Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for March 27

THE ZEAL OF THE LORD

From: March 27, 2024

“For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me” (Psalm 69:9 ESV).

David wrote this psalm describing his “zeal,” his passionate commitment, for God and for God’s house. The Lord affirmed David’s zeal describing him as “a man after his own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22).

But the psalm finds its prophetic fulfillment in Christ. For John wrote in his gospel that the disciples remembered the first part of this psalm when Jesus zealously cleared the temple of the moneychangers on the Monday of Passion Week (see John 2:17).

On Good Friday, Jesus fulfilled the latter part of the psalm as all the world’s “reproach” fell on him. For Jesus offered Himself as an atonement, taking on our sin and our shame, that we might become His righteousness.

The Lord spoke through Isaiah about the zeal of the coming Messiah saying, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (Isa. 9:7). For it was Christ’s zeal, his passionate love and commitment, that moved him to give his life for us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we love You because You have first loved us. Forgive us when our zeal for You wanes. For we desire to have our hearts always set aflame for You. Show us how to fan into flame our zeal for You and for Your house, which is the Church. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHO IS ABLE TO FORGIVE SINS?

From: March 27, 2023

“Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” (Luke 7:49 NLT).

The men sitting at Simon the Pharisee’s table questioned Christ’s habit of forgiving sins. He had just allowed an immoral woman to anoint His feet and said nothing to rebuke her. Then, to top it off, Jesus forgave the woman her sins.

Perhaps their question should be worded, “Who does he think he is going around forgiving sins?” I think that was the real sense of their question. They questioned His authority because they rejected His identity. How can a mere man go around forgiving sins? That’s God’s job.

The other revealing thing about their question is the one they didn’t ask. They didn’t ask why Jesus had forgiven the woman, but had not forgiven their sins. Why? Because they didn’t see themselves as sinners. They didn’t see their need for a savior.

The first part of their question, “Who is this man?”, when rightly answered also answers the second part. When Christ asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt.16:15-16). Since Jesus is the Christ, and the Son of God, He is able to forgive sins. And Jesus is still going around forgiving the sins of those who rightly recognize Him and receive Him today.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess our sins to You today, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness through faith in Jesus. We have received Jesus as Lord and Savior and He has redeemed us from sin. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit today that we might abide in Christ always. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful” (Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT).

From: March 27, 2022

OUR SUCCESS IS IN THE LORD’S HANDS

The Lord encouraged the Israelites not to fear their enemies as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. He reminded them of how He had brought them out of Egypt. He promised that He would be with them in the same way to take the land from their enemies and occupy it. However, He warned them not to boast afterwards as if they had done it with their own “strength and energy.” Instead, they were to “remember” that He is the One who gave them success.

When we put our “yes” on the table with God, saying “Here I am, send me,” we can move in the direction we feel God calling us, while trusting Him with the results. This brings to mind the motto of the 17-century British missionary to India, William Carey, who said, “Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.”

This takes the emphasis off of our ability and makes it a matter of our availability. For God cares more for our availability than our ability. “Who has made man’s mouth? (Ex. 4:11), God said to Moses when he complained that he had no ability as a leader or public speaker.

Let us stop “remembering” our own lack of talent, time or treasure and instead “remember the Lord!” For our success is in His hands.

PRAYER: O Lord, we confess our doubts and small thinking to you. Help us to see and hear as you would have us. We want to follow you in the work you are already doing in this world. We are children and we would remember that you are our God. Our success is in your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Who is this man who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:49 HCSB).

From: March 27, 2021

JESUS FORGIVES SINS

The men sitting at Simon the Pharisee’s table questioned Christ’s habit of forgiving sins. He had just allowed an immoral woman to anoint His feet and said nothing to rebuke her. Then, to top it off, Jesus forgave the woman her sins.

Perhaps their question should be worded, “Who does he think he is going around forgiving sins?” I think that was the real sense of their question. They questioned His authority because they rejected His identity. How can a mere man go around forgiving sins? That’s God’s job.

The other revealing thing about their question is the one they didn’t ask. They didn’t ask why Jesus had forgiven the woman, but had not forgiven their sins. Why? Because they didn’t see themselves as sinners. They didn’t see their need for a savior.

The first part of their question, “Who is this man?”, when rightly answered also answers the second part. When Christ asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt.16:15-16). Since Jesus is the Christ, and the Son of God, He is able to forgive sins. And Jesus is still going around forgiving the sins of those who rightly recognize Him and receive Him today.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess our sins to You today, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness through faith in Jesus. We have received Jesus as Lord and Savior and He has redeemed us from sin. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit today that we might abide in Christ always. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful” (Deuteronomy 8:18 NLT).

