Deuteronomy 20
OFFER OF PEACE
Some people have said that the God of the Old Testament was a blood-thirsty and vindictive God. To back their view, they point out that the LORD instructed his people Israel to go to war and kill all the inhabitants of Canaan without mercy, and then take over their land. But God’s mercy extended much further than we might care to remember.
In his instructions as to how Israel were to behave during battle, God gave these instructions: “When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labour and shall work for you. If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city.” (Deuteronomy 20 v 10 – 12).
The people Israel battled were not destroyed with no say in the matter. They were offered peace, but most refused and engaged Israel in battle, thus signing their own death warrant.
When Joshua led the children of Israel into the land of Canaan, some of the inhabitants did make peace with them, and Israel honoured that agreement for peace, going to extreme measures to do so.
Old Testament or new, God shows himself to be a merciful God, giving sinners the opportunity to repent and accept his conditions right up to the last minute. We have the same choice. Have we made peace with God?
John 8
SABBATH ATTITUDE
It was a special Sabbath, the last day of the feast of Tabernacles. From John’s gospel record we can see that this day was a very busy one. But there are two particular events that happened on this Sabbath for us to learn important lessons from.
Firstly, the teachers of the law and Pharisees had a woman caught in adultery brought to Jesus. Their intention was that she should be stoned in accordance with the law of Moses. They were so intent about keeping the purity of the law that they were prepared to break the rules about working on the Sabbath by doing the hard physical work of picking up stones and stoning a woman to death on the Sabbath day.
In the following chapter it was still the Sabbath day. The contrast with the previous event was that it was Jesus who wanted to work. In order to give sight to a man born blind, Jesus made some mud with his saliva and pasted it on the blind man’s eyes. The Pharisees were outraged because Jesus did not keep the Sabbath.
The lesson is one of attitude. The Pharisees were content to work on the Sabbath to kill, but would not allow Jesus to work on the Sabbath to heal.
How do we use the Sabbath? Is it a day of upholding God’s righteousness and our standards at all costs, or is it a day of mercy and healing? Let’s make sure our attitude is the same as that of Jesus.
Numbers 33
THE STORY OF LIFE
Moses recounted the stages of Israel’s journey through the wilderness. One by one, every place was named, some described in detail and others just remembered as a name. “… And they set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher. 24 And they set out from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah…” and on it goes. (Numbers 33 v 23 – 24 ESV). Place after place.
To someone like me who has never been to any of those places, they all just sound like names. It’s only when a familiar name pops up like the Red Sea or Mount Hor, that I can place it in the Bible narrative and have some idea of what it means. But to those travelling around the wilderness, all those places would have had significance. Each of those names would have been a milestone in their lives.
If our lives were listed in a few short verses as a list of place names, people and major events, mine would have little impact on you, and I wouldn’t understand much of yours. But each of us has a story that is vitally important as to who we are and where we are.
The most important part of Israel’s journey was that it led them to the Promised Land. And that’s where ours should be leading too. When we look back at the summary of our lives, will we be able to see God leading us to the Promised Land?
Numbers 30
HUSBAND AND WIFE RELATIONSHIP
The NIV translation of the Bible includes some helpful topic headings every now and then. These topic headings come in the text to explain what the next series of paragraphs are about. They are usually very good and helpful to the reader, but the heading at the beginning of Numbers 30, “Vows,” is quite different to the summary Moses gave us at the end of that section. If I was one of the translators, I too would have entitled this section “Vows” because it is all about who can or can’t make or disallow a vow. But the comment we read at the end of Numbers 30 puts a completely different context on what we read:
“These are the regulations the Lord gave Moses concerning relationships between a man and his wife, and between a father and his young daughter still living at home.” (Numbers 30 v 16).
While this section of Scripture uses the examples of vows, vows are only the example, not the topic. It is about the relationship between a man and the women in his household (his wife and his daughters). To summarise the chapter, we could say that the husband or father is ultimately responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of his wife and daughters. He bears the responsibility before God, while his wife and daughters are responsible to him.
These laws were for Israel, but the principles are ones we should adopt as we strive to live a righteous life of obedience for the God who does not change.
Numbers 26
LIFE AND DEATH
It is interesting to see that seven specific deaths are mentioned through this genealogy in Numbers 26: Dathan, Abiram, Korah, Er, Onan, Nadab and Abihu. If these people had obeyed the Lord, all of them would have been heads of families and had positions of honour and responsibility. But instead they chose to rebel and forfeit what was coming to them. They tried to do things their way rather than God’s way.
It is also interesting to note that there are two specific people mentioned as still being alive after the rest of the community had died. They were Joshua and Caleb.
There is one major difference between these two groups of people. The first group who died did not trust in the LORD or obey him. They disobeyed and did things their own way instead of God’s way. But Joshua and Caleb, who outlived the rest of the children of Israel, were faithful, obedient and trusted in God.
There is no middle ground. We cannot please ourselves and be rewarded by God. The choice is one or the other – life or death. Let’s be more like Joshua and Caleb, and by the grace of God, share in the reward he has promised to those who faithfully serve him.
Numbers 15
VISUAL AIDS
One of the interesting laws the Israelites were given was an instruction to put tassels on their garments. The LORD said, “Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.” (Numbers 15 v 38 – 40).
The tassels, each with a blue cord in them, were there as a visual reminder to everyone of God’s laws. Whether you noticed them as you wore your own clothing, or noticed them on what someone else was wearing, the effect was supposed to be the same. They were to remind you to obey the laws of the LORD.
Putting tassels on my tee-shirts, shorts, jeans, shirts or jacket is not fashionable or practical in my life today. But there are some other ways we can have similar reminders. Many of my tee-shirts have biblical messages on them. Sweatshirts and ties can also be printed. A star of David, a cross or a fish symbol on their jewellery helps others. Fridge magnets are a good reminder at home, and bumper stickers on our cars help spread the message, while at the same time reminding us that we are God’s people.
Let’s set up reminders in our every-day lives, and even in the clothes that we wear, so that we can remember the commands of the LORD our God and do them.
Proverbs 10
LIVING THE DREAM
In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C. S. Lewis, the sailors on the Dawn Treader find themselves entering a cloud over the sea. Just as they began to enter the cloud and to take the adventure that would come to them, they were warned that this was the place where dreams come true. On hearing that, most of the sailors wanted to race into the darkness to have their dreams come true. But not all dreams are pleasant ones. This was the place of nightmares. As the recollections of their worst nightmares were renewed, the crew made a desperate rush to get out, but they were too late.
Thinking abut dreams coming true sounds amazing – until we remember the nightmares. What if there was a place like that? Actually there is, although more of a time than a place. Listen: “What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.” (Proverbs 10 v 24 ESV).
What sort of dreams are we cultivating? Are we the wicked dreading our nightmares, or the righteous looking forward to our desires coming true? What sort of life are we living as we anticipate those dreams becoming a reality? One day we will stand before Jesus at the judgement and then we will find ourselves either living the dream or facing the nightmare. Which are we choosing today?
Numbers 7
INDIVIDUALLY APPRECIATED
Reading through Numbers chapter seven, with its detailed lists of the offerings the leaders of each tribe gave at the dedication of the Tabernacle, we realise that the chapter could be significantly shortened. In fact, most of us would have done just that by describing the offering on the first day and saying that the offerings on the following days were exactly the same but offered by different people from different tribes. But not God. God saw fit to individually record the offerings of every leader of every tribe. They were not recorded with the aim of filling up space in the Bible, but the individual offerings have all been written down for a reason – because there is a lesson we can learn from them.
Each of these people and their tribes offered gifts for the service of the LORD. They were each recorded in detail to show that God appreciated their gifts. None of the gifts were taken for granted and neither were the people offering them.
This is a very positive lesson for us. It helps us to know that the offerings and gifts that we give to God, no matter how small, are appreciated by God. They are not seen as another one of the many gifts made by the teeming millions of people swarming the earth, but as a gift given personally by us as an individual.
Let us give willingly, graciously and generously, as we give gifts and offerings from our hearts to the Lord.
Leviticus 27
TEN PERCENT
Our devotion to the Lord needs to show in every area of our lives. It may be that we read the Bible and pray, but that also needs to show in the way we live, in our time given to the Lord, in our generosity and in our energy.
God’s requirement for Israel was this: “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. Every tithe of the herd and flock – every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod – will be holy to the Lord.”
What would it look like for us to devote a tithe of everything to the Lord? Would it make a big difference to our finances if we gave a tithe? What would it do to our free time if we gave ten percent of our time to God? How much would our prayer lives change? How much more time would we have to read the Bible? How much more time would we have to spend caring for the needs of others?
Let us give God what he wants and make sure that it is the best that we can give.
Leviticus 26
THE BEST BLESSING
Of the blessings Israel were to be given for their obedience, one of the blessings stands out above the rest. It’s the last one. If you thought plenty of food, peace, safety and being powerful were blessings to covet, then this one eclipses them all. Listen: “I will put my tabernacle in your midst and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you, and I will be your God and you will be my people.” (Leviticus 26 v 11 – 12 NET).
