A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The First Stone


“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

When the self-righteous men in the crowd surrounding the woman caught in the act of adultery were about to stone the woman (apparently indifferent to the man with whom she had been caught!), the Lord Jesus turned them all away with His suggestion that the privilege of casting the first stone should go to one who was without sin of his own (John 8:7). They realized that He knew the condition of their sinful hearts, and “being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one” (v.9).

This incident is a perpetual reminder that “the Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22), not to any one of us. We are not qualified to judge others, since we ourselves are also sinners—saved sinners, perhaps, but sinners.

One of the most certain doctrines of Scripture is the universality of sin in human experience. “There is none that doeth good, no, not one,” the Scripture says (Romans 3:12). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). “The Scripture hath concluded all under sin” (Galatians 3:22). “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). These and many other Scriptures tell us clearly that, while we urgently need to judge sin in ourselves, we are not qualified to condemn others, at least not on a personal level.

Only the Lord Jesus Christ, being Himself sinless (I Peter 2:22) can judge a sinner. Thus it is only He who could be made sin for us (II Corinthians 5:21) and thereby forgive sins and bring salvation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Prosperity Versus Contentment


“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (I Timothy 6:6).

In this day of Madison-Avenue sales pressures and an ever-increasing array of technological gadgets and creature comforts, the Christian virtue of contentment is a rare commodity. There is even a widespread error among born-again Christians that material prosperity is a token of spirituality and divine approval on an affluent life style.

Instead of a blessing, however, such affluence (if it comes) should be regarded as a testing, for Jesus said: “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48). Paul was perhaps the most faithful and fruitful Christian who ever lived, yet he died penniless, in a Roman dungeon. His own testimony concerning material possessions and standards of living was this: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11,12).

In the context of our key verse above, the Apostle Paul has actually been warning young Pastor Timothy against the influence of those who suppose, among other things, “that gain is godliness,” and who think that their material prosperity is proof of their spiritual prosperity. “From such” says Paul, “withdraw thyself” (I Timothy 6:5). Material gain in no way either produces or denotes godliness; rather, godliness itself is the gain, if accompanied by contentment in Christ (otherwise, of course, it is not true godliness)! Even the most impoverished believer can acquire riches in heaven, where it really counts. In the meantime: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).

[Soldier4Christ]

A Call To Rembrance


I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search” (Psalm 77:5,6).

It is so easy to forget. The burdens and pressures of these present times easily drown out the voices of the past.

God, however, remembers. It is good also for us to consider the olden days, not simply in sad nostalgia, but for our guidance in the present. With reference, particularly to those instances which the Lord selected to be recorded in Scripture, “they are written for our admonition” (I Corinthians 10:11). Not only were they written as warnings, but also for comfort. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

To the Christian, an annual Memorial Day should have still an additional special meaning. Not only do we desire to honor those who died for their country (and many of us do, indeed, recall with deep love and respect close friends and family members in this honored company), but also to remember those who lived for the Lord, and whose lives and ministries have helped guide us to the light for our own difficult pathways today. Parents and teachers, authors and preachers, counselors and friends—many of whom have already gone to be with the Lord—deserve to be remembered and honored, for it will make that great future Homecoming Day all the more blessed when we are all together, with the Lord, when He returns (I Thessalonians 4:17).

Most importantly of all, of course, we must remember the Lord, not annually, but always. “I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings” (Psalm 77:11,12).

[Soldier4Christ]

Ownership Clause


“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).

“Earth” means the habitable part of our world as we know it today. It is the “dry land” that God called “earth” in Chapter 1 of Genesis. Other verses in Scripture reiterate Psalm 24’s “ownership clause”: “For all the earth is mine” (Exodus 19:5); “know how that the earth is the LORD’s” (Exodus 9:29).

“The fulness thereof” further defines what the Lord means by “earth.” If there is any doubt in one’s mind as to the truth of who owns the earth, God doubles the emphasis by adding a word that elsewhere in the Bible is translated “all that is therein.” In essence, Psalm 24:1 says, “The whole earth is the LORD’s and all the parts that make up the whole!”

