From: November 9, 2023
“Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28 NLT).
Christ has already accomplished our redemption by the offering of Himself for our sins. Yet, He will appear a second time, not because there is anything unfinished for our salvation, but that He might bring to us its final fulfillment, namely our resurrection bodies fit for eternal glory with Him.
Just as Christ has accomplished the first, so just as certainly, He will accomplish the second. He will come again to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.
For two thousand years, believers have waited and longed for the Day of His appearing. Are we the generation that will see that Day? Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we know that only You know the hour of Christ’s return, yet we faithfully wait for His appearing. Our bodies groan for their redemption. Our minds long to fully experience the glory of Your Son’s return. In our waiting, strengthen us to be about Your work that we might be found busy for You when Christ returns. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 9, 2022
GOD DELIVER US FROM WORTHLESS LAWS
Many have struggled with the meaning of this verse. Some have wondered whether God was saying that He had given some bad laws to His people. Yet, the Bible says that God’s law is “perfect” (Psalms 19:7). Others have suggested that God was referring to the fact, as the apostle Paul did, that since the sin nature made it impossible to keep the law, its net effect was that it led to death (Rom. 7:10). However, the better understanding based on the context is that God “gave them over” to Babylonian law. For their idolatry and rebellion against God had led to God giving them over to exile in Babylon for 70 years. Surely, God meant this as a way of bringing them to repentance. For having to live under the pagan laws of Babylon made them long for a return to the righteous, God-given law of Israel.
For most of our history, American law was based on the foundation of biblical laws, especially the Ten Commandments. However, in recent years our laws have become unanchored from God’s law. Indeed, they seem to be purposely contrary to God’s law. Many of the laws given to us by our nation’s leaders have actually been “worthless decrees” that do not lead to life.
Is God giving our nation over to worthless laws, so that we might long for His righteousness and repent? As US citizens let us cast our votes wisely. As citizens of heaven let us pray for revival.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for our nation and its leaders. We pray for revival in our city, our state and in our nation. We desire Your will in all things, Lord. We pray Your kingdom come, Your will be done. Empower us to share the gospel. Call people far from You to come near. Let us see revival in our land. Let it start with us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 9, 2016
Christ did not enter into the Most Holy Place in the man-made temple in Jerusalem. For the temple was only a type, a “copy” pointing to its reality in heaven. No, Christ entered into the very presence of the Holy God as our Great High Priest and Mediator. Now, He is both our Representative and our King. The Temple in Jerusalem, with all its careful practices and detail, were always only meant to point to Him and His holy office for its fulfillment.
From: November 9, 2015
Ezekiel was frustrated by Israel’s elders who belittled his message, accusing him of speaking in “parables,” rather than speaking plainly. He expressed his feeling to the Lord, repeating their whispered words back to God. The Lord responded to Ezekiel, whom He called, “Son of Man,” by giving him a more plain word of prophecy (Ezekiel 21). When Jesus came preaching, He often referred to Himself with the same title, “Son of Man,” and often preached in “parables” (Matt.13:13). Then, afterwards He would privately explain the parables to His disciples. The key to understanding the Word of God is believing the Son of God and receiving the Spirit of God that makes things clear. As the apostle Paul explained, those without the Spirit can’t understand the truths of God (1 Cor. 2:14), for they are “foolishness” to them. Yet, those who have the Spirit, also have the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), and are able to understand God’s Word. It is Christ and His Spirit that gives us “ears to hear.”
From: November 9, 2014
Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for the salvation of all who would receive it. He has paid our debt in full. When Christ returns, it will not be to “deal with our sins,” for He has finished that work. Jesus has already brought us out from under sin’s penalty. He will return to bring us into His glory and presence forever.