God will be with us if we obey him. He will make his home with us. He will love us. If this was the only blessing we ever had, it would be the only one we ever wanted or needed, because when we are surrounded by perfection, we won’t need anything else.
Imagine what it was like for Adam and Eve before they sinned, when they walked and talked with God each evening in the paradise of the garden of Eden. With the blessing of God with us, this is what we can look forward to. It is what Israel would have had if they had obeyed wholeheartedly.
Let’s obey God. There are so many blessings for obedience, but the one we will be most blessed by is having God with us. Awesome!
Leviticus 25
JUBILATIONS!
I love the little pictures we get through the Bible that show us glimpses of the kingdom of God. The laws describing the year of Jubilee are a great example of this. The year of Jubilee was a once in a lifetime event in the Jewish calendar. It only came about once in every 50 years. In the same way the kingdom of God is a once in a lifetime event for us. We spend all our lives preparing for it, then either at the time Jesus returns or at the resurrection, we will enter into the Jubilee that God has planned for us.
The year of Jubilee begins at the sound of the trumpet. “Then sound the trumpet everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land.” (Leviticus 25 v 9). It is also the sound of the trumpet that ushers in the resurrection and the kingdom of God. (1 Thessalonians 4 v 16).
The Jubilee year was also a time of freedom. “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” (Leviticus 25 v 10). It is when God’s jubilee in the kingdom of God begins that we will be granted complete freedom from sin, freedom from the burdens of mortal life as death is swallowed up in victory.
Let us build up a picture in our minds that places us in God’s kingdom, rejoicing in the Jubilee that we will share with him.
Leviticus 24
EVERYONE’S RESPONISBILITY
The seven branched lampstand in the tabernacle did not keep burning all by itself. It took oil, care and tending for the light to keep shining. Everyone had a responsibility to keep the lamps burning. This was what God said: “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. Outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the Lord from evening till morning, continually. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the Lord must be tended continually.” (Leviticus 24 v 2 – 4).
In Revelation John saw a vision of Jesus walking among seven golden lampstands. The meaning of his vision was explained when he was told, “The mystery of the … seven golden lampstands is this: … the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1 v 20).
It was all Israel who were to bring oil for the lamps. They were the ordinary, run-of-the-mill people just like you and me. We should be providing each other with the oil of joy and lighting each other’s way to God’s kingdom. And like the priests keeping the lamps tended, the leaders in our congregations should be keeping the light burning, caring for it, trimming it and making sure it is fed.
So let us encourage one another with the joy from the oil of the word. Every drop of encouragement and joy we receive will help keep our lamps burning. And for those of us who lead, let us care for and tend for the people God has given us in a way that will keep our communal light shining brightly.
Leviticus 15
DISCHARGES CAUSING UNCLEANNESS
In Leviticus God gave Israel a whole lot of laws that are given a title in my Bible: “Discharges Causing Uncleanness.” These laws detail what a man or woman is to do when they have a bodily discharge, an emission of semen, a monthly period, or other bleeding. What we notice about this is that most of these bodily discharges are of a sexual nature, relating specifically to men or women. Whatever the discharge was, it meant that the person who was affected by it became unclean either for the rest of the day or for a longer period of time. After the uncleanness was finished, the person had to wash, and depending on what it was, offer a sacrifice before they could become clean again.
Discharges of this sort today are a taboo subject in polite society at the moment. We don’t hear about who did what when, or who is having their period at the moment. But what we do see in society around us all the time, and maybe even from ourselves, are discharges from our mouths. Jesus said that it is what comes out of our mouths that makes a person unclean. (Matthew 15 v 11). Very often, just as with the physical, the discharges from our mouths are sexual through swearing, crude jokes, smutty remarks and innuendos. We hear it all around us, and if we join in we also become unclean in God’s sight.
Let’s watch out for the evil that might discharge from our mouths, and if it already has, then let’s repent and ask for forgiveness so that we can once again be clean in the sight of God.
Leviticus 14
VISIT THE SICK
Generally, if people wanted to see a priest, they would go to the entrance of the tabernacle and meet a priest there. At the tabernacle the services for whatever needed doing would be performed. But in the case of a person with an infectious skin disease it was different. The person with an infectious skin disease had to live in isolation until the disease was cured. In that condition they could not come into or even near the tabernacle because the tabernacle was right in the center of the camp of Israel. It was the busiest and most peopled place – like going into the central city. So on the occasions of infectious skin diseases, the priest had to do a home or isolation visit.
“These are the regulations for any diseased person at the time of their ceremonial cleansing, when they are brought to the priest: The priest is to go outside the camp and examine them.” (Leviticus 14 v 2 – 3).
Throughout the Bible, infectious skin diseases (otherwise known as leprosy) represent sin. Whether by choice or by disfellowship, there are people who should be attending our churches, but are not because sin has kept them away. Like the priests, we should be making the effort to go out to them and to do what we can to help cleanse them from their sin so that they can come back and be part of our community again.
Leviticus 1
LOOK TO THE LORD
I am told that the Hebrew in the first two books of the Old Testament has an interesting pattern in it. Every 49th letter is made up in a skip letter sequence that spells TORAH (in Hebrew, of course). This pattern only occurs in Genesis and Exodus. However, if we skip over to Numbers and Deuteronomy, we find a different pattern. It is the same word TORAH (the Hebrew word for the law), but this time it spelt backwards HAROT every 49th letter.
That leaves Leviticus. It’s like the first two books are pointing forward to something important and the latter two are pointing back to something important. But we don’t find the word TORAH in Leviticus. Instead, in a 49 skip letter sequence (7 x 7), we find the YHWH, the memorial name of God encoded through the text. The message is that the law points to God whatever way you look at it.
With this in mind, it is highly appropriate that Leviticus begins with the law of the burnt offering. The burnt offering is the offering that was completely dedicated to God and speaks of our complete commitment to him. It also speaks of God’s complete devotion to us shown in Jesus Christ. Jesus gave up everything in life while he lived so that we could see and learn the way to God, and then he gave up his life completely so that we could have life.
As we read Leviticus, let’s look for God in it. Let’s see his love for us, and the pattern of devotion we should have for him.
Exodus 37
ON THE WAY TO PERMANENCE
The tabernacle was a tent. When the tabernacle was constructed there was no digging, no concrete was poured, and nor did they use foundation stones. Instead, the tabernacle was made from poles, curtains and tent pegs.
Since the furniture in the tabernacle was also made to be moved, a similar theme comes across. On the ark, Bezalel “cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.” (Exodus 37 v 3 – 5). The same went for the table. “The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table.” (v 14). And also for the altar of incense: “They made two gold rings below the moulding – two on each of the opposite sides – to hold the poles used to carry it.” (v 27).
The point is that the tabernacle and its furniture were designed to be moved around. The children of Israel were walking toward the promised land and they were not there yet. Neither are we. We are on our way to the kingdom of God and therefore we cannot afford to get too attached to where we are and what we have in this life. This is not going to be our permanent dwelling place. When Jesus returns, then we will be able to settle into our permanent dwelling in the kingdom of God.
Exodus 36
TALENTED PEOPLE
After all the instructions and waiting, the children of Israel finally began to make the Tabernacle. Bezalel and Oholiab were in charge and had unusual levels of skill in all sorts of disciplines. But with the quantity of work and the huge variety of skills needed to do it all, I am sure there were many talented people that all had a hand in their different areas of expertise.
These are some of the trades I think would have been required in preparing the tabernacle: graphic artists, project managers, engravers, jewelers, embroiders, weavers, spinners, accountants, artists, auditors, tent makers, farmers, forgers, wire makers, tanners, builders, carpenters, engineers, quality control managers, fitters, people working with precious metals, platers, cabinet makers, tailors, bakers, artists, designers, fashion designers, perfumers, chemists, pattern makers and more. If any one of those people or skills had been missing, the tabernacle would have been incomplete, or at least imperfect.
It is the same with us. One person doesn’t build a church or become the complete body of Christ. It takes all of us. Even those of us who have unusual skills. The skills God has given us should be used to his glory. So let us do our part in building up our community of believers. You have a skill that is too good to waste.
Genesis 22
GIVE AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU
Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6 v 38).
This is exactly what happened to Abraham when he offered Isaac on the altar at God’s request. Isaac was his promised son, the son for whom he had been waiting for a hundred years. He was Abraham’s only son – especially now that Ishmael had been sent away. But when God asked Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice, Abraham obeyed, tied up his son, the son he loved, and was about to kill him, obeying God to the letter, when he was stopped.
Abraham gave his one and only son at the request of God. Because of Abraham’s great faith and obedience in giving the son he loved back to God, God’s good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over was promised back to Abraham. “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.” (Genesis 22 v 17).
When we give, God’s blessing and repayment to us will be much more than we could ever imagine.
Genesis 21
WHAT TROUBLES YOU?
Sometimes we have some pretty big things that concern us. When we face crises of health, in relationships, at work, in our finances or in any other area of life, we can feel like there is noting we can do to change the situation we have found ourselves in. We might have tried everything and can’t see any other ways to go.
Hagar was in that position as she and Ishmael wandered in the wilderness and ran out of water. Hagar put Ishmael down under a bush and walked away so that she didn’t have to watch him die.
