A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

A Truly New Thing
June 14, 2009
 
"How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man." (Jeremiah 31:22)
 
Long ago, the wise man concluded: "There is no new thing under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9). That nothing is now being created is even recognized as a scientific law.
 
But God reminds us as He reminded His backsliding people of Israel that He has, indeed, created one new thing in the earth. Since only God can "create," a really new thing would have to be produced directly by the Lord Himself. Of course, God had completed His original work of creating all things long ago (Genesis 2:1-3), including a marvelous mechanism for human reproduction. Nevertheless, because of man's sin, He very soon had to begin a work of reconciliation, and this included a primeval promise that "the seed of the woman" (Genesis 3:15) would come someday to accomplish this great work. Since all normal reproduction requires male seed, such a miracle would mean God would have to create a new thing when the appropriate time would come. At that time, as Isaiah prophesied many years later, "a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son," and that Son would be "the mighty God," who would establish His kingdom "with justice from henceforth even for ever" (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7).
 
Then, still later, Jeremiah reminded his forgetful people of this same great promise: God would create, by His mighty power, a new thing, a perfect human body, without inherited sin or physical blemish, and with no contribution from either male or female, in the womb of a specially called virgin. She would compass that "holy thing" (Luke 1:35) with warmth and love for nine long months as it grew in her womb. Then, in the fullness of time, "God sent forth his Son, made of a woman" (Galatians 4:4), to "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Out of the Ivory Palaces
 
"All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad." (Psalm 45:
 
Psalm 45 is one of the Messianic psalms, quoted as such in Hebrews 1:8-9. The section so quoted (vv. 6-7), which immediately precedes our text, begins with one Person of the Godhead addressing the Messiah also as "God," whose throne is eternal. Then, He says, "Oh God, . . . thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." The "oil of gladness" was the holy oil used for the anointing of priests and kings and was compounded of a mixture of spices which included myrrh and cassia (Exodus 30:22-25). Since the Messiah had been anointed to be "above his fellows" (first as High Priest, then as King of kings), "all his garments" would bear the sweet aroma of the holy ointment.
 
At the birth of Christ, His garments were "swaddling clothes," and the gifts of the eastern wise men included a supply of myrrh and frankincense (Luke 2:7; Matthew 2:11). At His death, they gave Him to drink "wine mingled with myrrh |and| . . . parted his garments" (Mark 15:23-24). Then once again His body was wrapped in linen clothes and anointed with myrrh and aloes (John 19:39-40) for His burial.
 
The psalmist sees Christ (i.e., "Messiah," both Greek and Hebrew titles meaning "the Anointed One") emerging triumphantly from the "ivory palaces." These mansions with their ivory walls and pearly gates are of shimmering white beauty in the distant heavenly city which will someday descend to earth (Revelation 21:2, 10-21).
 
The Lord descended once from these ivory palaces to take on human flesh in Mary's womb, thence to a burial in Joseph's tomb. But someday He will again come forth, anointed as eternal King, and then "shall the people praise thee for ever and ever" (Psalm 45:17). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Amen
 
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (2 Corinthians 1:20)
 
The word "amen" is a most remarkable word. It is transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best-known word in human speech.
 
The word is directly related--in fact, almost identical--to the Hebrew word for "believe" (aman), or "faithful." Thus, it came to mean "sure" or "truly," an expression of absolute trust and confidence. When one believes God, he indicates his faith by an "amen." When God makes a promise, the believer's response is "amen"--"so it will be!" In the New Testament it is often translated "verily" or "truly." When we pray according to His Word and His will, we know God will answer, so we close with an "amen," and so also do we conclude a great hymn or anthem of praise and faith.
 
The word is even a title of Christ Himself. The last of His letters to the seven churches begins with a remarkable salutation by the glorified Lord: "These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14). We can be preeminently certain that His Word is always faithful and true because He is none other than the Creator of all things, and thus He is our eternal "Amen."
 
As our text reminds us, every promise of God in Christ is "yea and amen," as strong an affirmation of truth as can be expressed in the Greek language.
 
It is, therefore, profoundly meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an "amen." "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (Revelation 22:21), assuring everyone who reads these words that the whole Book is absolutely true and trustworthy. Amen! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

It Is Christ
 
"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8:34)
 
In our text, Paul asks if there is anyone who can issue a guilty sentence against believers. In light of all Christ has done, and the fact that the Father "hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22), only Christ has the authority to condemn. Will Christ condemn those for whom He died? Obviously not, and Paul gives four reasons why the very suggestion is absurd.
 
First: "It is Christ that died." He is the very one who left heaven to die as a substitute for us. True, "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), but "Christ died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3). Certainly, the one who bore condemnation for us will not turn and condemn us.
 