Upon what is Psalm 24’s ownership clause based? God gives us the foundation of His claim in verse 2. “For He hath founded it. . . .” He claims ownership, and then tells us that is His right, because He has “founded” the earth. Founded means “to settle,” or “establish.” Elsewhere, this word is translated “ordain,” or “foundation.” “The earth . . . He hath established for ever” (Psalm 78:69). He has “laid the foundation of the earth” (Psalm 102:25). The concept of creation is also used with the word “founded” in Psalm 89:11: “The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.”

Psalm 24 continues, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (vs.3,4).

What gives God the right to make the rules about who shall stand in His presence? In His wisdom, He lays the foundation of ownership before He establishes any rules. God’s position, as Creator and Owner of all, gives Him the right to make the rules!

[Soldier4Christ]

Son Of God


“(God) hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:2).

The unique divine Sonship of Jesus Christ is emphasized here in Hebrews 1. The above text, for example, introduces the Son as the Creator, then as the revealing Word, and finally, as the appointed heir of all things.

This chapter also demonstrates that God’s Son was recognized even in the Old Testament. Verse 5 quotes Psalm 2:7: “Thou art my son; this day have I begotten Thee,” and I Chronicles 17:13: “I will be His Father, and He shall be my son.” That this Son is none other than God Himself is confirmed in verse 8, quoting Psalm 45:6: “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.” That He is the Creator is asserted in verse 10, referring to Psalm 102:25: “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth.” That He is now at God’s own throne is stressed in verse 13, citing Psalm 110:1, “Sit thou at my right hand,” and to be worshipped as God, in verse 6, taken from Psalm 97:7: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

Furthermore, Hebrews 1 notes a manifold description of the meaning of the divine Sonship. He is Son of God by eternal generation, as the “brightness (or ‘out-radiating’) of His glory, and the express image of His person” (v.3). He is Son of God by miraculous conception (v.5), above, quoted in Acts 13:33 (note Romans 1:4) as referring to His Sonship by bodily resurrection. Verse 6 refers to the divine proclamation of the Sonship (also Matthew 3:17; 17:5). Verses 8 and 9 stress the testimony of His uniquely holy nature. “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity.” Finally, as the Son, He is promised universal inheritance from His Father (vs.2,13). From eternity to eternity, Jesus Christ is God’s only-begotten Son! And yet God “gave His only begotten Son” that we might have everlasting life! (John 3:16).

[Soldier4Christ]

Praising The Lord



“Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul” (Psalm 146:1).

Each of the last five psalms (146-150) begins and ends with: “Praise ye the LORD”—i.e., “Hallelujah.” They comprise a sort of “Hallelujah Chorus:” a grand epilogue to the five books which make up the complete book of Psalms.

Each of these five books also ends in a doxology. Note:

Book I: “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, to everlasting. Amen, and Amen” (Psalm 41:13).

Book II: “And blessed be His glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen, and Amen” (Psalm 72:19).

Book III: “Blessed be the L SIZE="-1">ORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen” (Psalm 89:52).

Book IV: “Blessed be the L SIZE="-1">ORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD (Psalm 106:48).”

Book V: “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:21).

It is interesting, even if coincidental, that these five final praise psalms—all thanking God for past deliverances and the promise of an eternal future—contain a total of 153 verses. This is the same as the number of great fishes caught in a strong net by the disciples after Christ’s resurrection, symbolizing their going forth to fish for men in all nations, bringing them safe to the eternal shores of glory (John 21:10).

Then come the last five songs with their ten cries of “Hallelujah!” In the New Testament, “Hallelujah” (or “Alleluia”) occurs only in the setting of the victorious marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1,3,4,6). This suggests that these “Hallelujah Psalms” may be sung by the redeemed multitudes as they gather at His throne in heaven.

[Soldier4Christ]

An Early Confession

“And 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).

One of the specific reasons Paul wrote this letter to Timothy is contained in our text. The church is to guard and declare the “mystery of godliness.”

