A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Here a Little, There a Little
 
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." (Isaiah 28:10)
 
The setting of this unusual passage is most sobering. Both the people and their priests in Israel's northern kingdom (personified by "Ephraim") were in gross rebellion and drunken disobedience to the Lord. They were even ridiculing God's prophets who were trying to call them back, complaining that they were being treated like school children. In effect, they were saying: "Are you presuming to teach us as you would freshly weaned infants, going line by line, with rule after rule?"
 
Whereupon God replied that He would use people of another tongue to come in and teach them what they refused to learn from Him. These precepts He had been trying to teach them should have provided true rest and refreshment, but now learning these lessons would prove to be their undoing. What should have been a blessing to them would become their condemnation.
 
How desperately do modern Christians need to heed these same words! They profess to believe God's Word, but they study it only superficially, compromise its doctrines, and disobey its instructions. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God" (Hebrews 5:12). Most Christians of today, like the Corinthians of old, are still "babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1). Thus, it really is necessary for their teachers to bring the Word of God to them "precept upon precept, line upon line, little by little." "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God" (Hebrews 6:1). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Demonic Discouragement
 
"Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?" (Job 4:18-19)
 
This was the strange message delivered to Eliphaz, the first of the three friends who proved such "miserable comforters" to Job in his sufferings, by "a spirit" that "stood still, . . . an image . . . before mine eyes" (vv. 15-16). This "thing was secretly |literally 'stealthily'| brought to me," said Eliphaz (v. 12), and there is little doubt that its original source was Satan himself, in his efforts to discredit and destroy Job. The "spirit" who instructed Eliphaz was not sent from God, as he may have thought, but was one of those angelic servants who had been "charged with folly," when they followed Lucifer in his primeval rebellion.
 
Still smarting with wounded pride that God would make His angels mere "ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14) to Adam and his children, whose own bodies were mere "houses of clay," built out of the dust of the earth, these demonic rebels hate human beings--especially those who love and serve God--with great passion. If Satan could not destroy Job by tempting him into moral wickedness or rebellion against an "unjust" God, perhaps he could lead him into discouragement, using his self-righteous "friends" to cause him to lose faith in God's love and care.
 
But he failed! Job said: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him," and "I know that my redeemer liveth" (Job 13:15; 19:25).
 
Such defeatism is one of Satan's most effective weapons. When he strikes with it, we must, like Job, "resist stedfast in the faith" (1 Peter 5:9), knowing "the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" (James 5:11). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Proverbial Tongue
 
"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." (Proverbs 10:19)
 
The book of Proverbs has much wise counsel concerning the use of the tongue. It contains, for example, no less than 27 sober warnings against speaking lies! There are also at least eight condemnations of gossiping. For example: "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter" (11:13).
 
Then there are warnings against using the tongue to criticize, or to slander, or to hurt. A good example is in 12:18: "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health," and also in 18:8: "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
 
Too much talking is also dangerous, as our text for the day points out, for it often results in sin. In this connection, one of the most picturesque proverbs is the following: "A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike" (27:15). The virtues of silence are graphically pointed out in 17:27-28: "He that hath knowledge spareth his words: . . . Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding."
 
Similarly, there are many promised blessings to those who speak carefully and graciously: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (25:11). "The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning" (16:21). "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (15:4). "The tongue of the just is as choice silver" (10:20). "A soft answer turneth away wrath" (15:1). "A word spoken in due season, how good is it!" (15:23).
 
May we, indeed, learn to make our speech like choice silver, apples of gold, and a tree of life! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Esteem Others

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3)

In this verse, Paul challenged us to refrain from any "strife" or "vainglory"--words that seem a bit stern in the colloquial terms of our day.

Eritheia is the Greek word for "strife"--a contentious political maneuvering for greater power. "Vainglory" is similar. It comes from the Greek word kenodoxia, an empty pride or groundless glory. Both are rather unpleasant descriptions of the foolish and sinful human behavior that is seen all too often among God’s people: "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:26).

On the contrary, we are challenged to "esteem" the others in our fellowship as "better than" ourselves. The precise words in this instruction insist that we are to use deliberate and careful judgment in our evaluation of others in our relationships as being more "excellent" than what we have thought of ourselves.

