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Author Topic: A Daily Devotional  (Read 639216 times)
Soldier4Christ
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« Reply #3435 on: December 17, 2010, 09:13:37 AM »

Cursed or Blessed
 
"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5)
 
Jeremiah provides for us a striking contrast between the selfassured humanist and the one who has placed his trust in God. The man who looks to his own abilities or those of others to save him in time of trouble is "cursed." His existence will be one of futility, just as is that of a parched desert plant (v. 6). Why? Because his "heart departeth from the LORD" (v. 5), the source of strength and salvation.
 
Actually, Jeremiah uses a play on words here. The two words for "man" in our text are different: the first means "warrior" or "strong man," and the second a "normal man." The warrior who should be strong is cursed because he is trusting in one who is weak; in this case, any other man's wisdom or might, or even his own strength, when overestimated. What sense is there in that?
 
In contrast, "blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD" (v. 7). "He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, . . . and shall not be careful |i.e., anxious| in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit" (v. 8). Why? Because his "hope the LORD is" (v. 7). Here again we see the warrior--one who might be considered strong--trusting solely in the true "strong man," the Lord.
 
It is a tragic fact that even many Christians fall into the mindset of the autonomous humanist and attempt to live their lives (even "the Christian life") under their own power. Do we trust in our own feeble power or in the Lord? Every heart, whether humanist or Christian, "is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (v. 9). Make no mistake! "I the LORD search the heart" (v. 10); He knows our inner motives. Let us recommit ourselves to trust in the Lord and make Him our hope. JDM
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« Reply #3436 on: December 18, 2010, 10:33:37 AM »

Fringe Issues
 
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient." (2 Timothy 2:24)
 
One of the plagues of modern-day Christendom is that many take up side issues and deem them all-important--a point of separation between them and other Christians. Health foods, dress codes, and church constitutions are not unimportant, but Christians can hold different opinions and still be walking with God. Note the scriptural admonitions: "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace |i.e., primary issues|; not with meats |i.e., fringe issues|, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein" (Hebrews 13:9); "foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes" (2 Timothy 2:23).
 
On the other hand, there are many scriptural commands to hold "fast the faithful word" (Titus 1:9); to "keep that which is committed to thy trust" (1 Timothy 6:20). Many of these points of "sound doctrine" (Titus 1:9) are absolutely essential, such as the deity of Christ, the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace, the resurrection of Christ, and many others clearly and specifically taught in Scripture. Perhaps the rule might be, if it's an essential doctrine, teach and defend it at all costs; if it's a secondary doctrine, teach it in "meekness" and love (2 Timothy 2:25). But if it's a fringe issue, avoid strife over it, allowing brothers to exercise their freedom.
 
Is creationism a fringe issue? No! Few doctrines are so clearly taught in Scripture. Is it crucial to salvation? No! But it is essential to adequately understand the great primary doctrines for it is foundational to them all. Furthermore, it is the subject of origins which the enemy has identified as a major battleground, vowing to destroy Christianity over this issue. Here we must stand, if we are to guard our faith. JDM
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« Reply #3437 on: December 19, 2010, 08:46:28 AM »

Science--True and False
 
"And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil." (Genesis 2:9)
 
It is significant that the first reference to "science" in the Bible is in connection with the tree of the "science" of good and evil. The English word "science" comes from the Latin scientia, meaning "knowledge." In both Old and New Testaments, "science" and "knowledge" translate the same Greek and Hebrew words respectively. Science--properly speaking--is what we know, not naturalistic speculation (as in evolutionary "science"). Adam and Eve knew a great deal about God and His creation, and all of it was "very good" (Genesis 1:31); they did not need to have a knowledge of evil, and God warned them against it (2:17).
 
But they partook of the evil tree anyway, and therewith evil knowledge entered the hearts and minds of mankind. Throughout the long ages since, true science has been of great good in the world and false science has wrought great harm. The apostle Paul has warned us against it: "Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called" (1 Timothy 6:20). In the context of the times, Paul was specifically warning against the evolutionary pantheism of the gnostic philosophers.
 
In contrast, the final climactic reference in the Bible to knowledge is Peter's exhortation to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7), and in Jesus Christ "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Therefore, let us resolve to eschew the knowledge of evil and grow in the knowledge of Christ! HMM
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« Reply #3438 on: December 20, 2010, 08:18:03 AM »

Keep Alive Thy Work
 
"O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2)
 
Habakkuk had long been grieved by the apostasy and injustice in Judah. A sensitive man who trusted God completely, he could not understand why God allowed such rampant sin to go unpunished. Knowing God must have a reason for His actions, he asked in faith the question, "Why?" (1:3).
 
