A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Oracles of God

"Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?" (Romans 3:2-3)

This striking synonym for the Scriptures ("the oracles of God") occurs just three times in the Bible. In our text, Paul is emphasizing the great privilege and responsibility that was committed to the Jews when God gave His "oracles" to them, a word implying "divinely inspired utterances."

Then the author of Hebrews rebuked those Hebrew Christians who had still not learned the very "first principles of the oracles of God," despite having been professing Christians for a long time (Hebrews 5:12). Finally, the apostle Peter urged his readers: "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). That is, anyone who presumes to speak for the Lord must "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). It is not our words, but His words that are "quick, and powerful" (Hebrews 4:12). In fact, Stephen called them "the lively |or 'living'| oracles" (Acts 7:38).

In all these references, it is clear that these "oracles of God"--that is, the Holy Scriptures--constitute the very utterances of the living God. They were given to and through believing Jews and are preserved for us now in our Bibles. They obviously should be believed, studied, obeyed, and proclaimed by all who consider themselves to be Christians.

The fact that many people reject the Bible, even claiming it is wrong in what it teaches, is irrelevant. Such claims merely display human arrogance. God's Word has been "for ever . . . settled in heaven" and "is true from the beginning" (Psalm 119:89, 160). It will endure even after this present world has passed away (Matthew 24:35) and will finally be the criterion by which its detractors will be judged in the last day (Revelation 20:12; 22:18-19). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Life by Death
 
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)
 
This profound confidence comes at the conclusion of a threefold summary of Paul's experience while serving the Lord Jesus, as well as his deep bond with the church at Philippi. The "salvation" of which Paul speaks references victory in this life as much as the eternal rescue at the end.
 
Initially, the confidence comes "through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:19). Christian leaders covet the prayers of those with whom they serve. Twice Paul specifically asked the Thessalonian church to pray for him (1 Thessalonians 5:25 and 2 Thessalonians 3:1). Most of us are familiar with the promise that the "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). Should we be surprised when such prayer brings boldness?
 
There is also the experience that the "supply" of the Spirit of God engenders faith. God's providential care, experienced during the testing of our life, produces a growing hope and confidence (Romans 5:4-5). It is most often true that we learn more of God's faithfulness in times of need than in times of plenty.
 
Then there is an "earnest expectation and . . . hope" that result in "boldness" (Philippians 1:20). Growing confidence in the Lord's provision and protection undergirds an anticipation for God's direction and wisdom. Expecting something to happen is the flip side of hope. Experience in kingdom work brings spiritual joy and peace (Romans 15:13).
 
Thus, the confident statement "now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:20-21). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Jehovah
 
"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands." (Hebrews 1:10)
 
The primary name for God in Scripture is the majestic name Jehovah, occurring nearly seven thousand times. The early Jews were reluctant to use that name, for fear of using it lightly (Exodus 20:7), and substituted the word Adonai (meaning Master or Lord) in its place. Our English versions have followed suit, using the term "Lord" for Jehovah (all caps to distinguish it from Adonai, or Lord). Thus the name Jehovah appears only four times in the King James, and causes us at times to miss the full impact of the passage.
 
This is especially true in the New Testament quotations from Old Testament passages which used the name "Jehovah," for which "Lord" has been substituted. Now, in the English versions, the name "Lord" appears. If "Jehovah" (i.e., deity) were read instead, much richer meaning would be gathered, and it would prove beyond a doubt the full deity of Christ. Consider two examples.
 
First, our text quotes from Psalm 102:25-27. The entire psalm consists of praise to Jehovah, and here in Hebrews it addresses the Son. If we read "thou, Jehovah, in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the earth" and realize that Jesus is the subject of the passage, we recognize that Jesus can be none other than the Creator God.
 
Also, in Matthew 3:3, where John the Baptist fulfilled his prophesied role by teaching "Prepare ye the way of the Lord," quoting from Isaiah 40:3, we see Jesus equated with the Jehovah of the Old Testament, for Isaiah uses the term Lord, or Jehovah.
 
In these and many other examples, we see Christ as the Jehovah Jesus, and that the Lord of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Bruising the Devil
 
"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (Romans 16:20)
 
This is an intriguing promise, suggesting that believers can somehow inflict bruises on the devil, who is perpetually seeking to "devour" them (1 Peter 5:8). This promise is a clear allusion to the primeval assurance of Genesis 3:15, when God promised that the unique "seed" of "the woman" would eventually "bruise" (actually "crush") the head of the old serpent, the devil. This prophecy will finally be fulfilled in Christ's ultimate victory, when Satan first will be bound for a thousand years in the bottomless pit and then confined forever in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:2, 10).
 
