A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Thoughts of God
June 6, 2010
 
"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139:17)
 
The motivating inspiration for the greatest scientists of the past (Newton, Kepler, Maxwell, etc.) was often expressed by them as seeking to "think God's thoughts after Him." The great achievements of these God-fearing men of science have enabled us to understand just a little portion of God's infinitely great and complex creation, but never can any group of men ever manage to think all His thoughts after Him. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD" (Isaiah 55:8). "How great is the sum of them," our text says. "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it" (Psalm 139:6).
 
Yet it is surely right to try, for God has commanded man to "have dominion" over the earth (Genesis 1:26), and this implies understanding its processes and systems. We are to seek also to incorporate His thought patterns into ours, for He said to "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).
 
In fact, our whole mission, in one sense as summed up in 2 Corinthians 10:5, is to be "casting down imaginations |or 'reasonings'|, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." We should, indeed, strive to think God's thoughts after Him, not only in our scientific research, but in every area of our lives.
 
There is one thing certain, of course. God's thoughts will never contradict His revealed Word, so this is the place to start. God surely "understandest my thought afar off" (Psalm 139:2), and He desires our thoughts to conform to His. For if we are truly Christians, "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

No Other Gods
 
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3)
 
This first commandment, written by the finger of God Himself on Mount Sinai--twice (Exodus 31:18; 34:1)--contains a very intriguing choice of words.
 
"Thou shalt have no" is rendered from the Hebrew word lo, which is an emphatic negative: "never," "neither," "not," etc. The word "other" translates the Hebrew word acher, which is derived from another word meaning "behind" or "less." This word is also translated "following," "next," "|an|other," or "strange"--in the sense of being less than the previous object. Elohim is the Hebrew word for "gods," the term for "powerful ones."
 
The Holy Spirit's most unusual choice of words is the phrase 'al paniym at the end of the sentence, translated "before me." That phrase literally means "against the faces" or in the sense of "on top of." So, a direct translation of the command would be, "Never place a less powerful being on top of my faces." It can also be rendered, "Don't ever let any other god get between your face and my face."
 
Moses gave several instructions on how we are to observe the command. We are not to worship (prostrate, bow down to) any other god (Exodus 34:14), or mention (call to memory) the name of other gods (Exodus 23:13), or walk behind other gods (Deuteronomy 6:14). We are not to forget (mislay, be oblivious of) YAWEH, and in so doing serve other gods (Deuteronomy 8:18-19). We must not allow our hearts to be deceived (become broad, liberal, "open"-minded) and worship other gods (Deuteronomy 11:16). And we are not to go aside (turn off, withdraw) from the words of God, and by doing so serve other gods (Deuteronomy 28:14).
 
No wonder our Lord Jesus called this the "first and great commandment" and insisted that we must "love the Lord thy God will all thy heart" (Matthew 22:37-38). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

No Other Image
 
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing." (Exodus 20:4)
 
There are several reasons why idolatry is forbidden. The most obvious it that the triune Creator is too great to attempt to visualize (Exodus 34:5-7). There is no thing or experience in human existence that can represent the immortal and invisible Creator (1 Timothy 6:16).
 
Thus, God sees any effort to "picture" Him (idolatry) as rebellion (Jeremiah 5:19-25). It does not matter how we may attempt to "see" God. "Any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" (Exodus 20:4) are all totally incapable of expressing God's person.
 
Romans 1:18-32 reveals the heart of an idolater. Those who hold the truth in unrighteousness (v. 18) will not glorify God as God (v. 21), even though they know Him by the creation itself (v. 20). Instead, they change God's inestimable glory into an earthly creature (v. 23) and consciously change God's truth into a lie (v. 25).
 
Thus, by open choice and willing rebellion, idolators worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator (v. 25), thereby abandoning God for a despicable and unnatural lust, for an ungodliness that, in turn, causes them to despise the very thought of God in their knowledge (v. 28). Ultimately, the only pleasure they can find is among other idolaters (v. 32).
 