It was then that God sent an angel to her. He came with a fascinating question: “What troubles you, Hagar?” (Genesis 21 v 17 ESV). He then gave Hagar a promise, and then a solution. Their lives were saved!
What troubles us? Whatever it is, it is nothing that God cannot control or fix. It is possible that God won’t do anything at all, but whether he does nor not, we can always be sure that everything is still working our for our good. (Romans 8 v 28).
Let’s tell God what troubles us, give him thanks, and trust him to deal with it.
Genesis 43
FAITHFUL STEWARD
In Matthew 24 verses 45 to 51, Jesus told a parable about faithful and wise servants doing what they should be doing. The lesson from that parable is that we should be faithful and wise servants for him.
A good example of this sort of faithfulness is found in Joseph’s steward.
- He stood at the door to welcome his master, his guests, and to prevent unwelcome visitors coming in. (Genesis 43 v 19).
- When Joseph’s brothers came to him with problems, he was the one that put their minds at rest, pointing the brothers to put their trust in the God of their fathers. (v 23).
- The steward was the one who reunited the family with Simeon. (v 23). As stewards over God’s household, we should also be people who reunite family who have been bound in the prison of guilt and sin.
- Joseph’s steward welcomed the brothers, “gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.” (v 24). He met their needs and provided comfort for them all.
Let’s be the stewards of God’s house we were meant to be, showing love, care and compassion, and pointing each other toward God.
Genesis 36
GOOD COMPANY
There is a marked difference between the descendants of Esau and the descendants of Jacob. Both boys, Esau and Jacob grew up in the household of Isaac and Rebekah. They both would have known about the God of Abraham. And while they both had different natures, perhaps one of the marked differences between them came from who they married.
Esau married foreign women who worshipped other gods. As we read through the record of Esau’s descendants, we see that the trend continued as Esau’s children also chose their wives and friends from among people who had no fear of God. They had no problem mixing with the people around them.
Jacob married within the family – wives who also had an understanding of the God Jacob worshipped. Jacob’s family on the whole, kept their relationships within the family, and as a consequence, kept their faith in the LORD, while Esau’s did not.
This comparison shows us how important it is to choose the people we live with wisely. The attributes and values of the people we spend time with will rub off on us, and depending on who is influencing us, will either turn us toward God or away from him. Let us put our faith first and choose to associate with people who will influence us for good.
Genesis 27
KNOW YOUR CHILDREN
Isaac must have had quite an intimate relationship with his sons, Esau and Jacob. We see this when Jacob went in to deceive Isaac and steal the blessings that were about to be given to Esau.
Their time together is shown in that Esau knew the sort of food his father enjoyed and it seems they had shared it together on a number of occasions previously.
Jacob knew his sons by the feel of their hands. Yes, there would have been an obvious difference because Jacob was a smooth man while Esau was hairy, but even so it seems that Isaac was familiar with the feel of their hands.
He was also familiar with their individual smells. You have to get pretty up-close and personal for that! When Jacob put on Esau’s clothes, he prepared himself to go into Isaac’s tent smelling like Esau.
Jacob also had insight into the personalities of his sons, which is reflected in the blessings he thought he was giving to each of them.
The lesson here is for fathers. Isaac knew his sons well. He knew them intimately by touch, smell, sound, personally and by the taste of their cooking. He would also have known them by sight, but for the fact that he was blind.
We too should make sure we know our children with the same intimacy as Isaac did. You don’t have to go around sniffing them, but just be close enough to them and spend enough time with them get to know them really well.
May the love we show to our families reflect the love that God shows to us.
Genesis 24
THE IDEAL SERVANT
Abraham’s servant was a pretty amazing sort of guy. It is worth us noting his character and doing our best to be like him in our lives as a servant of Christ.
- The servant is not named. His job was to serve and honour Abraham, not make a name for himself.
- He was the servant in charge of all Abraham had. To reach a position like this takes dedication, hard work, patience and diligence.
- He followed instructions. If Abraham said it, he did it and gave it all he had.
- He was a man of prayer and faith, trusting in the guidance of God and believing that God would answer his prayer.
- He did what he needed to do without procrastinating. He would not eat before he passed on his message. And when the answer came, he was ready to action it straight away.
If only we could be that sort of person for our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s be the servant who honours Jesus more than we care about ourselves; the diligent servant who obeys in everything; the servant that is full of prayer and faith; and the servant who gets on with what we should be doing when we should be doing it.
Genesis 9
RAINBOWS
When God makes a promise, we can be sure he will never break it. The promises of people may come and go, and often get broken, but it is a different story with God. God always keeps his promises and we can depend on what he says. The best reminder to show us that God will never break his promises is the rainbow.
It was after the flood of Noah that God put a rainbow in the sky. He said, “Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.” (Genesis 9 v 14 – 15).
The rainbow is a reminder to God that he will never destroy the earth with a flood again. The rainbow is also a reminder for us that we need not fear a world-wide flood again. But more than that, the rainbow reminds us that God keeps his promises. This particular promise has been kept for 5000 years, even though our wickedness must be as bad – or even worse – than it was in the days of Noah.
God keeps his promises. So when we come to other promises given to us in the Bible, let’s remember the rainbow and never doubt what God has said. Look at a rainbow and increase your faith.
Job 33
FEAR OF MISTREATMENT
Job had been though a terrible time. Not only had his whole life collapsed around him, but the people he thought were friends did nothing but abuse him, interrogate him and try to get a confession out of him. As a credit to Elihu, he tried to put Job at ease before he began verbally running him down. The words of Elihu should also be a comfort to us when we find ourselves under attack from other people. Sometimes words can do more harm than weapons, and so we need an antidote to protect us from the harmful effects they can have. Elihu’s words will not always be completely healing, but they do help. He says, “I am the same as you in God’s sight; I too am a piece of clay. No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy on you.” (Job 33 v 6 – 7).
If we could just remember what Elihu said when someone attacks us with their words, we would be able to bear it more easily. Our attacker is just like us. They also have been made by God. They are equal to us. Status, strength and verbosity are only illusions, for we are all made of dust and will return to dust. We need not fear them.
The one we should fear is God. The psalmist sums it up well when he says, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalm 118 v 6). Let us have the same confidence.
May the strength of the Lord be our strength this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
Job 32
PRIDE OR HUMILITY?
At the end of the story of Job, Elihu is the only person Job is not told to pray for. He is also the only person whose speech wasn’t replied to. Elihu was the youngest of the people that argued with Job, but he was also the most self-righteous, self-confident, self-centred and full of pride. In the first 48 verses of his speech, he uses the words I, Me, or My more than 43 times (and that doesn’t include the times he quotes Job’s words when Job speaks about himself). He also contrasts his I, My, and Me statements with You, setting himself up to be a cut above Job and his friends as he speaks. His speech exalts himself and puts others down.
Lifting ourselves up at the expense of others is a natural tendency, not only for youth like Elihu, but for all of us. But God is not pleased with pride. In the end, people with pride will be brought low. God has said that he will exalt those who are humble. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5 v 6).
Let’s take note of our conversations today. How many times do we use the words I, Me and My? Are we lifting ourselves up or are we waiting for God to lift us up?
Job 28
UNDERVALUED WISDOM
God’s awesome creation is all around us. From the universe above us, to the sky, the animals, plants, birds, fish, water, lakes and seas, to the hidden jewels and crystals under the earth. God’s creation contains so many precious things that people will pay huge amounts of money to have them for their own. Yet Job says that wisdom cannot be found in all of creation. Creation shows God’s wisdom, but we cannot pick a wisdom fruit to eat, or fetch a wisdom star from the sky, nor can we dig up a gem of wisdom to hang around our neck, or even catch a magical unicorn-like creature to help us gain wisdom.
Speaking about wisdom, Job said that “No mortal comprehends its worth.” (Job 28 v 13). In other words, wisdom is completely undervalued. All the precious things in creation that people will pay huge money for, are nothing compared to having wisdom. Wisdom is much more precious than any property we could gain – but far fewer people search for it.
Job also tells us how to find it: “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (v 28). Fearing the Lord and shunning evil are the most precious things we could gain in this life. So let’s put less effort into temporary pursuits and more effort into gaining wisdom. Let’s realise wisdom’s worth and pursue it.
Esther 9
COMMUNICATION WITH ATTITUDE
Mordecai wrote letters to all the Jews. His primary aim was to confirm the days of celebration that were to be kept in order that the Jews would never forget the days of deliverance God had given them from Haman’s evil plot. His letters could have been written briefly and to the point, but Mordecai chose to put attitude into his words along with his message.
“And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’s kingdom – words of goodwill and assurance – to establish these days of Purim at their designated times.” (Esther 9 v 30 – 31).
The attitude Mordecai added to his letters was that of goodwill and assurance. What a positive and uplifting letter that must have been. So much for the formal state letter that leaves you feeling washed-out and confused!
Since the days of Mordecai, postal and communication systems have improved hugely. Any of us can communicate with almost anyone at any time. Let’s make sure our communications are filled with attitude – an attitude of goodwill and assurance. It doesn’t matter what we say, it’s how we say it that counts.
