A Daily Devotional

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The Living Word

"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God." (Revelation 19:13)

This uniquely expressive name assigned to Christ, as He returns to earth in glory, is used also by John in his gospel (John 1:1, 14) and in his epistle (1 John 1:1), referring both to His primeval work of creation and also to His human incarnation. It is well known that "Word" here is the Greek logos. Six times it is applied by John as a name or title of the Son of God (three times in John 1:1), the second person of the Trinity. Actually, John used it seven times, assuming that the disputed verse, 1 John 5:7 ("the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost"), is really a part of the inspired text.

The Greek word logos is a remarkable word, adaptable to many meanings. It is translated in the King James New Testament by about 30 other words ("speech," "saying," "reason," etc.). The lexicons add still other meanings, and some of the Greek philosophers used it to describe the intelligence behind the universe.

As used by John, it becomes much more specific: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). The Jehovah's Witnesses, rejecting the deity of Christ, like to translate this as "the Word was a god," but all knowledgeable Greek scholars agree that the King James rendering is correct. Then, says John, "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . . full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Even though "No man hath seen God at any time" (John 1:18), He has become knowable through His Son who has "declared him." Consequently, John also can declare Him to others. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes . . . and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; . . . That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us" (1 John 1:1, 3).

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Melting Elements

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)

When the atomic bomb burst over Hiroshima in 1945, the thoughts of Bible-believing Christians everywhere turned almost immediately to this verse. There was also widespread concern that man's newly discovered ability might get out of control and cause all "the elements to melt with fervent heat!" Seemingly Peter had prophetically anticipated, 1,900 years in advance, the modern discovery of nuclear fission.

In this verse the word "elements" means fundamental parts and could appropriately be applied to the basic elements of which matter is composed. The word for "melt" is usually translated "unloose," and this also is appropriate to describe atomic disintegration.

Now, over 55 years later, there is still widespread fear of a nuclear holocaust. The words of our text refer, however, not to something man will do, but to God's coming great purging of the very dust of the earth and all the age-long effects of sin and the curse. At the very end of this present age, when the mighty Creator appears on His great white judgment throne, the ineffable glory of His countenance will cause the earth and its atmospheric heaven to flee away, "and there was found no place for them" (Revelation 20:11).

"Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13). God will make the earth new again, and the great Curse, which has permeated the "dust of the earth" (the "elements") ever since Adam (Genesis 3:17-20), will be "no more" (Revelation 22:3). This great hope is incentive enough to live now in the light of eternity.

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Little Children

"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake." (1 John 2:12)

There are two main words for children in the New Testament. One, paidon, refers to little children (as in young). This is the word used by Jesus when he says, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14). Jesus also said (using the same word): "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).

The other word is teknon, used to designate relationship (i.e. this is my child). John predominantly uses teknon to embrace his relationship with the "sons of God" (1 John 3:2) to whom he is addressing his letter. Although John writes from the perspective of an "elder" (2 John 1; 3 John 1) the "little children" are part of his family in the Lord.

Here in this section of our text, John declares the foundational basis for the relationship with his brothers and sisters in Christ: "because your sins are forgiven" (1 John 2:12). That condition, of course, is what makes us related. John had just exhorted us not to sin (1 John 2:1), but if and when we do, our relationship with the Father provides the Advocate, Jesus Christ.

Yet John also notes (to the believers) that even as "little" (i.e. young) children we had "known the father" (1 John 2:13). Perhaps this is an allusion to the great message writ in the heavens (Psalm 19:1-3) or in the creation itself (Romans 1:20), or perhaps John refers to the foundational knowledge that such children would have heard from their parents. But it surely encompasses the simple truth that God "exists" (Hebrews 11:5) from which all faith must begin. Even little children know that!

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Young Men

"I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 John 2:14)

There are two commendations about the "young men" (typically applied to those under forty) that John notes. They are "strong" (vigorious, healthy, both physically and mentally) and the word of God "abides" (remains, endures) in them. These are those who have come through their believing childhood, no doubt guided and counseled by the "fathers" in their lives, who are now active in the "good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12).

Like Abraham, they are "strong in faith" (Romans 4:20), not staggering under the burden of unbelief. Like the leaders in the church at Rome, they are willing to "bear the infirmities of the weak" (Romans 15:1), and to be alert, standing "fast in the faith" (1 Corinthians 16:13). Even though they would have faced opposition from among professing Christians, they were "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1).

