A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

That Goodly Mountain


"And I besought the Lord at that time, saying, O Lord God, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon" (Deuteronomy 3:23-25).

This was the heartfelt prayer of Moses, for he was longing to see the Promised Land that had been his goal for so many years. He knew that God, rebuking his disobedience at Meribah, had said: "Therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them" (Numbers 20:12). Yet he desired greatly to "go over" the Jordan, to see firsthand the "goodly mountain."

The "goodly mountain" most likely was majestic Mount Hermon, the 9,200-foot, snow-capped peak dominating the southern end of the mountain ranges of Lebanon. God would not allow Moses to enter the land, even though He "showed him all the land" from the top of Mount Pisgah before he died (Deuteronomy 34:1).

But then, in a marvelous and mysterious way, Moses finally did not only see but stand on Mount Hermon! "And after six days Jesus . . . bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: . . . And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him" (Matthew 17:1-3). There, on the Mount of Transfiguration -- that goodly mountain -- was Moses, along with Elijah, speaking with Jesus "of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem" (Luke 9:31). God had answered his prayer! He had "begun to show" Moses the greatness of His might long ago in Egypt, but now he could see the greatness of His love as Christ prepared to die for his salvation, and ours.

[Soldier4Christ]

Abel's Timely Testimony


"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh" (Hebrews 11:4).

Abel, Adam's second son, was a faithful, God-honoring man, but he was murdered by his older brother Cain. From Genesis 4 we know that Cain's bloodless sacrifice was not accepted by God, while Abel's animal sacrifice was accepted. Cain's pride, anger, and rejection of God's offer of restoration resulted in the murder of obedient Abel. Our text tells us that Abel, "being dead yet speaketh." What does he say? To whom does he speak?

First of all, he spoke to God. "The voice of thy brother's [Abel's] blood crieth unto me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10). Many have followed Abel in martyrdom, and they all cry, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10).

Secondly, he spoke to Cain. "And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand" (Genesis 4:11). Cain was banished by God: "a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth" (v.12), and every spot of ground on which he placed his foot from then on would be crying out to him, indicting him of his sin.

Thirdly, Abel speaks to us. His witness reminds us that men must come to God in obedient faith, for Abel obeyed God's instructions regarding sacrifice (4:3-4). He offered the sacrifice in faith that God would deem him "righteous" (our text). The acceptance of the blood sacrifice and the rewards of his brother's disobedience speak eloquently of the "wages of sin." May God give us ears to hear Abel's timely testimony.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Fear of the Lord


"And unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28).

This key phrase, "the fear of the Lord" (Yahweh), occurs in a distinctive pattern in the Old Testament. There are 14 occurrences in the book of Proverbs and seven in the other books, or a total of three times seven altogether, both of which are important Bible numbers.

As we see from the verses in Job preceding our text, when God made man He told him that true wisdom is "the fear of the Lord" (Adonai -- the only use of Adonai with this phrase). Unfortunately, Adam and Eve sought wisdom in the tree of knowledge instead (Genesis 3:6) and soon were hiding themselves in fear. The psalmist testifies: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10). The final occurrence of the phrase is also in a wisdom context. "And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is His treasure" (Isaiah 33:6).

There are numerous other references to fearing God, and a survey of all these would quickly show that the fear of the Lord is far more than mere "reverential trust," as some would define it. It means profound awe, intense awareness of God's hatred of sin, as well as His omniscience and omnipresence, and living in light of the certainty of facing Him at His future judgment seat. It means unquestioning belief in God's Word and in His unmerited gift of salvation.

But then it also means "the beginning of knowledge," "to hate evil," "prolonged days," "strong confidence," "a fountain of life," and a "satisfied life," as well as attaining true "riches and honor" (Proverbs 1:7; 8:13; 10:27; 14:26; 14:27; 19:23; 22:4). "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever" (Psalm 19:9), and those who truly fear the Lord have everlasting life.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Golden Scepter


"And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter" (Esther 5:2).

Queen Esther knew she was risking her life when she came unbidden into the presence of the mighty king of Persia in his throne room. Even though she was his favorite wife, he did not know she was a Jew nor that she was hoping to get Haman's terrible order for genocide of the Jews reversed. She knew that it was a capital offense for even a queen to go into the throne room without authorization, and that only the king -- by holding out to her his golden scepter -- could save her life. But she also knew that she had "come to the kingdom for such a time as this," and so she said: "If I perish, I perish" (4:14,16). The king, however, did extend his golden sceptre to her, and even said: "What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee" (5:6).

