christ (Romans 12:1,2; I Corinthians 2:16).

The “new man,” which we are responsible to wear like a body-enveloping cloak, is “created” for us by the omniscient Creator “in righteousness and true holiness.” We have been given a specially created “new man” to wear (externally visible), which will show (exhibit, demonstrate, make clear) the spiritual difference between the Gentiles and the “saints of God.”

The seventeen commands which follow (Ephesians 4:24 through 5:7) address every aspect of the Christian walk, all relating to a lifestyle of truth, giving specific contrast between the “Gentile” and the “saint.” HMM, III

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Lifestyle: Our (#19940828)
by Henry Morris III, Th.D.

“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

The “wherefore” is preceded by the command: “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:. This title, “Children of Light”, is used only three other times in the New Testament: once by the Lord Jesus to contrast worldly wisdom with the ineffectual use of godly wisdom in the “least things” (Luke 16:; once again to direct us to “believe in the light” (John 12:36); and finally by Paul to encourage us to “watch and be sober” (I Thessalonians 5:5,6).

A “light-like” life, also called “the fruit of the Spirit,” is expressed in the character of “goodness” (Romans 15:14), “righteousness” (Romans 14:17,18), and “truth” (Ephesians 5:9; compare Galatians 5:22). In fact, the transformation of our character by our conscious choice to “present (our) bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” enables us to “prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1,2; Ephesians 5:10). An equation is clearly drawn between godly behavior and godly wisdom.

It therefore follows that children of light should “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11), taking the responsibility to “reprove them” and recognizing the “shame even to speak of those things . . .” (Ephesians 5:12). The “light” things “make manifest” (present, display) that which is reproved enabling us to “walk circumspectly [accurately, carefully] not as fools but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). That wisdom is not the foolish “wisdom of this world” (I Corinthians 1:20), but the “wisdom of God” (I Corinthians 2:7) that we might “know the things that are freely given to us of God” (I Corinthians 2:12), “understanding what the will of the Lord is.” HMM, III

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The Christian's Lifestyle: Our (#19940829)
by Henry Morris III, Th.D.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

Two factors need to be identified with this verse: First, the immediately preceding context confines the primary application to behavior, just as the immediately following context relates the “filled” behavior to the fellowship of believers; and secondly, the imagery stresses control of the behavior by the Holy Spirit (contrasting “filled” with drunken behavior).

The filling is not synonymous with the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:12–14) since “all” are so baptized but not “all” are filled. Nor is it equal with or subsequent to speaking in tongues, since some specifically identified as being filled with the Holy Spirit (John the Baptist, Elizabeth, Jesus) never spoke in tongues. Some individuals (Paul, Peter, Stephen) were filled on different occasions. Apparently, the filling produces a temporary “effect” like alcohol does. The “effect” of the filling of the Holy Spirit enhances or encourages a God-like behavior in contrast to the Satan-like behavior stimulated by alcohol.

Some passages equate power with this filling (Acts 1:8; Romans 15:13; I Thessalonians 1:5), and others equate it to wisdom (Colossians 1:9–11; Philippians 1:9–11; Colossians 3:15–17). The immediate context, however, lists four evidences of the Holy Spirit’s control (Ephesians 5:19–21); songs of praise together; personal singing and private melody to God in our hearts; thanksgiving; and voluntary submission to one another in the Lord. Since the Holy Spirit distributes gifts to the saints (Ephesians 4:7–11) for the purpose of building the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12–16), it stands to basic reason that the Holy Spirit’s control is designed to enhance and stimulate the ministry of believers to each other and the personal joy and awareness of the goodness of God. HMM, III

[Soldier4Christ]

The Christian's Lifestyle: Our (#19940830)
by Henry Morris III, Th.D.

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).

Our calling is to “walk worthy.” Our gifts are “perfect and complete. Our behavior is changed by the “new man.” Our wisdom is to “understand the will of the Lord.” Our control is being “filled with the Spirit.”