These are the ones who refused to handle the "word of God deceitfuly" (2 Corinthians 4:2), but gladly received it as "it is in truth, the word of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). They know that "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword" (Hebrews 4:12), and have taken time to store the Word in their heart (Psalm 119:11). These "young men" know that if God’s "words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).

Those attributes make possible the result: "ye have overcome the wicked one." Safe in the secure saving faith of God, guided by the great truths of the Word of God, these young men have not been "overcome of evil" but have "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).

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Understanding the Word of God

they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." (Nehemiah 8:

Most people--even most Christians--devote very little time to the Scriptures, complaining that they are either too hard to understand or too uninteresting. Yet, when Ezra read "the book of the law of Moses" to the whole congregation of Israel, he read "from the morning until midday," even "one fourth part of the day," and "all the people stood up" as he read (Nehemiah 8:1, 3, 5; 9:3). Such a scenario is almost impossible to imagine today.

Ezra's congregation evidently understood what he was reading and found it of vital interest. "For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law" (Nehemiah 8:9). For "another fourth part |of the day| they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God" (Nehemiah 9:3).

Yet all they had were the books of the Pentateuch! How much more concerned we should be, and how much better we should understand, when we have the entire Bible.

Note that Ezra and his colleagues simply read the Scriptures and gave a straightforward exegesis. That was enough to enable the people to understand, and this brought repentance, confession, and worship. No emotional appeals, no gimmicks, no technology, just the Scriptures--taken naturally and literally.

The Scriptures are not hard to understand--just hard to believe, and even harder to obey. Like any book, the Bible is intended to be understood, and its author--the Holy Spirit--was able to say what He meant. The secret is in the attitude of heart with which one approaches it. "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. . . . Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:97, 104).

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Thou Hast Rejected Knowledge

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6)

This lament over the ancient apostasy of Israel embodies an age-long principle which surely applies to those nations today which once professed Christianity, but are now dominated by humanism. Our own nation is experiencing an awful scourge of moral anarchy among our children and young people, and the reason why is because their parents and grandparents have largely "forgotten the law of thy God."

America--particularly its intellectual leadership--has "rejected knowledge," so its people are being "destroyed for lack of knowledge." This ignorance exists despite an abundance of supposed actual knowledge (i.e., "science") in our educational institutions, for such facts are almost universally taught in a secular context. Our teachers have forgotten that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7).

Even in evangelical and fundamentalist churches and schools today, there is often too little emphasis on knowledge and too much on experience. Christian faith is not "feeling"; it is volitional commitment to a true intellectual understanding of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish," said Christ (Luke 13:5). The Greek word for "repent" means "change your mind!" One can only believe right if he first thinks right, and this requires true knowledge.

Listen again to Hosea's warning: "The LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy |i.e., 'kindness'|, nor knowledge of God in the land" (Hosea 4:1). "They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" (Hosea 8:7).

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Delusion from God

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." (2 Thessalonians 2:11)

This is a startling declaration! Why would God want to deceive people and cause them to believe a lie? The "cause" which would activate such an extreme decision on God's part must be very serious. The preceding verse states it plainly. It is "because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Because they "resist the truth" (2 Timothy 3:, they will "believe the lie!"

The specific context refers to those who elect to follow the coming "man of sin," but the principle is timeless. It tells us that God's attitude toward men is determined by their love of the truth, rather than by their knowledge of the truth. When people love God's truth, there is no limit to the amount of truth and blessing they may receive from God. Note the attitude of the writer of Psalm 119: "How sweet are thy words unto my taste!" "Thy testimonies . . . are the rejoicing of my heart." "I love thy commandments above gold." "Thy law is my delight" (Psalm 119:103, 111, 127, 174).

But when people begin to exhibit a disdain for God's truth, there may soon come a time in their lives when they find it impossible even to comprehend the all-important truth of God's saving gospel (creation, salvation, and reconciliation through Christ).

Because they refused the love of His truth when it would have been easy to believe, a blindness gradually engulfs their minds until they love the deceptive philosophies of the world, and they never escape the strong delusion which God has allowed to engulf them. Henceforth, though they are "ever learning," they are "never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7). How important it is, as early in life as possible, to receive from God His proffered gift of the love of His truth!

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The Danger of Adding to Scripture

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18)

This sober warning almost at the end of the Bible was given by the glorified Lord Jesus Himself (note v. 20), so should be taken very seriously.

The Bible is not just a great book. It is The Book! Its content had been "For ever . . . settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89), but had been gradually transmitted to men on earth through God-called prophets, whose writings were "given by inspiration of God"--that is, literally "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16). "God . . . at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets" (Hebrews 1:1).