In a beautiful way, this is also a picture of our own coming to Christ, the King of kings. One does not have to be a queen, however, for "whosoever will" may come (Revelation 22:17), if he has the courage to die to the world and the faith to believe that Christ can save. The Lord Jesus Christ graciously says, to those who come to Him in faith, believing: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do" (John 14:13).

The invitation is to "whosoever" and the promise is for "whatsoever"! "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). None dared enter the court of the Persian king without being called, but we have been called by our heavenly King, for "a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom" (1:.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Only True God


"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (I Thessalonians 1:9).

There are "gods many, and lords many" (I Corinthians 8:5) in today's world, just as there were in the ancient pagan world. In fact, the worship of many of these ancient deities is being revived in various dark corners of the so-called "New Age" movement today. Idol worship can also involve adulation of men and women - such as rock stars (witness the annual memorial service to Elvis Presley), professional athletes, and movie idols, not to mention the humanistic worship of such political/religious leaders as Lenin, Mao, Hitler, Khomeini, and an increasing assortment of gurus and false prophets.

There is, however, only one true God, the God who created all things. "To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him" (v.6). The one thing all these false gods and false religions have in common is the denial of the true God and omnipotent Creator.

For such idolatry there is no legitimate excuse. "We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one" (v.4). A dead idol obviously can be of no use. The infallible test as to just who this "true" God may be is that His identity is confirmed as the only living God; therefore, He is the only true God. He died for our sins, yes, but now He lives forever as King of all His creation. We, like the Thessalonians, should turn from all our idols "to serve the living and true God; And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (I Thessalonians 1:9-10).

[Soldier4Christ]

In Support of the Ministry


"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (I Corinthians 9:14).

This verse tells us that God has actually enacted an "ordinance" to the effect that Christian believers should provide financial support for those pastors and others who have been truly called by God to devote full time to the gospel ministry. Similarly, note I Timothy 5:18. "For the scripture saith [quoting Deuteronomy 25:4], Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And [quoting Luke 10:7], The laborer is worthy of his reward."

The latter clause also tells us incidentally that Paul regarded the Gospel of Luke as inspired Scripture with the same authority as the writings of Moses. In this verse, Luke was quoting the Lord Jesus as He was sending out His disciples on a missionary assignment.

The context in each of these passages indicates that it is not the responsibility of the Christian worker to plead with people to support him and his ministry, but rather the responsibility of those to whom or for whom he is serving. This principle that those whose income is from secular sources should support truly God-called, full-time Christian workers and ministries is thus really a divine ordinance.

But there is also another responsibility implied in doing this. Are the workers and ministries really true to the Word of God? Believers have been commanded to "try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). Peter also warned that "there shall be false teachers among you" (II Peter 2:1), and Paul warned of those who would "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Romans 16:18). God thus commands us to support those -- and only those -- who are truly God-called servants faithfully believing and teaching His Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

God Is Able


"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20).

The Bible portrays God as omnipotent - all powerful, able even to create all things from nothing (Hebrews 11:3). The individual is portrayed as totally insufficient to do anything but fail. Yet the Bible also teaches that great things will be done in, and through, and to us. How? It is only through God's power and wisdom that anything of substance will be accomplished. He alone is able. Consider the following sampling of tasks He is able to perform for us.

God is able to do the work of salvation in a believer's heart. "Wherefore is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). We can entrust that salvation for eternity "unto Him that is able to keep from falling, and to present faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).

In this life we will have physical needs, and included in a passage on the obligation we have to give so that others' needs will be met is Paul's claim that "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (II Corinthians 9:. Furthermore, He alone is able to equip us for service. "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry" (I Timothy 1:12).

His able ministry toward us does not stop in this life, for He "shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself" (Philippians 3:21). As our text teaches, He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."

[Soldier4Christ]

Praise of the Generations


"That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children" (Psalm 78:6).

Each generation of people tends to regard its own times as the most significant of all, toward which all past history has been merely a preparation. The fact is, however, that God has "been our dwelling place in all generations" (90:1), and He is equally concerned about any generations yet to come.

