A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The Family of a Disciple
 
"Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." (Luke 18:28-30)
 
Unfortunately, this and parallel passages have been wrongly used all too often to justify the abandonment of responsibilities to family in the name of following Christ.
 
But Christ is not here advocating repudiation of family. Instead, He insists that our allegiance be to Him and to His will. Nothing must be allowed to usurp His rightful position of supremacy in our lives. While it is true that for some a life unencumbered by family duties may result in more efficient ministry (1 Corinthians 7:1-9, 25-38), family relationships and responsibilities are of great importance to Him (vv. 10-24; see also many other passages).
 
Consider the case of Elisha. God had instructed Elijah to train Elisha to take his place as prophet (1 Kings 19:16). Finding Elisha plowing in his father’s field (i.e., family duties) with 12 yoke of oxen, "Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him" (v. 19).
 
Elisha knew immediately that he was facing a dramatic change in his life. He did not refuse, argue with, or try to alter the call, but he did recognize a responsibility to his parents. "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee" (v. 20). Elijah agreed. To solidify his determination to leave, Elisha immediately sacrificed a pair of oxen, using as fuel the plowing instruments he had been using. He was, in effect, making a clean break with his former life, yet honoring and respecting his parents.
 
"Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him" (v. 21). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Gardens of the Lord
 
"When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples." (John 18:1)
 
As Jesus, after the last supper with His disciples, walked out with them, they soon crossed over a small brook and entered the little garden called Gethsemane. Eventually, He left the disciples and went farther into the garden alone for a time of solitary prayer.
 
Perhaps He remembered how, long ago, He had walked in His first garden with Adam and Eve in beautiful fellowship. But then they had rebelled against His Word, and had to be expelled from the Garden of Eden, leaving Him alone there also (Genesis 3:8).
 
As He prayed in Gethsemane, He knew that it would be only a few hours before He would be buried in still another garden, one "wherein was never man yet laid" (John 19:41). He would be carried to a new tomb prepared in a newly planted garden by the loving hands of Joseph and Nicodemus, but then He would be alone once again.
 
He had walked alone in the first garden, seeking His own; then had knelt alone in the second garden, praying for His own; and finally, was buried alone in the third garden, after dying for His own.
 
But because He came "to seek and to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10), and because He now "ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25), after paying the awful price of "redemption through his blood" (Ephesians 1:7), all those who believe and trust Him will spend eternity in fellowship with Him in a beautiful garden city. Here flows "a pure river of water of life" surrounded on both sides by "the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month" (Revelation 22:1-2), and all will be "very good" forever. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Sowing Continually
 
"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
 
In the Bible, the common occupation of sowing seed is frequently used as a symbol of witnessing for the Lord. Unlike an actual farmer, however, Christian seed-sowers are to engage in their occupation perpetually, day after day, morning and evening, everywhere they go. "Cast thy bread upon the waters," the wise preacher said, "for thou shalt find it after many days" (Ecclesiastes 11:1). The sowing is often difficult, but is necessary before the fruit can grow, and the promise is that "they that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Psalm 126:5).
 
Often others may reap the fruit of our seed-sowing labors (or we may reap the fruit of theirs), but that is all right, for Christ Himself said that "One soweth, and another reapeth" so that "both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together" (John 4:37, 36). Paul said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6).
 
Some seed, faithfully sown, may not seem to grow at all. In Christ's great parable of the sower, much of the seed fell by the wayside or on rocky or weed-infested ground, but "other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit" (Matthew 13:8). It is our job to be sure that the seed we sow is good seed, wherever we go--by word, by life, by giving, by listening, by our very presence, by praying, by whatever we say or do or even think--and then to trust God to bring forth the fruit according to His own perfect will.
 
"Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters" (Isaiah 32:20). Therefore, "in the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening," and God will prosper our faithfulness in His own good way and time. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Battle for Purity
 
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19)
 
One of Paul's major messages to his young disciple Timothy was to strive for purity in every area of his life. Compromise and impurity were not to be glossed over; they were to be vigorously opposed.
 
Concerning purity in doctrine, Paul charged, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). He was to "charge" his followers not to wrangle over trivial issues, and not to listen to false teaching (v. 14). They were to "shun" vulgar and empty talk, knowing that such will only lead to more impurity and doubt (vv. 16-18). Furthermore, he was to actively "oppose" those who taught or lived by any other code, doing everything possible to "recover" those ensnared by satanic lies (vv. 25-26).
 