Job 10
IT PLEASED THE LORD TO BRUISE HIM
Job felt the need to ask some questions of God. After all, Job knew he had lived a blameless life and was now being subjected to his worst nightmares, and he didn’t know why.
One of the questions Job asked God was this: “Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the plans of the wicked?” (Job 10 v 3).
In hindsight it is possible that we could answer for God. Yes, it did please God to oppress Job. God had allowed Job’s suffering to happen. While there were some things that both Job and his friends learned on the way, Job’s reaction to his affliction, and his faithfulness to God shone through that dark time like a lighthouse on a stormy night. Even under severe trial Job proved himself to be faithful to God, and so God was pleased.
Later on in the Bible, Job is listed as one of the greatest men that ever lived. God was pleased to oppress Job because Job showed God’s glory.
God may be pleased to see us suffer too. It is during and after suffering that his greatest works are done in our lives. But if God is pleased to see us suffer (for a time and for a purpose), let us please him by growing through our trials and giving glory to him.
1 Corinthians 1, 2
ENRICHED TO SPEAK
Some people seem so good at it. They are eloquent, know their Scriptures and have no problem at all in speaking to friends, strangers or other believers. They seem to have just the right words to say at the right time. And then there are the rest of us. We stumble over our words, we find it difficult to think on the spot, and trying to present a logical argument for God feels like it is out of our grasp.
Let’s not let our feelings of inadequacy stop us. God can use our mouths and our words to preach as well as he can use anyone’s. It’s just up to us to open our mouths to be used in that way.
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians (and us), this is what he said, “In every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1 v 5 – 7 ESV). He also asks, “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?” (v 20). Those worldly attributes are not what God is looking for.
God is not after powerful speakers or preachers; he is after the willing hearts of people who are prepared to have God work through them. So let’s open our mouths and preach, no matter what. Who knows what God can do with our stammering lips?
1 Chronicles 29
IT’S YOUR TURN NOW
As David concluded his final speech to Israel dedicating his son Solomon to be king and devoting all the articles of gold, silver and other precious things to the temple, he led them in a prayer of thankfulness, praise and petition. “Then David said to all the assembly, ‘Bless the Lord your God.’ And all the assembly blessed the Lord, the God of their fathers, and bowed their heads and paid homage to the Lord and to the king.” (1 Chronicles 29 v 20 ESV).
I really like the way the Contemporary English Version puts it: “David then said to the people, ‘Now it’s your turn to praise the Lord, the God your ancestors worshiped!’” (v 20 CEV).
We so often listen to prayers of thankfulness, praise or petition at our worship services or Bible classes, and then we say, “Amen” and sit down, but the moment is forgotten. We may have been led in prayer or worship by someone else, but let’s not end it there. Let’s remember the words of David “Now it’s your turn to praise the Lord!”
1 Chronicles 27
ORDINARY CAN BE SPIRITUAL
There are people that preach, there are people that teach, others that do wonderful Bible study, and those that make music, but if we don’t fit into those moulds, how do we serve the LORD?
The lists of people and duties that David organised for Israel before he handed the kingdom over to Solomon make for really encouraging reading. Yes, the reading can be a little tedious when we don’t recognise many of the names, but among the names we see long lists of the ways people served using the talents God had given them.
Sure, there were singers, musicians and army leaders, but even in just this chapter we read of many others who had a great range of occupations: accountants over the treasuries, supervisors, farmers, wine makers and vinedressers, oil producers, olive and fig growers, herdsmen, people that looked after the camels and donkey’s (cars and trucks today), shepherds, counsellors, babysitters, teachers, friends, and the list could go on.
Even ordinary things can be spiritual things when we do them with the right attitude and for the Lord. Whatever we do, let’s do it with all our might as to the Lord.
Mark 9
THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB
Jesus had a very important job to do. It was more important than healing people, preaching to the crowds, or anything else he could have been doing. This is how Mark describes it: “They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples.” (Mark 9 v 30 – 31).
Jesus was about to head up to Jerusalem where he would be arrested and crucified. His job was to make sure his disciples were as ready as they could be for the events that would follow. This job of teaching his disciples was so important to Jesus that everything else was blocked from his diary. He didn’t want anyone to know where he was, so that this precious time could not be interrupted.
Like Jesus, for those of us who are parents, we have a special job to do. Our children are our disciples. We need to teach and prepare them for living a godly life in the last days. Let’s not let it happen by accident, because it won’t. Instead let’s block out time in our diary, turn off our devices so that no one can interrupt, and make sure our children know how to love and live for God, and to be ready for the return of Christ.
Mark 4 – Grow, Glow, Grow, Grow
Four parables in a row give us some of the essence of discipleship. The first one is the parable of the sower. It is about seeds trying to grow in different places in a field. Some seeds were caught in the sun, others eaten by birds or choked by thorns, but some seeds grew well and produced a crop. We need to be like the seed that produced a crop. We need to grow.
The second parable is about a lamp under a basket. A lamp is no good under a basket, it needs to be put on a lamp-stand so that it gives light to everyone. In other words, we need to shine with the light of Christ in our lives. Glow.
The third parable is about a seed growing. It grows and grows until the harvest and we don’t know what makes it grow. In the same way, we need to allow God to give us growth so that we can produce good fruit for him. The message again is to grow.
And the fourth parable is about a mustard seed. The tiniest seed becomes the biggest garden herb. Our belonging, vision and longing for the kingdom of God needs to grow inside us until that vision is fulfilled when Jesus returns.
So here is the lesson from Mark chapter 4: Grow, Glow, Grow, Grow.
May our light shine brightly and our faith grow for God this week.
With love in our Lord
Robert
Mark 2
THE REACH OF THE RECLINER
Jesus made a big effort to reach out to ‘sinners.’ They were the untouchables of his day – tax collectors, prostitutes, people with demons and diseases, people with problems. More often than not, they are the people even we don’t want to associate with – and for good reason. We want to feel safe, we want our children to be safe, and we don’t want the bad influences and issues of ‘sinners’ to rub off on us.
Jesus did a lot of teaching in synagogues, up on mountainsides and on the beaches, but it was not usually in these public settings that the ‘sinners’ were reached.
Levi was one of the ‘sinners.’ He was a tax collector. In order to reach Levi, this is what Jesus did: “And as he [Jesus] reclined at table in his [Levi’s] house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.” (Mark 2 v 15 ESV). Jesus reclined with them. He wasn’t standing for a quick exit, he wasn’t preaching a sermon, instead he was sharing time in a relaxed environment around a meal with them.
It goes against our nature, but isn’t this what we should be doing?
1 Chronicles 22
A PRAYER FOR OUR CHILDREN
David’s prayer for Solomon was a beautiful prayer for the chosen son who was to succeed him as king over Israel. As parents, we often pray for the wellbeing and immediate needs of our children, but David’s prayer for Solomon gives us some new dimensions to add to our prayers.
This is what David says, “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, so that you may succeed in building the house of the Lord your God, as he has spoken concerning you. Only, may the Lord grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the Lord your God.” ( 1 Chronicles 22 v 11 – 12 ESV).
Let’s pray the same things for our children. Though our children are unlikely to become kings, this prayer is suitable for them in any direction the Lord calls them. Our children need discretion and understanding. It will help them succeed in anything they do. And we need to pray, that when they are successful, that they will continue to keep the law of the LORD.
Let’s bless our children with our prayers today.
1 Chronicles 19
PROACTIVE
Multitudes of people came up against the army of Israel. The Ammonites had hired so many recruits that Israel should have been crushed. Joab and Abishai were leading the two parts of Israel’s army, split against forces in front and behind them.
Israel should have been on the back foot, afraid to enter the battle and looking for an escape. That’s what should have been happening. But instead, this is what happened: “So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians for battle, and they fled before him. And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, Joab’s brother, and entered the city.” (1 Chronicles 19 v 14 – 15 ESV).
Instead of waiting, Joab started the battle. Maybe the Syrians were unprepared, maybe they were not used to a pre-emptive attack, but whatever it was, it worked and they ran away. Then the Ammonites did the same.
Maybe in our preaching, in our battle with sin and in our service to God, we need to be more proactive. Maybe, as it happened to Joab, the enemy will fall before us, defences will fail and God will be victorious through us. Let’s be the first to step out in faith today.
May we be led by our faith in God this week.
1 Chronicles 17
WHAT MORE CAN WE DO FOR GOD?
Have you ever asked yourself what more you can do to serve God?
David was comfortable in his house. He had all the luxuries he wanted. It was then he realised that God’s house was only a tent. The creator of the universe, the God of Israel deserved better than that! David’s decision was to build a house for God. It turned out that David was not allowed to build the house. But even though David was not allowed to build it, he planned it, provided for it and prepared for it. Solomon actually built it, but David had all but left him with the kitset.
What more can we offer to God or God’s people? What material possessions or talents do we have to share? Maybe we pray a lot for ourselves, but we could begin to pray more for other people. Even the ability to pick someone up to take them to a Bible class or Sunday School might be just the blessings someone needs.
Let’s be like David and examine ourselves. If God has blessed us in some way, let’s pass those blessings on in response to the great God who has blessed us in the first place.