This is why He stresses repeatedly that the great truths concerning God's creation, His character, His great work of salvation, and His long-range plans for the ages to come be transmitted faithfully from one generation to another. "One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts" (145:4).

Our modern scientific generation almost idolizes new research, new gadgets, new discoveries. The God of eternity, however, is not so concerned that we develop new ideas as that we not lose what He already has given us. "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth" (119:89-90).

Christ said: "That which ye have already hold fast till I come." "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Revelation 2:25; 3:11).

The great principle of true education is given by Paul in II Timothy 2:2: "The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." The great account of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, especially, is to be taught forever. "They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this" (Psalm 22:31).

[Soldier4Christ]

Humility


"He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. . . . and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded" (John 13:4-5).

The Greek word, usually translated humility, occurs seven times in the New Testament, implying self-abasement and suggesting a meekness of spirit. In Greek literature, it was used to describe a slave's demeaning of himself before his master - an outward prostration, not an inward character trait.

The idea that a master would set aside his status and voluntarily become a slave was probably incomprehensible to the world of Jesus' day. Yet we are enjoined to "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who . . . took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:5-8). He defined humility by His actions, as in our text, and now we are to voluntarily take up His attitude and "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3).

Christian humility surpasses all other virtues. Expressing itself as more than acting in a humble fashion, it consists of an inward habit of self-abasement, showing consideration to all others.

This characteristic in God's eyes is seen as one of great value. "Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:5-6).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Seven Witnesses


"If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true" (John 5:31-32).

The book of John was written to demonstrate that Jesus is the Son of God. There are seven things referenced in John that bear witness to this wonderful truth. In our text the Lord recalls the law of Moses. Deuteronomy 19:15 states that "at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established."

The first witness of the divine nature of Christ is John the Baptist, who said, "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God" (John 1:34). Secondly, Christ Himself witnessed, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true" (8:14). Thirdly, the Father placed His stamp of approval on the claims of Christ (5:37) at the baptism and thereafter.

The Old Testament prophets' specific identification of the Messiah was the fourth witness. Christ challenged, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (5:39). Then Christ claimed that His miracles validated His claims: "the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me" (10:25).

Sixthly, the Holy Spirit bore witness of the Savior (15:26). Lastly, believers all over the world whose lives are transformed bear witness to the authenticity of the gospel message and the supernatural power of Jesus Christ. "And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning" (15:27). By giving far more than the requisite two or three witnesses, John concludes, "these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" (20:31).

[Soldier4Christ]

Hallelujah


"Sing unto God, sing praises to His name: extol Him that rideth upon the heavens by His name JAH, and rejoice before Him" (Psalm 68:4).

The name JAH, by which this verse exhorts us to praise the Lord, is a contracted form of Jehovah, or Yahweh, which is the commonly used name of the self-existing, self- revealing God, usually shown as Lord in English. When combined with the Hebrew verb for "praise" (hallal), it becomes "Hallelujah," meaning "Praise ye the Lord!"

It is no coincidence that this word, "Hallelujah," occurs exactly 22 times in the book of Psalms, also known as the book of the Praises of Israel, for there are exactly 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, the language which God used to reveal His eternal word (119:89) to man. This serves to remind us that the very purpose of human languages is to praise the Lord who created us and has died to redeem us.

The first occurrence in the psalms of "Hallelujah" is translated as "Praise ye the Lord" and occurs right at the very end of the great psalm extolling God's creation, the Flood, and providential care of the post-Flood world (see 104:35).

It is noteworthy that the last ten occurrences of "Hallelujah" are at the introduction and closing of each of the last five psalms (146-150). These last five psalms comprise a grand epilogue to the five books of the Psalms, each of which ends with a glorious and eternal doxology (note 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:48; 145:21). The word "praise" occurs more in the book of Psalms than in all the rest of the Bible put together, so it is appropriate that its conclusion should be on such a high note of praise. Finally, the very last verse of the Psalms cries out: "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord" (150:6). Hallelujah!

[Soldier4Christ]

Root of Bitterness

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" (Hebrews 12:15).

Bitterness and a bitter spirit should never characterize a person who has experienced the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ. No matter how seriously one may have been wronged, if he has known God's forgiving grace for his own wrongdoings, he should manifest that same grace in his life toward others, even though they do not merit it (for neither did he merit God's forgiving grace himself).