A prerequisite for an effective battle for purity in doctrine is purity in character. A Christian leader must be prepared for the work. "If a man therefore purge himself from these |i.e., false teaching, practices, and attitudes|, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (v. 21).
 
Finally, a Christian leader must have proper and pure relationships with both those who are under his influence and those who must be opposed. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves" (vv. 24-25). This is a difficult task, but as in our text, our foundation is sure, and we are known fully by the One who leads and empowers us in the work ahead. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Days of Youth
 
"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
 
When one reaches maturity and, finally, old age, he will almost inevitably find himself recalling wistfully the days of his youth. Often there will be feelings of regret for wasted opportunities and sinful living, and he would urge young people not to make the same mistakes that he did.
 
Unfortunately, most young people tend to listen more to their peers than to their seniors. As the old cliché has it--"too soon old, and too late smart." So the cycle continues, generation after generation.
 
There have been godly exceptions, of course, such as Mary and Daniel and Timothy, and some today as well, who have maintained a strong stand and witness for God and His Word all their lives. As our text (written by King Solomon in his old age) indicates, youth can and should be a time of real joy, but the best joy is "the joy of the LORD" (Nehemiah 8:10). Such joy is true pleasure and happiness, and is much better than mere "fun."
 
Our text also confirms that a judgment day is coming, and the misdeeds of youth will be judged along with all the rest. Especially good advice was given by Solomon in his next two verses. "Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh" (Ecclesiastes 11:10-12:1). Paul advised young Timothy, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

From Disciples to Brethren
 
"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (John 20:17)
 
It is interesting to note that our Lord never called His disciples "brethren" until after His resurrection, and our text, which identifies them as such, was the first thing He uttered after rising from the dead, at least as recorded in Scripture.
 
Until then He had referred to them in a variety of ways, including "little children" (John 13:33), "brethren," in the sense of brothers in a family (Matthew 12:49), and even "friends."
 
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:15). Certainly the disciples held a special place in Christ’s heart.
 
But it was not until He had risen from the dead, He who was "the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18), the "firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20), that His disciples, and indeed all who would "believe on |Him| through their word" (John 17:20), could be made "sons of God" (Romans 8:14). "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). This high standing comes as a fulfillment of His determination to "be the firstborn among many brethren" (v. 29).
 
He has relabeled the "great congregation" (Psalm 22:22, 25 quoted in Hebrews 2:12) the "church," identifying the individual members as His "brethren," and is not "ashamed" to do so (Hebrews 2:11). As we see in our text, His God is our God, His Father is our Father; in all ways, we who have believed on Him are His brothers. Oh, what a standing is ours! JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

God-Hardened Hearts
 
"For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses." (Joshua 11:20)
 
One of the most bitter complaints of critics against the Bible is its portrayal of the severity of God, especially in His command to Moses to destroy all the Canaanites. "When the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them" (Deuteronomy 7:2). This seems more severe than ever when we read in our text that God Himself hardened the hearts of the Canaanites so that Joshua could destroy them.
 
But the notion that God is merely a kindly grandfather figure is a self-serving figment of man's sinful imagination. The New Testament reminds us that "our God is a consuming fire" and "the wages of sin is death" (Hebrews 12:29; Romans 6:23), and God doesn't change. "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).
 
As far as the Canaanites were concerned, God had given them 400 years to repent (Genesis 15:13-16), but each new generation had gone further away from God than the one before, and they were practicing (as archaeology has revealed) every form of debauchery known to man. It was an act of mercy by God toward all those who would come in contact with them in future generations to decree their destruction now. They had already irrevocably hardened their hearts toward God, so God now hardened their hearts against Israel. Thinking they could destroy God's people, they only hastened their well-deserved end. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Discipline of Patience
 
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:4)
 
Patience, or endurance, is part of the development that produces the experience that brings hope and assurance to those who are the "twice born" (Romans 5:3-5). Patience is a discipline--a "work" that is necessary for our growth. Although such discipline never seems pleasant at the time, it is administered by our loving heavenly Father, who focuses His "work" on our spiritual maturity (Hebrews 12:5-8).
 
Our text contains several key aspects that promise victory through the process of learning patience. Wisdom is granted liberally as we ask for it during the testings that produce the "perfect work" (James 1:4) of patience. As those who love the Lord endure the testings that will surely come , the endurance practiced will produce a "crown of life" (James 1:12) as an eternal testimony to our patience.
 