Paul taught the "philosophers" in Acts 17:22-29 that the heart of idolatry is rejection of God as Creator. Idolatry, in any form or practice, strikes at the heart of salvation, because "he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

God's Precious Name
 
"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain." (Exodus 20:7)
 
As always, the word choices of the Holy Spirit are very important. The Hebrew word nasa, translated "take," is widely used to describe willful misuse or manipulation of an item or idea. The Hebrew word for "name," shem, literally means "a position" and carries the idea of a mark or memorial, implying a description of character.
 
God proclaimed His name: "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty" (Exodus 34:6-7). Moses described God as: "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he" (Deuteronomy 32:4).
 
Misusing the name of God is clarified by the final phrase "in vain," translated from the Hebrew shav, which describes "a desolation, an evil, a useless or worthless thing." "And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:12).
 
Thus, making a false (untrue, unrealistic, unmeant) statement using God's name is wrong (Jeremiah 5:1-3; Matthew 5:33-37). Also, wounding the name of God through words or actions is equally wrong (Leviticus 20:1-5). A bad testimony (Ezekiel 36:20-23), improper service (Ezekiel 20:39-40), or giving the second best to God (Malachi 1:10-14) disobeys this commandment.
 
Clearly, this is no mere restraint against "cussing." It demands open worship of the nature and attributes of the Creator through our words and our lifestyle. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

God's Rest Day
 
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8)
 
The Hebrew word shabbat is found 108 times in the Old Testament. The basic meaning is "intermission" or "break." The term never means "Saturday" or "seven."
 
The pattern of resting every seventh day-night cycle was established by God at creation (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:11). God "made" (performed activity) for six days and rested and ended His work on the seventh day.
 
Therefore, God blessed and "hallowed" the resting day to commemorate His initial work and rest cycle. There is no other basis for this pattern. There is no relationship for the seven-day week in any astronomical clock reference: solar, stellar, or lunar. In fact, the Lord Jesus clearly told us that He made the sabbath for humanity (Mark 2:27). Apart from God's specific design, we would have no reason to observe the seven-day week, which is common to all cultures.
 
All humanity observes the seven-day cycle from a practical and physiological need. Christians, however, should acknowledge that the sabbath was dedicated by God at creation to be a day of "sanctification."
 
God's people should follow the pattern He set (Genesis 2:1-3) and recognize the wonder and majesty of the creation (Exodus 20:11). We should cease from our own profitable employment (Exodus 20:9-10) and, more importantly, concentrate on the worship of our Creator (Psalm 92).
 
This commandment is the only command listed with a specific reason, and the precise wording should forever settle the argument about a "day-age" interpretation of creation. In Exodus 20:11, the wording can only mean a "regular" day.
 
There is no linguistic excuse for long ages anywhere. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Honoring Parents
 
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)
 
This is the "first commandment with promise" (Ephesians 6:2) and starts the second set of instructions in Exodus 20 for godly living. While the first four commandments focus on our relationship with God Himself, the last six are designed to protect and enhance our relationship with each other.
 
Among all human relationships, the family becomes the primary sphere (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:21-25; Ephesians 6:1-2) for learning. Human government and nationality have their place in our relationships between and among each other, but the home is the basic training station (Genesis 18:19; Ephesians 6:4) to establish functional authority.
 
The home is the place to exercise the discipline that will instill respect for authority (Hebrews 12:5-11). Such discipline may involve corporal punishment (Proverbs 22:15; 23:13-14) or verbal rebuke (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12) or even involve the withholding of reward or privilege (Genesis 49:1-26). Government struggles and society reels when homes are negligent in establishing obedience to rules.
 
The promise of a long life is based upon the child obeying his parents (Proverbs 6:20) and helping his parents as they require care or assistance in their later years (1 Timothy 5:8, 16).
 
The Lord Jesus submitted Himself to this authority (Luke 2:51). Since He lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), it would follow that He upheld this commandment and honored His earthly parents just as He honored His heavenly Father.
 
The honor given to parents is even extended to all elderly people (Leviticus 19:32). Would God these instructions were followed by all families. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Doctrines of Devils
 
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1)
 
In chapter one of his first epistle to Timothy, Paul warned about false teachers and heresies in the church of his day, evidently particularly implicating the agnostics and their false skepticism and low moral standards. In our text for today and throughout chapter four, he warns of false teachers "in the latter times," i.e., in our day and in our churches.
 
