A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Lifelong Love
 
"Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9:9)
 
The above wise advice was written by King Solomon in his later years, after many years of searching for happiness through intellectualism, worldly pleasures, riches, and power, and finding that all of it was mere "vanity and vexation of spirit" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
 
Solomon had 700 wives, all of whom were "princesses" and thus at least partially for purposes of prestige and politics, but various references in his Book of Proverbs suggest that these were more a problem than a help. It is interesting that he had only one son, Rehoboam, plus two daughters, as far as the record goes.
 
That one son was born a year before he became king, while he was still very young, and Naamah (Rehoboam’s mother) was thus very likely the only wife he really loved (compare 1 Kings 11:42; 14:21), as described so beautifully in his Song of Solomon, which Solomon himself called his "Song of Songs."
 
So it seems poignant and significant that, near the end of his life, Solomon is counseling young men to cultivate that special love "with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity." (Note also Proverbs 5:18-19). The Bible very seldom refers to romantic love or marital love (nearly always biblical love is "agape" love), so this rare reference to romantic love (as between a young bride and bridegroom) is especially noteworthy. The admonition to "live joyfully" is from a word usually translated "alive," so his advice was to keep that young marital love alive and fresh all through life! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

World without End
 
"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him." (Isaiah 64:4)
 
This beautiful Old Testament promise has been appropriated by Paul (1 Corinthians 2:9) and applied to the New Testament believer guided by the indwelling Spirit of God. It looks forward to the ages to come when all those "things which God hath prepared for them that love him" will be given in their fullness.
 
It is noteworthy that both "the beginning of the world" in our text (Isaiah 64:4) and "world without end" (45:17) are translations of the same Hebrew word, olam, which means essentially "indefinitely long ago" or even "eternity." Thus, the wonderful plan God has prepared for His people, to be implemented and enjoyed in eternity future, was formulated by Him in eternity past.
 
We were then chosen "in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Ephesians 1:4). He had even planned our redemption from sin through His Son, "with the precious blood of Christ, . . . Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (1 Peter 1:19-20).
 
We may not, in this life, really comprehend with our minds such marvelous things, but we who "wait for him" can believe them with rejoicing in our hearts, for "God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10). Thus we can unite with thankful and understanding hearts in Paul's great doxology: "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen" (Ephesians 3:21). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Hastening His Coming
 
"Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissovled, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2 Peter 3:12)
 
Exactly how can we "hasten unto the coming of the day of God"? The answer is by bringing its coming closer. In fact, the phrase can just as well be understood as "hastening the coming."
 
Although the Scriptures give us many signs to know when Christ's return is near, Jesus said that no one could determine the exact time--not even He, Himself! "Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father" (Mark 13:32). In His self-limited human nature, He did not know because, apparently, it depended in some way on what His disciples would do to "hasten his coming" after He went back to heaven.
 
When He left them, He said: "Ye shall be witnesses unto me . . . unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This was a command, but it was also a prophecy: "Ye shall be witnesses" to the very last tribe on earth. In His Olivet discourse, He had said: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14). Sometime, somehow, every tribe will be reached, because John, in his vision, saw a great multitude "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" in heaven (Revelation 7:9).
 
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise" to return, but He does desire "that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9), and we should "account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" (2 Peter 3:15). No one but the Father knows just when the last convert from the last tribe will be won, but if we "love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8), we can "hasten his coming" by doing all we can to get the gospel to the ends of the earth. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Reliability of Nature
 
"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Genesis 8:22)
 
We are so accustomed to the regularity of the seasons and the various time-constants of nature (e.g., the length of the day and the year), we rarely stop to think how important all this is. When the sun goes down each evening, we are not disturbed, because we know it will rise the next morning; when winter settles over the hemisphere, we are confident that the spring will return in due time.
 
But if it were not so, life would soon become extremely difficult. Science and technology, which are based on the assumption that like causes produce like effects, would be impossible. These basic physical constants (the earth's rotation controlling the length of the day, the earth's orbit controlling the year, and the earth's axial inclination controlling the seasons), in turn, control most other physical and biological processes on the earth. Scientists, however, have no explanation as to why these constants are what they are. There is no better answer than that they are gifts of God's grace.
 
