A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Raging Seas (#19950503)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them” (Psalm 89:9).

There are few things in nature more fearsome or more uncontrollable by man than a mighty storm at sea. Only the one who created the waters of the sea can really control them. But He can! “For He commendeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. . . . He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still” (Psalm 107:25,29).

One of the most striking demonstrations of the deity of Christ was in a storm on the Sea of Galilee when “He arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm” (Luke 8:24). Note also the experience of the mariners sailing to Tarshish when they realized that the storm that was about to destroy them had been sent by the God of heaven because of Jonah. “So they took up Jonah, and cast Him into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging” (Jonah 1:15).

The Scriptures also compare opponents of the gospel to a raging sea. “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (Isaiah 57:20). Similarly, Jude says that apostate teachers are like “raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame” (Jude 13).

Christ used this same figure to prophesy the turmoil of the ungodly nations of the world in the last days. “There shall be . . . upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring” (Luke 21:25). But just as God the Creator can calm the raging waves of the ocean, so God our Savior can speak peace to the nations and calm each troubled soul. As our text assures us, He rules the ragings of every sea and stills them when the waves arise. HMM

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An Acceptable Sacrifice (#19950504)
by John Morris, Ph.D.
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:5).

Our text instructs us that we, as a corporate church and as individuals, are designed for the purpose of offering up acceptable sacrifices to God. These are not animal sacrifices as before, but “spiritual” sacrifices, made “acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” What kinds of spiritual sacrifices are acceptable?

Prayer: An amazing scene is recorded for us in heaven, for an angel is seen at the altar offering up to God incense mingled with “the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 8:4, see also 5:. Our prayers are precious to Him.

Giving: The use of our financial resources for the furtherance of His kingdom becomes “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

Praise: In some way, not fully comprehended by us, we can “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

Good work and sharing: “But to do good and to communicate [share] forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). Remember, we are saved by grace, but unto good works (Ephesians 2:8–10).

Ourselves: We have a distinct privilege in that we may “present (our) bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is (our) reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

God is a magnificent God! He can be trusted with our prayers, our resources, our praise, our works, and our lives. His perfect sacrifice has made it possible for our sacrifices to be meaningful. JDM

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The Scarlet Hope (#19950505)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee” (Joshua 2:18).

These words were spoken to Rahab by Joshua’s spies after she had protected them from discovery by the officials of Jericho. She had testified to the spies that “the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11). Therefore, “by faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31).

Rahab’s spiritual salvation came because of her faith in the true God; she soon entered into the covenant family of Israel and eventually even became a member of the family line leading to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Her physical deliverance, on the other hand, and that of her family depended on a “line of scarlet thread” suspended from her window, identifying her home as “under the blood,” so to speak, when Jericho fell and all its other inhabitants perished.

This thin, blood-red line constituted a very slender hope for Rahab in the midst of such a scene of judgment and total destruction, but it sufficed. It is fascinating to note that the Hebrew word for “line,” occurring here for the first time in the Bible, is everywhere else translated by the key word “hope.” Perhaps “line” soon came to mean “hope” because of this very experience, when a “scarlet hope” extended all the way from a repentant sinner to the very God of heaven! Note the same thought, with the same word: “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD” (Psalm 71:5).

“And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” (I John 3:3). HMM

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Why Do Christians Suffer? (#19950506)
by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.
“Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (I Peter 4:19).

Christians suffer for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the reason is clear, other times it is unclear. Christians have never been exempt from suffering. Why do God’s people suffer? They may suffer because of their own sin. David is a classic example of a man who suffered greatly because of his personal sins. His spiritual bones were broken by God (Psalm 51:. He was in great pain because of sin. They may suffer because of the sins of others. Down through the ages persecution from the ungodly on the godly has caused much suffering, heartache, and pain. Murderous Herod caused untold distress on the mothers of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:18); likewise, Saul of Tarsus on the early church (Acts 8:3). They may suffer because of being under the sentence of physical death. “For as in Adam all die” (I Corinthians 15:22). Pain caused by aging, weary bodies can indeed be intense. Thank God it lasts but a short time, and then “Death is swallowed up in victory!” (I Corinthians 15:54). They suffer because it is designed to bring glory to God. “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:2,3). Jesus healed the blind man, and God was glorified. They may suffer simply because it is the will of God, as our text informs us. He may allow or even cause suffering to bring about His purposes in our lives. May we say with suffering Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15). NPS

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The Definition Of Faith (#19950507)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

The marvelous “faith chapter,” Hebrews 11, is an amazing chapter. Here, faith is defined, not as some intangible wishfulness, but as “substance” and “evidence.” Let us look closely.