A “mystery” in Scripture is something which was previously hidden, but which is now revealed. Here the mystery is the blessed truth that God is in the business of producing godliness in the lives of men and women; in this context, through the work of the church (v.15).

This ministry of the church in proclaiming this mystery was augmented by a doctrinal confession, or hymn, which was presented in: “God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit.” “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), and was “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness” (Romans 1:4). This couplet relates Christ’s human/divine nature. His humanity was evident to all; His divinity was declared through the Spirit. “Seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles” (or nations). Angels observed, and to some degree, participated in Christ’s earthly ministry, but the salvation and godliness He offered was only to men, “which things the angels desire to look into” (I Peter 1:12). “Believed on in the world, received up into glory.” Other teachers have gained a following, but only Christ ascended directly into heaven following His resurrection.

Doctrinal confessions or hymns can be an aid in learning and remembering truth, but the goal of each is godliness—“this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you” (Colossians 1:27).

[Soldier4Christ]

A Time To Sleep


“And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison” (Acts 12:6).

Here is an amazing thing. The Apostle Peter is in prison, bound with chains, heavily guarded, probably awaiting execution (his close friend James already had been put to death by Herod), and “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5).

Yet, here he is, fast asleep! He had been imprisoned at least once before for preaching the gospel, and the Lord had miraculously delivered him then (Acts 5:17-19), so why should he be fearful now? The Lord was still in control, and there was nothing Peter himself could do about the situation, so he simply went to sleep. There are, of course, many situations where a Christian needs to stay alert and watchful. But there are also times when he has done all he can do, and there is nothing to be accomplished by further worrying, so he must leave it in the Lord’s hands.

In Peter’s case, he was sleeping so soundly that when an angel from God came to deliver him from his “impossible” circumstance, the angel had to smite him on the side (v.7) to awaken him! In fact, he was still so sleepy that he did not really “come to himself” (v.11) until the angel left him out on the street alone.

Then, of course, Peter rushed back to the house of Mark’s mother, where the church was praying for him (v.12), to tell them of the amazing answer to their prayers. As with Peter, there are times when we must simply “stand still, and see the salvation of the L SIZE="-1">ORD” (Exodus 14:13), “so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6).

[Soldier4Christ]

Given By Inspiration


“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16,17).

This passage is the most definitive of all passages on the inspiration of the Bible. It explicitly repudiates all the false concepts which men have developed to try to escape this vital doctrine.

For example, it repudiates the humanistic theory of inspiration, which says that the writers were “inspired” with the same quality of exalted feelings that inspired other great writers. But this verse attributes it not to human inspiration, but to the “inspiration of God.”

Then, there is the partial theory of inspiration, which says that part of the Bible is inspired (the “religious” parts), but that part of it is not (the scientific and historical parts). But our verse says that all Scripture is inspired! The dynamic theory says the thoughts are inspired, but not the words. However, it is the Scriptures that are inspired, not the thoughts of the men who wrote them. The “Scriptures” mean the “writings”—the actual words written.

The encounter theory says the Scriptures are not inspired in themselves, but only become inspired when a reader “encounters” God through reading them. This, also, is false. The Scriptures are inspired regardless of how they affect the reader. Actually, the phrase “given by inspiration of God” is one word in the Greek, meaning “God-breathed.”

Thus, plenary verbal inspiration and complete divine origin and authority of all the Holy Scriptures is the true Biblical doctrine. When one does accept the God-breathed authority of Scripture, however, he has an infinite resource, serving as an inerrant framework for all true wisdom and knowledge, and leading him into full maturity in the Christian life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Foundations Out Of Course


“They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course” (Psalm 82:5).

Christians sometimes wish they could call down God’s judgment on the wicked, especially wicked rulers. In almost every civilization throughout history, men and women have been oppressed by their own despotic rulers or invaders from outside their nation’s borders. It seems that the Jewish people and Christian believers have received more than their share of persecution, and it is a comfort to realize that there is Biblical precedent for the grieved saint to call out to God for action and justice. In this psalm, the writer does just that.

