A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Basest of Men
 
"This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." (Daniel 4:17)
 
If ever a man had reason to boast of his accomplishments, it was King Nebuchadnezzar, who wrote the above words. He had built the world's most beautiful city and developed the greatest empire the world had ever seen. He had even conquered God's chosen nation and destroyed its magnificent temple. "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" he gloated (Daniel 4:30).
 
But God has warned: "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Lucifer, the most glorious being in all creation, had been lifted up with pride and soon lost his exalted position (Ezekiel 28:17). If the highest angel and the greatest emperor could not afford to be proud, then who are we? "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7).
 
Let all kings and presidents, all celebrities and dignitaries, rich men and beautiful women take note. Even pastors and evangelists, Christian speakers and musicians, and others are in constant danger of falling. Nebuchadnezzar had to suffer seven years of deep humiliation, but then he could say: "Now I . . . honour the King of heaven . . . those that walk in pride he is able to abase" (Daniel 4:37). It is probably the hardest--yet the most important--of all lessons we need to learn. "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:5-6). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Blessing of Prophecy
 
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Revelation 1:3)
 
There seems to be an increasing interest in biblical prophecy in recent years, but the great majority of professing Christians (especially in the so-called mainline denominations) continue to reject or ignore the great portions of the Bible dealing with the prophetic future. This is most unfortunate because there is genuine blessing in the study of these prophecies. It is significant that only the book of Revelation makes a specific promise to this effect. Not only in its opening verses as above, but also in its final chapter is such a blessing promised: "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth (i.e., 'guardeth') the sayings of the prophecy of this book" (Revelation 22:7).
 
Note also the exhortation in Peter's final epistle, just before his martyrdom. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
 
For those who ignore these prophecies concerning the Second Coming, Christ's rebuke to certain disciples who had failed to believe the prophecies concerning His first coming may well come to be appropriate again: "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (Luke 24:25). The book of Revelation ends with an even more serious warning: "If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy (note, not just the concepts, but the words!), God shall take away his part out of the book of life" (Revelation 22:19). It is clearly very important that Christians read, understand, believe, and obey the divinely inspired prophecies, as well as all the other revelations of the Holy Scriptures. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Joy in the Morning
 
"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)
 
God is necessarily a God of wrath, for He is a holy God and cannot ignore human sin. Nevertheless, He is even more a God of love. His very purpose in creation was that His love could be manifested to men and women created in His image.
 
Because there is sin, there must be suffering and death, but He is "slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Psalm 103:8). He has provided a marvelous means of forgiveness and salvation to all who will accept it, through the substitutionary death of His Son. This was a most cruel death, but even this was ameliorated by God's overshadowing mercy, and there was "joy . . . in the morning!" He "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).
 
Likewise in each believer's life there must be pain and weeping, but as measured in the scales of eternity, these will only "endure for a night," and one morning the night will vanish forever. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: . . . for there shall be no night there" (Revelation 21:4, 25).
 
Therefore, as the apostle Paul said: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17). We can, like Him, "reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). We will be forever "in Christ," who could say prophetically while looking toward the cross (as recorded in one of the Messianic psalms): "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Understanding through the Word
 
"Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments." (Psalm 119:73)
 
Understanding the Word of God begins with seeing God as the Creator of all thngs (Colossians 1:16-17). The beginning of faith rests solidly on belief in the creation (Hebrews 11:3), and even the "everlasting gospel" embraces the conscious worship of the Creator (Revelation 14:6-7). "I am the Lord, and there is none else….Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! (Isaiah 45:5, 9).
 
Scholars who distort Scripture to compromise with the atheistic naturalism of evolionary science wind up "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7). May God rebuke them.
 
The theme of this stanza (Psalm 119:73-80) weaves a series of requests around various examples of need centered around the psalmist’s leadership position. "They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word" (v. 74). "Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies" (v. 79).
 
Though he recognized that the Lord "afflicted" him in the past (v. 75), the psalmist also expected the Lord to bring him mercies and comfort, for the law of God was his delight (v. 77). We might view this godly leader as "set for the defence of the gospel" (Philippians 1:17) and "ready always to give an answer" (1 Peter 3:15).
 
