A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Victor's Crown
 
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (1 Corinthians 9:25)
 
Ancient athletes who "strove for the mastery" devoted their whole lives to training and were "temperate in all things," hoping thereby to receive the victor's crown someday.
 
There are 21 references to the victor's crown in the New Testament, in either the verb or noun form. In most of these, the crown is used as a symbol of the Christian's "incorruptible" reward at the end of his spiritual race.
 
In 1 Thessalonians 2:19, it is called a "crown of rejoicing," speaking of the joy awaiting the faithful witness when he meets again with those he has influenced for Christ in this present life. Paul spoke of our "crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:8) when we shall be "like him" (1 John 3:2), with our old sinful weaknesses and desires gone forever. Peter said it would be a "crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4). James and John both said it is a wonderful "crown of life" (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) , that is, eternal life, in contrast to this present life of faithful submission to trials and persecution and possible death, for Christ's sake.
 
The first four references to this victor's crown, however, refer to the crown worn by Christ Himself. "Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!" (John 19:5).
 
Marvelous irony this, that a crown intended as an instrument of ridicule and pain would be transformed into a kingly crown of triumph! "But we see Jesus . . . crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9). In the very suffering of death, He defeated death and sin and Satan himself, and His crown of thorns became a crown of eternal glory and universal honor. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Created and Made
 
"These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens." (Genesis 2:4)
 
There are two accounts of creation in Genesis, with the above text marking the dividing point. In the first (Genesis 1-2:4), the name used for the Creator is "God" (Hebrew Elohim), and its termination is the summarizing "signature," as it were: "These are the generations (Hebrew toledoth) of the heavens and the earth when they were created."
 
The second account (Genesis 2:4-5:1) normally uses the name "LORD God" (Jehovah Elohim) in chapters 2 and 3 (except where the serpent and Eve used Elohim when she was being tempted) and then simply "LORD" (Hebrew Jehovah) in chapter 4. This second creation account ends with Adam’s signature: "This is the book of the generations |i.e., toledoth| of Adam."
 
Critics claim that the two accounts are contradictory. Actually they are complementary, the second merely giving more details of the events of the fifth and sixth days of creation week. The Lord Jesus (who was there as the Creator!) used them both, quoting from each (Matthew 19:4-6) at the same time in the same context.
 
Note also that "create" (Hebrew bara) is used seven times in Genesis 1, never in Genesis 2-4. In that second account, "made" and "formed" (Hebrew asah, yatsar) are the words used. Genesis 2:3 stresses the fact that "create" and "make" are different, when it tells us that God rested "from all His work which God created and made." Evidently the verb "create," which always has the Creator as its subject, refers to His work in calling entities into existence; "make" refers to systems constructed (by either God or men) out of previously created entities. The heavens and the earth were both "created" and "made" (see our text). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Imprecations in the Psalms
 
"O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones." (Psalm 137:8-9)
 
This is one of the "imprecatory psalms" as they are called (note also Psalms 5, 109, etc.). They have always been difficult to deal with in terms of biblical inspiration. The fact remains, however, whether or not we can understand all of God's eternal purposes, "the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth" (Psalm 33:4).
 
We can at least make certain suggestions as to why God has included such imprecations in His Word. For one thing, they reveal, truthfully, the feelings of those who have been wronged by the enemies of God, without necessarily indicating God's approval of those feelings. The Scriptures make a distinction between those who injure us for personal reasons and those whose motivation is enmity against God. Even for the latter, however, God reminds us that "vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19).
 
With respect to the slaying of infants, as in our text, there is another factor to consider. Infant Babylonians, if brought up in the vile and cruel culture of the Babylonians of that age, who had tortured and slain God's people and desecrated and burned His temple, would almost certainly grow to be as evil as their parents. In that sense, it could well be more merciful--even to them--to take them out of the world in infancy than for them to face God's eternal wrath for their later crimes as adults. This would not lessen the guilt of those (in this case, the conquering Persians) who would later execute this judgment on Babylon.
 