Paul had received an explicit (i.e., "express") teaching from the Holy Spirit. There was nothing vague about it. The false teachers would, among other things, be "forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats" (v. 3), with other false teachings implied throughout the chapter. What does this teach us about those who today forbid their leaders, both men and women, to marry? Or those who insist upon certain dietary regimes for spiritual reasons?
 
These "doctrines" will cause some to "depart from the faith." Evidently, some who consider themselves Christians and yet have incomplete discernment, will fall into the trap of "seducing spirits," espousing the "doctrines of devils." The Greek word translated "depart" is apostesontai, which means "to fall away" from an original position, in this case, "the faith." The teachers will typically be hypocrites, "speaking lies," having "their conscience seared" (v. 2). "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:9).
 
In this time of great apostasy, we desperately need to know the biblical doctrine concerning devils (or Satan and his demonic henchmen), for their influence has nearly captured American education and culture. But we must be on guard against, and teach others to be on guard against, "doctrines of devils." JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Adam and Mrs. Adam
 
"Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created." (Genesis 5:2)
 
In these days of sensitivity concerning sexism, it is important to focus on God's own evaluation of the two sexes and their respective roles in the divine plan. As Creator of both, He alone can speak authoritatively about this matter.
 
Both man and woman were created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), and thus, in the categories of salvation, rewards, and eternal fellowship with their Creator, both are surely equal. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. . . . There is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-28).
 
At the same time, when God created them, He named them both "Adam," as our text notes. This is actually the same word as "man," as in Genesis 2:7 ("the LORD God formed man"), etc. Thus it is biblical to use the word "man" generically, when referring to the human race in general. When the woman was formed out of Adam's side, Adam said, "She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man" (Genesis 2:23). Here a different Hebrew word is used for "man" (ish), and "woman" is isha.
 
Adam also gave his new bride a personal name. "Adam called his wife's name Eve |'life-giver'|; because she was the mother of all living" (Genesis 3:20).
 
There is, therefore, nothing demeaning in using "man" as a generic term for both men and women, for this usage is sanctioned by God Himself. Nevertheless, each individual has his or her own distinctive personal name, and God deals with each of us individually on that basis. Our obedience and faithfulness to the divinely ordained role each of us is called by Him to fill, is God's criterion by which He measures us for eternity. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

No Murder
 
"Thou shalt not kill." (Exodus 20:13)
 
The basis for murder is hatred (Deuteronomy 19:11; Exodus 21:14). The use of a weapon identifies murder. It may be a lethal weapon, like an "instrument of iron" (Numbers 35:16); a weapon of opportunity, like a stone or club (Numbers 35:17-18); or merely the use of hands (Numbers 35:21).
 
In contrast, accidental killing is distinguished from murder (Exodus 21:13). Sometimes identified as "unaware" killing (Deuteronomy 4:42) and described as "error" killing (Numbers 35:11), it occurs without enmity (Numbers 35:22; Deuteronomy 19:14; Joshua 20:5) and by accident (Numbers 35:23), even though it may result from carelessness (Deuteronomy 19:5).
 
Execution is demanded for premeditated and presumptuous murders. The original authority was given to corporate man by God after the Flood (Genesis 9:5-6) The process of trial and conviction was established in Numbers 35:30-31. All such laws are designed to suppress evil (1 Timothy 1:8-10).
 
Imprisonment from normal society is demanded for accidental killings. Cities of refuge were built for such manslayers (Joshua 20:1-9) and were to be easily accessible to the nation (Deuteronomy 19:7-8). They were places of protection (Numbers 35:15) and restriction (Numbers 35:26-28), to be voluntarily entered (Exodus 21:13; Numbers 35:11). Imprisonment was for an indefinite length, and a person remained in the refuge until the "death of the high priest" (Joshua 20:6).
 
Modern laws dimly reflect these ideals but are made less effective by delay. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Ecclesiastes 8:11). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

No Adultery
 
"Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14)
 
This commandment's obvious application is for marital fidelity. God created one man and one woman for that man (Genesis 1:26; 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:9).
 