In summary, the last verse of this stanza reads: "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed" (Psalm 119:80). Would God that our hearts be driven to this level of boldness in our witness while resting in the absolute authority, integrity, and accuracy of the infallible writings of the Creator-God for our salvation (2 Timothy 3:16). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Regeneration
 
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:6)
 
Perhaps the greatest purpose of Christianity is to take that which is only flesh and see it reborn as Spirit--to see spiritual life born where before there was only death. But then, even in the most mature of believers, there remain aspects of the old nature mixed in with--even at war with--the new. In frustration Paul cried, "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me" (Romans 7:21). But each Christian should, through the power of God, be winning that war.
 
Christ came to regenerate the spiritual side of man. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2).
 
Too many Christians still have their spirits buried deeply within the flesh, having "yielded |their| members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity" (Romans 6:19). But Christ came to change all that. "God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:3-4).
 
Through faith, "according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again" (1 Peter 1:3). To "beget" means to reproduce a like kind. Since He has "begotten us," we should be becoming like Him in attitudes and aims. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).
 
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). This is the object of Christianity. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Biblical Sarcasm
 
"And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." (Job 12:1-2)
 
It is remarkable that the Bible, with its great variety of literary forms and numerous personal conversations and discourses, contains very few examples of sarcasm or satire.
 
Nevertheless, the few examples of biblical irony are well worth noting, with one of the most notable being Job's response as above to the self-righteous platitudes of his three philosophizing "friends." In their intellectual and moral arrogance and with no real understanding of God's purposes, these critics were far out of line and well deserved Job's cutting sarcasm. Examples of such combined spiritual ignorance and intellectual arrogance are not hard to find today and, occasionally perhaps, a satirical commentary may be effective in changing them or preventing their effect.
 
One other well-known case of biblical sarcasm is Elijah's taunting monologue to the prophets of Baal: "Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked" (1 Kings 18:27). Jeremiah also had a word to say about the ineptitude of false gods and the foolishness of those who put their faith in them, and who were "saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: . . . But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble" (Jeremiah 2:27-28).
 
Much more foolish than those who believe that sticks and stones can generate living beings, however, are those modernday idolaters who worship "Mother Nature," believing that her "natural processes" can evolve hydrogen atoms, over billions of years, into human beings. The examples of Elijah and Jeremiah as well as Job may warrant an occasional touch of sarcasm when discussing such notions! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Preaching the Word
 
"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." (Acts 8:4)
 
Every believer has been called to preach God's Word, not just pastors of churches. When Christ gave the Great Commission to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), it was clear that this could be accomplished only if every Christian would actually preach the gospel!
 
This was practiced first by the members of the church at Jerusalem. Then, when the believers were "all scattered abroad . . . except the apostles" (Acts 8:1), these "laymen" went everywhere preaching the Word. One of the "deacons" selected to relieve the apostles of the "business" affairs of the church was Philip, and he "went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them" (Acts 8:5), speaking to great crowds and winning many to Christ. Then shortly afterward, the Lord called him down to Gaza where he met an Ethiopian eunuch, and he "preached unto him Jesus" (Acts 8:35). This teaches plainly that one can preach to a large congregation, but he or she can also preach to one person. It is not the size of the congregation but the theme of the message that makes one a preacher of the Word!
 
Furthermore, it is not only by word of mouth that Christ is preached; Paul says that "the gospel . . . was preached to every creature |literally, 'in every creation'| which is under heaven" (Colossians 1:23). "And how shall they hear without a preacher? . . . But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (Romans 10:14, 18). One can preach verbally to a congregation or to an unseen audience through radio or in writing to a reader, and even a godly lifestyle can "preach" effectively (although not specifically) of the saving work of Christ. Even the heavens declare His glory, and every believer must preach the Word! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Center of the Earth
 
"Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her." (Ezekiel 5:5)
 
It is doubtful that enough was known about geography in Ezekiel's day for him to be able to know that Jerusalem was "in the midst of the nations and countries" of the world. In fact, he also said that the people of Israel in the last days "dwell in the midst of the land" (Ezekiel 38:12). The last phrase could better be rendered "the center of the earth."
 
In any case, Ezekiel was right! It would have been essentially impossible to determine the center of the earth's land masses before the advent of modern computers, but this has now been done. A computer study sponsored by ICR over 30 years ago determined that the sum of the distances from a point in the "Bible lands" to all other increments of land areas on earth would be smaller than from any other point on the earth's surface.
 
Not only is this region (and probably Jerusalem itself, if we had precise information on the exact shape of the continents and their continental shelves) the geographic center of the earth, but it is also the spiritual center. It was there where Christ died and rose again and it is also there where He will come again and reign over the earth (Zechariah 14:4, 9).
 