Bitterness is a characteristic of the ungodly "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness" (Romans 3:14). A Christian must never try to rationalize it as "righteous indignation" or to think that certain injustices give him the "right" to be bitter and resentful. "If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish" (James 3:14-15). Rooted bitterness will soon "spring up," not only robbing the bitter believer of joy and true fruitfulness, but bearing bitter fruit whereby many others will "be defiled."

The antidote, of course, is never to "fail of the grace of God." That is, we need to be "looking diligently," moment by moment, at the wonderful grace of God by which we were saved through faith and in which we continue to live each day.

Therefore, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32). Otherwise, we not only hurt both ourselves and others, but we also grieve "the Holy Spirit of God" (v.30).

[Soldier4Christ]

Death in the Pot


"So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof" (II Kings 4:40).

The "sons of the prophets" studying under Elisha became hungry, so Elisha told them to "seethe pottage" (v.38), evidently a soup primarily made of lentils. However, one of the young students proceeded to gather some wild gourds and grind them into the pottage, carelessly assuming that their attractive appearance and taste would spice up the otherwise dull meal. When the more mature students took the first sip, however, they realized the alien ingredient was poisonous, and cried out: "There is death in the pot!"

There is a parable in this experience. Modern Bible scholars often want to spice up the old truths of Scripture with some new and superficially attractive concoction from the outside world, but this usually serves merely to adulterate "the sincere milk of the word" (I Peter 2:2) and insert "death in the pot." Like the woman in the New Testament parable who took leaven and secretly "hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened" (Matthew 13:33), Elisha's enterprising young student slipped in his attractive ingredient, and it soon permeated the whole pot of soup with its poison. This is the way with false doctrine.

The remedy for the poison in the pottage was found when Elisha said, "Bring meal. And he cast it into the pot. . . . And there was no harm in the pot" (II Kings 4:41). The purifying "meal" was fine wheat flour, always in Scripture symbolizing the true Word of God. It is the Word which is the true bread by which man must live (Matthew 4:4), and the antidote for the poisonous doctrines of the world must always be the unadulterated Word of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Him That Cometh to Me


"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).

In this verse and the verses to follow, we find Christ using a marvelous teaching technique. Several times He makes a general, generic statement, but quickly advances from the general and impersonal to the particular and personal.

Note that at the first, Christ tells of an abstract gift to Him from the Father of an entire group, ("all") of which should come to Him for salvation. This is in itself a wonderful truth, for Christ highly values this gift from His Father: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father . . . gave them me" (10:28-29). The entire group "shall come" to Him.

But Christ switches in mid-sentence from general to specific: "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," a concrete statement of the effect of this work on an individual. We are part of a group, without doubt, but also each one of us individually is His precious child.

The passage continues in the same vein. "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day" (6:39). Again, the impersonal passes into the personal, for "This is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (v.40).

From the mass of created mankind, many have come to Christ for salvation. But each one who has believed and been granted everlasting life has great individual worth in the eyes of the Savior. "The good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. . . . I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (10:11,14).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Pattern in the Mount


"And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount" (Exodus 25:40).

Nothing that God does is capricious or accidental. A remarkable object lesson of His attention to every detail in the plan of salvation is the tabernacle in the wilderness. The divine blueprint for this structure and its attendants, followed by its construction and dedication, occupy no less than thirteen chapters of Exodus. Then the exposition of the symbolical meaning of "the pattern" shown to Moses "in the mount" occupies a major part of three chapters in the book of Hebrews. At least in terms of space allocated to the tabernacle, it seems to constitute the major "type" of the Bible, speaking in many, many ways of the Lord Jesus Christ. Numerous authors have devoted entire volumes to its exposition. The brazen altar, the laver, the mercy seat, the high priest - all "serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount" (Hebrews 8:5).

The God of the infinite cosmos is also the careful designer of every detail of His tabernacle and every moment of our days. "In thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them" (Psalm 139:16). Just as it was vitally important for the builders of the tabernacle to follow God's pattern precisely, so it is essential that we also follow His blueprint for our own lives, and that pattern is Christ Himself. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps" (I Peter 2:21). If our lives are to speak of Christ, as did the tabernacle, we must "walk, even as He walked" (I John 2:6).