Adam recognized the sanctity of marriage (Genesis 2:23-25). Christ verified and reaffirmed this fidelity (Matthew 5:27; 19:4-6). Adultery "murders" a marriage and was punished with the death penalty (Leviticus 20:10).
 
The Bible also gives several parallel restrictions. Pre-marital sex is forbidden (Deuteronomy 22:20-21; 1 Corinthians 6:13-18), as is the practice of prostitution (Leviticus 19:29). The perversion of homosexuality is forbidden (Deuteronomy 23:17-18), as was the practice of religious sexual rites (Hosea 4:12-14).
 
The purpose of these social restrictions in the Mosaic Law is to set a clear and visible distinction between God's people and the rest of the nations. God abhorred such behavior (Leviticus 20:23) because these sins defiled the land (Leviticus 18:24-28). Perhaps even more damning than the physical sins was the false worship of other gods (Jeremiah 3:20).
 
The Lord Jesus clearly equated lust and adultery (Matthew 5:28), noting that the heart is the source of all evil actions (Matthew 15:19). In fact, in the New Testament, any worldly association is whoredom and such friendship is enmity with God (James 4:4).
 
Unfortunately, we are surrounded by an overt promotion of such behavior, enticing all to engage freely. It is distributed to us through books, movies, TV, Internet, music, fashion, and associations.
 
Surely, it is clear that the Christian must conform to biblical standards, not the world's tolerance or permission (1 John 2:15-17). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

No Stealing
 
"Thou shalt not steal." (Exodus 20:15)
 
The word translated "steal" is the Hebrew ganab and is restricted to acts done secretly. It figuratively describes wind sweeping something away unexpectedly (Job 21:18; 27:20) and illustrates the thief-like movements of military deserters (2 Samuel 19:4). It would fit the term "burglary."
 
Burglary was punishable on a graded scale. A 200 percent penalty was levied if the property was returned unharmed (Exodus 22:4, 7, 9), a 400 or 500 percent penalty if the property was damaged or destroyed (Exodus 22:1), and a 700 percent penalty if the property stolen was food (Proverbs 6:30-31). Personal indenture was enforced if the thief could not pay the monetary levy (Exodus 22:3).
 
The command extends to our care of the property of others. Loss due to negligence is considered stealing (Exodus 22:7, 10-13). This would also apply to unfair business practices that defraud either customers or employees (Leviticus 19:35-36).
 
In our personal lives, we are expected to repay our debts (Ezekiel 33:15; 18:7, 12, 16) and pay our taxes (Romans 13:5-8; Matthew 22:17-21). Failure to do so makes us a "thief" in God’s eyes.
 
The Hebrew word gazal, on the other hand, is used to emphasize the violent seizing of property. It would fit the term "robbery." This is the word used in the question: "Will a man rob God?" (Malachi 3:8). We can infer that disobedience to tithing is a more dangerous infraction of the eighth commandment than mere "burglary."
 
May God keep us from either violation as we seek to please Him. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

No False Witness
 
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." (Exodus 20:16)
 
There are several important and very specific words used in this commandment. An expanded translation could well be, "Do not purposely intend to injure or plan to deceive others by repeating a damaging report about one with whom you have established a relationship."
 
The very idea of a lie originated with the great enemy, Satan (John 8:44; 1 John 2:21), no doubt rendering the lying tongue an abomination to God (Proverbs 6:17-19; 12:22).
 
The willing false witness will not escape punishment (Proverbs 19:5, 9). Indeed, such a person may die prematurely (Acts 5:4-10).
 
Untruth is not overlooked by God. In fact, those who are "liars" by practice will likely wind up in hell (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15).
 
While the focus of this commandment prohibits a "formal" false witness against someone--which would result in damage to their person, property, or reputation--the biblical applications are many and varied. Our holy God hates a false witness.
 
So-called "half truths" are not godly, either. Flattery and hypocrisy are wrong (Psalm 12:1-3; Proverbs 29:5), as are malicious joking and jesting (Proverbs 26:18-19; Ephesians 5:4). Even deceptive refusals are considered ungodly behavior (Proverbs 3:27-29; 1 John 3:17-18). And, of course, slander, gossip, and "tale bearing" are wrong (Psalm 101:5).
 