First of all, it must have a legitimate object, nothing less than the mighty Creator, by whom “the worlds were framed” (v.3) out of nothing but His omnipotent word.

Beyond this, faith is further defined, not by what it is, but by what it does! The man of faith comes to God by “a more excellent sacrifice,” like that of Abel (v.4), typifying the sacrifice of Christ. Faith will, like Enoch, live to please God (v.5), and will, like Noah, prepare an ark (i.e., do whatever necessary out of obedience to God) “to the saving of his house” (v.7).

True faith will, like Abraham, go out as God leads, “not knowing whither he went,” even “dwelling in tabernacles” (literally “tents”) (v.9) if need be, as he looks for that city with sure “foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (v.10). Such faith will even, like Abraham, offer up to God the greatest love and joy of his life, knowing that God will keep His word (vv.17–19).

Like Moses, the man of genuine faith will choose rather “to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (v.25). Faith is even willing to be “stoned . . . sawn asunder . . . slain with the sword,” if need be, for the promises of God (vv.37,39).

We are saved by grace through faith, not of works (Ephesians 2:8,9), but since we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10), our faith should motivate us to action. “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only” (James 2:24). HMM

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Christ And The Four Thieves (#19950508)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

There were four thieves closely involved in the events surrounding the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. The first of these was one of his own disciples. “(Judas) was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:6). It was Judas, of course, who betrayed Christ, facilitating His arrest and conviction.

The second was not only a thief but also a revolutionary and a murderer. “Barabbas . . . who had committed murder in the insurrection . . . was a robber” (Mark 15:7; John 18:40). This convicted criminal, appointed to death, was released and Jesus condemned in his stead. Thus, Barabbas benefited temporarily from Christ, receiving an unexpected and undeserved liberty because Christ was willing to go to the cross.

“Then were there two thieves crucified with Him” (Matthew 27:38). Their names are not given in the Bible, but their attitudes toward Christ, and therefore their ultimate destinies, were diametrically different. One of them berated Christ, saying, “if thou be Christ, save thyself and us” (Luke 23:39).

The fourth thief, on the other hand, believed Christ, and therefore heard His saving words: “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

All were thieves, deserving punishment. One was a betrayer, ending his life in suicide; one was a beneficiary, though only for a time; one was a berater, destined for hell; but one was a believer, receiving salvation and eternal life. Jesus, who received the penalty for thievery, can save even the thief, for He came “that they might have life, and . . . have it more abundantly.” HMM

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Fallow Ground (#19950509)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns” (Jeremiah 4:3).

Fallow ground is ground that has been plowed and readied for sowing, but then is withheld and allowed to lie useless and unproductive. God, through His prophet, had to rebuke His people, not only because they had left their prepared ground unused, but because they were actually sowing their seed on thorn-choked ground. That is, they were turning to idols and forsaking God.

The same word occurs one other time in the Bible and to the same effect: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12). It is poor stewardship and a bad testimony, at best, for the people of God to ignore His righteousness and fail to cultivate His grace in their lives, choosing instead the philosophies and pleasures of the ungodly world around them.

Now, if the ancient Israelites had much unfruitful fallow ground in their lives, many modern Christians are still more blameworthy, for we have far greater opportunities and privileges than they ever had. Most of all, we have the complete word of God and the indwelling Holy Spirit, yet our lives are even more cluttered with the thorny ground of worldliness and paganism than theirs. We urgently need to break up our fallow ground, to sow righteousness and reap mercy.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7,8). HMM

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Sudden Creation (#19950510)
by John Morris, Ph.D.
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6).

Even a superficial reading of the account of creation in Genesis 1 and 2 impresses the reader with the idea of suddenness. God simply called the universe into existence from nothing and then quickly set about the rapid formation of certain features, interspersed with other direct creative acts. All of the events, whether creative or formative, seem to have happened over a brief period of time, such as the formation of the plants (v.12), the animals (v.20), and the sun and stars (v.16). Even aspects which were evidently formed by a process such as the continents and oceans, (v.10) and humankind (2:7,22), seemingly took no great length of time.