Psalm 37 outlines the principles for gaining patience during this life. First, "trust in the LORD" (Psalm 37:3) and follow His leading in everything you do (Proverbs 3:5-10).
 
Second, delight in the Lord--get excited about Him (Psalm 37:4). That trait is amplified often in Psalm 119 (Psalm 119:16, 24, 35, 47, 70, 174). Then, commit your way to the Lord (Psalm 37:5), becoming like a branch attached to the vine (John 15:4-7).
 
Finally, rest in the Lord (Psalm 37:7) and wait on the Him (Psalm 37:34). That doesn't mean just "hang around." It means to be a fully prepared servant, waiting for his master's orders to implement. The "profitable" servant (Luke 17:10) learns what his master wants and stands ready to respond to the needs of the kingdom.
 
Patience is never obtained through bored indifference. HMM III

[Soldier4Christ]

Pray without Ceasing
 
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Ephesians 6:18)
 
It is obvious that Paul's command to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is to be understood metaphorically (after all, we do have to sleep and work, as well as pray), but it is also to be taken seriously.
 
Even during waking hours, of course, the attitude of unceasing general prayer is not meant to supersede special periods of concentrated prayer. Jesus spoke thus of the importance of intense private prayer: "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret" (Matthew 6:6). Christ Himself has set an example: "In the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mark 1:35).
 
There is also an important role for group prayer meetings. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:16). "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18:19).
 
The words of our text, however, conclude the great passage on the armor of the Christian as he or she engages in daily combat with the wicked one. They imply not a continual verbalized prayer but a continual attitude of prayer and watchfulness, whereby it becomes easy and natural to breathe a short (but sincere) prayer "in the Spirit" whenever a need appears (e.g., a special need for strength or guidance in a situation, or intercession for someone else). Thus, whether at work or at rest, we can--as Paul exhorts--"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Waxing Old, like a Garment
 
"Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." (Psalm 102:25-27)
 
This remarkable passage, quoted also in Hebrews 1:10-12, anticipates the famous second law of thermodynamics, or law of entropy, indicating that everything in the physical universe is growing old and wearing out. God created everything in the beginning, winding it up like a great clock, so to speak. Because of sin and the curse, however, it has been running down and "perishing" ever since. Jesus also said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away" (literally, "are passing away") (Matthew 24:35).
 
This universal scientific law is also anticipated in Isaiah 51:6: "The earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner." That is, the law of decay and death applies both to the earth and its inhabitants. The concept of universal evolution is clearly refuted both by Scripture and true science.
 
Note that our text also anticipates that, although the earth is growing old and seems about to die, it will suddenly be changed, like a garment. The old garment will be discarded and a new garment put on. Peter puts it this way: "The heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:12-13).
 
Now, although the universe is perishing and will one day be suddenly renewed, its Creator never changes. His years will never end, and His Word and His righteousness will never pass away. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

True Love
 
"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned." (Song of Solomon 8:7)
 
The Song of Solomon, as part of God's inspired Word, is much more than an ancient erotic poem, as some have interpreted it. Solomon was given great wisdom by God, so that he "spake three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five" (1 Kings 4:32). Of these latter, he apparently considered this to be his masterpiece, his "song of songs" (Song 1:1). It can best be understood as a pure love song describing the courtship and marriage of Solomon and his first bride, long before he later married "many strange |that is, 'foreign'| women" (1 Kings 11:1), who "turned away his heart after other gods" (1 Kings 11:4).
 
Another interpretation, favored by many Bible scholars over the centuries, is that the story is an allegory whose theme is the love of Christ and His heavenly bride, the true church.
 
That is, it really does seem to describe the love of young Solomon and his first bride. Such love had and still has God's blessing, for the union of man and woman in permanent, loving marriage, has always been God's plan, ever since Adam and Eve (note Christ's confirmation of this in Matthew 19:3-9). It is "the works of the flesh," including adultery and fornication, which God condemns.
 