For that matter the New Jerusalem will, in the ages to come, be the center of the entire universe. We do not know where the center of the universe is now, for one cannot even define the center of infinite space. The best we can do is to assume that the universe is centered around the throne of its Creator from where it was "stretched out" in the beginning (Psalm 104:2). And of course when the New Jerusalem comes down to the new earth, "the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it" (Revelation 21:2; 22:3), and all who know Him now will live there too. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Maker and Owner
 
"I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me." (Jeremiah 27:5)
 
"The earth, the man and the beast" are the three entities which God is said to have "created" (Hebrew, bara--note Genesis 1:1, 21, 27) in the Genesis account of creation. However, they are also said in Genesis to have been "made" (Hebrew, asah--note Genesis 1:25-26; 2:4), and that is the emphasis in our text above. Of course both aspects were accomplished in the six days of creation week, after which God "rested from all his work which God created and made" (Genesis 2:3). This statement makes it abundantly plain that the present processes of nature do not "create" (call into existence out of nothing) or "make" (build up into more complex forms) anything, as our modern theistic evolutionists and evangelical uniformitarians allege. God has rested from both of these works, except in occasional miraculous intervention in the present laws and processes of "nature."
 
Now, because God did create and make all things, He also "owns" all things. "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof" (Psalm 24:1). "Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10). "The LORD hath made all things for himself" (Proverbs 16:4).
 
Therefore, all that we possess--as individuals or as nations--has simply been entrusted to us as God's stewards, and "every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). Without a doubt this accounting will be of our handling of our goods, our minds, and our opportunities, among others. For "it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2). Let us be thankful--not covetous; and industrious--not slothful; in everything He has entrusted to us. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

A Marvelous Thing
 
"The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes." (John 9:30)
 
A "marvelous thing" in the Bible is something that generates awe or wonder. Sometimes it refers to a miracle, but more often to something very unexpected and remarkable.
 
But the most marvelous thing of all is that unbelievers still persist in their unbelief. In our text passage the Lord Jesus Christ had just performed one of His most amazing miracles of creation--making perfect eyes for a man with no eyes, blind from birth. As the man testified to the frustrated Pharisees: "Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind" (John 9:32). Yet these religious intellectuals, so opinionated in their prejudices, refused to believe what they saw and heard. Similarly, "when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things |i.e., 'marvelous things'| that he did, . . . they were sore displeased" (Matthew 21:15).
 
There are none so blind as those who refuse to see. One of the saddest verses in the Bible is John 1:10: "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." And, "he came unto his own, and his own received him not" (v. 11). Even when He raised Lazarus from the dead, "the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus" (John 12:10-11).
 
Modern "intellectuals" are still the same, rejecting the overwhelming testimony of the created complexity in the cosmos to the fact of a personal Creator in favor of an impossible scenario of chance origin. "Herein is a marvelous thing!" Such people "willingly are ignorant" and "without excuse" (2 Peter 3:5; Romans 1:20). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Longing for the Word
 
"My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?" (Psalm 119:81-82)
 
Those who "love the LORD" with all their heart, soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:5) and those seek the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) deeply long to "understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:5).
 
Yet in spite of such longing, the saints of God are often perplexed by the apparent success of the wicked. This psalmist is no exception:

         
        • "When wilt thou comfort me?" (Psalm 119:82).
        • "I am become like a bottle in the smoke" (v. 83).
        • "When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?" (v. 84).
        • "The proud have digged pits for me" (v. 85).
        • "They persecute me wrongfully" (v. 86).
        • "They had almost consumed me upon the earth" (v. 87).

 
Among all the heartfelt complaints, however, is the continual reliance on the promises and principles of God's Word. He promised not to forget the statutes, though he felt invisible to God (v. 83). And though he knew that his days are not guaranteed, he expected God judge the wicked (v. 84). He knew the "commandments are faithful," and he promised the Lord that he would not forsake the precepts (vv. 86-87).
 
The final request should be ours as well: "Quicken me (enliven, revive) after thy lovingkindness" (v. 88). Even though God "hast shewed me great and sore troubles," the confidence is that God "shalt quicken me again" (Psalm 71:20). On the basis of that assurance, our response should be like this godly man's: "So shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth" (Psalm 119:88). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Another Gospel
 
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-7)
 
Some have confessed difficulty with these verses, especially with the words "another gospel: Which is not another." This problem finds resolution in an understanding of two distinct Greek words which, unfortunately, are both here translated as "another" in this passage.
 