Second: He "is risen again." He did not stay in the grave, but He rose victorious, proving that God the Father had accepted His sacrifice. Certainly "the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18) who desires "that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29) will not turn and thwart His own work and plan.
 
Third: He is even now "at the right hand of God" where He is, among other things, preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3). He intends for us to join Him and will not condemn us. One would think He had done enough for us, but no.
 
Fourth: He "also maketh intercession for us." As long as we, His "brethren," still live, He is interceding to God on our behalf. He asks the Father for our acceptance, not for our condemnation.
 
If the only one with authority to condemn will not condemn, then we have the assurance that nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Renewing of the Holy Spirit
 
". . . the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." (Titus 3:5)
 
The Holy Spirit's eternal impacts on our lives (regeneration and renewal) are brought together in this text in a rather unique way. To begin with, the Greek words are unusual—"regeneration" being used only twice in the New Testament and "renewal" only five times in various forms. They come together only in this passage.
 
"Regeneration" (paliggenesia) means to "birth again." The connection to our salvation is well established and does not need much explanation here. "Renewal" (anakainosis) in its variations is a bit more difficult to describe--especially since there is the possible linguistic connection to the "washing" (bath) of regeneration. That is, the section could be translated "the Holy Spirit's bath of regeneration and renewing"--thus equating the two terms. Most translations, however, treat the terms as separate actions or conditions for which the Holy Spirit is responsible. This fits best with the rest of the biblical data.
 
Perhaps the most well-known passage focusing on renewal is Romans 12:1-2. In this precious reference, we are commanded to present (yield) our bodies as holy and acceptable living sacrifices, and to refuse to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed (metamorphoo = "permanent change") by the renewing of our mind. The instrument by which the transformation comes about is the new mind (intellect)--a grace-gift imputed at salvation by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:16; Hebrews 10:16). This renewal takes place in the "inward man" (2 Corinthians 4:16) which "is renewed in knowledge" (Colossians 3:10) according to the image of the Creator. Thus, the renewal comes about intellectually, through the ministrations of the Holy Spirit, as we seek, study, store, and obey the magnificent Word of God. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

The Perfect Priesthood of Christ
 
"If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood . . . what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" (Hebrews 7:11)
 
As good as the Levitical priest system was, it was imperfect and the priesthood would need to be changed. Jesus Christ became the perfect priest who would never change.
 
Hebrews 7 describes the old priesthood as mortal: "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered |allowed| to continue by reason of death" (v. 23). There would no doubt be some breakdown of knowledge or interest on behalf of a person when his priest moved or died. Not so with the Lord Jesus Christ, "because he continueth ever" (v. 24), and because He is "the Son, who is consecrated for evermore" (v. 28). Therefore, we approach Him with confidence, knowing He "is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (v. 25).
 
The priesthood of men was also fallible. Daily they needed "to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's" (v. 27). A system of sinful men offering imperfect animals whose blood was incapable of washing away sins must have left some of the priests longing for something more assuring and fulfilling. Jesus ushered in a priesthood so perfect and infallible nothing would ever be the same. For Christ "needeth not daily" to offer sacrifices as Levitical priests did, "for this he did once, when he offered up himself" (v. 27). The one-time-only work of Christ was sufficient because of who offered it and what was offered: "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12). RJG

[Soldier4Christ]

The Glory of the Children
 
"|The| glory of children are their fathers." (Proverbs 17:6)
 
Most Christian men are aware of the familiar exhortation to bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4) and the warning "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged" (Colossians 3:21). Biblical messages to fathers frequently reflect the very real societal need for family discipline and godly leadership in the home (Proverbs 22:6, 15; Genesis 18:19).
 
Our text is a bit different. Although the message certainly implies godly leadership, the immediate focus is on the children. Children, we are told, receive "glory" from their fathers! How is this to come about?
 
Glory, in the biblical sense, centers on the value, the worthiness, or the reputation of the person or event so recognized. For instance, the Scripture teaches that the Lord Jesus "shall come in the glory of his Father" (Matthew 16:27; Mark 8:38; etc.), and that the reputation of God the Father was conferred on Christ Jesus: "For he received from God the Father honour and glory" (2 Peter 1:17).
 
So, fathers, please learn this critical principle. Your reputation is reflected onto your children. Your behavior in the workplace is assumed to be an indicator of your children's potential. What you say or do in moments of unguarded or uncontrolled passion will pass on to your children--for good or ill. The common saying "like father, like son" is recognized across time and culture as an accurate measure of human existence.
 