As a matter of fact, this present uniformity of nature dates only from the end of the great Noahic Flood, which marked a tremendous discontinuity in the processes of nature as they had functioned previously. God's promise to Noah of post-Flood continuity, as summarized in the words of our text, has been kept faithfully now for over 4,000 years.
 
All of God's wonderful creation gives a daily testimony to His faithfulness: "The living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: . . . left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:15, 17), and we should thank Him for it! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Bright and Morning Star
 
"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." (Revelation 22:16)
 
The epilogue of Revelation contains many words of comfort to the believer. Our Lord promises, among other things, that "behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me" (v. 12), and "blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (v. 14). Likewise, there are many names for God given, such as "the Lord God of the holy prophets" (v. 6), "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (v. 13), and "the root and the offspring of David" (text). This rehearsal of names and deeds provides comfort, but why is Christ called the "bright and morning star"?
 
The analogy is to the planet Venus, so often seen shining brightly in the early morning. The sight of the planet provides a pledge of the coming day during which the light is brighter and the sight clearer.
 
Likewise, however beautiful and awe-inspiring our perception is now by the light of our Bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ, we are promised a more complete view. Although He has "shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6), and although Christ appeared as "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3), soon we shall see Him "face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12) and even "be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).
 
Our view now constitutes only the beginning of a clearer sight--a guarantee of the glorious day that has no night, when we shall see the King in all His beauty. There will even be no need of the sun, "for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof" (Revelation 21:23). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Tragic Ignorance
 
"Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not." (Hosea 7:9)
 
One of the saddest dramas in human experience is the sight of a proud and confident leader who does not realize that his once-vaunted powers have deserted him and he now appears merely weak and foolish. Mighty Samson, with his locks shorn, was a sad example of such tragic ignorance. "And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him" (Judges 16:20), so the Philistines put out his eyes and bound him with chains. So it was with the once-mighty people of Israel in the days of their deep apostasy. Hosea described their distressing condition in the graphic words of our text.
 
Many years later, God's chosen people exhibited an even more tragic state of pompous ignorance. Their Messiah had come to them, and they didn't know Him, even crucifying Him. God's judgment couldn't be delayed. "|They| shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:44).
 
But perhaps the most tragic case is the church in Laodicea. This church represents all those outwardly prosperous evangelical churches that attempt to take a neutral stance on the basic conflicts of the last days. The one who is "the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14) will pronounce the awful judgment. "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (vv. 16-17). How urgently the people of God need to guard against the tragedy of arrogant ignorance! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

What Christ Was Made for Us
 
"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8)
 
We can never fully comprehend the condescension of the infinite Creator when He became man. He who was "very God of very God," as the Old Creeds expressed it, humbled Himself and was made many things for the sake of man's redemption. Note the following remarkable summation of what He "was made."
 
"The Word was God," and yet "the Word was made flesh" (John 1:1, 14). He had created human flesh for Adam, then finally for Himself--not sinful flesh, of course, but only "in the likeness of sinful flesh" (Romans 8:3).
 
He who had been in the very "form of God . . . took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7).
 
He was so completely human as to be "made of a woman" (Galatians 4:4), thus partaking of the complete human experience (apart from sin) from conception to death.
 
He also was "made under the law" (v. 4), though He, as the lawgiver, was above the law.
 
Although He completely fulfilled the law, He was "made |the| curse for us," in order to redeem "us from the curse of the law" (3:13).
 
Then, on the cross, God even "hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21), thus bearing the guilt and punishment for the sins of all the world.
 
Finally, as our text reminds us, He "became |same word in the Greek as 'was made'| obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
 
And because He was made all these things for us, we can "be made the righteousness of God in him" (5:21). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Near to the Heart of God
 
"And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually." (Exodus 28:29)
 
The clothing of the high priest was made according to very specific instructions. Each piece of the garment both symbolized and preshadowed a ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as the "one mediator between God and man" (1 Timothy 2:5).
 