Now that goes against most of what we have been taught in our Western educational systems. Self-esteem is de rigueur in our schools, songs, movies, and television programs. In fact "positive thinking" and "prosperity thinking" are very little more than self-esteem dressed up in religious terms.

In the biblical "body" analogy, we are told that "those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour . . . having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked" (1 Corinthians 12:23-24).

God thinks differently. We are told to think of each other like God thinks. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Jesus Christ Is Lord

"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:11)

Throughout the New Testament, we find there are three names in primary usage for the Son of God: Jesus, Christ, and Lord. The name Jesus, meaning "Jehovah is the Savior," is His human name, linking Him with humanity whom He came to save. Christ, meaning "anointed," is His Messianic name, linking Him with the prophecy which He came to fulfill. The New Testament equivalent to the Hebrew word "Jehovah" is the word "Lord," linking Him with deity whom He came to represent and reveal, and to whom is due homage.

These three names have a chronological emphasis, for until His crucifixion, He was known primarily as "Jesus," but after His resurrection and ascension, He was preeminent as "Christ." When He returns, it will be as "Lord" to reign. To be sure, there is overlap, for He is simultaneously all three and has been throughout history. But the general pattern is clear.

The three names also indicate His three-fold office and work. "Jesus" suggests His career as a prophet, teaching men the truth, while "Christ" suggests His priesthood, atoning for sin, and "Lord" His Kingship, ruling over men. Mankind’s relationship and responsibility to Him follow this same pattern: obedience to Him as prophet, faith in Him as priest, surrender to Him as King.

There is no effort on the part of the Scripture writers to separate these names into different individuals, for on many if not most occasions, two or three of the names are combined, showing that these three names reference one and the same person. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Spiritual Senses
 
"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." (Psalm 34:8)
 
Frequently, Scripture uses our five physical senses in a figurative way to help us comprehend our interaction with the heavenly realm of God's presence and power.
 
We can "see," for example, with spiritual eyes. Paul prayed thus for the believer: "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:18).
 
Similarly, we are privileged to hear the voice of the Lord with spiritual ears. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). "A stranger will they not follow, . . . for they know not the voice of strangers" (John 10:5).
 
The sense of touch is the sense of feeling, and God can both touch and be touched. We read, for example, of "a band of men, whose hearts God had touched" (1 Samuel 10:26). Of Jesus Christ, it is said that He is not a remote deity "which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15). Even people who never knew Him can perhaps "feel after him, and find him" (Acts 17:27) if they truly desire His great salvation.
 
We can even become "unto God a sweet savour of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15). To the world, the faithful Christian life and testimony can either be "the savour of death unto death" to those who refuse it, or "the savour of life unto life" (2 Corinthians 2:16).
 
Finally, we are exhorted actually to taste the Lord and see that He is good! His Word will be, according to our needs, either "sincere milk" (1 Peter 2:2), "strong meat" (Hebrews 5:14), or "sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:10). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Reasonable Service
 
"I beseech you therefore . . . by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)
 
For those who would know God's will for their lives, these verses provide the definitive answer. The key is sacrifice, not conformity. It is paradoxical, but wonderfully true, that real living is dying--dying to the world and living unto Christ! This great theme is emphasized repeatedly throughout the New Testament (Galatians 2:20, etc.).
 
Whether paradoxical or not, the principle of sacrificial living for Christ is eminently reasonable service! "Reasonable" is the Greek logikos, from which we derive our word "logical." "Service" is the Greek latreian, referring to service as a priest. We have been made "an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5). It is perfectly logical that we render such lifelong service to the great Friend who laid down His life for us, in order to take away our sins and give us everlasting life with Him in the ages to come.
 
It is also logical that we should not conform our lives to the standards of this present evil world. Why should we imitate this world's materialism or humanism, in dress or music or morals or anything else? We have far higher and more lasting standards, guided by the Word of God and by minds renewed in Christ.
 
