September 8, 2014
This psalm of David was written during the time when he was hiding from Saul. Even though David was being persecuted and circumstances looked bleak, he trusted in “God’s unfailing love.” He compared himself to an olive tree that had sunk its roots into God’s house. Throughout the Middle East the olive tree is known to thrive. No matter the conditions: hot, dry, cold, wet, rocky, or sandy, this gnarly, evergreen tree will live and produce fruit. Even when cut down or burned, new shoots emerge from its roots. Some trees grow from roots that are over 2,000 years old. The olive tree was a symbol of steadfastness and fruitfulness in Israel. Where other trees would die, it thrives. This is what David declared, that with his life rooted in God’s unfailing love, he would thrive in spite of his circumstances. Instead of asking God to change our circumstances, let’s sink our roots into His living water and thrive where we’re planted!
September 7, 2014
David prayed for God’s mercy and forgiveness after being confronted with his sin with Bathsheba. He did not ask for God’s mercy based on himself, but according to God’s “unfailing love” and “great compassion.” David knew what his sin deserved, yet he cried out for God to forgive according to His nature, not his own. He did not bargain with God, promising some great sacrifice. He begged God’s forgiveness, willingly confessing his sin and repentance. David’s prayer is a template for those of us who would confess our sins and seek forgiveness from God. For God has already demonstrated His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).
September 6, 2014
The Lord Jesus, our Mighty Hero, is God of very God, and He has spoken to us through His gospel which was written down. This gospel summons us to bring to Him disciples from every tongue and tribe, even from the ends of the earth. Our God speaks. And we have heard Him. He is not distant nor silent. He reveals Himself through creation and through His Spirit, yet His fullest revelation is through His Son, Jesus. Our God has spoken and still speaks. Do you have spiritual ears to hear?
September 5, 2014
Paul commended the Corinthian church for its excellence in many areas. Yet, they were woefully lacking in one important place, the practice of giving. They were not a giving church. He brought this to their attention so that they might “excel” in it. Paul didn’t just challenge them to become occasional givers or sentimental givers, but excellent and gracious givers. Are you practicing the act of giving, so that you excel in this grace?
September 4, 2014
Many people begin well, but few finish well. Even Solomon, the inspired author of this book, did not finish well. If only he would have followed the wisdom that God had given him. As we grow older, we tend to choose rest over reward and comfort over challenge. We look to the modern invention of retirement, rather than reaching and stretching for the finish line. I want to finish strong like Jesus, not Solomon. Lord, give me the strength and grace to finish well. Are you making plans to finish well?
September 3, 2014
Paul’s warning does not mean separatism. He is not advising that we avoid unbelievers. In the previous chapter, Paul had just written about being entrusted with the “message of reconciliation,” so this requires engaging with lost people. What he is warning against is being partners with them. This should inform our plans for marriage, for church membership and other forms of partnership. Believers should not date or marry unbelievers. Churches should require belief before membership. Even business partnerships should be carefully considered. Successful partnerships have unity of vision and belief. When believers partner with unbelievers, this disunity of belief eventually leads to discord. Save yourself the pain and follow Paul’s advice.
September 2, 2014
The key to understanding Ecclesiates is the repetitive phrase “under the sun.” Unless there is more to life than what we experience “under the sun,” then life is meaningless. Our only hope for meaning is that there is life “beyond the sun.” Written by King Solomon, the book’s Hebrew title is “Qoheleth” (“Teacher” or “Preacher”). The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) translated the title as “Ekklesiastes” (“the one calling out”). The Teacher is calling out to his hearers explaining that everything “under the sun” is “meaningless” (or “vanity” as in the KJV). This is why believers are to set their sights on the realities of heaven where Christ their Treasure and ultimate meaning dwells (Col. 3:1-4).
September 1, 2014
Who has been given this message of reconciliation? Everyone who has been reconciled in Christ. The reconciled no longer evaluate others from a human point of view, based on outward differences of gender, ethnicity, or status. Those reconciled see only people of two spiritual conditions: those who have received the message, and those who have not. The reconciled have the most wonderful good news to tell those who are far from God. They feel called to organize their lives around obeying Christ’s command to bear witness of this message of reconciliation to the ends of the earth.
August 31, 2014
“We know.” This faith we have is based on the historical resurrection of Jesus. We look at this fact, believing it, and this faith becomes like confident knowledge. Believing that God raised Jesus in the past, we also believe that He will raise us with Jesus in the future. Our future hope is anchored in this already-fulfilled past. Ours is not blind faith or empty hope. “We know” that the same God who raised Christ, will raise us too.
August 30, 2014
Our message is not about us, but about our Lord. For we are like clay pots containing a great treasure. Our weakness only serves to emphasize the greatness of Christ within us. When we want people to see us, to applaud our efforts, we forget that our purpose is to cause others to give glory to God, not to us. For people to see the Treasure, we must decrease, so that He might increase. We are to live in such a manner that there is no other explanation for our existence than God’s power within us.