Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for January 19

WE SHALL SEE HIM

From: January 19, 2025

“As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness” (Psalm 17:15 ESV).

In this psalm of David, he asked the Lord to deliver him from violent men whose portion was found in the things of this world. After asking the Lord for deliverance from such men, David said, “As for me, I shall behold your face.” In contrast to the wicked, David found his greatest delight in the Lord, not in the temporal things of this world.

David’s desire for God reminds me of what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied… Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:6,8). Surely, David desired such blessing from God. He not only desired to see the Lord, he firmly believed that one day he would see Him.

When? David declared, “When I awake.” Did he mean in the morning after a night of sleep. No, surely this was not a reference to natural sleep, but to death, as the Scripture often names it. For David believed in the resurrection. He had set his desire on a coming day when he would be fully satisfied in the presence of God.

David’s desire to see the Lord reminds me of one of my favorite Bible verses, 1 John 3:2, which says, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

David’s desire and our desire as children of God will one day be satisfied. For when Christ appears, we shall appear with Him in righteousness and be fully satisfied in Him.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as for us, we shall behold Your face in the likeness of your Son. Until that day, may we be fully satisfied in Him. Teach us to be content even now in Your grace, knowing that all things are ours in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DOWN TO EGYPT

From: January 19, 2024

“Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt” (Genesis 39:1 ESV).

Joseph was brought “down to Egypt.” The Lord’s plan to elevate Joseph over his brethren, and one day rescue them from famine, led downward. The dreamer found himself in a nightmare. Down, down, down he went. The once favored son was betrayed by his brethren, stripped of his robes, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and left forsaken in a prison. Yet, Joseph’s character never crumbled, nor did his faith fail. He kept on trusting the Lord. And the Lord lifted him up to save his family. If Genesis 38 revealed the wickedness of humanity, then Genesis 39 foreshadowed God’s eternal plan to rescue it.

The story of Joseph points to Jesus. For the beloved Son of God removed His divine robes, and made “Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and came in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:6-7). He was betrayed by His brethren and was “obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross” (Phil. 2:8). He was taken down even to the tomb, yet on the third day He rose again.

“Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:8-11).

Just as Joseph’s betraying brothers later bowed before him, so all humanity will one day bow before the Lord Jesus. Reading the Scriptures, we should always look for Jesus. Looking with spiritual eyes, we will see Him on every page.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the Good News of our redemption in Christ Jesus. For He descended down that we might be lifted up with Him. Strengthen us to be faithful during down times, knowing that we are already hidden in Christ with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHAT’S YOUR HEART’S SPIRITUAL CONDITION?

From: January 19, 2023

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds” (Matthew 13:18 NLT).

In Jesus’ parable of the sower, He described four heart conditions that determined their receptivity to the gospel. Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to His disciples. He explained that the “seed” is the message of the Kingdom, the “farmer” is the one who preaches, and the four types of “soil” represent four heart conditions. In addition, the “birds” who ate the seed represent the wicked one, the devil.

The four soils or heart conditions in this parable:

1) THE HARD HEART. Represented by the soil on the footpath, is so hardened to spiritual things that it lacks understanding, so that the seed of God’s Word does not penetrate its calloused condition. The birds, representing the evil one, snatch away the seed before it has any affect.

2) THE SHALLOW HEART. Is represented by the stony soil. This heart receives the Word with joy and shows immediate growth, but does not persevere when troubles come. For it lacks deep roots.

3) THE DIVIDED HEART. Represented by the seed that fell among thorns. It sprouted but was choked by thorns representing the cares of this world. This heart is divided in priority. Instead of clinging to the Word, it is worried and concerned about worldly things. It bears little fruit of the Spirit.

4) THE RECEPTIVE HEART. Is represented by the good soil which hears the word of God and receives it, bearing much fruit. The Word of Christ dwells richly in this heart and it bears the fruit of Christ’s character and obedience.

Which heart condition best represents your heart?

PRAYER: Dear Father, our hearts are receptive to Your Word today, but we have not always been so. There have been times when Your Word fell on our hearts when they were resistant or distracted by worldly care. Forgive us. Help us to always be receptive to Your Word. For we never outgrow hearing and applying the gospel to our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘”It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”’ (Genesis 41:16 NLT).

From: January 19, 2022

EXPECT GREAT THINGS; ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS

The Pharoah of Egypt had a troubling dream and his cupbearer remembered that a Hebrew slave named Joseph had rightly interpreted his dream two years earlier. So Pharoah summoned Joseph and asked whether he could interpret dreams. Joseph answered that it was beyond his power, but that God was able. Joseph knew his own limitations, but also knew that God had no limits. He therefore gave glory to God and asked to hear the dream, trusting that God would give an answer.

Can we respond as Joseph did? He neither claimed credit for what he had earlier done for the cupbearer, nor did he decline the opportunity to trust God for the interpretation for Pharoah. We tend to be overconfident in our abilities, forgetting to give God credit. Or we are fearful to move out in faith, because we doubt that God will act.

Can we move in faith today, saying “Yes” to the God-sized opportunities that arise, while giving Him all the glory? As missionary, William Carey once said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

PRAYER: Dear Father, what great things do You want to do in and through us that we have neither expected nor attempted? Lord, help us to simply move to follow You, always expecting You to do great things. We will give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘“I am not able to,” Joseph answered Pharaoh. “It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”’ (Genesis 41:16 HCSB).