In love God honors Habakkuk's sincere question, but the answer caused him even greater concern: "For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's" (v. 6). God intended to use the vicious Babylonians to punish His chosen people (vv. 5-11).
 
This prompted the prophet's second question, "How?" How could God use such an evil people to punish the Jews (1:12-2:1)? God patiently explained that Israel's sins merited captivity, and furthermore that Babylon's sins would eventually be punished also.
 
Once Habakkuk knew God's plan, he did not dispute it. Rather, his concern turned to his people--soon to be in captivity. He was afraid they would lose all knowledge of God in a heathen culture, and he prayed, "O LORD, revive thy work" (3:2; literally "keep alive thy work"). This concern was answered by a majestic appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ (vv. 3-15), through which Habakkuk understood that God would indeed judge His enemies (v. 12) and deliver His people (v. 13).
 
Habakkuk's final response? Total submission to God's sovereign control over all things. He claims that in spite of these overwhelming problems (3:18), "yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." JDM
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« Reply #3439 on: December 21, 2010, 07:52:18 AM »

Origin of the Races
 
"These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood." (Genesis 10:32)
 
This is the concluding verse of the tenth chapter of Genesis, known as "The Table of Nations." It tells us that all the original nations of the world were formed from the descendants of Noah.  The basis of this worldwide division was their dispersion at Babel (Genesis 11:9), "every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations" (Genesis 10:5; see also 10:20 and 10:31). Lest anyone think this list of original nations is simply folklore, he should remember that William F. Albright, probably the greatest archaeologist of the twentieth century, called it "an astonishingly accurate document." Many ethnologists still speak of Japhetic, Hamitic, and Semitic peoples and languages.
 
But what about the origin of races? One searches the Bible in vain for this information, for neither the word nor the concept of "race" appears in the Bible at all! There is no such thing as a race--except the human race! Skin color and other supposed racial characteristics are mere recombinations of innate genetic factors, originally created in Adam and Eve to permit development of different family characteristics as the human race was commanded to multiply and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28; 9:1).
 
"Race" is strictly an evolutionary concept used by Darwin, Huxley, Haeckel, and the other nineteenth-century evolutionists to rationalize their white racism. But from the beginning it was not so! "God that made the world and all things therein; . . . hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth" (Acts 17:24, 26). "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?" (Malachi 2:10). HMM
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« Reply #3440 on: December 22, 2010, 07:34:07 AM »

Mind Control
 
"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." (Ephesians 4:17-18)
 
A question that troubles many Christians is why most highly educated leaders in science and other fields--even theologians--seem to find it so difficult to believe the Bible and the gospel of Christ. The answer is in the words of our text: They are "alienated from the life of God" because of self-induced ignorance. It is not that they can't understand, but that they won't understand! They "walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened . . . because of the blindness of their heart." They don't want to believe in their hearts, therefore they seek an excuse not to believe in their minds. They are "men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith" (2 Timothy 3:8).
 
The sad truth is that Satan himself controls their minds. They may be ever so intelligent in secular matters, but the gospel, with all its comprehensive and beautiful simplicity, remains hidden to them. "If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not" (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
 
Is there a remedy? Yes. "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). In this verse, the word "thought" is the same as "mind." The weapons of truth, of prayer, of love, and of the Spirit can capture even such minds as these! HMM
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« Reply #3441 on: December 23, 2010, 09:00:43 AM »

Shielded by the Word
 
"I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." (Psalm 119:113-114)
 
The Bible is replete with military imagery. We are told to "wrestle" against the "spiritual wickedness in high places" and to be sure that we put on "the whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:12-13). As the good soldiers of the King, we are told to "endure hardness" (2 Timothy 2:3) and expected, as His army, to be about the "pulling down of strong holds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).
 
David was a warrior king, and many of his psalms contain battle terms used both literally and figuratively to show the way God protects and provides for us in spiritual warfare. The "hiding place" David often mentioned was a secret retreat that provided shelter from the enemy (Psalm 32:7). The "shield" can refer to the same sort of retreat, but is most often used to describe a soldier's defensive buckler. Faith is our shield in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:16).
 
Thus, in this stanza (Psalm 119:113-120), the psalmist visualized God in the role of Protector and Captain. He looked to God for his life while being upheld "according unto thy Word" (v. 116). Safety was no doubt prominent in his thoughts while affirming that he had continual respect for God's statutes (v. 117).
 