May our lives show the love of God this week.
With love in our Lord
Robert
1 Chronicles 13
ADVICE AND ACTION
David’s idea to bring the ark of the LORD back to Jerusalem was one that he was determined to get right. So this is what he did: “David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader.” (1 Chronicles 13 v 1 ESV). David made sure this was not just his idea, but an idea that made sense and one that others would buy into.
David also wanted affirmation that what he was about to do was the right thing and that it was the will of the LORD. “And David said to all the assembly of Israel, ‘If it seems good to you and from the Lord our God, let us … bring again the ark of our God to us.’” (v 2, 3). David made totally sure that this idea was a good one. Like any good leader, he took advice and listened to it. In this case “All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.” (v 4).
It turned out that bringing the ark back to Jerusalem turned into a disaster after Uzzah was killed for touching it. We are not told whether David consulted God about this or not. However, his decision to bring the ark back was the right one, it was just done in the wrong way.
Like David, let’s seek advice for the decisions we make, both from those we respect, and especially from God. Then, like David, let’s follow those decisions through to their completion no matter how hard it gets.
May we live lives of obedience to God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Chronicles 12
DIFFERENT BUT UNITED
If you count very carefully, you will see that all fourteen tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron to make him king. (Fourteen includes Levi, Ephraim and the two half tribes of Manasseh, along with the usual tribes of Israel). The act of making David King was probably the most united that the tribes had ever been or ever would be. Both previous to, and after that time, differences split them apart – sometimes for a moment, and at other times causing an irreparable breach.
Differences are going to happen among us whether we like it or not. We all have different personalities, backgrounds and needs, so it is impossible that we are going to see eye to eye in every situation. But one thing we can and must unite on is in setting up Jesus as our king and Lord. On that point we should be completely united with each other, just as Israel was completely united when they made David their king.
Let us unite for Christ.
May God grant us a spirit of unity with our brothers and sisters this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Chronicles 11
STRONG SUPPORTERS
As we browse through the list of David’s mighty men, the thing that stands out for us is their faith, bravery and amazing strength. No wonder they were David’s mighty men!
But despite the fact that they broke through enemy lines, killed giants, killed lions, and stood single handedly against whole armies, the one thing they all had in common was something that any of us can do. Here it is: “Now these are the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.” (1 Chronicles 11 v 10 ESV).
The common attribute David’s mighty men had was their strong support of David. Very few of us ever get to be king, let alone the most powerful king in the world. So that leaves us as either supporters or protesters of the people in charge. Like David’s mighty men, let’s make sure that we are strong supporters of the people that lead us. Leaders can’t lead without support. Strong supporters make great leaders.
May our love and support be shown to the people God has put into our lives this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Chronicles 6
SAMUEL THE GRANDFATHER
The last we heard of Samuel was the description he and his family were given by Israel. The elders of Israel said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways.” (1 Samuel 8 v 5 ESV). I have heard it said this way, “You are old and your sons are evil.”
Samuel’s whole life was spent completely devoted to the LORD, but it appears that the same attitude had not been caught by his children. They did not walk in the ways of Samuel. But despite the fact that Samuel’s sons did not catch his love for the LORD, it seems that at least one of his grandchildren did. One of Samuel’s grandchildren was Heman the singer. (1 Chronicles 6 v33). Heman was the composer of Psalm 88 and is mentioned numerous times as one of the esteemed and faithful musicians in God’s service at the time of David.
Samuel may not have had success influencing his own children, but it seems he had an amazing impact on his grandchildren.
Let’s never give up, but teach our children and grandchildren the ways of the LORD.
May God work in the lives of our families this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Chronicles 4
THE INFLUENCE OF YOUNG MIRIAM
We don’t give the daughter of Pharaoh much thought other than the instance of her finding baby Moses floating down the Nile in his basket. But it appears that there might have been a lot more to her story.
This is what we read about her: “These are the sons of Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Mered married; and she conceived and bore Miriam, Shammai, and Ishbah, the father of Eshtemoa.” (1 Chronicles 4 v 17 ESV).
It seems that the daughter of Pharoah married an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. And what I find intriguing is that she named her first child, Miriam, the same name as Moses’ oldest sister. Was it Miriam’s influence or friendship that led her to do that? Was it the influence of Moses’ family that led her to marry an Israelite? Did it end up that she became a faithful follower of the LORD?
By the time the exodus came, I suspect she had either died or was too old to leave, as she would have been somewhere around 100 years old.
Who knows what influence we might have on someone God puts in our life. Let’s make sure we point them to God.
May God use us as a light to draw others to him this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 25
NO SERVICE MEDALS
Over the final years of the kings in Judah, as recorded in the book of Kings, there are some notable people missing from the record.
Isaiah was given a brief mention during the reign of Hezekiah, but Jeremiah, who played a major role with all the last kings, is not mentioned at all. Neither is Ezekiel, Daniel, Obadiah, Habakkuk or Zephaniah, who were all God’s prophets over that period of time. Who knows, it is very likely that there were other prophets and God fearing people who made their mark on history at that time who were not recorded in the Scriptures at all. But the fact that they did not get their names in print, or receive a king’s service medal, or a star on the walk of fame, did not deter them from doing their job – and doing it well.
It may well be the same for us today. Maybe the tireless work and the sacrifices we make will not get noticed by anyone. But like these great men of faith, let’s not give up. Instead let’s keep actively doing our part in the service of the Lord. He is watching. He knows. And we know that our labour in the Lord will not be in vain.
May we serve faithfully this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 23
ALMOST INVISIBLE
“I’ll put it away later.” And there it sat. All day. And the next. A whole week. A month … and then no one even noticed it any more. It became part of the furniture. It was the ‘Thing’ that was just there. No one questioned it, felt the need to shift it, and there it stayed. I don’t know how many times that has happened in our house!
It seems like idol worship was a lot like that for Israel and Judah. Someone made an altar – and it was probably reasonably secret and discrete. Of course people got upset about it, but after a while, no one noticed that it shouldn’t be there any more. When there was one, it wasn’t so hard to build another, to bring them out more into the open, to build them closer to the temple. The more there were, the less they were noticed and the more normal they became. Altars to foreign gods became a way of life and the people almost forgot that they shouldn’t be there.
Until Josiah purged the land from everything that rivaled the worship of the LORD. He even destroyed the high places that Solomon had built, which were almost historic places by then.
What is it in our homes of churches that rivals our hearts for the LORD? We will probably have to look with fresh eyes because most likely we have stopped noticing it. If Josiah was here, what would he purge from our lives? Do we have the courage to purge and clean like Josiah?
May we be faithful to God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 17
RIGHTEOUS OR SELF RIGHTEOUS?
The demise of the kingdom of Israel makes very sad reading. Their idolatry and wickedness became so bad that God couldn’t stand it any more. “Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only.” (2 Kings 17 v 18 ESV).
I can imagine the people of Judah looking over the fence at their neighbours, sad and afraid, telling each other that all these bad things happened because they turned away from the LORD. There could have been quite a bit of righteous satisfaction. After all, Judah still had the temple, the offerings to the LORD, the priests and Levites. And Hezekiah had made many religious reforms.
But despite the fact that Hezekiah was the most godly king since David, the record says this about Judah: “Judah also did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the customs that Israel had introduced.” (v 19)
Let’s not start to feel self justified by looking at the ungodliness of the people around us. Instead we should measure ourselves by God’s standard to become the people he wants us to be – no matter what people are doing around us.
May our lives give glory to God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 19
INSTANT REACTION
What do we do when trials suddenly hit us, when bad things happen, or when it looks like the world as we know it will fall apart and swallow us up? Hezekiah had an instant reaction. When the Rabshakeh called out his treats and promises to Hezekiah in the hearing of all the people on the wall in Jerusalem, this is what Hezekiah did. “As soon as Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD.” (2 Kings 19 v 1 ESV).
Then, when the Rabshakeh sent a letter to Hezekiah continuing the blasphemy, Hezekiah did this: “Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD.” (v 14 – 15).
Humbling himself and turning to God were his instant reactions. It takes practice in little things, so that we can be ready for the big ones. Let us be humble and turn to God today.
May our prayers be heard by God this week and may God grant your requests to his glory.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 18
COMPLETE TRUST
The big credit to Hezekiah in his amazing and godly reign was this: “He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses.” (2 Kings 18 v 5 – 6 ESV).
Hezekiah was such a great man, that even among the kings of Israel and Judah, from start to finish, there was none like him. If you have ever aspired to greatness, then Hezekiah is a man to look up to.
It wasn’t anything big that resulted in Hezekiah’s power or riches or that made him pleasing to God. It was something any of us can do – and we can do it as well as Hezekiah did. He trusted in the LORD. It was as simple as that. He trusted in the LORD so much that he obeyed God in everything, whether it seemed right, or logical, or not.
Is obedience a product of our trust in God? Do we trust enough to obey God even when no one else is doing it? Let’s be like Hezekiah and trust God all the way.
May we place out trust in God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 3
A NEW PHASE
I wonder how much Elisha and those who knew him had prayed for his healing or for an extension of life as he suffered from the sickness from which he was about to die.
