A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Handfuls Of Purpose (#19941207)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not” (Ruth 2:16).

This verse contains the unusual instruction of Boaz to his servants concerning Ruth, after she asked if she could glean after the reapers in his field of barley. Not only did Boaz allow her to do so, but also commanded his servants to “let fall some of the handfuls of purpose” for her, thus making her task easier.

It is interesting that the same Hebrew word, basically meaning “take a spoil,” is used twice in this verse, once translated “let fall” and once as “of purpose.” The word for “handfuls,” used only this once in the Bible, evidently refers to a hand’s “grip.” Although all the translations seem to have difficulty with it, Boaz seems actually to be saying, in effect, to his servants: “Grab as though you were taking a spoil for her from the bundles of sheaves, and leave them as a spoil for her.” This was to be a deliberate and purposeful gift on Boaz’ part, but Ruth was not to know, so that she could assume she had gleaned it all on her own.

Boaz, therefore, like his distant descendant (through his soon-to-be bride, Ruth), Jesus Christ, provided that which represented the bread of life as a gracious gift to his coming bride. In this, as in other ways, Boaz is a type of Christ, and Ruth is a type of each believer destined for union with Him.

But the sheaves also represent the word of God from which we daily can glean life-giving food for our souls. Our God has been pleased to leave us many “handfuls of purpose” along the way in the fruitful field of Scripture which we can stoop to gather as we go. Our heavenly “Boaz” has paid the price to take the spoil for us, but as we kneel down to glean each morsel, we “rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (Psalm 119:162). HMM

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Cursed Is The Ground (#19941208)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life” (Genesis 3:17).

The great curse which God placed on the ground because of man’s deliberate rebellion against His word is worldwide and age-long. Until sin is removed, the curse cannot be removed. In the new Earth, after Christ returns and all unrepentant, unbelieving sinners have been cast with Satan into the lake of fire, then—and not until then—“there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3).

The curse is not only on man (“unto dust shalt thou return,” Genesis 3:19), but also “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” under “the bondage of corruption” (or “decay,” Romans 8:22,21). For the curse was placed on “the ground,” that is, on the very material out of which God had formed Adam’s body (Genesis 2:7). In fact, it was the “dust of the ground”—that is, the finest particles of matter—from which everything had been made.

Plants and animals, men and women, minerals and mountains, all may grow for a time, but all eventually decay and die, because God’s curse is in the very dust of the ground from which they are formed. The principle has even come to be recognized by scientists as the “law of entropy,” which has no known exception.

When Christ returns to reign in glory, however, the whole creation “shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). Therefore, “we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (II Peter 3:13). HMM

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Enoch: A Man Of Faith (#19941209)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).

Surely one of the most godly, as well as interesting, characters who ever lived was Enoch. He is one of only two who lived before the flood (Noah also, Genesis 6:9) of whom it is said that he “walked with God.” He is also one of only two individuals who never died (Elijah, II Kings 2:11). Little is known about him, but the Bible reveals him to be exemplary among men and special to God.

Notice that he was, first of all, a man of faith. “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death . . . he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is [i.e., that God exists], and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:5,6). Enoch had ample faith in the fact and work of God, which yielded a close walk with God. He also had faith in the caring character of God which rewards the diligent search for Him on His terms with sanctification, fellowship, and eternal life. This faith, we are told, pleased God.

We find in the little book of Jude a description of Enoch’s ministry. Enoch’s faith impelled him to denounce strongly the false teaching and ungodly living of his day, prophesying the coming return of, and judgment by, the Lord (vv.14,15).

Some have speculated that Enoch’s ministry is not yet over. All men die, for “it is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27), and Enoch has not yet died. Perhaps he is one of the two tribulation “witnesses” (Revelation 11:3) whose messages are so much like those of Enoch and Elijah who will be martyred, resurrected, and taken up to heaven directly from earth (vv.4–12).

At any rate, Enoch is certainly one of the great heroes of the faith whom we shall meet some day. JDM

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Two Unbreakable Covenants (#19941210)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee” (Isaiah 54:9).

The words of our text were written at least 1600 years after the great flood went over the whole Earth, yet it was still remembered as a unique event in history. Furthermore, another 2700 years have passed since Isaiah’s time, yet God is still keeping His covenant with Noah; waters have never again gone over all the earth.