In various ways--sometimes by direct dictation, more often by Spirit-guided research and meditation using each man's individual style and abilities--God conveyed His message down to mankind. Finally, the New Testament was given through Paul and others "by revelation . . . revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians 3:3,5). John was the last of the "apostles and prophets" when he wrote Revelation (all the others had been martyred), and Christ then indicated (see text above) that nothing more could be added, not just to John's obviously finished book of Revelation, but really to the now-completed body of inspired Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

Those "false prophets" (Matthew 24:11) who have tried to add some new revelation to the Bible (e.g., Mohammed) need urgently to go back to the Bible alone. We need no new revelation. The Bible is more than enough for our salvation (2 Timothy 3:15, etc.) and all needed guidance, until Christ returns (2 Peter 1:19).

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The Danger of Diluting Scripture

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:19)

This final testimony and warning of Christ to those who profess to be His followers is a clear command not to either augment (Revelation 22:18) or dilute the inspired "words" (not just "thoughts") of the Bible. There are many people in the various cults following some leader who think he or she has received some new inspired word from God. That is very unwise. But it is usually certain leaders in the mainline denominations who presumptuously either cull out or explain away those Bible verses they consider unscientific or offensive in some way. That is even more dangerous, for those whose names are not found "in the book of life" will be "cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15).

Whether men believe it or not, the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. It is true that any two Christians may interpret certain passages in different ways. But they won't be too far apart if they believe the Bible to be the inerrant, understandable, inspired Word of God, especially if they really believe that God is able to say what He means. The Bible authors do occasionally use figurative language, of course, in which case any symbols are usually explained in context. When the writer clearly intends to be understood literally, as in the first chapter of Genesis for example, it is dangerous to impose some metaphorical meaning on the passage because of outside considerations. This seems to be what Paul called "handling the word of God deceitfully" (2 Corinthians 4:2) and can become a very slippery slope for those who choose that broad and easy way. It will be easier at Christ's judgment seat to explain why we believed God than why we believed men who questioned God.

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Chain of Command

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it." (Joshua 1:9-11)

In the army of the Lord, typified here by the Israelites as they prepared for the conquest of Canaan, there must be order rather than irresponsibility. This is evidently the first reference in the Bible to a chain of command in these armies. God commanded Joshua, who had previously been appointed by God, through Moses, to be their human commander-in-chief. "Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people," who were thereafter to "command the people."

Similarly, there must be a system of orderly responsibility, with loyalty to the Lord exercised through a recognized chain of command, in any church or other Christian organization, before any kind of victory for our supreme Commander can ever be won. When "every man |does| that which |is| right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), the organization will fail.

Jesus Christ is the "captain of |our| salvation" (Hebrews 2:10), the Greek word for "captain" meaning, literally, "chief leader," and it is He who calls and commissions those who are to serve as leaders under Him. Leadership, however, does not imply dictatorship. They must not act as "lords over God's heritage" but as "|examples| to the flock" (1 Peter 5:3).

Whether we are called to be leaders or followers in God's spiritual army, each of us must also be willing to "endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life" (2 Timothy 2:3, 4).

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Make It as Sure as You Can

"Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." (Matthew 27:65, 66)

Pilate had endured many strange experiences leading up to the crucifixion of Christ. Both he and some close to him (v. 19) had wanted to release Him, finding no fault in Him (v. 23). But, for political expediency, willing to pacify the Jewish leaders and quell a potential riot, Pilate had agreed to the execution. But once Christ was dead and in the grave, Pilate's troubles did not end.

Perhaps we are justified in reading a tone of sarcasm and impatience in Pilate's words. "Make it as sure as you can." What is there to fear from a dead man? Guard the tomb if you want. But just perhaps Pilate was hounded by unexplained doubts; maybe a guard could prevent the bizarre fears from becoming reality.

From our perspective, however, we can see divine irony in these words. Satan had seemingly won a great victory on the cross, for the Heir had been slain. Thus, the one act which he had to prevent was that of the actual resurrection, for all of Christ's message depended on His victory over death.

Note the limitation in the words "as sure as you can." How tightly sealed and well-guarded must a tomb be to contain the Creator of all things? If His purpose was to die and rise from the dead, would man's or Satan's efforts be able to thwart it? "As sure as you can" was surely not sure enough!

Today we know that the tomb's sealed entrance was breached, not so much to allow Him out, but to allow us to see inside. Satan's henchmen still deny the resurrection, but their efforts are just as futile as those who tried to keep Him inside. The fact remains, He left the tomb, triumphantly offering eternal life to all who believe!