Elisha was the greatest miracle working prophet Israel had seen. He was a holy man of God, a righteous man, a good man, a man who many would have said didn’t deserve to die. But at the end of his life, God allowed sickness to come. With his sickness would have come pain, discomfort, loss of ability and a mind that was not as clear as it used to be. God allowed that to happen. If anyone could have called on a miracle for healing, it would have been Elisha. But no miracle came.
We are all sinners. We are all mortal. We are all cursed with sickness and death – even Elisha. So when sickness comes, let’s not be surprised at it, but instead consider it a new phase of life with new lessons, new trials, and endless opportunities to turn to God through it.
May we give thanks for the blessings God pours out on us this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 12
INFLUENCE
Jehoash didn’t have a father, and we don’t know how much influence his mother had on him. But this is what we do know: “And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days because Jehoida the priest instructed him.” (2 Kings 12 v 2 ESV).
We don’t have to be a parent to make a big impact on the life of a child. Jehoiada was a pries. We might be grandparents, aunties, uncles, Sunday School teachers, mentors, or just great at conversation. We might be the one person who can make a difference in the life of this young person. Sometime it may seem like we are not making inroads or that the job is too hard. But if Jehoiada had thought that and had given up, it would have been disaster, not only for Jehoash, but for all of Judah.
So let’s do our ultimate best to direct the children and young people in our care toward the LORD. Who knows, we might be the person who helps them into the kingdom of God.
May we be people who lead others to God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
Jude
CALLED IN LOVE
If God had a nick-name for you, what do you think it might be? Couples often have pet names for each other: Darling, Dear, Love, Babe, Honey-Bun, Sugar… and I’m sure you could add a few more. The thing is, we don’t know what name God wants to call us. Later on, all will be revealed when Jesus gives his overcomers “a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2 v 17 ESV). In the meantime, despite not having (or knowing) our new name, we can be sure that we are loved by God.
Jude wrote to believers just like you and me. There is no address or date on his letter, so it could well have been written personally to us. This is how he addresses us: “To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1 ESV). We are beloved to God. We are kept in him because he loves us. We are called by him because he sees potential in us. The new name, showing the really close relationship between us and God, is coming.
In the meantime, we know that we are loved, called and kept. If we can go through life knowing this with all our heart, we will live holy and beautiful lives for him.
May our love grow toward God and each other like His love does toward us.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 10
ALL THE WAY
Jehu had done well in getting rid of the worship of Baal from the land of Israel. Even God was pleased. This was God’s message to Jehu: “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the forth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.” (2 Kings 10 v 30 ESV).
While Jehu obeyed the LORD in removing Ahab and Baal worship from Israel, he didn’t go all the way. “But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jereboam son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin – that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and Dan… But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jerebaom which he made Israel to sin.” (v 29, 31).
If we are going to turn to the LORD in any part of our lives, let’s do it properly and not leave the job half done. Let’s devote ourselves to the LORD with all our hearts.
May our love and devotion be pleasing to God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
John 10
HOW TO BE A GOD
If you are going to be a god, act like one.
Speaking to the Jews, Jesus reminded them that God wrote in their law, “I said, you are gods.” (John 10 v 34). God called the rulers of his people, gods. They had been given power and authority over God’s people to look after them on behalf of God himself. They were the people the rest of us would look to when we needed to see or to hear from God.
Jesus took the quote he used from Psalm 82, which gives us a picture of God presiding over a board meeting with his executive council. “God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgement.” (Psalm 82 v 1). But God’s councilors were not doing their job properly. Listen to what God says as he addresses his councilors:
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82 v 2 – 4). Those were the things they were not doing. They were not acting like the gods they were supposed to be. They were not representing God like they should have been doing. They were acting like selfish, power hungry and evil men.
Because they were not acting as they should, God decreed, “I said, ‘You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.’” (Psalm 82 v 7).
God’s councilors were not living up to their responsibilities, so their high position as ‘gods’ was to be taken away and they were to die as men in the carnage of battle.
We too can be gods. How do we become gods? Don’t do what they did. Instead, listen to the Most High God, judge justly, be impartial, care for others – especially for the weak, and rescue those who are oppressed by wickedness. When we act like gods, we will not die like men. When we act like gods, we will live with God for ever.
May our actions lead others to God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 8
THE POWER OF WORDS
Occasionally we hear those amazing stories about the inspirational words someone has spoken to someone else – words that have changed their lives and propelled them to greatness.
Elisha’s words to Hazael weren’t exactly inspirational, but they changed the course of history. In an unusual encounter, Elisha told Hazael that he was going to become the king of Syria after the current king, Ben-Hadad, died a premature death. So a plan was born in the mind of Hazael. By the time he got back home, Hazael was ready to murder the king and become the king of Syria himself.
Our words can make a massive difference in the lives of those who hear them. We might not be prophets like Elisha was, but our words can still drive someone to despair, or spur them on to greatness. Constant criticism will wear a person down, but if words are continually positive, we can become an inspiration to greatness.
Our spouse, children, parents, employees, students, employers, brothers and sisters, and friends, all need our positive encouragement. So let’s make our words positive and encouraging.
May our words be a blessing to all around us this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
Matthew 25
FILL UP WITH OIL
In the parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, the ones that were wise took extra oil with them, but the one that were foolish did not. It’s the oil that keeps our lamps burning – something that is essential to do in the dark of midnight. So what is it that keeps our lamps burning as the world grows darker around us?
Many have said that the oil represents the word of God and that we need to get it into our lives. Others say that oil represents joy, and without a tank full of joy, we won’t be all that pleasing to God. Others have suggested that the oil represents the Spirit of God. Comparing it to the parable of the Sheep and Goats, we could say that it represents our love and care for others. But whatever it is, the oil is the fuel that keeps our spiritual light shining brightly.
What is it for you? Whatever the oil represents might be different for all of us, or maybe we need a little bit of everything.
Whatever the oil is for you personally, let’s make sure we fill up on it while there is time. It won’t be long before the Bridegroom arrives. Do we have the oil to stay burning for him until he comes?
May our lives shine with the glory of God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 5
THANK YOU One of the greatest qualities of Namaan that we can all learn from is the fact that he returned to Elisha after his healing to say thank you.
If your prayers are anything like mine, they tend to be dominated by requests … please help … please give me … please lead … please grow … please be with … and on it goes. But even when I am feeling thankful, my thankfulness still does not outweigh my requests.
Namaan, a Gentile, an enemy of Israel, and a man who at first probably didn’t even believe in Israel’s God, came back to say thank you. How much more should we, who know God, who have been saved through the blood of his Son,who have had multiple prayers answered and seen multiple blessings in our lives, how much more should we turn back and give thanks to God? After all, without God in our lives, like Namaan with leprosy, we are as good as dead.
So instead of continuous prayers of “please,” let’s dedicate ourselves to some thankfulness.
May our lives overflow with thankfulness this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Kings 4
PITA BREAD AND CORNFLAKES
“How can I set this before a hundred men?” Elisha was asked. (2 Kings 4 v 43 ESV). The contribution was not exactly a feast. Twenty loaves of bread and some fresh ears of grain weren’t going to feed many people. Let’s put this in the context of what you might by at the supermarket: Four packets of Pita Bread, and a couple of boxes of Cornflakes. Not a lot really.
Whatever our willing contribution, God can take it and expand it to fit the need. In this case, there were one hundred hungry men and, after the miracle, they all had enough to eat. They even had some left over.
Let’s never think our contribution is too small. Perhaps we give in the food we contribute, the money we donate, the time we give, the words we say, the prayers we offer, the produce we grow, the conversations we have or the skills we share. Whatever it is that we offer will not go unnoticed by God. And we need to remember that if this food had never been offered, one hundred men would still be hungry. God can do miracles, but we need to make our offerings first.
James 1
TRUE RELIGION
There are three aspects to true religion. This is how James describes it: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1 v 26 – 27 ESV).
Here are the three aspects:
- Keep control of your tongue. Whether that is in self talk, what we say to others, or what we say to God, the things that we say and the ways we boast can deceive us into believing that we can’t have or don’t need God’s grace.
- Visit orphans and widows. This could easily be extended to anyone else who is sick or in need. Show genuine love and compassion to those who cannot pay us back.
- Keep yourself unstained from the world. It’s all too easy to slip in to the world’s groove, to take on the world’s philosophies. They affect our thinking and ability to serve God as we should.
So let us keep control of our tongues, look after each other and stay pure for God.
Hebrews 13
A PRAYER FOR EQUIPPING
Often I get stuck in a rut of praying for people and the needs they have that are pressing right here and now. My rut also includes prayers for the general turning to God of those people. The prayer prayed for the Hebrews says so much more than our general prayers, so it would be worth us using this example as we pray for each other. Listen:
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13 – 20 – 12 ESV).
I love the way the writer asks God to provide us with the best tools to please him and to do his will. Really, what more could we ask for? This request takes us from the here and how into eternity. It helps us to live right now for the things that will last for ever. And the one we are asking this blessing from is the God of peace, the God with the power to raise the dead, the God who, through Jesus, made a covenant of love with us. He has all he needs – the resources, the power and the love to answer this prayer in ways beyond anything we could ever imagine.