The Noahic covenant was unconditional—God’s promise to Noah in reward for his own unique obedience to God before the flood. Another judgment is coming, however, as the next verse warns. “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee” (v.10). A great Earth-shaking judgment is coming, but there is also another covenant, no less sure and unconditional than that of Noah.

In context, the covenant of which God spoke was with the children of Israel. “In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer” (v.. This “Redeemer” is “the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall He be called” (v.5).

The Redeemer of Israel is thus also the God of the whole Earth, and there is also a wonderful covenant He has made with all who appropriate His great work of redemption. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:16,17). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Stand (#19941211)
by Connie J. Horn

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

The term “resist” means to “stand against,” or “oppose,” and is used in reference to our warfare with Satan. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith” (I Peter 5:8,9). “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand [resist] in the evil day, and having done all, to stand [upright and active]” (Ephesians 6:13).

Four times in this passage we are told to stand. Therefore, we can be sure that Satan’s goal is to make sure we do not. We are told to “put on the whole armor of God” (v.11) in order to “stand against the wiles of the devil” (“wiles” means to “travel over”). This traveling over is as devastating as the “devouring” of I Peter 5:8.

Ephesians 6:13 speaks of withstanding in the evil day. The evil day is this age when Satan’s influence is such that it must be reckoned with daily on every hand. For that reason, it is important that God’s armor for the Christian begins with the “loins girt about with truth” (v.14). Peter teaches us to “gird up the loins of (our) mind” (I Peter 1:13). The creative center of the mind needs to be “belted in,” or controlled and channeled by truth, for only by standing in truth does one stand against Satan. “There is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). He opposes truth in his very essence, and because the spirit of truth dwells in us, he opposes us (John 16:13; I Corinthians 3:16). And it is this same Holy Spirit which testifies of Jesus Christ who has given us the victory whereby we stand “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). CJH

[Soldier4Christ]

Walk—don’t (#19941212)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17–19).

In verses 1–3, Paul encourages believers to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This humble, patient, loving, peaceful walk contrasts sharply with the walk described in our text.

The walk of those outside Christ is characterized by “the vanity of their mind”—empty, futile thinking. The same word for “vanity” is used elsewhere for those who deny the obvious evidence for creation, who “became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:21,22). They are ignorant and blind, our text says, with darkened understanding and a blind heart. This has led them into a position of alienation from God, dead to any prompting they might receive from within or without. The result of such a mindset is a shameless, reprobate lifestyle, full of lasciviousness, uncleanness, and greediness.

Thankfully, we “have not so learned Christ” (Ephesians 4:20). We are to be “renewed in the spirit of (our) mind” (v.23) and walk aright. “Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us” (5:2). “Walk as children of light” (5:. “Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (5:15), “filled with the Spirit” (5:18). Our Creator promises us an inward “new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (4:24). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Wars And Rumors Of Wars (#19941213)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6).

Christians are often chided because they are looking for the return of Christ rather than improving this present world. The fact is, however, that Bible-believing Christians have been largely responsible for such improvements in this world as have actually been achieved (elimination of slavery, establishment of hospitals and educational institutions, founding and development of modern science, advances in political freedoms, etc.).

On the other hand, Christ predicted that wars would continue despite His own death and resurrection. In fact, the prophet Daniel had prophesied over five centuries earlier that “unto the end of the war desolations are determined” (Daniel 9:26). For 2500 years the prophecies have been fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled until Christ returns. In that day, God promises: “Of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end.” However, it is not the misguided efforts of secularists and worldly minded Christians that will bring about this state of eternal peace and righteousness. “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7).

Our text is taken from Christ’s Olivet discourse, given in answer to His disciples’ questions about His second coming (Matthew 24,25). Climaxing His message, He said: “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 wicked, warring nations of the earth all will mourn (not rejoice over!) His coming. In the meantime, He urges all true Christians to “be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). HMM

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Though Didst Leave Thy Throne (#19941214)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“. . . Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5–7).