In the meantime believers, who also in a sense are the woman's spiritual "seed" (Revelation 12:17), can repeatedly achieve local and temporary victories over Satan and his wiles by resisting him "stedfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5:9). If we resist him as Jesus did, with relevant Scripture, then God promises that he will "flee from you" (James 4:7). Such local victories can be obtained over these dangerous teachers whom Satan is using (note Romans 16:17-19, just preceding today's text) "shortly" in this manner, but we need to be continually alert against his recurrent attacks.  The ultimate victory over Satan, of course, will be won only by the Lord Jesus when He returns, and we must "be sober, be vigilant" (1 Peter 5:8) until that time.
 
Whether we are aware of it or not, we must perpetually "wrestle . . . against the rulers of the darkness of this world" (Ephesians 6:12), who will be casting "fiery darts" (v. 16) against each believer. Finally, with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (v. 17), we can even by God's grace inflict spiritual wounds on Satan himself! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Son of the Living God
 
"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16)
 
This ringing affirmation of faith came from Peter as spokesman, but undoubtedly was shared by all the disciples, since Jesus had asked the question "Whom say ye that I am?" of them all. Actually, they had probably all been disciples of John the Baptist, who had directed them to Jesus, and so had heard John's testimony concerning Christ's identity. John had said that Jesus was indeed "the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father" (John 1:18).
 
Yet, as they had been following Him, they had heard Him speak of Himself far more often as "the Son of man." Over thirty times, in the gospel of Matthew alone, He identified Himself as Son of man, not once as the Son of God. Nevertheless, He accepted Peter's statement as absolutely true, saying that the Father had so revealed it.
 
In fact it is essential that one must believe it to be saved. Jesus did say: "But he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18).
 
Yet He seems to want us to know Him especially as the Son of man, perhaps so that we will never forget that He, though God, is also man just like us. And as man, He was "in all points |tested| like as we are, yet without sin" so He can "be touched with the feeling of our infirmities," and we now can "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16).
 
John was enabled to see Christ once again, long after His return to heaven. Although He was now in His resurrection body, John still saw Him as "one like unto the Son of man" (Revelation 1:13). Although He is indeed the Son of the living God, He is also our "man in the glory"! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Pleasant Perplexities
 
"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." (Philippians 1:23-24)
 
As we mature in the Lord, our fear of death recedes into the background and ultimately, as this verse demonstrates, becomes a desire to leave this sin cursed world behind and pass into the presence of the Creator.
 
The word choices in this passage are unusual. The verse could be translated "I am held together out of two pressures, a passion to be loosed to be with Christ; which is very much more serviceable for me: but remaining here in the flesh is, out of necessity, more critical for you."
 
Thus, the tension of the true saint of God. The more that is known about the joy awaiting us in the presence of our Lord, the less we see earthly values and goals as things to work toward. Yet the needs of churches, new Christians, troubled souls, and challenges surrounding our lives require a commitment to complete the "course" that God has given us to finish (2 Timothy 4:7).
 
The Lord Jesus insisted that we not worry about tomorrow, because the evil of each day was "sufficient" (Matthew 6:34), since there is trouble enough in the world among those who reject God's authority (2 Timothy 3:1-7). The evil that surrounds us should motivate us to long for the eternal rest promised to the people of God (Hebrews 4:9).
 
But to struggle with conflict resolution among the churches adds to the burden. Many in the ministry know this tension, as do most who serve regularly in their own churches. Perhaps our own peace comes when we finally determine that it is "far better" to serve. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

The 'Shall Not's' of John's Gospel
 
"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)
 
There are many wonderful promises to the believer listed in the Gospel of John. Many of these promises are things which "shall" happen, but let us consider seven of these which teach of things which "shall not" happen to the believer whose trust is in Christ.
 
Teaching of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christ said, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (4:14).
 
Similarly, "Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" (6:35).
 
Furthermore, He taught: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (8:12). Our deepest needs are met in Him.
 
Having once believed, we are placed into His family and He promises, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (10:28). In Him, we are utterly secure. Why? "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (5:24).
 
Consequently, we have no fear of death. "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (11:25-26).
 