Our minds once were "blinded" by "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), but now they can be guided by "the mind of the Lord" (Romans 11:34; 1 Corinthians 2:16). Here is the key to knowing that good and acceptable and perfect will of God! HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Judging Spirit of God, The
 
"And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."ť (Genesis 6:3)
 
This is a difficult verse, but it is bound to be significant, for it contains the first reference in the Bible to God's judgment. The word for "strive" is almost always elsewhere rendered "judge," or "judgment."ť It is used in Deuteronomy 32:36 ("the LORD shall judge his people"). Thus our text seems to be telling us that, before the Flood, the Holy Spirit was directly dealing with people in judgment because of their increasing involvement with sin and rebellion against the Lord. God, through the Holy Spirit, was working earnestly in the antediluvians to enable them, before His written Word was available, to discern right and wrong, but their insistent rebellion would soon lead to such depravity that God would leave them altogether, and send the destroying, cleansing Flood.
 
In this more enlightened age, with the complete Bible available and the saving work of God's Son now well known, the Holy Spirit has a new judging ministry: "When he is come,"ť Jesus said, "he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged"ť (John 16:8-11).
 
This time man has been given not 120 years, but almost 2,000 years to respond to the convicting judgments of the Holy Spirit, yet "evil men and seducers . . . wax worse and worse"ť (2 Timothy 3:13). Thus judgment is imminent once again, and to those who have "done despite unto the Spirit of grace"ť (Hebrews 10:29), the next time will not be merely a cleansing flood. "For our God is a consuming fire"ť (Hebrews 12:29). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Peace of Thy Children, The
 
"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isaiah 54:13)
 
This prophetic verse has its primary fulfillment still in the future. Nevertheless, it states a basic principle which is always valid, and which is especially relevant on Father's Day. The greatest honor that children can bestow on a father is a solid Christian character of their own, but that must first be his own gift to them. Before sons and daughters can experience real peace of soul, they must first be taught of the Lord themselves, and the heavenly Father has delegated this responsibility first of all to human fathers.
 
The classic example is Abraham, "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11). God's testimony concerning Abraham was this: "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" (Genesis 18:19). This is the first reference in Scripture to the training of children and it is significant that it stresses paternal instruction in the things of God. Furthermore, the instruction should be diligent and continual: "When thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6:7).
 
The classic New Testament teaching on child training has the same message: "Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
 
Not wrath, but peace, as our text suggests. Great shall be the peace of our children when they know the Lord and keep His ways. Great, also, is the joy of a godly father when he can see the blessing of the Lord on his children, and then on his grandchildren. "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers" (Proverbs 17:6). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Commander to the People
 
"Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people." (Isaiah 55:4)
 
The text above refers in particular to David and especially to that greater Son of David who would eventually become the eternal heir of "the throne of his father David" (Luke 1:32). Jesus Christ is indeed "the faithful and true witness" (Revelation 3:14), the leader who will care for even the least of His followers, and the great Commander of the whole wide world, the one who "commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him" (Luke 8:25).
 
Now while our text refers directly to David and ultimately to the Lord Jesus, the words themselves could also well be applied to each of the great men who have been chosen by God to be the leader and commander of our great nation, as well as its most effective witness from his "bully pulpit" to other nations. We must remember, even though our various presidents have been elected democratically to serve in that office by the people of the nation, that nevertheless, "the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13:1), and they are therefore "God's ministers" (Romans 13:6).
 
Some may seem unfit for such a role, but we must reckon with the truth that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Daniel 4:17).
 
God can judge and deal with all such leaders in His own time and way. As citizens and subjects, it is our responsibility to "fear God" and "honour the king" (1 Peter 2:17), or whatever title our leader may have. Whether or not we voted for the president, therefore, we must honor him, pray for him, and follow his leading, except only when God's commands negate his. Then we must obey God (Acts 5:29), and accept the consequence. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Others' Things
 
"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:4)
 
Our responsibility is to think like the Lord Jesus, part of which requires "looking" (marking, identifying) matters beyond our own concerns.
 
Part of that responsibility is caution. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark |same Greek word for 'look'| them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). Another part is being aware of godly examples. "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample" (Philippians 3:17).
 
Surely that responsibility also includes that "we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Romans 15:1). And in cases of necessary discipline: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). Also consider these:
 

    "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth" (1 Corinthians 10:24).
    "Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" (1 Corinthians 10:33).
    "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak" (1 Corinthians 8:9).