This is especially true of the creation of light. “And God said, let there be light: and there was light” (v.3). No slow and sporadic arrival of light from distant stars is mentioned, nor a gradual heating up of the sun as interstellar gas collapsed and fused. Some evangelical advocates of the old-earth concept hold that God slowly cleared the atmosphere of left-over interstellar dust, which allowed the light from the sun and stars to penetrate to the earth.

But, if Scripture alone is our authority, then it happened suddenly and spectacularly. As discussed in our text, it happened just as suddenly and just as supernaturally as a new creature is created out of a dead creature at the moment of salvation. Sanctification may be a life-long matter, but “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation”(II Corinthians 5:17). No more time is required for the transformation than for darkness to turn into light at the Creator’s command. JDM

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The True Gospel (#19950511)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel” (Galatians 1.6).

There is only one true gospel (meaning “good news”) in Christianity, but there are many false gospels. Various cults have proposed such concepts as the social gospel, the prosperity gospel, the full gospel, and others, but it is dangerous to attach adjectives or other modifiers to the gospel unless these are specifically attached to it in the Scriptures. There are enough of these, however, to emphasize that the true gospel does have many facets. God’s “good news” is always about Christ—His person and work—but His work is from eternity to eternity, and He is both the mighty God and perfect Man. Therefore, with Paul we can say: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16).

The gospel is the “everlasting gospel,” focusing on Him as the one “that made heaven and earth” (Revelation 14:6,7). It is also the “gospel of the kingdom,” focusing on Him as the coming “King of kings” (Matthew 4:23; Revelation 17:14).

It is the wonderful “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), and “the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13). Thus it also is the true “gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15), reconciling man to God.

Because Christ is God, this “gospel of Jesus Christ” (Mark 1:1) is surely the one true “gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). This is the gospel which we have been commissioned by Christ to preach “to every creature” (Mark 16:15), so we need no other. And since it is, indeed, “the glorious gospel of the blessed God” (I Timothy 1:11), we should never desire another. It meets every spiritual need for time and eternity. HMM

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Born Of God (#19950512)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him” (I John 2:29).

This is the first of seven occurrences of the phrase “born of God,” or “born of Him,” in the little epistle of First John. If anyone wishes to know how to recognize one who has truly been “born again,” these seven descriptors are available for that purpose.

The first such test, in our text, is that such a person is one “that doeth righteousness.” The second and third are found in I John 3:9. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” That is, he will not practice sin because God’s own nature has been implanted in him.

Another evidence is genuine love. “Love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (I John 4:7). Still another is genuine faith in Christ, which in turn produces genuine love, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loveth Him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of Him” (I John 5:1).

Those who are truly born again will not be permanently defeated by the world. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God” (I John 5:4,5).

Finally, “we know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” (I John 5:18).

The term “born again” is being used very loosely these days, and we need to realize that true regeneration is a permanent, life-transforming miracle accomplished by God Himself in a believer’s life. HMM

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Worship—walk—work (#19950513)
by John Morris, Ph.D.
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17).

In Hebrews 11, we find listed many followers of God who exercised great faith. It is interesting to note the first three faithful examples mentioned, each having first been introduced in the oft-disbelieved (i.e., no faith) early chapters of Genesis.

Abel is first mentioned, who “offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice” (v.4). We know very little of Abel other than that he was murdered by his brother Cain after Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God while Cain’s was rejected. Whatever else is true of Abel, we know that he was a man of faith, for he properly and faithfully worshiped God.

The next example is Enoch, who “was translated that he should not see death” (v.5). Elsewhere we read that “Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). Enoch’s walk pleased God.

The third example of faith is Noah (v.7), but neither Noah’s worship nor walk is mentioned, although these are mentioned elsewhere (Genesis 6:8,9; 8:20). Here is mentioned Noah’s great work of faith, for “Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (v.7). Noah’s great faith led him to construct the colossal ark, a task brutally difficult and absurd from a human perspective, simply because God had told him to do so.

The progression merits attention. If we would have great faith which results in great work, we must begin with proper worship of God. This will rightly lead to a walk of faith and then will come the work of faith. A worshipping, walking faith will, as in our text, lead to great works for God. JDM

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She Shall Be Praised (#19950514)
by John Morris, Ph.D.
“Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).

