From: July 22, 2024
“But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!” (2 Chronicles 6:18 ESV).
In Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the Temple, he wondered whether the God who filled the heavens could “dwell with man on the earth?” Solomon’s question was really rhetorical for he recognized that the Lord of creation was too great and transcendent to dwell within His creation, much less the Jerusalem Temple. Therefore his prayer was that God would keep His eye on the Temple where He had agreed to put His name and that He would keep His ears open to the prayers offered there. The Lord heard Solomon’s prayer and chose the Temple for Himself as a house of sacrifice.
Yet Solomon’s question, although rhetorical, was later answered in the affirmative. For God did choose to dwell with man on the earth by sending His Son Jesus, the Living Word of God to us. As the apostle John wrote, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
The Greek word for “dwelt” in John’s gospel is “skēnoō,” which translated literally is “tabernacled.” In other words, Jesus is our Tabernacle, the Temple which God has indeed chosen to dwell with man. Therefore let us come to Jesus. For salvation is found in no other name.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for giving us Jesus to dwell with us and to take upon Himself our sin that we might receive His righteousness. For He is both our Tabernacle and our Great High Priest. We worship and give Him glory for Jesus is our all in all. In His name we pray, amen.
From: July 22, 2023
“For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.” (Romans 8:7-8 NLT).
The apostle Paul wrote that only those who live according to the Holy Spirit are able to please God. Without the Spirit, we are left to ourselves and to the control of the sin nature, which the Bible calls the “flesh.” The flesh is always hostile to God. It wants its own way. When the flesh tries to follow God’s law it always fails. For the flesh is a slave to sin.
Yet God sent Jesus to rescue us from this life of sin and death. For those who have trusted Christ as Lord and Savior have been set free from sin and death. More than that, they have been given the Holy Spirit, so that they are able to live their lives in a way that pleases God. For who has always pleased God? Jesus. As the Father has said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). And those who have the Son living in them by the Spirit are able to live a life of faith that pleases God.
So who can please God? Only those who have placed their faith in Christ and received His Spirit. For “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).
PRAYER: Father, we desire to please You this day with our thoughts, words and deeds. But we know the only way to please You is to walk in the Spirit. For it is by depending on the Spirit of Christ within us that You enable us to please You. Therefore, fill us afresh this day with Your Spirit and bring to our attention any place where He is not in control that we might surrender it. We want You to be pleased with us Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 22, 2022
NO CONDEMNATION IN JESUS
The phrase “those who belong to” in the translation of this verse is actually much more simply stated in the original Greek. It is literally: “Now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” But what does it mean to be “in” Christ? Certainly, it must mean to “belong” to Him. Yet, perhaps the word “in” might shed even more light by considering the story of Noah’s ark.
For when judgment fell on the earth during the great flood, only those “in” the ark were saved. The rain of God’s wrath fell on the ark, but Noah and his family were kept safe inside. Isn’t this a foreshadowing of Christ? For Christ Jesus is our Ark. There is no condemnation for those who are “in” Christ Jesus. He took our sin, our separation and our death upon Himself, so that we might receive His righteousness, Sonship, and eternal life. Jesus took all our condemnation (Rom. 8:3-4). There is no wrath left for those who are “in” Christ. God’s judgment was satisfied, His wrath appeased at Calvary’s cross.
As the hymn, “In Christ Alone,” says:
“Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.”
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that we are safe in the ark of Christ Jesus. Strengthen us to proclaim the gospel to the world. Stretch forth Your hand to open hearts and minds to hear. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 22, 2016
Those governed by the sin nature (“the flesh”), no matter the ceremonial precepts they affirm or the outward religious acts they perform, cannot please God. They are still guided and motivated by a carnal mind. It is their unrenewed state that makes their offerings unacceptable. God cares more for the heart than the offering. It is faith in Christ that pleases God. Those who are in the flesh must place their faith in Christ, so that they are born again spiritually. Those governed by the Spirit will live by the Spirit. It is this new Spirit-filled life that pleases God.
From: July 22, 2015
“In Christ Jesus.” When judgment fell on the earth during the great flood only those “in” the Ark were saved. The rain of God’s wrath fell on the Ark, but Noah and his family were kept safe inside. Jesus is our Ark. He took our sin, our separation and our death upon Himself, so that we might receive His righteousness, Sonship, and eternal life. Jesus took our condemnation (Rom. 8:3-4). There is none left for those who are “in” Christ. God’s judgment was satisfied, His wrath appeased at Calvary’s cross.
As the hymn, “In Christ Alone” (by Getty and Townsend), says:
“Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live.”