The judges of the day were evidently quite unjust. The psalmist calls on them to “defend the poor and fatherless” (vs.3,4), but his cries were not heeded. Our text tells us that the rulers were devoid of understanding, and walked in darkness: “all the foundations of the earth are out of course.”

In our day, those who defend animal rights advocate the killing of unborn children. Many cry: “Protect the guilty” while they ignore the innocent victim. Adherents to academic freedom tell us that only evolution is science, and creation must not be allowed in schools. We must be tolerant of all viewpoints, say liberal professors, except the Biblical world view. Homosexuals seek favored status, calling good evil and evil good. Certainly something is “out of course.”

Our confidence, however, rests in God, who “standeth in the congregation of the mighty” (v.1). He sees the injustice and will act accordingly, as He sees best. It may be sooner or later than we would like, but He will act at the proper time, in the proper way. In the meantime, it is proper for us to pray as did the psalmist, “Arise, O God, judge the earth” (v.. Until then, “Commit thy way unto the L SIZE="-1">ORD; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

[Soldier4Christ]

Personal Greetings



“Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them” (Romans 16:14).

An interesting phenomenon occurs in the closing chapter of many of Paul’s epistles, which may at first seem incongruous with the Biblical doctrine of plenary verbal inspiration. This phenomenon is the recital of various names of individuals—people in the churches from which, or to which, he was writing. Most of them are people about whom we know nothing whatever except their names, as listed by Paul. There are 11 people mentioned by name in Colossians 4:7-17. In Paul’s final epistle to Timothy right after he had written the great passage on the inspiration of the Bible (II Timothy 3:16,17), he mentioned no less than 18 names. In the last chapter of Romans were listed 35 names, five of which are included in the one short verse of our text!

The question is why did the Holy Spirit inspire Paul to include so many personal names of people who were of only local interest in epistles which God intended to be used by Christians everywhere? And, of course, these lists of names are dwarfed in comparison to the very extensive lists in the Old Testament (e.g., Numbers 7, 26).

Perhaps the main reason for their permanent inscripturation in this fashion is simply to illustrate the great truth that God knows and cares about every one of His children. We do know that each of our names is written in “the book of life of the Lamb” and in God’s “book of remembrance . . . for them that feared the L SIZE="-1">ORD, and that thought upon His name” (Revelation 13:8; Malachi 3:16). Perhaps, as a small token and assurance of these great lists in heaven, God has listed a few of these names in His Book here on earth. They were ordinary people just like us, and it will be our privilege, as Paul instructs in our text, to “salute Asyncritus” when we can, and all the other believers who have gone before us!

[Soldier4Christ]

The Eternal Cosmos


“He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass” (Psalm 148:6).

In this central psalm of the last five psalms comprising the “Hallelujah” epilogue to the book of Psalms, the entire physical creation is exhorted to praise the Lord, as all the universe is restored to its primeval perfection. All the people of the earth, all the angels, even all the animals, will praise the Lord.

Furthermore, in some way which can only be understood by faith, the entire inorganic creation—sun, moon, stars, mountains, winds, everything—will be able to praise Him. Even the primeval “waters above the heavens” (Genesis 1:7-9) will have been restored, and they will praise the Lord (Psalm 148:4,5).

And all of this will continue forever and ever! The new heavens and new earth—that is, the renewed heavens and earth, with the curse removed (Revelation 22:3)—the sun and moon and stars, with the eternal throne of the Lord Jesus established on the earth in the New Jerusalem, in the midst of all the redeemed men and women of all the ages—all of these will forever be a praise to God.

God is not capricious, and He does not fail. He will not “uncreate” what He has created. “Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever” (Ecclesiastes 3:14). The earth must yet be purged by fire (II Peter 3:10), but it will be renewed in righteousness (v.13), and without any evidences of the former regime of decay and death.

And then it will last forever. “And He built His sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which He hath established for ever” (Psalm 78:69). “(God) laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever” (Psalm 104:5). “And they that turn many to righteousness (shall shine) as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

[Soldier4Christ]

Inherit The Wind


“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart” (Proverbs 11:29).