Proverbs 31 is identified as “The words of King Lemuel” (v.1). Since it is divided into two distinct parts, some have proposed that it has two different authors. The first part (vv.1–9) consists of “the prophecy that his mother taught him” (v.1), while the second part (vv.10–31) described “a virtuous woman” (v.10). Perhaps it is better to understand the woman as Lemuel’s mother, for “Her children arise up, and call her blessed” (v.28).

“Many daughters have done virtuously” (v.29, same word as in v.10). Recognizing that the only other woman described as “virtuous” in the Bible was Ruth (Ruth 3:11), gives us more complete insight into such a woman’s character. The woman described in Proverbs 31 is one who has achieved in all its fullness the glories of her womanhood, both in the home as wife and mother, and in her community. Not only do her children bless her, but her husband has absolute confidence in her (v.11), appreciates the bounty which she brings (v.12), has the freedom to be an effective leader in the community (v.23), and praises her virtue to others (v.28).

Without question, the key to her accomplishments is found in our text. Her fear of the Lord blossoms into such inner beauty and diligence that, by wisdom and devotion, she so trains her children and so lovingly provides for her husband’s needs, that when they leave the home which she has fashioned and have occasion to speak of her, their words will be blessing and praise.

On this day when so many of us remember and are thankful for our godly wives and/or mothers, let us rekindle our own fear of the Lord, and by so doing, develop similar qualities and habits. JDM

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Always (#19950515)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).

A favorite love song of another generation was Irving Berlin’s, “Always,” in which the singer would promise unending love to his beloved. But the only one who has really loved with an everlasting love is God, for He loved us in Christ, before the world began. Our text in its setting applies especially to Israel, but it could equally well be appropriated by each individual believer.

Now if God has always loved us, and will always continue to love us, there are also many things we should always do in return. We should do as David did when he said: “I have set the LORD always before me” (Psalm 16:. He should continually be the direction and goal of all we do.

We should always obey His word. “Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep His charge, and His statutes and His judgments, and His commandments, alway” 11:1). This involves more than simply obeying the letter of the law. As Paul said, “I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).

There is always need for prayer, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

Finally, we are commanded to “rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Even in time of trouble, we can be “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”(II Corinthians 6:10), and “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). He promised: “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). HMM

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Created To Rule The Day (#19950516)
by John Morris, Ph.D.
“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also” (Genesis 1:16).

It seems that throughout history, mankind has ignored or distorted the purpose for which God created the sun. Many cultures have even worshiped the sun, teaching that the sun was the source of all being, even human life. Temples were built in its honor, human sacrifice was made to appease it, whole civilizations were dedicated to its worship.

The nation Israel, which had lived among sun-worshiping Egyptians for centuries, were warned not to “lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and . . . (see) the sun, and . . . be driven to worship” (Deuteronomy 4:19) under penalty of death, “For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).

One of mankind’s primary purposes is to worship God, but the sun was created by God for man’s benefit. He is a God of grace and desires to “freely give us all things” (Romans 8:32).

The purpose of the sun is no mystery. Its creator says that along with the moon and stars it is “to divide the day from the night . . . and . . . be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years . . . to give light upon the earth” (Genesis 1:14,15).

There will come a time, however, when the sun will no longer be needed by God’s people, for in our eternal home “there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light” (Revelation 22:5). “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23). Best of all, we shall be with Him. JDM

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Our Living Lord (#19950517)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.
“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).

We who believe on Christ have the promise of everlasting life because He lives, and we see Him by faith. Christ Himself is “our life” (Colossians 3:4), in fact.

He is the very sustainer of our life. He is both the “living water” (John 4:10) which is “springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14), and “the living bread which came down from heaven;” such wonderful bread “that a man may eat thereof, and not die” (John 6:50,51).

Not only does He give us His living bread and living water, but also He provides Himself as the living way to God. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19,20).

He is also the solid foundation on which we build our lives, and that very foundation is vibrant with life. “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones are built up a spiritual house” (I Peter 2:4,5). Our spiritual lives are built on a living stone, nourished on living bread and living water while entering by a living way into the presence of the living God!

He “hath begotten us again unto a lively hope [same as ‘living hope’] by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:3,4). “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). All this is ours through our loving, living Lord! HMM