A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Maker and Owner

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.” (Jeremiah 27:5)

“The earth, the man and the beast” are the three entities that God is said to have “created” (Hebrew bara—note Genesis 1:1, 21, 27) in the Genesis account of creation. However, they are also said in Genesis to have been “made” (Hebrew asah—note Genesis 1:25-26; 2:4), and that is the emphasis in our text above. Of course, both aspects were accomplished in the six days of the creation week, after which God “rested from all his work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:3). This statement makes it abundantly plain that the present processes of nature do not “create” (call into existence out of nothing) or “make” (build up into more complex forms) anything, as our modern theistic evolutionists and evangelical uniformitarians allege. God has rested from both of these works, except in occasional miraculous intervention in the present laws and processes of nature.

Because God created and made all things, He also “owns” all things. “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). “Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). “The LORD hath made all things for himself” (Proverbs 16:4).

Therefore, all that we possess—as individuals or as nations—has simply been entrusted to us as God’s stewards, and “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). Without a doubt this accounting will be of our handling of our goods, minds, and opportunities, among other things, for “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Let us be thankful, not covetous, and industrious, not slothful, in everything He has entrusted to us. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Drawn to Jesus

“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Picture the scene. Jesus hangs on a cross between two criminals—all three aware they are dying. One scoffs, “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us” (Luke 23:39). The other thief counters, “Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly…but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (vv. 40-43). The scoffing thief wanted an earthly miracle—the second sought a heavenly miracle.

Jesus didn’t try to convert the second thief but waited for the man to turn to Him. No one explained the gospel to the thief; he was simply drawn to Jesus. The man knew Jesus had committed no crime. He hung there for another reason. Jesus was more than a miracle-working rabbi; He was a king and had a kingdom. And despite the man’s great sin, Jesus heard his cry and fully accepted him. The worst thing that had ever happened to the thief became the best thing—a great reversal!

As Jesus hung there dying for countless people, He specifically cared for one particular person at that moment—the thief beside him. We are like him, condemned and dying. May we also be drawn to the Son of God. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).

Jesus waits for us to turn to Him as He sits enthroned next to His Father. “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God” (Romans 8:34). Jesus’ love draws us to Him. “The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4), and He will never reject His children! MJS

[Soldier4Christ]

To Be or Not to Be

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

“To be” verbs, in their various forms and tenses, enjoy wide usage throughout Scripture. Verses employing them, as they relate to us, contain many of the greatest and most precious truths. Consider the following sampling.

Past tense: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God” (v. 10). “You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). “You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” (Colossians 1:21).

Present tense: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven” (Romans 4:7). “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (1 Peter 1:5). “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). “Beloved, now are we the sons of God” (1 John 3:2). “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him” (Colossians 2:9-10). Note also our text verse.

Future tense: “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). “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads...and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:3-5). JDM