From: January 19, 2021

EXPECT GREAT THINGS; ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS

The Pharoah of Egypt had a troubling dream and his cupbearer remembered that a Hebrew slave named Joseph had rightly interpreted his dream two years earlier. So Pharoah summoned Joseph and asked whether he could interpret dreams. Joseph answered that he was “not able to,” but that God was able. Joseph knew his own limitations, but also knew that God had no limits. He therefore gave glory to God and asked to hear the dream, trusting that God would give a “favorable answer.”

Can we respond as Joseph did? He neither claimed credit for what he had earlier done for the cupbearer, nor did he decline the opportunity to trust God for the interpretation for Pharoah. We tend to be overconfident in “our” abilities, forgetting to give God credit. Or we are fearful to move out in faith, because we doubt that God will act.

Can we move in faith today, saying “Yes” to the God-sized opportunities that arise, while giving Him all the glory? As that great missionary, William Carey once said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.”

PRAYER: Dear Father, what great things do You want to do in and through us that we have neither expected nor attempted? Lord, help us to simply move to follow You, always expecting You to do great things. We will give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower” (Matthew 13:18 NKJV).

From: January 19, 2020

FOUR HEART CONDITIONS

In Jesus’ parable of the sower, He described four heart conditions that determined their receptivity to the gospel. Jesus explained the meaning of the parable to His disciples. He explained that the “seed” is the gospel, the “sower” is the one who preaches the gospel, and the four types of “soil” are the four types of hearts. In addition, the “birds” who ate the seed represent the wicked one, the devil.

The four soils or heart conditions were:

1) THE HARD HEART. Represented by the soil on the wayside or path, which is hardened so that the seed does not penetrate and the birds eat it.

2) THE SHALLOW HEART. Represented by the stony soil. The seed sprouts quickly but has no root, so that it does not persevere when troubles come.

3) THE DIVIDED HEART. Represented by the seed that fell among thorns. It sprouted but was choked by thorns representing the cares of this world.

4) THE RECEPTIVE HEART. Represented by the good soil which hears the word of God and receives it, bearing much fruit.

Which heart condition best represents your heart?

PRAYER: Dear Father, our hearts are receptive to Your Word today, but we have not always been so. There have been times when Your Word fell on our hearts when they were resistant or distracted by worldly care. Forgive us. Help us to always be receptive to Your Word. For we never outgrow hearing and applying the gospel to our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”’ (Genesis 41:16 NLT).

From: January 19, 2019

THE DREAMER GIVES GOD THE GLORY

Joseph had thoughtlessly shared his dreams with his older brothers, predicting how they would one day bow down to him. In their jealousy, they sold him into slavery. Yet after years in slavery and prison, Joseph had changed. He was humbled, giving God all the glory for any power lent to him for interpreting dreams. He stood before mighty Pharaoh, a worshiper of false gods and one who had the power of life and death over his subjects, yet Joseph responded by attributing true power and glory to God. For he knew that God was over all, even Pharaoh. And he trusted his future into God’s hands.

PRAYER: Lord, teach us to be humble with the insights and knowledge that You give us. Whatever we have You have given us. May we always give You glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

‘“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”’ (Genesis 41:16 NLT).

From: January 20, 2018

THE DREAMER GIVES GOD THE GLORY

Joseph had thoughtlessly shared his dreams with his older brothers, predicting how they would one day bow down to him. In their jealousy, they sold him into slavery. Yet after years in slavery and prison, Joseph had changed. He was humbled, giving God all the glory for any power lent to him for interpreting dreams. He stood before mighty Pharaoh, a worshiper of false gods and one who had the power of life and death over his subjects, yet Joseph responded by attributing true power and glory to God. For he knew that God was over all, even Pharaoh. And he trusted his future into God’s hands.

“Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt” (Genesis 39:1 NKJV).

From: January 19, 2017

Joseph was “taken down to Egypt.” The Lord’s plan to elevate Joseph over his brethren, and one day rescue them from famine, led downward. The dreamer found himself in a nightmare. Down, down, down he went. The once favored son was betrayed by his brethren, stripped of his robes, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and left forsaken in a prison. Yet, Joseph’s character never crumbled, nor did his faith fail. He kept on trusting the Lord. And the Lord lifted him up to save his family. If Genesis 38 revealed the wickedness of humanity, then chapter 39 foreshadowed God’s eternal plan to rescue it.

The story of Joseph points to Jesus. For the beloved Son of God would one day remove His divine robes, and make “Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and come in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:6-7), He would be betrayed by His brethren and become “obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. Therefore God will highly exalt Him and give Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:8-11).

Just as Joseph’s betraying brothers later bowed before him, so rebellious humanity will one day bow before the Lord Jesus. Reading the Scriptures, we should always look for Jesus. Looking with spiritual eyes, we will see Him on every page.

“How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9 ESV)

From: January 19, 2016

After the ugly sexual sins of the previous chapter, it’s refreshing to see Joseph resisting temptation and maintaining his purity. Yet, surprisingly he is not immediately rewarded, but falsely accused and imprisoned for it. The world doesn’t reward righteousness, but God does. And even though Joseph was fallen from favored son to household slave, and then from slave to prisoner, God had not left him. In the midst of his low estate, God was with Joseph. No matter the circumstance, God gave Joseph favor before those in authority over him. And Joseph was found faithful in every place, so that in the fulness of time, God elevated him to the right hand of Egypt’s royal throne.