In any case, we must never allow difficulties for which we do not yet have answers to cause us to question the integrity of God and His Word. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Thanks for Everything
 
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:20)
 
Being thankful for everything that happens in his or her life to a Christian believer is listed in this section of Paul's letter to the Ephesians as one of the evidences that a Christian is indeed "filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).
 
That is not all. Not only for everything, but in everything, we should give thanks to God. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
 
These two commands are easy to obey when the living is easy, as the song says, though we might easily forget to do so. But when the Lord is allowing us to hurt for a while, thanksgiving becomes hard. It is hard while we are experiencing the difficulty and just as hard when it has passed with no relief in sight. The two small prepositions "in" and "for" are different in New Testament Greek as well as in modern English, and God really wants us to learn how to thank Him both during and after the hard experience.
 
Because He has allowed it for a good purpose! The apostle James urges us to "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations" (that is, "various testings"); "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:3-4). Paul says that we can even "glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:3-5). Patience and real love will come to characterize an habitually thankful Christian. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Pillar and Ground of the Truth
 
"These things write I unto thee, hoping to come into thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
 
The church has been ordained by God to be the primary instrument through which His work on earth is to be accomplished. Here Paul uses three phrases to describe three aspects of the church:
 
The house of God: The Christian family with husband, wife, and children performing their God-given roles, provides a beautiful picture of the relationship of the church (the "bride" of Christ) to the Lord. The household of God consists of a family of believers where love controls and where He is honored. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).
 
The church of the living God: The ekklesia, or "called-out ones," serve the living God. "The blood of Christ |shall| . . . purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14).
 
The pillar and ground of the truth: A pillar of a building is not used for support, but rather for display by elevating or calling attention to something else. The ground provides the support. The church should function to support and display the whole truth in such a way that all men can see and believe it.
 
It should be a family of believers exhibiting brotherly love, individually and corporately serving the living God out of a pure conscience, defending the truth, and displaying it to the lost. May each of us as church members enjoy and support such a church. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Nine Forty-Day Periods
 
"To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3)
 
It is interesting how often the Scriptures refer to a fortyday period. There are nine different forty-day periods noted in Scripture (the phrase itself occurs seventeen times), and it may be noteworthy that forty days is one-ninth of the original (and prophetic) lunar/solar year of 360 days (note Genesis 7:11; 8:3-4; Revelation 11:2-3). Thus the total of the nine forty-day periods equals the ideal year.
 
These nine forty-day periods are as follows: (1) The intense rainfall at the start of the Flood (Genesis 7:12, 17); (2) The first giving of the law (Exodus 24:18; Deuteronomy 9:9, 11); (3) The second giving of the law (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:18, 25); (4) The searching of Canaan by the fearful spies (Numbers 13:25; 14:34); (5) The defiance of Israel by Goliath (1 Samuel 17:16); (6) Elijah's journey to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8); (7) Jonah's reluctant preaching in Nineveh (Jonah 3:4); (8) Christ's temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2); (9) Christ's post-resurrection ministry (Acts 1:3).
 
Each of these periods was a time of great stress and intense testing for one or more of God's people, except the last. Instead, the final forty-day period, encompassing Christ's ministry to His disciples after His resurrection, was a time of triumph and great blessing. He had come victoriously through the most intense time of stress and testing that anyone could ever experience, and now He could show Himself alive eternally to His disciples and promise them the same victory. Forty days of testing, then forty days of triumph! Even a lifetime of testing is more than balanced by an eternity of blessing. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Good Pastor
 
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." (John 10:14)
 
The Greek word used here for "shepherd" is the same as for "pastor." The Lord Jesus, therefore, was saying, in effect: "I am the good pastor: the good pastor giveth His life for the sheep |that is, 'for His flock'|." A good pastor is, thus, one who leads his flock into good pasture, who knows his flock, and who is known by his flock. A good pastor would even give his life for his flock (vv. 1-16).
 
However, this is not merely a term for the leader of a church congregation. The term and the concept are sufficiently broad to include all those individuals (teachers, military officers, parents, etc.) who have leadership responsibilities.
 