The Lord insists that "the iniquity of the fathers" will be passed "upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation" (Exodus 34:7). Would it not be far better that your children receive glory from your righteous life than shame (Psalm 89:45) from your iniquity? HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

How Firm a Foundation
 
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God." (Hebrews 6:1)
 
Many of the grand old hymns of the faith are still treasured, even today. Their strength and enduring popularity lie in their use of music to teach scriptural truth, many times weaving in phrases from various scriptural passages to make a doctrinal point.
 
Such is the case with the hymn (of unknown authorship) normally entitled "How Firm a Foundation." Each verse contains unusually rich scriptural insights, using the words of Scripture, primarily built around the theme of the security of the believer.
 
The first verse is quite familiar:
 
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say then to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
 
Each Christian's pilgrimage begins at salvation. There at the cross, through the foundational instruction of the Word of God, we find everlasting life. We "have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (Hebrews 6:18-19).
 
Once founded and anchored, we march on to maturity as stated in our text, using the "word of God" (Hebrews 6:5) as our all-sufficient guide. He has told us therein all that we need to know to guide us through the days ahead, including the various perils and persecutions illumined in subsequent verses, all the while resting in Him for security, and ultimately realizing the "hope set before us" (Hebrews 6:18). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Fear Not
 
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)
 
The second verse of the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" follows quite closely to the words of our text.
 
Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
 
The Christian should hold no illusions regarding his possible circumstances. Our Savior does not promise a life of ease or wealth or even worldly acceptance. He does promise that He will be with us no matter what, and that He is just and powerful, able to deal rightly with any difficulty, and that we will be ultimately victorious with His help: "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah 41:13).
 
The New Testament authors reflected this theme in many other passages as well. Paul prayed for the believers at Colosse, that they would be "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11). Christ promised: "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
 
We have no cause for fear, for our Savior subjected Himself to far greater difficulties: "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Hebrews 12:3). He is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). His victory is complete, and He is with us. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Deep Waters
 
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Isaiah 43:2)
 
We live in a world that is plagued by the effects of sin and the curse, where even the most godly Christian is subject to the ravages of disease, accident, old age, famine, drought, and pestilence, and the sins and sinful choices of others.
 
Many times our suffering is deserved, due to the consequences of our personal sin or improper choices. The consequent suffering may be the direct result of our actions or may be the chastisement of God to correct our behavior. God may also bring difficulties into our lives to mold our character, making us more like His dear Son. Whatever the cause, there are times when we must go through "deep waters." But we do not face them alone, as the third verse of "How Firm a Foundation" teaches:
 
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
 
James begins his book on the effective Christian life by discussing the benefits of trials: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. . . . Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life" (James 1:3, 12). Job reflects the same triumphant attitude in our text, as do other Scripture writers (e.g., 1 Peter 1:7; Romans 8:18; etc.), and as have many saints down through the ages.
 
God has not promised to keep our lives free from times of distress, but He has promised to be with us through them and to use them to bring about our ultimate sanctification. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Fiery Trials
 
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you . . . But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye." (1 Peter 4:12-14)
 
In addition to the normal distresses of life come outright persecution--direct opposition to the Christian and his faith by enemies of the cross. Millions of Christians down through the ages have even suffered martyrdom for their testimony, and many are suffering today around the world.
 
Christ promised that we would be hated for our stand (John 15:18-21), but He also prayed for us, not that we would be spared the persecution, but that we would be victorious in it and sanctified through it. "The world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. . . . sanctify them through thy truth" (John 17:14-17). This is the message of the fourth verse of "How Firm a Foundation."
 
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply,
The flames shall not hurt thee, I only design,
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
 
In His wisdom, He may choose to allow persecution to block life's pathway, but we will not face such opposition alone. His grace will supply our every need.
 
Heating gold above its melting point allows the denser gold to be separated from the frothy impurities (or dross), thus purifying the gold. Just so does God allow "fiery trials" in our lives, pushing us beyond the melting point, to "purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

I Will Never Leave Thee
 
"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)
 
This marvelous promise of security ought to serve to strengthen us in the face of any and all opposition. Our trust is in the Lord and His promises, in stark contrast to the preceding admonition to let our mindset "be without covetousness; and |to| be content with such things as |we| have."
 
A covetous spirit actually breaks the last of the ten commandments, and this warning tells us that such a spirit can afflict a Christian if he allows himself to become discontented with God's provision. The presence of God is far more precious than material possessions, and this should be enough.
 
Actually, the promise is even more emphatic in the original Greek. The word "leave," which means to uphold or sustain, is preceded by a twice-repeated negative. It literally means, "I will not, I will not cease to uphold you!" The word "forsake" implies forsaking one in a position of hopelessness, and it is preceded by a thrice-repeated negative: "I'll never, never, never abandon you in a hopeless state!"
 