The names of the tribes of Israel were engraved upon two stones (six names per stone) and they were to be mounted upon the shoulders of the ephod. The broad shoulders of a man are often used as a symbol of strength, particularly in carrying a heavy load. Illustrating His perfect faithfulness and capability, the burden-bearing work of Christ weighted with the sins and needs of His people is pictured through Aaron, who would "bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial" (Exodus 28:12). It is with great confidence in that capability that His people can therefore turn to Him, "casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
 
As seen from the text verse, this work is not a drudge, but a labor of love. The names of the children of Israel were not only on the high priest's shoulders, but also carried "upon his heart." In one sense this was a visible token of what He had said of old, "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee" (Jeremiah 31:3). For believers today, Christ's high priestly ministry is explained more fully in the Book of Hebrews, where believers are assured that "because he continueth ever, |he| hath an unchangeable priesthood" (Hebrews 7:24). Therefore, "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:1), for He has your name upon His own heart "for a memorial before the Lord continually." RJG

[Soldier4Christ]

The Books of God
 
"A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:10)
 
This great vision of the coming Day of Judgment is apparently the same as that later seen by John: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: . . . and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works" (Revelation 20:12).
 
These books of judgment are evidently books of records of the "works" of men. They must include also the books of the Bible, for the words of men must be evaluated in terms of the words of God. As Jesus said: "The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). The fearful truth, however, is that all who are judged according to their works are lost, for "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified" (Romans 3:20).
 
There is another book of God at the judgment: "And another book was opened, which is the book of life: . . . And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:12, 15). In this book are the names of all who are trusting in Christ alone for salvation.
 
There is still one more book which God is keeping: "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels" (Malachi 3:16-17). All whose names are in "the Lamb's book of life" will never be judged by their works. Instead, all service for their Lord will be "remembered" in His special book of heavenly jewels. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Cosmetology and the Christian
 
"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." (1 Peter 3:3-4)
 
It is fascinating to learn that the two Greek words translated "adorning" in the New Testament are kosmos and kosmeo, from which we get our English words "cosmos" and "cosmology," referring to the entire universe as an ordered system, as opposed to "chaos," a disordered system. Surprisingly, our modern word "cosmetics" also comes from the same source which, technically speaking, constitutes any kind of adornment that transforms something ugly and disordered into something beautiful and well-ordered.
 
The apostle Peter, however, stresses that genuine cosmetics are not used to beautify one's outward appearance, but to transform a believer's life by the Holy Spirit. When one's heart and life are changed from a spiritual chaos into a purposeful cosmos through redeeming trust in Christ, the change then soon becomes apparent in the outward appearance as well. The ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit soon shows up in a peaceful and radiant countenance.
 
Similarly, the apostle Paul urges that Christian "women adorn themselves in modest apparel . . . not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Thus, in addition to a quiet and gentle spirit, the true Christian cosmetology is an array of good works.
 
Finally, the Christian herself (or himself!) should be a beautiful cosmetic adornment to the very gospel of Christ, "that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things" (Titus 2:10). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Interpreting the Bible
 
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:20-21)
 
One basic reason why so many people seem to have trouble understanding the Bible is that they try to "interpret" it to fit their private opinions. The Greek word for "private" (idios) is related to such English words as "idiom" and "idiosyncrasy," and this key passage warns us against any exposition of Scripture which is based on the teacher’s pet doctrinal or behavioral prejudices. A reader or hearer of the Word of God whose "heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing" will be unable to "understand" (Matthew 13:15) because he comes with his mind and heart already bound to his own opinions.
 
The Bible does not need to be "interpreted" at all. In every other New Testament reference to "interpretation," except the one in our text (which means "explanation" or "exposition"), the meaning is simply "translation." The Bible does, of course, need to be correctly translated from Greek and Hebrew into English and other national languages, but that is all. God is able to say what He means, and He wants to communicate His authoritative Word to men and women of obedient hearts, who are willing to devote diligent study to all the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 5:12-14), to obey them (James 1:22), and then teach them to others (2 Timothy 2:2, 24-26) carefully, and clearly, and graciously.
 
To such students of the Word, the promise is: "Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:3-5). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Spiritual Hygiene
 
"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
 
We are bombarded these days with diet plans, exercise programs, health foods, beauty aids, etc.--all aimed at improving our lives or lifestyles. These may profit a "little," and should not be ignored, but we must never allow a preoccupation with physical things to negate our true priorities.
 