The psalmist was also fearfully aware of God's take-no-prisioners attitude toward those who are against Him (v. 118-119). While our gracious Lord and King is patient toward all sinners, His ultimate plan is to "put down all rule and all authority and power" (1 Corinthians 15:24). Knowing this, the psalmist concluded: "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments" (Psalm 119:120). Only a fool refuses to fear the Creator's wrath. HMM III
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« Reply #3442 on: December 24, 2010, 10:23:03 AM »

Mary and the Grace of God
 
"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God." (Luke 1:30)
 
This announcement by the angel Gabriel to the virgin Mary, that she had been chosen as the mother of the coming Savior, contains the first mention in the New Testament of the Greek word for grace (charis). Mary was chosen, not for anything she had done, but because she had "found grace."
 
In a remarkable parallel, certainly implying divine inspiration, the first mention of "grace" in the Old Testament is also associated with the coming of a new dispensation in God's dealings with men. "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8).
 
Just as Mary found grace, so Noah had found grace. Grace is not something one earns or purchases; grace is a treasure that is found! When a person--whether Noah or Mary or someone today--finally realizes that salvation is only by the grace of God, received through faith in the saving work of Christ, he or she has made the greatest discovery that could ever be made, for it brings eternal life.
 
But there is an even greater dimension to the grace of God. When we do "find" grace, it is actually because God in His infinitely precious grace has found us and revealed to us the Savior of our souls. Just as God found Moses in the desert and found Paul on the road to Damascus, then saved and called them to His service, so He finds us, and then we also find His saving grace.
 
Mary's discovery of God's grace in salvation, through the coming of the "seed of the woman" into the world, is revealed in her Magnificat: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46-47). This could well have also been the testimony of Noah long ago, and it surely should be the testimony of each of us who has found grace today. HMM
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« Reply #3443 on: December 25, 2010, 10:13:46 AM »

God Gave Himself
 
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
 
It is singularly appropriate that we look at this greatest of all on Christmas Day, for it records the greatest of all gifts. The theme of giving is very prominent in the Bible, with such words as "give," "gift," "gave," etc., occurring more than 2,100 times. The first is Genesis 1:16-17 when God created the sun, moon, and stars "to give light upon the earth," and the last is Revelation 22:12 when Christ will return with His rewards to "give every man according as his work shall be." "He . . . gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons," as well as "life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 14:17; 17:25).
 
But the greatest gift, clearly, was when God gave Himself for a lost and undeserving world. It was the greatest gift because it met the greatest need, revealed the greatest love, and had the greatest scope and purpose of any gift that could ever be conceived in the heart of an omniscient Creator.
 
That was not the end of His giving, of course. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). "Trust . . . in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17).
 
This great gift of God is abundantly sufficient to provide salvation and everlasting life for the whole world. But a gift only becomes a gift when it is accepted, and the greatest of all tragedies is that this greatest of all gifts has been spurned and even ridiculed, or--worst of all--simply ignored by multitudes who need it so much. When they brazenly refuse God's free gift of everlasting life, they can only perish in everlasting death. God did all He could do when He gave His Son; for when He gave His Son, He gave Himself. HMM
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« Reply #3444 on: December 26, 2010, 09:35:06 AM »

The Trinity in Ephesians
 
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)
 
Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus is surely one of the most profoundly doctrinal--yet intensely practical--books of the Bible, and it is not surprising that the doctrine of the tri-une God breaks into his message so frequently. For example, note Ephesians 2:18: "For through |Christ| we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
 
More often, however, it appears not in a succinct formula like this, but rather in interconnected references to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, always implying that each is deity, but never that they are three different "gods." Paul prayed that "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him" (Ephesians 1:17).
 
He also prayed "unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, . . . That he would grant you, . . . to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" (Ephesians 3:14, 16-17). Thus the believer is "filled with all the fulness of God" (v. 19).
 
We are exhorted to "grieve not the holy Spirit of God, . . . even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:30, 32). And "be filled with the Spirit; . . . Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:18, 20).
 
There are others, but note especially our text, speaking of our unity in Him and His tri-unity in us. "There is . . . one Spirit . . . One Lord, . . . One God and Father of all, who is above all |i.e., the Father|, and through all |the Son|, and in you all |the Spirit|." All this is a magnificent mystery, but a wonderful reality! HMM
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« Reply #3445 on: December 27, 2010, 09:29:12 AM »

Seven 'Three Sixteens'
 
"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." (Genesis 3:16)
 
This prophetic divine judgment on "the woman" (required because of Eve's disobedience to the Word of God) is the first of the Bible's "three sixteens." In contrast, note the promised blessing in the last "three sixteen" of the Old Testament: "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" (Malachi 3:16).
 
But look also at some of the "three sixteens" of the New Testament. "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Timothy 3:16). Then, consider 2 Timothy 3:16! "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
 
From the inspired Word, we are soon led to seek the indwelling Word. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). This truth also implies the indwelling Holy Spirit. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16).
 