This verse was selected to provide the title for one of the most widely distributed movies ever produced in Hollywood. Inherit the Wind was a black-and-white movie produced in 1960, starring Spencer Tracy as the famous atheist lawyer, Clarence Darrow. The theme of the picture was the Scopes evolution trial held in Tennessee in 1925. The picture glorified Darrow and evolutionism, portraying creationists and Bible-believing Christians as fanatical buffoons.

Although the movie grossly distorted history, it has continued all these years to be shown over and over. The Scopes trial itself—in the absence of any real scientific evidence for evolution—is repeatedly rehashed in print by evolutionists in their zeal to destroy creationism. This is typical of the “profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called” (I Timothy 6:20), to which evolutionists resort in lieu of evidence.

As far as the Scripture verse itself is concerned, it should serve rather as a sober warning to those evolutionary humanists who are still troubling our nation’s homes and schools and churches with this false and deadly doctrine of evolution. They are the ones who will inherit the wind. “The ungodly . . . are like the chaff which the wind driveth away” (Psalm 1:4). They are the ones who, “professing themselves to be wise” have become fools (Romans 1:22), “who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).

It is the one who proclaims “no God,” who is “the fool” (Psalm 53:1) of our text. Evolutionists, humanists, atheists, and other anti-Biblicists will inherit nothing but wind, but “The wise shall inherit glory” (Proverbs 3:35).

[Soldier4Christ]

Questions About Creation


“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding” (Job 38:4).

In Chapters 38-41 of Job is recorded a remarkable series of 77 questions about the creation—questions which God asked Job and his philosophizing friends, and which they were utterly unable to answer. At the end of the searching examination, Job could only confess: “Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not” (Job 42:3). Modern evolutionists, despite all their arrogant pretentions, still are not able to answer them either, over 35 centuries later.

But there is One who can answer them, and His answers echo back from another ancient document, the marvelous 8th chapter of Proverbs. To God’s first question, “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?” comes His answer: “When He appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by Him” (Proverbs 8:29,30). The speaker here is the divine Wisdom. He is the Word of God, the pre-incarnate Son of God, soon to become the Son of man. In this amazing chapter, He echoes an answer to the most searching of God’s inscrutable questions to Job and his friends:

“Who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth?” (Job 38:. “He set a compass (literally ‘sphericity’) upon the face of the depth: . . . When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not pass His commandment” (Proverbs 8:27,29). “Hast thou commanded the morning . . . and caused the dayspring to know his place?” (Job 38:12). “When He prepared the heavens, I was there” (Proverbs 8:27).

Our Savior was there! “For by Him were all things created” (Colossians 1:16). One more question: “Have the gates of death been opened unto thee?” (Job 38:17). Yes, and they have not prevailed! “For whoso findeth me findeth life, . . . all they that hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:35,36).

[Soldier4Christ]

Jesus In Mary’s Womb


“And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him” (Isaiah 49:5).

Seven hundred years before it happened, Jesus was prophetically spoken of as one who would be formed in a “womb.” Of course, as Divine Son, He had existed from all eternity (John 1:1), but it was not until an appointed time in history that He started as fully human—in His mother’s womb. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Author of all life, sanctified human life in a mother’s womb by inhabiting one Himself for nine months. The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

Of course, human pre-natal life has been under vicious attack lately. Evolutionists try to justify this by saying that life before birth is tracing out its evolutionary history, but this is a sad delusion. Jesus was never a fish or a frog, and neither were any of us. It is lamentable that false notions are still foisted on children in the name of the unscientific and long-disproved “recapitulation theory.”

Isaiah 49:1-7, taken as a whole, proclaims exhilarating news. As one of the “servant” passages (such as Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12), it sets forth Jesus (called “Israel,” an individual—v.3), as the Savior of “Israel” (collectively, cf. v.6). It adds that He would also be “a light to the Gentiles” and the one who would bring “salvation unto the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6)!

He, the Creator, became a baby and lived for awhile in a virgin’s womb so that as a man He could go to a cross and reverse Adam’s fall. By His perfect obedience to the Father, He also offers human beings eternal life. May we celebrate life now and forever!