In verse 6 Paul uses the Greek word heteros, which implies something of a totally different sort altogether--something diametrically opposed to the one to which it is compared. But in verse 7 he uses the word allos, which implies a comparison of two items of the same sort. The thought might be conveyed as follows: "You are removed from the true gospel of the grace of Christ unto a totally different belief system, which is not simply a similar but legitimate expression of the true gospel. Instead, it is quite opposite to the truth." Paul goes on to teach that this "different" gospel is a perversion of the true gospel, and instead of bringing peace, it brings about a troubling of the mind.
 
The primary theme of the entire book of Galatians is salvation by grace through faith in Christ, as opposed to salvation by works and law. "No man is justified by the law in the sight of God. . . . The just shall live by faith" (3:11). This marvelous good news had been denied by many in the Galatian church, but Paul had received the message of grace "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1:12). Any mixture of works with grace constituted a perversion of God’s plan, and any who would teach such perversion warranted strong condemnation from Paul. "If any man preach any other |from the Greek word para, meaning contrary| gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (1:9). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

This Grace Also
 
"Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also." (2 Corinthians 8:7)
 
The "grace" of which Paul was writing in our text is the grace of giving! Many Christians may show diligence and love in their Christian life, but are still very reluctant to give sacrificially to the work of the Lord.
 
Many follow what they consider the "law of tithing" (most Christians don’t even do that!) and consider this to be meritorious. The fact is, however, that giving for the Christian is not a law to be obeyed, but a grace to be cultivated.
 
The motivation cited by Paul for abounding in this grace was not the Old Testament ordinance, but the New Testament example in the church at Philippi. Consider, he said, "the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality . . . beyond their power they were willing of themselves." And the real secret of their motivation was that they "first gave their own selves to the Lord" (2 Corinthians 8:1-3, 5). An even greater motive for abounding in this grace is the example of Christ: "For 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 Corinthian s 8:9).
 
This grace of giving is thus displayed when one gives liberally (even in times of affliction and poverty) out of wholehearted devotion to the Lord and for the spiritual enrichment of those who are spiritually impoverished.
 
"God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Lord Christ
 
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24)
 
This is the only verse in the Bible where our Savior is called "the Lord Christ." Actually, His three primary names ("Lord," "Jesus," and "Christ") are combined in eight different ways in the New Testament.
 
"Jesus" was His human name, speaking especially of His mission as suffering Savior. "Christ," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah" (meaning "anointed"), speaks of His office as God's chosen King. As "Lord" He is sovereign Creator and ruler of the universe; victorious over all enemies, even death itself.
 
"Lord Christ" is the only one of the combination forms of His name which omits the human name. Apparently the reason is that, in this passage, the emphasis is altogether on His exalted position as sovereign Creator and eternal King and the seriousness of our service to Him.
 
Our service is to be rendered not to men--not even to the man Jesus in His perfect humanity--but to the Lord and the Christ--the Lord Christ, Creator of all things and King of kings. "Your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58) for He is "heir of all things" (Hebrews 1:2) and thus can dispense "the reward of the inheritance" to His faithful servants who are "joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). The inheritance is ours because of our position in Christ; the reward is given for service for the Lord.
 
Because of whom we serve, whatever we do should be done heartily! This is the Greek word psuches, usually translated "soul," or "life," as well as "heart." If there is anything we cannot in good conscience do with full heart to the Lord, then it should not be done at all. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

A Resting Place
 
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour." (Titus 3:5-6)
 
Certainly one of the most precious doctrines of all Scripture is that reflected in our text. Our salvation depends not on our own "works of righteousness," but upon His mercy and grace, given us freely through the atoning work of Jesus Christ our Savior.
 
The grand old hymn "My Faith Has Found a Resting Place" reflects this theme. Let us use its four verses and chorus to focus our study as well as our hearts these next four days.

         
        My faith has found a resting place, Not in device nor creed;
        I trust the Ever-living One, His wounds for me shall plead.
        I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
        It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me.

 
Nothing we could do (i.e., device) or nothing we or our church could believe (i.e., creed) can provide a resting place for our faith. "For we which have believed |i.e., faith, same Greek word| do enter into rest. . . . For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works . . ." (Hebrews 4:3, 10). The only work which counts for anything is that which the ever-living One accomplished when He died on the cross. "Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes |i.e., wounds| ye were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). It is not so much our physical health in view here, but the healing of our sin-sick souls.
 
Since "Christ died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3), there is no more penalty to be paid. Since He rose from the dead, He conquered both sin and its power, and our faith can rest. JDM