May our lives overflow with prayer this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Kings 20
LESSONS IN VICTORY
Ahab could have thought he was “The Man” as Israel were given two huge victories over the Syrians. Camped before the multitude of the Syrian Army, Israel’s camps were like “two little flocks of goats,” yet they struck down “10,000 foot soldiers in one day.” (1 Kings 20 v 27, 29 ESV).
The rejoicing in Israel would have been huge both times. Ahab would have been seen as a hero, yet it was obvious that Israel should not have won their battles. The victories they were given were from the LORD. They were not victories given to Israel because they deserved them, they were victories given to teach valuable lessons.
The first victory was to teach Ahab where he should put his faith. A prophet told him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will give it into your hand this day, and you shall know that I am the LORD.” (v 13). The second victory was to teach the Syrians that God is supreme everywhere – not just in the mountains or the plains. (v 28).
What about the victories in our lives? What are they teaching us? Let’s make sure we see God in them and give glory to him.
May our eyes be open to the work of God in our lives.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
Hebrews 1
FATHERHOOD
“I’m proud of you, Son.” These are probably the words that every son is longing to hear from his father.
Often when we think of the example God gives for fatherhood, we think of his love, giving good gifts at appropriate times, his mercy, grace, justice and discipline, all measured out perfectly, while at the same time continuing to set the perfect example to all his children.
Hebrews shows us how proud the Father is of his Son, Jesus: “You are my Son, today I have begotten you.” (Hebrews 1 v 5 ESV). “I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son.” (v 5). “Let all God’s angels worship him.” (v 6). This is God showing his Son off to all his friends.
And there are promises of an amazing inheritance (v 8); it tells how the Father gives the Son gladness beyond everyone else (v 9); and how the Father will love the Son for ever. (v 11 – 12).
We also read of the Father paving the way for the success of his Son: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (v 13).
So as fathers, let’s be like God and be proud of our children, telling both them and other people how proud we are of them. Let’s show them their potential and the blessed future they have ahead of them, and do all we can to grow our boys into great men of God.
Let’s give thanks for our Father in heaven and for our natural fathers.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
(By the way, I am proud of all my children!)
1 Kings 15
NOT HOW YOU DIE, BUT HOW YOU LIVE
If you did a careful search into Jewish ancestry today, I am sure you would find many people who are descendants of king David. They might not realise it right now, but David’s descendants would have been numerous and had God’s blessing on them.
However, if you did the careful ancestral tracing to find descendants of king Jeroboam, the first king of Israel’s divided tribes, I believe you would struggle to find any. Here is one of the reasons why: Baasha killed Nadab who was king in place of Jeroboam. “And as soon as he was king, he killed all of the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed, until he had destroyed it, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite.” (1 Kings 15 v 29 ESV).
The big difference between the descendants of David and the descendants of Jeroboam was not in the way they died, but in the way they lived. David lived for the LORD with all his heart, but Jeroboam did evil in setting up other gods. The way we live can have a direct impact on our children and their descendants. Let’s live for God and be blessed by him.
May the decisions we make today be ones that anticipate a blessed future.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Kings 12
UNDER THE WRAPPING PAPER
Watch out for the wrapping paper. Wrapping paper can be very deceiving. A present wrapped in fancy and expensive paper looks like an expensive gift – but is it? If we saw a gift wrapped in pretty pink paper, printed with booties and dummies, we would expect it to be for a baby girl – but is that what is really inside?
When Jereboam tore most of the kingdom away from Rehoboam, he realised that worshiping in Jerusalem could turn the people back to Rehoboam. To counter this, Jereboam set up another system of worship. From outside appearances it looked similar. He had wrapped his new system of worship up in wrapping paper from the worship of the LORD. Jereboam gave the people places to go to worship just like they did in Jerusalem, there were priests like there were in the temple to officiate and tell people what to do, the calf idols may have even looked something like the cheribum, and there were festivals and feasts just like the ones they had known. But under the wrapping paper was idol worship. They were no longer worshiping the loving God of Israel they had come to know.
People do the same today. Humanist values come packaged as Christian values. Watch out for the wrapping paper. It may hide a world of deceit.
May we be guided by God’s wisdom this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Timothy 4
PROGRESS
When I was baptised, I wanted to be perfect. One of my role models was Timothy, because, like me, he was also a godly young man who was busy teaching and encouraging others, pointing them toward Jesus.
When I discovered that I still fell into the trap of sin more than a perfect person should, I was quite discouraged. But I had missed one of the instructions that Paul gave Timothy. Paul told Timothy to teach what is right, to be an example, to publicly read the Bible and to use his gifts. Then he added this: “Practice these things and immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” (1 Timothy 4 v 15 ESV).
Here is the point: We are not perfect – we are growing towards perfection. When we allow others to see our progress (as opposed to our perfection), we may well be the encouragement and motivation they need in their lives. Our progress can spur others on to living better lives for Christ themselves.
So let’s aim for perfection and make sure we progress toward that aim.
May we ever be growing toward God this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Kings 11
LIKE KING, LIKE PEOPLE
It was Solomon whose heart got turned away from God by his wives. It was Solomon who went after other gods: Ashteroth, Milcom, Chemosh and Molech. He also built up high places for them.
Solomon was the king of Israel. He was the leader of God’s people. He may have intended that no one more than he and his foreign wives would worship these idols, but this is not what happens when you are a leader and other people follow. The Bible not only describes Solomon following foreign gods in 1 Kings 11 v 4 – 8, but it describes almost exactly the same things about all of Israel. God said, “They have forsaken me and worshipped Ashteroth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Amorites, and have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and rules, as David his [Solomon’s] father did.” (1 Kings 11 v 33 ESV).
The decay in the pure worship of God followed through from the king to the people. Let’s make sure that our leadership leads people to God and not away from him.
May God give us the wisdom we need to follow him today.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
Colossians 2
BEST MEDICINE
It makes life seem better, gives you enthusiasm, it helps us overcome, puts us in a positive frame of mind, and makes pain, suffering and trials reduce in their intensity. It is also the first step to physical, emotional and spiritual healing. What is it? Who can I see to get it? What does it cost?
I got mine from the Word of God and it cost me nothing. Coming from a place of overwork, tiredness, depression and pain, I can tell you that it really works. It has been one of the changes I have made that has turned my life around.
Thankfulness. It all seems too simple really. But finding things to be thankful about in any and every situation makes a massive difference to life. Paul said this to the believers in Colossae: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him … abounding in thankfulness.” (Colossians 2 v 6 – 7 ESV).
Let’s not just aim to be thankful, but to abound in thankfulness. Let’s let thankfulness overflow from us. May we reap God’s blessings when we abound in thankfulness.
May joy and thankfulness be the mark of our characters this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
1 Kings 3
ABOVE ALL
“Solomon loved the LORD.” (1 Kings 3 v 3 ESV).
Sometimes we forget that Solomon loved the LORD when we read the end of his story and find him turned away because of the influence of his many wives. But loving the LORD and giving him the absolute first place in our lives is probably one of the most difficult things in life. Yes, we love the LORD like Solomon did, but like Solomon, we also have other loves in our lives as well. Those other loves doesn’t diminish from our love for the LORD, but the other things we love – even good things like our husbands, wives or children, right down to our secret desires, we love to indulge in. Even when we dabble in sin, we would still say we love the LORD.
Eventually other loves can turn us away from the LORD eventually, like they did for Solomon. And God doesn’t want to be shared either. He wants all of our heart. It is for these reasons that we need to make sure that we love God more, that our love for Him continues to grow so that the love we have for other things is eclipsed by the brightness of the love of God in our hearts.
Let’s love him above all else.
May God’s love keep us in awe this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Samuel 23
NEVER GIVE UP
David’s mighty men are listed as a record of those who made great achievements and advances in the art of war. Reading through the list of his mighty men, I came to the conclusion that the difference between a mighty man and an ordinary man is that a mighty man refuses to give up even when the going gets tough.
Take Dodo the son of Ahohi for example. “He was with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle and the men of Israel withdrew. He rose and struck down the Philistines until his hand was weary and his hand clung to his sword. And the LORD brought about a great victory that day, and the men returned after him only to strip the slain.” (2 Samuel 23 v 9 – 10 ESV). Dodo refused to run away when everyone else did. He fought all by himself. He trusted in the LORD. And he was mighty because he used ALL his strength and gave ALL of himself.
That’s how we become mighty men. It might not be through war, but when we persevere in God’s will, even when everyone else falls away, and when we do it with all our strength, God will be with us.
Acts 10
THIRTY SECOND GOSPEL
Could you give a summary of the gospel message in thirty seconds? Some people call it the Elevator Gospel – just enough time to share the gospel between the doors closing and opening again for you and the person you are with to get out. I have found having a way to present the gospel in a brief but concise way to be very useful.
Peter’s message to Cornelius is one we could model our thirty second gospel from. Here is my summary in a few bullet points from Acts 10 verses 34 – 43:
- God is interested in you, no matter who you are – especially when you are seeking him. (v 34 – 35).