In all such cases, our guide and example is our good shepherd, our good pastor, our good leader--the Lord Jesus Christ. With this in mind, consider some of the other biblical references to our good shepherd: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:2-4).
 
Note also Hebrews 13:20-21: "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever."
 
Most every Christian, at least on occasion, must assume the function of a spiritual shepherd, and every Christian, always, is spiritually a sheep. The Lord Jesus is our good shepherd, and we do well to follow Him in all things. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Crucial Point
 
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Galatians 6:14)
 
Whenever people speak of "the crucial point of the issue" or "the crux of the matter," they are inadvertently acknowledging the centrality of the cross of Christ, for these words are derived from the Latin crux, meaning "a cross."
 
The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is right at the very heart of Christianity and also at the very heart of the opposition to Christianity. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).
 
It was at the cross, and on the cross, that Christ defeated Satan. "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2:14-15).
 
And it is at the cross that we also must be crucified, spiritually, if Satan is to be defeated in our own lives. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20). "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts" (Galatians 5:24). "Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Romans 6:6).
 
Crucifixion, of course, is exceedingly painful, and therefore there is a very real "offense of the cross" (Galatians 5:11). Many Christians resist the demands on the life and the mind and the body that are entailed in such total identification with Christ. They would rather glory in earthly things. But how much better it is to glory, as Paul did, only in the cross, crucified unto the world. HMM

[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 (2 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). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Pilgrims on the Earth
 
"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country." (Hebrews 11:13-14)
 
This is the heart-touching testimony of the great "heroes of faith" of Hebrews 11. The experiences of all these godly men and women of the past are outlined as an example for us as we pass through the years of our own "pilgrimage" on the earth. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us . . . run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).
 
There is another group who also gave their own lives, and the testimony of our text seems appropriate for them as well. Once a year, on Memorial Day, we remember in a special way those who died in defense of our own country. They had seen its promises and embraced them and were willing to die for them. Many of those were also Christians, and they loved their country, especially because of its unique Christian heritage and its freedom to practice and propagate their faith.
 
One of these was this writer's younger brother, who died in the jungles of Burma as a young pilot flying the famous "Hump" into China during World War II. Before his death, he had given a faithful Christian witness to many of his buddies as he ran his own race with patience. Many readers of these lines no doubt remember their own friends and loved ones who likewise offered up their lives for God and country.
 
As we remember them, we surely must remember, with even greater love and appreciation, the One who made the greatest sacrifice of all, "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Finished Works of Creation
 
"For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4:3)
 
Here is a strong New Testament confirmation of the Genesis record of a creation completed in the past--thus not continuing in the present as theistic evolutionists have to assume. Whatever processes God may have used during the six days of creation, they are no longer in operation for "the heavens and the earth were finished, . . . on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made. . . . And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made" (Genesis 2:1-3).
 
The record in Genesis could not be more clear and specific, but the fact that it is in Genesis tends to demean it in the minds of many scientists and theologians. So they prefer to believe in a continuing evolution and long ages in the past. But the writer of Hebrews once again confirms the fact of a completed creation: "For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:10).
 
The writer is not trying to defend the completed creation as such, but merely assuming it as a commonly acknowledged truth. In fact, God's "rest" from His works of creation is taken as a prophetic type of the spiritual rest of a Christian believer when he ceases trusting his own works of legalism and relies fully on the finished work of Christ for his eternal salvation. On the cross, after the Lord had died for our sins, He had cried out, "It is finished!" (John 19:30), and our debt for sin was fully paid. God's great work of redemption was completed, just as was His work of creation, and now we also can rest from our "dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Indispensables
 
"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." (John 1:3)
 
There are not many people or things in life that are truly indispensable. Some are, however, and anyone who ignores these is infinitely foolish and shortsighted.
 
God is indispensable. Many people deny Him, and many more ignore Him, but those who are "without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12) are without everything.
 
Holiness before this God is also indispensable, for He demands perfect "holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Since we are unholy, this necessary holiness can only be imputed by God on the basis of a perfect substitutionary sacrifice. Consequently, "without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22), and only the blood of the holy Son of God can bring forgiveness and salvation. Only His blood is capable of paying the penalty for our sins, for only He "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). The sinlessness of Christ is indispensable, and the substitutionary shedding of His holy blood is indispensable, if one is to be saved.
 