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The Jewels of the Lord

"And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." (Malachi 3:17)

The jewels of the Lord are not rubies and diamonds, but rather are "they that feared the LORD" and who "spake often one to another." Instead of being mounted in a crown or other adornment as precious stones would be, these jewels will be listed in a very special book. "A book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name" (v.16). What a blessing it would be if, when we get to heaven, we should find our names written in that special book of God’s memories! God does take note of our times of spiritual fellowship with other believers--especially, no doubt, when they occur during times of stress and worldly opposition.

This word (Hebrew cegullah) is not the usual word for "jewels," more commonly being rendered "peculiar treasures." For example, Psalm 135:4 says that "the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure." The word suggests treasure carefully guarded in a safe place. The word is translated simply "special" in Deuteronomy 7:6, ". . . a special people unto himself."

Note in particular Exodus 19:5, 6: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."

Peter uses the same language in writing to prepare Christians for imminent times of persecution. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

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Boldness in Prayer

"In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." (Ephesians 3:12)

There is a wonderful exhortation and promise in Hebrews 4:15, 16: "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted |that is, 'tested'| like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

We are not to come presumptuously, or arrogantly to God in prayer, but we can come boldly! This is not by virtue of our own merits, of course, but because Christ Himself has opened the way for us. "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; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Because He has been fully tested yet free from sin, and because of the shed "blood of Jesus" and the opened veil "through his flesh," if we come "by the faith of him," we do have "access" to God's "throne of grace" and can boldly present our petitions. These must, of course, be dependent upon His will, for "this is the confidence |same Greek word as 'boldness'| that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And . . . we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14, 15).

But, whether a particular request is granted or denied in accord with God's greater wisdom, or whether the answer is delayed until God's more propitious time, we can always "find grace to help in time of need." He is our great high priest, our mediator, our advocate with the Father, our intercessor, and we can surely pray with "boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."

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God and the Whirlwind

"The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet." (Nahum 1:3)

The short prophecy of Nahum consists almost entirely of pronouncements of impending judgment against the great and wicked nation of Assyria, and Nineveh its ancient capital to which Jonah had earlier preached. Many times the Lord sent witnesses to ungodly nations, giving them opportunity to repent--Moses to Egypt, Daniel to Babylon, Mordecai to Persia, Paul to Rome, for example. He is slow to anger, but He will not acquit the wicked.

Furthermore, He is great in power! He created the sun and all other sources of power in the universe. He "hast prepared the light and the sun" (Psalm 74:16), and He still controls the use of their power. "He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good" (Matthew 5:45). A great part of the efforts of modern physical scientists is devoted to learning just how the power sources in nature (all deriving their energy ultimately from the sun) maintain all the processes and systems of the earth and its living creatures.

The most spectacular and awe-inspiring of these processes, of course, are the great storms, generated in earth's atmosphere in some little-understood fashion by the sun. Scientists may study the mechanisms of the great whirlwinds (or "hurricanes"), and storms, and clouds, and earth’s other great "natural" catastrophes, but they will never fully understand, for they are truly "acts of God."

God has His way (i.e., "path") in the mighty whirlwind, and we do well to hear Him speak as He passes by, for He is reminding us once again that, although He is long-suffering, He is still as able as in the days of Nineveh to cut away "the paths of all that forget God" (Job 8:13).

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How to Know the Will of God

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

The key to knowing God's will is willingness and determination to follow it before knowing it. "If any man will |literally 'wills to'| do his will, he shall know" (John 7:17).

The best indicator as to whether one is really willing to follow God's will, of course, is whether or not he is now following that part of His will which is already known, as revealed in His Word. This requires first knowing and believing, and then obeying the Word, especially those portions dealing with God's general will for all Christians. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). Then, if one indeed is following the revealed will of God, he may ask in confidence (1 John 5:14, 15) for the Lord to indicate His will in a specific matter on which there is no explicit biblical teaching (see also James 1:5, 6).

God will then answer, though it may not be immediately. "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). It may not be in accordance with our preferences or personal judgment, but it will always be for the ultimate best. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit . . . maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:26-28).

God will lead in two ways in the absence of specific Scripture guidance (which must always take precedence, of course). One is by providential circumstances; the other by inner witness of the Spirit, and these two must agree. Then, if all the terms have been met, one should proceed to follow God's will as best he can, knowing that God will redirect him if he has made a mistake. God does want us to know His will, and He will "direct our paths."