Furthermore, this is a personal promise from Christ Jesus. The phrase, "He hath said," is in an intensive mode in Greek and could rightly be translated, "He, himself, hath said." Our Lord stakes His reputation on His ability to provide us security. No wonder "we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:6). The last verse from the grand hymn, "How Firm a Foundation," now takes on new meaning. JDM
 
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake
I'll never, no never, no never forsake.

[Soldier4Christ]

For Ever and Ever...
 
"The LORD shall reign for ever and ever." (Exodus 15:18)
 
The Bible is a book of eternity, its words "for ever . . . settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89). The theme of eternity is prominent throughout; in fact, the words "for ever," "everlasting," and the like occur more than 600 times. Many such occurrences (49 to be exact, or 7x7) seem to make the concept even more complete, being combined either as "for ever and ever" or "from everlasting to everlasting."
 
The first of these is in our text: "The LORD shall reign for ever and ever." He is the eternal King of all creation! How beautiful and appropriate it is, then, to find that the last (the 49th) of these occurrences tells us that we--His redeemed saints--also "shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:5).
 
To note just a few of the other truths that will last for ever and ever, consider first of all the creation: "Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. . . . For he commanded, and they were created. He that also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass" (Psalm 148:3, 5-6). Not only the world of God, but also the Word of God shall endure eternally. "All his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. . . . So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever" (Psalm 111:7-8; 119:44).
 
On the other hand, those who reject God and His Word will endure forever, but will be forgotten forever. "Thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever" (Psalm 9:5). "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever" (Revelation 14:11).
 
"But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him" (Psalm 103:17). "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:3). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

True Christian Fellowship
 
"That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." (Philemon 6)
 
This one-chapter epistle of Paul to his friend Philemon is essentially a personal request by Paul that Philemon forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, and receive him back into "the church in thy house" as a new Christian, recently won to Christ (vv. 2, 10, 15-16). Our text is Paul's prayer for Philemon and is similar to prayers by him for other believers (e.g., Colossians 1:9-10). It is an appropriate prayer on behalf of any fellow Christian. Its emphasis is on the blessings and responsibilities of true fellowship.
 
The "communication" of which Paul speaks is the Greek word koinonia, meaning "fellowship." That is, genuine Christian faith involves a sharing of one's life with others of "like precious faith" (2 Peter 1:1). That fellowship becomes "effectual" (literally, "full of power," from the Greek energes, "energizing") only through recognizing and appreciating all the blessings we have received through Christ.
 
Paul pointed out that he himself should be counted as a "partner" with Philemon (v. 17). Here the Greek is koinonos, practically the same as koinonia. Both Philemon, the wealthy Colossian master, and Onesimus, his runaway bondservant, were Paul's spiritual children (v. 19), so they all theoretically shared "every good thing" in fellowship through Christ. Thus Paul offered to repay anything Onesimus had stolen or any other losses, should Philemon so insist (vv. 18-19).
 
The demands of Christian fellowship thus might cost Onesimus his freedom, Paul his helper, and Philemon his property. True fellowship is not mere Christian socializing. It is the sharing of love and concern, time and talents, possessions and even life itself, as need and circumstance demand, with others in the household of faith. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Power of the Holy Spirit
 
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." (Acts 1:
 
This promise of our Lord signaled the beginning of the immense change from the old covenant to the new. Prior to the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:16) on the day of Pentecost, the saints of God were empowered both selectively and infrequently.
 
We, however, upon whom the "better thing" has come (Hebrews 11:40), are all temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Since we have been "quickened" (made alive) by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 3:18), we surely should then "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). What then is the dunamis (power) that the Holy Spirit provides to us?
 
Obviously, the power comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit Himself (Ephesians 3:16-20). Our flesh has "no good thing" (Romans 7:18) to provide for an empowered, Spirit-filled life. Apart from the dwelling of God’s Spirit in us (Ephesians 1:14), we would be unable to live righteously (John 15:5).
 
But thanks be to the omnipotent and omniscient Creator that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts to use in Christ’s assembly to mature and to encourage each other (Ephesians 4:7-16). The Holy Spirit also grants us the ability to develop His "fruit" in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
 
Then, with the encouragement and maturity we gain through our churches, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit being obvious in our daily lives, the great privilege of sharing the gospel with the lost becomes a delightful exercise of "power" (Romans 1:16) that is clear, not only in careful words of testimony, but in and through a life empowered by the Holy Spirit (1Thessalonians 1:5). HMM III