But the song can also bring great blessing to the reader as he sees therein the eternal love of the Lord Jesus and His heavenly Bride. Our text verse, read in this light, is a glorious truth. Not even the waters of a great flood could quench such love, nor all the possessions of a wealthy king ever purchase it. It is true eternal love, bought by the blood of the Bridegroom and received with undying faith by His beloved Bride. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Delight in the Will of God

"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:8)

This remarkable testimony of David is actually also a Messianic prophecy, fulfilled completely only in Christ. Only as Messiah could He truly say, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me" and "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me;" "The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me" (John 4:34; 6:38; 10:25). "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith . . . Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God" (Hebrews 10:5, 7).

His heart was attuned perfectly to the will of God because God's law was written thereon, "not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart" (2 Corinthians 3:3). Even in the most trying circumstances to which any man could ever be subjected, He could pray, "Not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).

By the indwelling Spirit of God, we also must seek to make the will of God our greatest delight. We are saved solely by grace, but this is not to deliver us from the burdensome constraints of God's holy law; as in the case of Christ Himself, He places His law in our hearts in order to enable us to love His law. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" (Hebrews 10:16).

Then we learn, like the psalmist, not to resist His will, but to love His will and to delight in His law. "O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. . . . Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. . . . I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight" (Psalm 119:97, 111, 174). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Be Ye Separate

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)

The doctrine of separation from "the unclean thing" is neglected today by professing Christians, but it is still here in God’s Word. The context indicates that Paul is warning against Christians being "unequally yoked together with unbelievers" and urging us to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1).

Such separation does not mean having no contact at all with unbelievers, "for then must ye needs go out of the world" (1 Corinthians 5:10), whereas Jesus commanded, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). He also prayed to the Father, "not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" (John 17:15).

He does demand, however, that we are not to compromise with unbelief or with the unclean thing. We are "born again" into the family of God through simple faith in the person and saving work of Christ; but the full manifestation and fellowship of our relation with the heavenly Father as His spiritual sons and daughters is evidently, in this passage, conditioned on the vital principle of separation from all unbelief and filthiness of the flesh, with Jesus as our example (Hebrews 7:26).

We are specially warned to "turn away" from those who, "having a form of godliness," attempt to accommodate the naturalistic viewpoint of modern scientism within the Scriptures, thus "denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:5). "Be ye separate, saith the Lord." HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Father Of Spirits

"Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (Hebrews 12:9)

In these days when parents are urged by special interest and political groups not to discipline their children, and children's rights are championed at the expense of parental authority, it is comforting to read in Scripture that the normal response to parental discipline is reverence. Thankfully, even most secular "experts" today recognize the child's need for parental guidelines, reinforced by physical discipline as appropriate.

But this passage is primarily discussing the role of chastening father that God plays in the lives of His spiritual children. "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord . . . for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. . . . But if ye be without chastisement . . . then are ye . . . not sons" (vv. 5-8). This discipline is "for our profit" (v. 10) and "yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness" (v. 11) in our lives. The natural response should be both "reverence" and "subjection" (v. 9).

In our text, God is identified as the "Father of Spirits," reminding us that God is Creator. "The Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him" (Zechariah 12:1). He who created all things, including the spiritual side of mankind (Colossians 1:16), recreated each spirit at the time of salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; etc.). His wise and timely chastening is "for our profit" and has as its goal "that we might be partakers of his holiness" (Hebrews 12:10).

On this day of special honor for fathers, let us not forget to honor our heavenly Father. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Necessary Light

"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (Acts 26:18)

All human experience understands the relationship between darkness and light. Those who love wickedness crave the darkness to hide their deeds (John 3:19).

Jesus insisted that He is the "light of the world" (John 8:12). Now in His glorified state, the Lord Jesus--our King of Kings and Lord of Lords--is described as "dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto" (1 Timothy 6:16). This is not a mere metaphor. "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5).

It is certainly clear in the Scriptures that those who have not yet been twice born must come "to the light" before they can ever receive the gift of eternal light (John 3:20). Indeed, the very process of "coming" is empowered by the drawing power of the Godhead Himself (John 6:44). No one who is "dead in trespasses and sin" (Ephesians 2:1) is able to come out of darkness on their own into the light, without the supernatural power of the "light" Himself.

Once we are rescued from the darkness by the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus and "birthed" from above by the power demonstrated in the resurrection of our Lord, we who are so redeemed become "children of light" (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Thus empowered, we are to "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7) and have no "fellowship . . . with darkness" (2 Corinthians 6:14). With the "armour of light" complete (Romans 13:12), we can openly let our "light so shine" that we become a "light of the world" (Matthew 5:16, 14). HMM III