Those who name the name of Jesus Christ are, simply, to speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25), render sound judgment (1 Corinthians 6:1-5), and not to enter into a plot to do evil (Zechariah 7:9-10; Romans 12:9, 17, 21). Our "yes" and our "no" are to be precise and accurate (James 5:12). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

No Coveting
 
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." (Exodus 20:17)
 
This is the broadest prohibition of the Ten Commandments, spilling over to numerous portions of the Scripture. This commandment gives us three different views of "covet." The initial commandment (Exodus 20:17) uses the Hebrew word chamad, which means "to delight in." The repeated commandment (Deuteronomy 5:21) uses the word 'avah, which translates "to wish for." And the applied commandment (Jeremiah 6:13) uses the word batsa', which is "to be greedy."
 
There are two classic examples from which we can learn.
 
In spite of the awesome evidence of the Rea Sea crossing, water from the rock, and the manna from heaven, Israel was not satisfied with the Lord's provision (Numbers 11:7-15). They "fell a lusting" ('avah) for the old delicacies of Egypt (Numbers 11:4-6). The Lord gave Israel its request for "meat" (Numbers 11:16-31), then sent a plague of judgment (Numbers 11:32-35) on the ungrateful nation.
 
There is also the tragic example of Achan (Joshua 7). Achan had been warned twice (Deuteronomy 7:25; Joshua 6:18-19) not to crave the riches of Jericho. But he gave into "a delightful desire" (chamad, Joshua 7:21). Achan's sin brought judgment upon the whole nation (Joshua 7:5-15) until he was executed (Joshua 7:25-26).
 
God does not tolerate covetousness. The Bible is clear: those that covet are never satisfied (Psalm 78:23-37) and have leanness sent to their souls (Psalm 106:13-15). May our Lord protect us from giving in to the "lust of the flesh" (1 John 2:16). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Pleasing God
 
"Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." (2 Corinthians 5:9)
 
Paul's great ambition was to please his Lord and Savior. In our text, the Greek for "accepted" often also is translated "well-pleasing," and this is the real meaning of the word. Since this also is the great desire of every sincere Christian, let us look at a few of those passages where the Lord tells us specifically how we can please Him.
 
Consider, for example: "But to do good and to communicate |i.e., to 'share what you have with others'| forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (Hebrews 13:16; see also Philippians 4:18).
 
There is a special admonition to children: "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:20). For adults: "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please |same root word| him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
 
The same word appears in Romans 12:1-2, translated twice as "acceptable." Paul urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, "holy, acceptable unto God," being "not conformed to this world," but transformed by a renewed mind, thereby to prove "that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
 
The common thread in these and other such passages is that, in order to be pleasing to the Lord, we must be good stewards of all our possessions and all our days, serving Him totally. "For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable |i.e., 'well-pleasing'| to God" (Romans 14:18). This is our reasonable service, and it will be abundantly repaid if we hear Him say in that day: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Love of the Father for the Son
 
"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." (John 3:35)
 
The Gospel of John, in a special sense, emphasizes the love in the divine Trinity of the heavenly Father for the Son. The words "love" and "Father" and "Son" occur more in this book than in any other book of the Bible, and there are at least eight references to this love in John’s Gospel.
 
The first is in our text above, revealing that the Father has entrusted the care of the whole creation to the Son whom He loves. He has also shown Him everything in creation: "For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth" (John 5:20).
 
The Father also loved the Son because of His willingness to die for lost sinners. "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again" (John 10:17).
 
Then in the upper room, as Christ prayed to His Father, it was revealed that this divine love had existed in eternity, and therefore must be both the root and the measure of all forms of true love ever since. "Father . . . thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24). Parental love, marital love, filial love, love of country--all types of genuine love--are derived ultimately from this eternal love of the Father for the Son.
 
And it is this love that can also be in us, if we will have it. "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. . . . If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:9-10).
 
It was thus He prayed (and still prays) for us: "That the world may know that thou . . . hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. . . . And . . . that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them" (John 17:23, 26). HMM