- Jesus Christ is Lord of all and he can make your life even better by giving you real and lasting peace. (v 36).
- Jesus was a great and sinless man doing powerful things for God, but he was put to death on a cross. (v 37 – 39).
- God raised Jesus from the dead. Real live people saw him. They ate and drank with him. (v 40 – 42).
- Jesus is the one who is going to judge the living and the dead. You need to know that. (v 42).
- Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins in his name. (v 43).
- So be baptized and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord to receive the blessing of God.
Luke 11
PRAYER REFRESHER
Sometimes prayer becomes quite routine and we need something to shake us up and rejuvenate our prayer life. Here it is. Jesus taught us how to pray, and it’s amazing how quickly we (speaking for myself) forget.
“Father, hallowed be your name.” (Luke 11 v 2 ESV). He is a Father to us – not just some distant god. Talking to God should be like talking to your Dad. But in our prayers to Him, we must still remember to give Him the reverence and praise He deserves.
“Your kingdom come.” Keep the big picture in mind. The more we pray it, the more we will look forward to it, and the more ready we will be for the return of Jesus.
“Give us each day our daily bread.” (v 3). We all have needs, and we need to ask God about them. He cares and He will meet our needs. (Remember that needs are different to wants).
“And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.” (v 4). To be righteous means to be forgiven. God wants us to be righteous, so let’s ask for forgiveness, while making sure we give the same to each other.
“And lead us not into temptation.” (v 4). It is so easy to fall into sin. We need all the help we can get to keep away from it. Ask and it will be given to you. It’s important.
So let’s refresh our attitude of prayer and prioritize praying for the things that are really important.
2 Samuel 21
SEASONS OF LIFE
As we get older, we might still feel like we are in our teens, twenties or thirties, but in actual fact, we are getting older. At certain times of our life we discover that there are things we find more difficult or that are not as easy as they were before. It seems David was hitting that sort of age. “There was war again` between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. And Ishbi-benob … thought to kill David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s me said to him. ‘You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.'” (2 Samuel 21 v 15 – 17 ESV).
Our lives have different seasons. In our youth we can be more physical. As we grow older, hopefully we grow more wise. Even David seemed to realise this and retired from active service.
When life changes for us, let’s not resist it but embrace the change and begin to grow again in the new direction that God has for us.
2 Samuel 18
A HEAD FULL OF PRIDE
Sometimes it is the things that we are most proud of that prevent us from going any further. That was certainly the case for Absolom.
Once a year Absolom would have a haircut. But where most people would throw the offcuts of hair outside for the birds to make nests with, or use them to light a fire, Absolom would weigh his hair, and it seems he would record how heavy it was.
Absolom had a fine crop of hair. He was proud of it. But it was Absolom’s hair that let him down in the end (if you could call it letting him down). Fighting to take over the kingship of Israel, Absolom’s hair got caught in the thick branches of a great oak, and as his mule moved away from underneath him, he was stuck hanging by his hair from the tree, unable to do anything about his situation. His hair, the source of his pride, was his downfall.
There is nothing wrong with having great hair, and if you’ve got it, be thankful for it! But let’s not let even good things become a source of pride for us. Instead let’s be humble and thankful, honouring God for any blessings that we might have been given.
May we humble ourselves before God and let Him lift us up.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Samuel 17
PLAY YOUR PART
You don’t have to believe that your Christian service begins and ends with filling a seat on a Sunday morning. Not everyone has the same talents, but all of us have a talent we can use.
As David fled from Absolom, the fact that all David’s supporters were able to help in some way shows us that we can have a role to play – an important role – in our service to Christ. From the time that Absolom made his intentions known to overthrow David, each person played their part.
- A messenger told David the news. (2 Samuel 15 v 13).
- David’s servants gave David support. (v 14 – 18).
- Some gave special pledges of support. (v 19 – 21).
- People wept for him. (v 23).
- Priests were prepared to minister to David. (v 24).
- Some were spies. (v 27 – 28).
- Hushai was a diversion. (v 33 – 37).
- Ziba brought donkeys and food. (16 v 1 – 4).
- The army protected David. (v 5 – 14).
- Jonathan and Ahimaz were messengers. (17 v 17).
- A female servant delivered the message. (v 17).
- A woman hid the messengers. (v 18 – 20).
- Shobi and Barzillai provided food and all sorts of utensils. (v 27 – 29).
- And there are no doubt others I missed in this short survey.
The message for is to find a task and do it with all the strength God gives you. Encourage, teach, smile, share a Bible verse, share a meal, have someone to stay, donate, serve, wash dishes, make music, clean, and the list could go on. Let’s play our part for Jesus.
May we have an attitude that strives to fulfill the plans that God has for us each day.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Samuel 16
LEAVE HIM ALONE
It is hard to tolerate a person when they falsely accuse, curse or slander you – especially when they are intent on yelling and screaming and throwing stones.
As David fled from Absolom, Shimei came out and cursed him, throwing stones and dust at David. David’s men wanted to cut off Shimei’s head for his curses, but David would not let his men do Shimei any damage. He said, “Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will look on all the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.” (2 Samuel 16 v 11 – 12 ESV).
David knew a deeper principle, one that was summed up in a proverb that Solomon would write a few years later: “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.” (Proverbs 26 v 2 ESV).
If Shimei’s curses were from the LORD, then David figured he deserved them. If the curses were undeserved, then they would be baseless and would not come to rest, leaving God to repay David for the hardship he faced.
Let’s develop the perspective of David and leave the sorting out of other people to God.
Let us trust in the Lord with all our hearts this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
2 Samuel 13
BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
Things had turned bad among David’s family. Amnon had raped his sister Tamar, and Absolom had killed Amonon. Now Absolom had fled from the rest of his family and was living in exile. Reading between the lines, we could easily believe that Absolom was David’s favorite son. So the whole time Absolom was in self imposed exile, we read this about David: “And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absolom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.” (1 Samuel 13 v 39 ESV).
Like David, many families even today suffer when one person makes a bad decision causing the family to fracture and splinter. Relationships are broken and family members refuse to see or speak with each other. Sometimes these broken relationships and hearts can go on for years.
If we feel like a relationship is broken, then maybe it’s time to fix it. The opportunity will not always be there, and the longer we leave it, the harder it will get. When our hearts long to go out to our spouse, children, parents or siblings, let’s not do nothing, but do all we can to restore the relationship.
2 Samuel 10
MISTAKEN MOTIVATION
Even with the very best of intentions, there will always be someone who takes our actions and words the wrong way. They will look past the message that we are trying to get across, and focus on the word we got wrong; or they will observe our actions and impute motives to us that are not true at all.
That was exactly what happened to David and his delegation of men sent to console the king of the Ammonites when the king’s father had died. Hunan met the delegation bringing David’s sympathy, but his princes convinced him that “David had sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it.” (2 Samuel 10 v 3 ESV). As a result, David’s men were humiliated and war broke out between Ammon and Israel.
There are two lessons I see from this today.
Firstly, there will always be someone who will take our words or actions the wrong way – even if we are acting completely honestly. We need to expect that.
And secondly, we need to make sure that it is not us who look for the worst in other people. Let’s think the best of them no matter what their actions may look like.
March 2
Leviticus 7 , 14
PRIEST’S SHARE
The priests in Israel did an important work. They were the ones who were to teach the people of God, who instructed them in the law. They were the doctors, and they were the one ones who were the example of lives devoted to God that the rest of Israel were to follow. Part of their job was to offer the sacrifices and offerings that the children of Israel offered.
Being involved in the work of God in this way meant that the priests were not going to have the time that the common people would have to provide for their needs, to raise their livestock or to grow their crops. For this reason God provided for them in the law. While the offerings and sacrifices were offered by the people to God, a good proportion of them became the property of the priest. One example is that of the fellowship offering. God said, “From the fellowship offering of the Israelites, I have taken the breast that is waved and the thigh that is presented and have given them to Aaron the priest and his sons as their regular share from the Israelites.” (Leviticus 7 v 34)
Within our churches and missions fields there are many people who contribute vast quantities of time and resources in the service of the Lord. Let us value their work and in some way give them the same sort of support God provided for those who did his work under the law of Moses.
February 15
Psalm 79
SOMETIMES BAD THINGS HAPPEN
God’s people are not exempt from bad things happening to them. In Psalm 79 and 80 we read of Israel and Jerusalem brought to their knees by foreign invaders. The children of Israel, the people of Jerusalem and Judah were all God’s special chosen people. They took a special place in the heart of God. He gave them a land flowing with milk and honey but they sinned against God and failed to uphold their side of the covenant. They had promised to obey God, to have him as their only God, but instead had rejected him and worshiped and served idols instead of the living God. So God did what he said he would do if his people were unfaithful and he brought other armies against them to bring them to their knees and to turn them back to the living God. Israel and Judah suffered greatly under the attacks of these other nations and eventually they were taken from that land altogether.
Even though Israel and Judah were God’s special people, they still suffered and bad things happened to them. Even though we are Christians bad things may happen to us too. When they do, let us humble ourselves and accept God’s way knowing that in the end we will be with those who will praise him for ever.
ThinkyThings 