Faith in God, His holiness, and the efficacy of the shed blood of Christ is also indispensable, for "without faith it is impossible to please him" (Hebrews 11:6). This must be genuine faith, demonstrated by the good works which will inevitably result from such faith. Thus, works also are indispensable, for "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).
 
Finally, we will never learn these wonderful truths if no one tells us, nor will others learn them if we don't tell them. "How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" (Romans 10:14-15). Thus, the missionary, the witness, the teacher, the preacher of the saving gospel of our Creator and Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, are also indispensable in His great plan. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Good Affliction
 
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." (Psalm 119:71)
 
This seems like a strange testimony. Affliction is often accompanied by complaining or discouragement, but seldom by a statement of satisfaction and thankfulness, such as in our text for today.
 
Nevertheless, in terms of the long-range goal of character development, afflictions are often good for us, helping to make us more Christ-like, and preparing us for our ministry of service to Him in the age to come (Revelation 22:3), if only we profit from them and submit to them as we should.
 
"Before I was afflicted I went astray," testifies the psalmist, "but now have I kept thy word. . . . This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me" (Psalm 119:67, 50). Such testimonies have been echoed innumerable times throughout the centuries, as godly men and women have drawn closer to the Lord through His comforting Word during times of affliction than they ever were during times of ease.
 
In fact, afflictions often draw even the unsaved to the Lord. They would never come when things are going well, but many do come when, in times of sorrow or rejection, they are forced to the end of their resources. It is then that "godly sorrow |literally, 'sorrow from God'| worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of" (2 Corinthians 7:10).
 
As for those instances when God's people suffered in ancient times, it was said: "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them" (Isaiah 63:9). Although no such affliction "for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

That Ye Might Believe
 
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:30-31)
 
The Gospel of John is the one book of the Bible specifically written with the purpose of leading men to Jesus Christ and salvation. It is structured around seven specially selected miracles of creation, or "signs" (John 2:11; 4:53-54; 5:9; 6:13-14; 6:19-21; 9:6-7; 11:43-45), each requiring supernatural power as well as knowledge. The book also contains many affirmations of His deity (there are seven great "I am" statements) and many exhortations to believe on Him (e.g., John 3:16) interspersed around the seven signs. Finally, there is the detailed description of the last supper, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, climaxed by the glorious affirmation of faith by doubting Thomas, and then our text stating the purpose of the entire book.
 
If we are to be effective witnesses for Christ, we can do no better than to follow this same procedure. It is most significant that this begins with a strong emphasis on the special creation of all things, with an exposition showing that Christ Himself is the Creator (John 1:1-14). The judicious use of Christian evidences (e.g., the miracles) demonstrating the truth of His many claims of deity, climaxed by the overwhelming proofs of His own bodily resurrection (John 20:1-29), all interwoven with an uncompromising emphasis on the inerrant authority of Scripture (e.g., John 5:39-47; 10:34-36) and a clear exposition of His substitutionary death and the necessity of personal faith in Him for salvation (especially John 3:1-18), all combine to make the most effective way of bringing men to an intelligent, well-grounded decision to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Sin of Laziness
 
"As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed." (Proverbs 26:14)
 
This is one of the more colorful of numerous colorful verses in the book of Proverbs which rebuke the sin of laziness. Note a few of the others:
 
"The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns" (Proverbs 15:19).
 
"A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again" (Proverbs 19:24).
 
"The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour" (Proverbs 21:25).
 
"The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets" (Proverbs 22:13).
 
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: . . . How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? . . . Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man" (Proverbs 6:6, 9-11).
 
"As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him" (Proverbs 10:26).
 
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing" (Proverbs 20:4).
 
The writer of Proverbs had little sympathy for lazy people and their self-induced problems! It seems he continually devised new figures of speech with which to shame them into action. Indolence is a distressing characteristic in anyone, but it is inexcusable in a Christian. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire. . . . That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 6:10-12). HMM