As the familiar verse in our text tells us, if we only believe "that he gave his only begotten Son," we shall "not perish, but have everlasting life." JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Mercy and Truth
 
"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." (Psalm 85:10)
 
The words "mercy" (Hebrew checed, also often translated by "kindness" or "lovingkindness") and "truth" (Hebrew emeth) occur more often in the psalms than in any other book. In fact, "mercy" occurs more in the psalms than in all the rest of the Old Testament put together. Though at first these two concepts seem opposed to each other (for how can God's truth, which abhors sin, be compatible with His mercy, which forgives sin?), nevertheless they are "met together," for "his salvation," according to the previous verse, "is nigh them that fear him" (v. 9).
 
"Mercy and truth" (or "lovingkindness and truth") are brought together at least sixteen times in the Old Testament, including ten times in the psalms. And when God's eternal truth can be united with His loving mercy, both mediated through His Holy Word, there is great blessing indeed! "All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies" (25:10). "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name" (138:2). The first time the phrase is found in the Bible is in the prayer of Abraham's servant, thanking God for "his mercy and his truth" (Genesis 24:27).
 
God's mercy and truth, of course, are really met together only in Jesus Christ, through whom God can both "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Romans 3:26). He is "our peace" (Ephesians 2:14) and is "made unto us . . . righteousness" (1 Corinthians 1:30). He is "the truth" (John 14:6) and will show in the ages to come "the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Job and Adam
 
"If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom." (Job 31:33)
 
The patriarch Job lived long before Moses and the writing of the Pentateuch, yet he knew about Adam and his fall and likewise about God's curse on the world because of Adam's sin.
 
Note the following references in the book of Job to death and the curse: "Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1; compare Genesis 3:16). "All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust" (Job 34:15; note Genesis 3:19).
 
Evidently Job still had access to the records of primeval history, either by verbal tradition from his ancestors or perhaps through actual written records of the ancient patriarchs handed down from Adam to Moses.
 
There are also a number of references in Job to man's original creation. After speaking first of the beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea, Job asks: "Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:9-10). Note also Elihu's testimony: "The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life" (Job 33:4).
 
The book of Job was almost certainly the first written of all the books of the Bible, and it testifies abundantly that the knowledge of the true God and His creation was still the common heritage of mankind at that time. Job knew the Lord, and never tried to hide anything from Him, as Adam had done. His ancient testimony is still true today. Quoting what must have been an early revelation from God, he wrote: "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Soul Exchange
 
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36-37)
 
The lives of many people revolve almost completely around the stock exchange, and they never stop to realize that it easily may become a soul exchange, where they exchange their very souls for the imagined blessings of the great god Mammon. "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10).
 
Similarly, many are greatly exercised about their monthly profit-and-loss statements. But the Lord Jesus asks whether there is really a profit, even if one acquires the wealth of the whole world at the cost of his soul, and the answer to such a rhetorical question has to be: "No!" For "the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:17).
 
Furthermore, the words "life" in verse 35 and "soul" in our text are actually the same word (psuche) in the Greek original. That is, to lose one's soul is to lose one's very life, for they are inseparable. A life centered around money is not only a soul lost, but a life wasted as well. On the other hand, if we lose our lives in Christ, then we find true life, eternal life, beginning here and now, and continuing forever. This is a good exchange!
 
God may well bless a Christian with material wealth, but this should not be his motivation. "Charge them that are rich in this world," Paul says, "that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate |i.e., share|; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Two Mothers
 
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:46-47)
 
Two Jewish ladies, each carrying children recently conceived, met to discuss their circumstances. Perhaps billions of mothers, before and since, have had similar encounters, but since this meeting between Mary and Elizabeth was so special and precious, perhaps we can all profit by its study.
 
The first thing we notice is that their conversation turned immediately to God, to praise of Him for His goodness and grace. No doubt each one experienced all the common difficulties and discomforts of these months, but chose instead to dwell on their blessings and the greatness of God.
 
Mary especially, in the discourse introduced by our text, burst forth in a torrent of praise, singing of the virtues of her Savior and reveling in His grace (vv. 46-55). He had chosen her despite her unworthiness. Her present misunderstood circumstances were not in view at all, just her precious communion with her Lord and His gracious dealings with mankind. In all these things, she "rejoiced."
 
Note that there is no hint of doubt in her song, neither is there a shrinking back from His holiness. In these verses are no fewer than 15 quotations from the Old Testament. Mary knew God's Word well, and sang it back to Him. Furthermore, she sings in humility, not calling herself "mother of God," as some do today, but sings of "God my Saviour."
 