From: March 27, 2019

OUR SUCCESS IS IN THE LORD’S HANDS

The Lord encouraged the Israelites not to fear their enemies as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. He reminded them of how He had brought them out of Egypt. He promised that He would be with them in the same way to take the land from their enemies and occupy it. However, He warned them not to boast afterwards as if they had done it with their own “strength and energy.” Instead, they were to “remember” that He is the One who gave them success.

When we put our “yes” on the table with God, saying “Here I am, send me,” we can move in the direction we feel God calling us, while trusting Him with the results. This brings to mind the motto of the 17-century British missionary to India, William Carey, who said, “Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.”

This takes the emphasis off of our ability and makes it a matter of our own availability. For God cares more for our availability than our ability. “Who has made man’s mouth? (Ex. 4:11), God said to Moses when he complained that he had no ability as a leader or public speaker.

Let us stop “remembering” our own lack of talent, time or treasure and instead “remember the Lord!”

PRAYER: O Lord, we confess our doubts and small thinking to you. Help us to see and hear as you would have us. We want to follow you in the work you are already doing in this world. We are children and we would remember that you are our God. Our success is in your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” (Luke 7:49 NLT).

From: March 27, 2018

JESUS STILL GOES AROUND FORGIVING SINS

The men sitting at Simon the Pharisee’s table questioned Christ’s habit of forgiving sins. He had just allowed an immoral woman to anoint His feet and said nothing to rebuke her. Then, to top it off, Jesus forgave the woman her sins.

Perhaps their question should be worded, “Who does he think he is going around forgiving sins?” I think that was the real sense of their question. They questioned His authority because they rejected His identity. How can a mere man go around forgiving sins? That’s God’s job.

The other revealing thing about their question is the one they didn’t ask. They didn’t ask why Jesus had forgiven the woman, but had not forgiven their sins. Why? Because they didn’t see themselves as sinners. They didn’t see their need for a savior.

The first part of their question, “Who is this man?”, when rightly answered also answers the second part. When Christ asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt.16:15-16). Since Jesus is the Christ, and the Son of God, He is able to forgive sins. And Jesus is still going around forgiving the sins of those who rightly recognize Him and receive Him today.

“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7 NKJV).

From: March 27, 2017

Moses told the Israelites that the Lord would deliver seven nations greater and mightier than they over to them when they entered the Promised Land. He would do this because He had chosen them to be His “special treasure” in all the earth. Yet, Moses quickly corrected any misconception this might imply, lest they think God saw something inherently special in them. He didn’t. In fact, they were the “least of all peoples.” They weren’t special because of who they were. They were special because of who God is. They were special because He had “set His love” on them. God’s love made them special.

Not many of us were special or wise or noble before we were called. But the Lord has chosen the “weak things of the world,” that He might get the glory (1 Cor. 1:26-31). Therefore, let us glory in the Lord!

“For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me” (Psalm 69:9 ESV)

From: March 27, 2016

David wrote this psalm, but it finds its true fulfillment in Christ. The disciples of Jesus recalled the first part of this psalm when he zealously cleared the temple of the moneychangers on the Monday of Passion Week (John 2:17). Yet on Good Friday, he fulfilled the latter part of the verse as all the world’s “reproach” fell on him. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for our sin, and not only that, but on the first day of the following week, he arose, overcoming sin, death and the grave. He has therefore become not only our perfect sin sacrifice, but also our Great High Priest, “able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). He is risen!

“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3 NKJV)

From: March 27, 2015

Believers who have gone through a season of poverty depending on the Lord, know His divine care. They have found the Lord’s Word is faithful and that He does not let His people go “begging bread” (Psa. 37:25). God disciplines us to teach us that He is the One to depend on, not our money and possessions. Deut. 8:3 was a favorite passage of Jesus. He quoted it to the devil in Matthew 4:4 when He was tempted to turn the stones to bread. He referred to it in John 4 when He told the disciples that His “food was to do the will of the Father.” Have you learned to trust the Lord’s provision? His Word is better than wealth.

“Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3 NLT)

From: March 27, 2014

Believers who have gone through a season of poverty depending on the Lord, know His divine care. They have found the Lord’s Word is faithful and that He does not let His people go “begging bread” (Psa. 37:25). God disciplines us to teach us that He is the One to depend on, not our money and possessions. Deut. 8:3 was a favorite passage of Jesus. He quoted it to the devil in Matt. 4:4 when He was tempted to turn the stones to bread. He referred to it in John 4 when He told the disciples that His “food was to do the will of the Father.” Have you learned to trust the Lord’s provision? His Word is better than wealth.