A Christmas carol which has ministered to many over the decades is entitled “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne.” It tells the story of Christ’s incarnation, birth, life, and death, ending with hope for the future and assurance of salvation. Its five verses will focus our attention these next five days. We should note the little word, “but,” for each of the first four verses pivots on it, while it is conspicuously absent in the fifth.

Thou didst leave thy throne And thy kingly crown When thou camest to earth for me; But in Bethlehem’s home Was there found no room For thy holy nativity.

Our text sets forth how God the Son set aside His kingly crown and came to earth as a man, to live a sinless life and die a perfect sacrifice. The passage continues “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (v..

The song declares that He did this for “me,” and so He did, for “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (I Timothy 1:15). “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

His status was kingly and His mission gracious, but His birth in Bethlehem was very lowly, from a human perspective. “And she [i.e., Mary] brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn” (Luke 2:7). Nevertheless, we can make room for Him. “O come to my heart Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for thee.” JDM

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Heaven's Arches Ring (#19941215)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13,14).

When Christ came to earth for His first advent, many angels serving in God’s mighty army (“host”) of “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14) briefly left their posts and battle stations to gather above the shepherd’s field in Bethlehem and joined in mighty chorus to praise God for the mighty plan of redemption underway. The second verse of the well-loved Christmas carol, “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” echoes this event.

Heaven’s arches rang When the angels sang, Proclaiming thy royal decree; But of lowly birth Didst thou come to earth, And in great humility.

Yes, the King had been born, but the angel said to the shepherds, “Ye shall find the babe [i.e., the King] wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger . . . And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12,16).

Jesus continued that life of humility, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (II Corinthians 8:9), expanding it into a lifestyle of service and example.

“Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am. If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you” (John 13:13–15).

“O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for thee.” JDM

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The Foxes Found Rest (#19941216)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6).

The third verse of “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” discusses the human condition of our Savior in His life on earth. From outward appearances He and His disciples were frequently homeless and penniless without any of the comforts we consider necessary.

The foxes found rest, And the birds their nest In the shade of the forest tree; But thy couch was the sod, O thou Son of God, In the deserts of Galilee.

As we see in the text verse above, even the sparrows have a home, but not Him. Likewise, “A certain scribe came, and said unto Him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head” (Matthew 8:19,20).

God has graciously provided for all of His creation, but the Son of God chose to suffer deprivation and hardship so that He can fully minister to us even now, completely identifying with each and every human problem. “Forasmuch, then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same . . . for in that He Himself suffered being tempted, He is able to succor [i.e., help] them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:14,18).

There was a point at which Christ had somewhere “to lay His head.” On the cross, after He had completed all that was necessary to accomplish our salvation, He cried out with a loud voice, “It is finished; and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30). The Greek verb “to bow” is the same as “to lay.”

“O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for thee.” JDM

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The Living Word Came (#19941217)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The life of any individual without Christ is marked by bondage, bondage to sin and its penalty, death. “But, when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem [i.e., free from bondage] them that were under the law” (Galatians 4:4,5). His Son, of course, is none other than Jesus Christ, identified as the living “Word made flesh” in our text.

The fourth verse of “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” reflects this transaction.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the Living Word That should set thy people free; But with mocking scorn And with crown of thorn They bore thee to Calvary.

His creation should have welcomed Him gladly, gratefully accepting this free redemption from bondage, but instead they “stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:28,29).

Then they bore Him “to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him” (Luke 23:33).

This work of liberation and freedom from bondage merits our lifelong thankfulness and devotion, for His death bought our freedom. “Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). As freed slaves, we are free to say,

“O come to my heart Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for thee.” JDM

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The Heavens Shall Ring (#19941218)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? . . . Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:54–57).

The final verse of the stirring song, “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” looks to the future when all that has gone before will come to culmination.

Christ’s birth, life, and death will find full and final expression in ultimate and eternal victory.

When the heavens shall ring And the angels sing At thy coming to victory, Let thy voice call me home, Saying, “Yet there is room, There is room at My side for thee.”

As we noted in verse two, the angelic hosts proclaimed His first coming to the startled shepherds in the field. At His second coming, this “innumerable company of angels” will be joined by “the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, . . . and the spirits of just men made perfect” (Hebrews 12:22,23), all gathered around the throne of God.

Together we will thank Him and serve Him and sing His praises forever.