These two mothers provide a model for each of us, especially those blessed with childbearing. May each encounter focus on Him, not just on temporal events. May our fellowship be centered in Him and in His word, not just with friends or family. May prayer and praise burst forth from our lips, not just idle conversation. May we know all the joy and confidence of Mary, and join in her song. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Atonement
 
"Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch." (Genesis 6:14)
 
It may be surprising to learn that God's instructions to Noah concerning the Ark's design contain the first reference in the Bible to the great doctrine of atonement. The Hebrew word used here for pitch (kaphar) is the same word translated "atonement" in many other places in the Old Testament.
 
While the New Testament word "atonement" implies reconciliation, the Old Testament "atonement" was merely a covering (with many applications). As the pitch was to make the Ark watertight, keeping the judgment waters of the Flood from reaching those inside, so, on the sacrificial altar, "it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Leviticus 17:11), keeping the fires of God's wrath away from the sinner for whom the sacrifice was substituted and slain. The pitch was a covering for the Ark, and the blood was a covering for the soul, the first assuring physical deliverance; the second, spiritual salvation.
 
However, not even the shed blood on the altar could really produce salvation. It could assure it through faith in God's promises on the part of the sinner who offered it, but "the blood of bulls and of goats" could never "take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4).
 
Both the covering pitch and animal blood were mere symbols of the substituting death of Jesus Christ, "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Romans 3:25). Through faith in Christ, our sins are "covered" under the blood, forgiven by God, and replaced by His own perfect righteousness, by all of which we become finally and fully reconciled to God. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Becoming the Gospel
 
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27)
 
The Greek word translated "conversation" emphasizes "citizenship," with all of its attendant loyalties and expectations for appropriate behavior. The structure of the introductory word "only" indicates that it is an adjective, not an adverb. Thus, the opening phrase could be rendered, "Your only citizenship must be lived out so that it becomes the gospel."
 
The New Testament employs three different Greek terms that are translated "conversation." Anastrepho is best understood as "dwelling" or "remaining" in a certain place: "Put off concerning the former conversation," we are commanded in Ephesians 4:22. Tropos stresses the manner of life, perhaps implying the reputation one gains by the lifestyle: "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example (Jude 1:7). Politeuo, the term used by Paul in our text, conveys citizenship: "For our conversation is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20, politeuma). The emphasis of our text is on our lifestyle and testimony as "ambassadors" in a foreign land (2 Corinthians 5:20). As such, we are to live in a manner that "becometh" the gospel--"that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians 4:1)
 
We are to stand fast in a unity of one spirit with one mind. Paul closed his letter to the Philippians with this: "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved" (Philippians 4:1). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Things Worth Knowing
 
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2)
 
Although the book of 1 John is well known for its use of the word "love," various words, such as "know," "perceive," and "behold," occur almost as often.
 
Several of these words refer to the work of Christ in salvation. "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins" (1 John 3:5). "We know that we have passed from death unto life" (1 John 3:14), and "hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us" (1 John 3:16). This knowledge brings great comfort and assurance: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).
 
This knowledge should bring us into a life of submission and service: "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (1 John 2:5). Similarly, "he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us" (1 John 3:24; see also 1 John 4:13).
 
This gives us confidence in prayer: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, . . . if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, . . . we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).
 
The culmination of a life marked by salvation, assurance, empowering, and victory will be that we will be with Him and be like Him. "Behold |same word as 'know'|, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Indwelling Holy Spirit
 
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Romans 8:9)
 
Note that in this one verse the Holy Spirit is called both "the Spirit of God" and "the Spirit of Christ." Thus the two terms are synonymous, which means that Christ is God, and so is the Holy Spirit.
 
Note also that we "have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). In fact, our text assures each of us that we are actually living "in the Spirit," because He has come to "dwell in you." All of this has come about "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, . . . by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). This glorious new birth, with sins forgiven and eternal life, is accomplished by the Holy Spirit in response to our faith in Christ as Savior and Lord.
 
But also note that "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." It is absolutely vital that we have the Holy Spirit, "for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14). The question is, just how do we know that we have the Holy Spirit?
 
The answer is, because His Word says so! "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me," said Jesus, "hath everlasting life" (John 5:24). Furthermore, we have the testimony of internal peace and assurance. "The Spirit |Himself| beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16).
 
Finally, the indwelling Spirit will increasingly be growing His eternal fruit in our lives--the ninefold fruit of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23), and this will testify to others also that we do indeed have the Holy Spirit. HMM