But when Christians hear the words "three sixteen," most all of us think immediately of these glorious words: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). HMM
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« Reply #3446 on: December 28, 2010, 08:47:40 AM »

Loving His Appearing
 
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8)
 
It is fascinating to learn that the Lord has a special reward for all those who "love his appearing." The word "appearing" (Greek, epiphaneia) can refer to either the first or second advent of Christ, depending on the context. Paul urges us to be "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). For "the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ . . . hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light" (2 Timothy 1:10).
 
Our text for the day obviously refers to His Second Coming "at that day," exhorting us not only to look for, but to love His appearing! At that great day, "the Lord, the righteous judge" will award to those who have loved His appearing a special crown of righteousness. We have already received the imputed "gift of righteousness" (Romans 5:17) by His grace, and have been "made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21), so this crown of righteousness somehow must be (as a wreath encircling the head of a victor in a race) an enveloping glow of divine appreciation for a godly life lived in daily anticipation of the Lord's return.
 
The apostle John beautifully expressed the way in which such a life, loving Christ's coming, produces a growing righteousness now and perfected righteousness then. "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. . . . We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 2:28; 3:2-3). HMM
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« Reply #3447 on: December 29, 2010, 09:42:11 AM »

True Education
 
"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." (Genesis 18:19)
 
This is a very important verse comprising the first direct reference in the Bible to what we today would call education, and it is given in connection with God's approving testimony concerning Abraham. Note that nothing is said concerning degrees or diplomas, the sciences or humanities, school buildings or textbooks.
 
It does tell us that God's highest priority in the training of the young is that they learn to "keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment." Such instruction is the responsibility of the home, especially the father--not of the government or some educational association. It is to be given in the context of God's promises and plans (thus in the context of divine revelation) and is to be framed in terms of "commands."
 
This is also the teaching of the New Testament: "Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
 
The Bible never refers to "education," but there are many references to teaching, learning, and instruction. There are no references to teaching under the sponsorship of the government, however. As far as biblical precepts and examples are concerned, teaching the young is strictly a function of the home and the church (this could no doubt include several homes and churches cooperating in the provision of advanced or specialized instruction). Most importantly, all instruction, in every subject, should be governed by biblical criteria, for "All Scripture . . . is profitable . . . for instruction. . . . That the man of God may be perfect |i.e., 'fully prepared'|" (2 Timothy 3:16-17) for the work God wants him to do. HMM
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« Reply #3448 on: December 30, 2010, 09:16:58 AM »

Judgment from the Word
 
"I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors." (Psalm 119:121)
 
The Hebrew word mishpat is one of the eight terms used in Psalm 119 to identify the Word of God. The psalmist used mishpat in the opening of this stanza (Psalm 119:121-128) to declare obedience to God's "judgments"--especially regarding those who oppress the Lord's people.
 
Sometimes the Lord seems to delay action against those who rebel against truth. The prophet Habakkuk lived during such a time:
 
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! . . . for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. (Habakkuk 1:2-4)
 
During such times, we need "surety" (Psalm 119:122) from God to strengthen our minds. Paul warned Timothy of "perilous times" (2 Timothy 3:1) ahead, but also reminded him of God's pledge: "They shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was" (2 Timothy 3:9).
 
After pleading his case, the psalmist stated: "It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law" (Psalm 119:126). He expressed his love for the commandments--exceeding his desire for wealth--and concluded: "Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:128). May our hearts be as resolute and as strong amid our opposition. Make it so, Lord Jesus. HMM III
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« Reply #3449 on: December 31, 2010, 10:16:36 AM »

Loaded with Blessing
 
"Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." (Psalm 68:19)
 
As we come to this year's end, it is salutary for the believer to think back over the days of the year and to meditate upon his blessings. He may, indeed, have experienced defeats and losses, disappointments and injuries in great number. If he is honest with himself, however, the Christian will always have to acknowledge that his blessings far outweigh his burdens. God "loadeth us with benefits," and is even working in and through all the trials and hurtful things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
 
In our text verse, the words "with benefits" have been supplied by the translators. Some might, therefore, conclude that the verse could mean that God is daily loading us with burdens, instead of benefits. The context, however, assures us that the emphasis is really on His blessings. For that matter, even a burden can become a blessing, if we take it as a gift from God for our spiritual benefit.
 
Therefore: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2). "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).
 
He has given us "life, and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:25). Far more importantly, He is "the God of our salvation." Whatever else we have, or don't have, in this life, we have the great gift of eternal life, through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption. We have it every day of the year and are daily ready to meet the Lord, whenever He calls. Each day we have the indwelling presence of His Spirit, the illuminating guidance of His Word, the daily provision of all real needs, and the assurance of His love. He has surely loaded us with benefits! HMM
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Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
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