Ephesians 5:22 through 6:9 presents a basic primer on human relationships in dynamics that impact most of our lives, our families, and our places of employment. Our relationships are to be carried out by “submitting (ourselves) to one another in the fear of God.” That key word, hupotasso is itself, instructive. It is a compound of the preposition, “under,” and a word that means, “to arrange in order.” Thus, “to arrange under, in order.”

In the home, the submission (order, arrangement) is compared to the Lord’s house, the church. Wives are to be arranged under the husband (emphasis on authority) just as the church is under the authority of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:22–24). Husbands are to be under the responsibility of love (emphasis on sacrifice) just as Christ gave His life on behalf of and for the benefit of the church (Ephesians 5:25–33). Children are to be under the arranged order of correct behavior (emphasis on obedience) just as the fifth commandment so requires for the protection and promotion of well being and longevity (Ephesians 6:1–4).

In the workplace, those who serve are to serve as though they were serving the Lord, not men (Ephesians 6:5–8). Those who lead and own are to relate to their “servants” as though they were serving the servants, recognizing that one Master is over all (Ephesians 6:9). These instructions are really quite simple. We do not need to complicate them. HMM. III

[Soldier4Christ]

No Chastening Seems Joyous (#19940831)
by Connie J. Horn

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

Chastening is one of the most valuable occurrences in the growth of a child of God. Admonitions to chasten our children teach us much about this aspect of our relationship with our heavenly Father.

“Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (Proverbs 23:13,14). The word “beat” does not mean to club someone, as perhaps is the present-day usage. Rather, it carries the idea of a small, slender switch, and the goal is not that its sting should harm, or cause physical damage, but that it should divert from the dangerous direction in which the chastised one is heading.

Not only is chastening a mark of sonship (“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” [Hebrews 12:8]), it is a testimony that the one who chastises us cares enough to spend time to change our direction when we are headed into trouble. “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest” him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity“ (Psalm 94:12,13).

When we “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6), we are following in the footsteps of the one who has trained us in the way we should go. All parents know beyond a shadow of a doubt that “foolishness is bound in the heart of a child,” but thankfully “the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15).

We, as adults, are no less foolish than children! Thankfully our heavenly Father has infinite patience in our training and infinite wisdom regarding the way we should go. CJH

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Mourning His Coming (#19940901)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).

The day when the Lord finally returns to Earth should be a time of great joy, for then the groaning Creation “shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Children of God” (Romans 8:21). Paul reminds us that “a crown of righteousness” will be awarded to all those at that day who “love His appearing” (II Timothy 4:.

But for many it will be a time of great mourning—mourning over foolish choices and lost opportunities. The Jews, for example, “shall look upon (Jesus) whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son” (Zechariah 12:10). When the great Babylonish system of international commerce and finance is destroyed, then “the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more” (Revelation 18:11). All those who had opportunity to serve the lord, but refused or neglected to do so, will hear the awful words: “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30).

Even many Christians will be “saved; yet so as by fire” and will “suffer loss” of rewards they might otherwise have received had they been faithful and diligent (I Corinthians 3:15). How important it is, therefore, to “abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (I John 2:28).

If we abide in Him and love His appearing, even though all the nations of the earth mourn in that day when He comes, we can daily “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2). HMM

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Revenge (#19940902)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work” (Proverbs 24:29).

When one has been injured in word or deed by someone else, especially without cause, the natural reaction is to seek revenge. The Christian, however, must not react naturally, but: supernaturally! Jesus commanded: “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despiteully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44,45). Furthermore, He set the example: “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (I Peter 2:23).

Vengeance is God’s business, not man’s. Surely, if anyone ever deserved to be the object of revenge, it was Cain, who was the world’s first murderer. Yet God said: “wherefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold” (Genesis 4:15). Similarly, the Bible’s final reference to vengeance also ascribes it to God. “For true and righteous are His judgments; . . . (He) hath avenged the blood of His servants at her hand” (Revelation 19:2).

This is a difficult doctrine to comprehend fully, and even more difficult to practice. Nevertheless, since it is the lord’s will, He will give us the grace to follow it. Therefore, “avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19–21). We can leave our revenge to God, “for we know Him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord” (Hebrews 10:30). HMM