Spiritual hygiene is much more important than physical hygiene. As infants, we should "desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). For adults, "strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age" (Hebrews 5:14)--those who are no longer "unskillful in the word of righteousness" (v. 13).
 
We are to be "nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine" (1 Timothy 4:6), and admonished to profess "sound |literally 'healthy'| doctrine" (Titus 1:9; 2:1) and healthy "faith" (1:13; 2:2), as well as healthy "charity" and "patience" (2:2), and use healthy "speech" (2:8).
 
Exercise must not be ignored, but it should be "exercise . . . unto godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7), enabling us to "discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). It may take the form of chastisement, which "yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness"
(12:11).
 
And, of course, cleanliness is important. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psalm 119:9). Christ gave Himself "that he might sanctify and cleanse |the church| with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:26-27). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

God in the Garden
 
"And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed." (Genesis 2:8)
 
This was the world's first garden, and it must have been a beautiful garden, for God had planted it Himself. Every tree was "pleasant to the sight"; there was a lovely river "to water the garden" (Genesis 2:9-10), and God was there.
 
Then one day God was "walking in the garden" only to find that "Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden" (Genesis 3:8). Sin had entered, and Adam and Eve had to be cast out, leaving God alone in the garden (Genesis 3:23).
 
Many years later, God entered another garden with His loved ones. "He went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples" (John 18:1). There in the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples soon fell asleep, once again leaving Him alone in the garden, "withdrawn from them about a stone's cast" (Luke 22:41). There He "offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears" (Hebrews 5:7) as He faced the death that He had pronounced on His very first loved ones long before in that first garden.
 
There was yet another garden where He must be alone. "In the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus" (John 19:41-42). God had walked alone in the first garden, seeking His own. He knelt alone in the second garden, praying for His own. He was buried alone in the third garden, having died for His own. Therefore for, in the new "paradise of God" where the pure river flows and the tree of life grows eternally, "his servants shall serve him" and reign with Him "for ever and ever" (Revelation 2:7; 22:1-3, 5). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Walk before Me
 
"I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." (Genesis 17:1)
 
Abraham had been "walking" in the land of Canaan nearly 25 years when God gave this command to him. He had experienced the shameful rebuke in Egypt by Pharaoh and a marvelous victory against Chedorlaomer--and then had demonstrated both humility and obedience before Melchizedek.
 
God had been explicit in His promises to Abraham, but the promised heir had not yet come. Now, in spite of the awful lapse of faith with Hagar and the nagging burden of Ishmael, God insisted that Abraham "walk before" Him and "be perfect."
 
The Hebrew language here is unusual. The word translated "before me" is panyim, basically meaning "the face." This is the term used in the first commandment where we are told to "have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3).
 
In Genesis 17:1, the phrase could well be translated "walk, looking at my face." The first commandment, could also be translated "don't let any other god get between your face and my face."
 
The implication is obvious. God expects us to live in such a way that His "face" (Person, Character, Presence) is always "before" us so that our "walk" (lifestyle, behavior) is "perfect" (complete, whole, healthy), with nothing inhibiting the relationship "of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13).
 
"Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations" (Genesis 6:9). After warning Israel of the dangers of the pagan nations surrounding them, Moses still insisted that they should "be perfect with the LORD thy God" (Deuteronomy 18:13). No matter what the circumstances may be, if we are looking at God's "face" we will walk perfectly. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

The Gift of Grace
 
"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6)
 
The grace of God is not something to be earned, for it is "unmerited favor." We can never deserve salvation or the many other blessings which God provides, but "the gift |meaning 'the grace,' or 'the free gift'--Greek, charis| of God is eternal life" (Romans 6:23). "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
 
It logically follows that if God in Christ has lavished such abundant grace toward us, we likewise should manifest grace toward others. But such grace in us is no more achievable by human effort then is God's grace toward us. Grace is always the gift of God--received in humility, never in pride.
 
As our text says, a proud person can never be a gracious person, for God will not give His gifts to those who are proud. James is here paraphrasing Proverbs 3:34: "Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly." The apostle Peter also brings out this truth: "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" (1 Peter 5:5). Finally, as Paul says, even true Christian leadership is a gift of grace. "I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesi ans 3:7-8). We should never forget that all God's blessings come by His grace alone, and He gives grace to the humble, not the proud. HMM