There is no but in this final verse of the hymn, “for all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (II Corinthians 1:20).

Notice, instead, the precious reminder that while God’s attention envelops all of redeemed mankind, yet He still focuses on each individual. When the time comes, He will personally welcome each of us to His side. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:27,28).

“My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, when thou comest and callest for me!” JDM

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The Wisdom Of The Wise Men (#19941219)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1,2).

The wise men and the chief priests and scribes of Matthew 2 reveal that there are true servants of the Lord in places where we least expect, and there are those who are quite religious but fail to honor Christ. The wise men lived up to the light God had given to them and were given more light. The priests and scribes believed not and light was taken from them. But how wise were the wise men? They were wise in the Scriptures. The Scriptures were taken by the Jews into the land of captivity (Babylon and Persia) many years before the birth of Christ. It was there that the wise men came in contact with God’s word, and, with the appearance of the miraculous star, understood a King was to be born. They were wise in the art of spiritual diligence. No sacrifice was too great; no problem was too insurmountable. They kept seeking until they found. They were wise in their worship. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him” (Matthew 2:11). They were wise enough to give respect to Mary but worship to Christ. They were wise in their giving. “They presented unto Him gifts; gold [showing His kingly character and deity], and frankincense [showing Him in His priestly character], and myrrh [showing Him in His human character of suffering and death]” (Matthew 2:11,12). They were wise in their obedience. It might have been very profitable to return to Herod, but they obeyed God rather than man. May we at this Christmas season be just as wise! NPS

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The Word Made Flesh (#19941220)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

This is the definitive verse on the divine Incarnation, when “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself” (II Corinthians 5:19), and the wealth of truth implied therein is beyond human comprehension. We can never understand how the infinite God could become finite man, but where the intellect fails, faith prevails.

It was the Word who “was God” and by whom “all things were made” (John 1:1,3), yet He made His own human body, in the womb of Mary, and therein “dwelt among us” for thirty-three years. The Greek word here for “dwelt” is unusual, literally meaning “tabernacled.”

How could this be? “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (I Timothy 3:16). This is, indeed, a great mystery, “but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). God made a body for Adam; surely He could also make a perfect body in which He Himself could “tabernacle.” He was made “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3) and “was in all points tempted [i.e., ‘tested’] like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Since “God cannot be tempted with evil” (James 1:13), and since the Word, who was God, was merely tabernacling in the likeness of sinful flesh, this testing was to demonstrate to man (not to Himself) that He was without sin and therefore able to save sinners. Therefore, John could testify: “We beheld His glory!”

Jesus Christ is, indeed, true man—in fact, He is man as God intended man to be. Neither in the womb of Mary, nor on the cross, did He ever cease to be God. HMM

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The Sceptre Of Judah (#19941221)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10).

This is a remarkable Messianic prophecy, given by Jacob 1700 years before the first coming of Christ fulfilled it. Later prophecies would focus on His descent from David and then His birthplace in Bethlehem, but first one of the twelve sons of Jacob must be designated as His progenitor.

Remarkably, Jacob did not select either his first born son, Reuben, or his favorite son, Joseph. Nor did he choose Benjamin, the son of his favorite wife. He chose instead his fourth son, Judah, by divine direction.

Yet it was over 600 years before the tribe of Judah gained ascendancy over the others. The greatest leaders of Israel were from other tribes—Moses and Samuel from Levi, Joshua from Ephraim, Gideon from Manasseh, Samson from Dan, and Saul from Benjamin. Finally, David became king, and “the sceptre” was then held by Judah for a thousand years until Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. Jesus’ parents were both of Judah, both of the line of David, with both the legal and spiritual right to David’s throne. But then, just 70 years after His birth, “the sceptre” (that is, leadership over the twelve tribes) departed from Judah with the worldwide dispersion of Israel, and no man since has ever held that right. It is still retained by Jesus, and will be reclaimed and exercised when He returns.

In the meantime, the prophecy stands as an unchallengeable identification of Jesus as the promised Messiah. Ancient Jewish commentators all recognized “Shiloh” as a name for Messiah. Since the Sceptre has already departed, Shiloh has already come. When He returns, His people will, indeed, finally be gathered together “unto Him.” HMM