May 26, 2016
In the Spring, when kings go to war, David stayed home. Yet, he sent his army off to engage in a conflict. Perhaps he told himself that he deserved a break. The leader who usually led from the front, didn’t even leave his house. And so, a kind of restless ennui seems to have settled on him. He strolled around on the roof of his palace, while his troops marched to battle. In was in that moment, that the most dangerous foe in David’s career was observed. Was it another giant from Gath preparing to charge? No. Was it an enemy archer taking aim at the king? No. It was a beautiful woman, bathing on the roof of a nearby house. In that moment, that lazy, unfocused moment, David’s heart was breached by a spiritual battle more deadly than any giant’s sword or assassin’s dart. David’s unguarded eyes fell upon beautiful Bathsheba and his casual glance turned into a lustful look. In the next few days, David, the man “after God’s own heart,” went from apathy to adultery and from spiritual malaise to murder. David, the champion, was defeated by sexual temptation. Thinking himself safe within the confines of his palace, he was overcome by man’s ancient foe. Staying home, David surrendered to sin.
May 25, 2016
“Orphans.” The Greek word here is the origin of our English word: “ὀρφανός, orphanos.” It can mean “parentless, fatherless, bereaved” or as in the KJV, “comfortless.” Which in this context seems most fitting. Jesus will not leave us “comfortless,” for he will send a Comforter. He was letting his disciples know that he would no longer be with them bodily, but would be with them in the Spirit. The promise he made to his disciples that he would “come to you” is already being fulfilled. This is not his future return when he will come again bodily. This “coming” is already here. The Spirit of Christ, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter is present and available. We have not been left “as orphans.” He is with us.
May 24, 2016
When David came leaping and dancing as he led the procession that brought the Ark into Jerusalem, his wife, Michal despised him for it. She spoke sarcastically to him as he arrived, saying, “How the king of Israel has honored himself today,” accusing him of acting “shamelessly” as one of the “vulgar” common people. In other words, she didn’t think his behavior was befitting a member of the upper class, much less a king. David’s response to her was revealing of his heart. He explained that he was “celebrating before the Lord,” not for men and certainly not for her. He further stated his intent to become even “more contemptible,” more undignified than this, when it came to worshiping the Lord. David’s worship was for God, not men. He didn’t care what men thought of him, only what God thought of him.
May 23, 2016
How do you “store up” (“hide”) God’s Word in your heart? First believe it and receive it. Then, study and commit it to memory, so that it begins to re-write your thinking. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, He responded with Scripture every time. Memorize and repeat the Word to face today’s challenges.
May 22, 2016
Many leaders in Jerusalem believed in Jesus, but would not speak of it publicly for fear of censure by the Pharisees. It wasn’t popular to confess Jesus among the upper classes. Such faith was for the little people. Although fear of rejection may have been their motive for keeping quiet concerning their faith, it was actually “love of glory” that sealed their lips. They loved the approval of man, more than the approval of God. Whose approval do you seek? Whose glory do you love?
May 21, 2016
A good reminder during a political year.
May 20, 2016
Get advice before you act. Cultivate a personal board of advisors for your life decisions. Choose those whose lives exemplify godly wisdom. Pray together with them, seeking direction from the Lord. Then, be humble enough to follow their counsel.
May 19, 2016
In many places Jesus was rejected, but in the land where John the Baptist had preached, “many believed.” I wonder what made this place different? Was it John’s plowing that prepared the soil of their hearts to receive the gospel seed? What made the people there more spiritually receptive to the gospel? Whether we are plowing, sowing or reaping, I pray that we will ultimately see “many believe.”
May 18, 2016
Jesus came that we might have life. The Greek word here is ζωή (zóé), which speaks of both physical and spiritual life. This life originates with, and is sustained by Jesus, who is Life. “Zoe” life is described both by its quantity (eternal), and its quality (abundant). Receiving Jesus, we receive His life. Many focus on the eternal nature of this life, but miss Christ’s emphasis on its “abundance” for the present. In Christ we are to thrive, living life to the full, bearing fruit, and exploding with vibrance all around!
May 17, 2016
As Jesus and his disciples passed by they encountered a blind man. The disciples entered into a theological debate concerning the reason for his blindness. For them, the man represented a philosophical puzzle. But Jesus was not interested in such metaphysical conundrums while he felt the urgency of this man’s condition. While the disciples argued, Jesus acted. He knew that his remaining time on earth was short. The shadow of the cross loomed before him. Jesus, the Light of the World, opened the eyes of the man born blind. He led him out of darkness and into the light.