 
Finally, written by the same apostle who instructed the stronger Philippian church, there is this gentle summary statement recorded for the struggling Corinthian assembly: "Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed" (2 Corinthians 6:3). HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Immediate Results
 
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (Romans 8:22)
 
Sometimes we don't get to see the results of our work or choices soon enough to suit us. But on one occasion, a man's choice and resulting action were given immediate attention, and the effects of that attention even now rule the universe.
 
"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat" (Genesis 3:6).
 
The result of Adam's deliberate sin--"Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression" (1 Timothy 2:14)--was immediate and total punishment upon Adam and Eve, and through them, on all humanity (Genesis 3:14-19). "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). "For the creature |or 'creation'| was made subject to vanity |that is, 'futility'|, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope" (8:20).
 
This "bondage of corruption" (v. 21) placed upon the entire creation, now known to science as the Second Law of Thermodynamics, is known to all of us as the basic tendency of life. Everything is in the process of death and decay. This law will one day be removed; but until then, we, like the groaning, travailing creation of our text, "groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (v. 23).
 
Although we recognize now that "the wages of sin is death," we can be very thankful that the story doesn't end there, for "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Not Many Wise Men
 
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." (1 Corinthians 1:26)
 
For the most part, the rich and famous of this world, the wise and powerful, have always looked down on the followers of Christ and the Scriptures. This seems increasingly true today, and many believers have been led to compromise as a result. Rather than being discouraged by the intellectual snobbery of educated and powerful unbelievers, however, we should rejoice in this further proof of the prophetic inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.
 
This passage is, in fact, a remarkably fulfilled prophecy, true for almost 2,000 years. Christians have founded great universities to train people in God's truth, only to see them taken over, one after another, by the ungodly leaders of this present world. Missionaries have carried the gospel to heathen lands, only to be superseded by wealth-seeking materialists who exploit and subvert their converts.
 
Paul did not say "not any," of course, but "not many." God always has raised up a few brilliant or powerful men (such as Paul himself) who have devoted their abilities and influence to the Lord and His Word, but these have always been the exception. There have been a few godly kings and generals, a few Christ-honoring artists and musicians of great talent, but they are far outnumbered by the others.
 
But we must remember that God said long ago that was the way it would be. "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence" (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Prayer of the Whole Heart
 
"Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
 
There are many promises and instances of answered prayer in the Bible. Unfortunately, many of us really don't seem to believe them, and therefore don't experience the answers to our prayers. Halfhearted praying may sometimes secure partial answers, but God exhorts us to pray wholeheartedly. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).
 
The principle is timeless and is stressed often in the Word. "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3). God's resources are unlimited, but our motives must be pure, and our prayers must be from the heart. "Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering" (James 1:6). "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3).
 
In addition to right motives and genuine faith, there must be deep sincerity as we pray from the heart. "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" said Jesus (Luke 18:1), who Himself found it necessary to pray long and earnestly. "Rising up a great while before day, he . . . departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mark 1:35).
 
The early church followed His teaching and example, and saw His blessing. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14). "And they continued stedfastly . . . in prayers" (Acts 2:42). "We will give ourselves continually to prayer" (Acts 6:4). Consequently, "the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly" (Acts 6:7). God is honored when we search for Him and pray to Him with all our hearts. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

In the Midst
 
"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you." (John 20:26)
 
Jesus, in His earthly life, was often "in the midst" of things. At the age of twelve He was found in the Temple, "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions" (Luke 2:46). Then, early in His adult ministry, His hometown enemies at Nazareth attempted to kill Him, "but he passing through the midst of them went his way" (Luke 4:30). Later, in Jerusalem, a group of Pharisees sought to stone Him, but He simply went "through the midst of them, and so passed by" (John 8:59).
 
Finally, however, they were able to put Him to death, and as a bitter testimony of their hatred, they had Him crucified with two common criminals, "on either side one, and Jesus in the midst" (John 19:18). Three days later, the tomb was emptied, and He would never again be in the midst of enemies. Instead, He met His disciples in the upper room.
 
There, "when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you" (John 20:19). Eight days later, with Thomas present, Jesus once again appeared in their midst and greeted them with reassuring words of peace.
 
Though now in heaven, His presence still speaks peace to us through His Holy Spirit, for He promised: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Even in the ages to come, He will be in our midst, for John says, describing that scene: "In the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain," and then all creation will sing "unto the Lamb for ever and ever" (Revelation 5:6, 13). HMM