Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for November 9

THE HOLE WITHIN OUR SOUL

From: November 9, 2024

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (Psalm 107:9 ESV).

Why is there such a longing in the human soul? Why this emptiness that no physical thing, nor human relationship can fill? We hunger and thirst, so we attempt to satisfy our craving, but to no avail. Since nothing of this world satisfies the soul, isn’t this evidence that it was made for something or someone beyond it?

Surely, the hole within our soul is a residual echo of the fallen image of God within us. And it can only be filled by Jesus Christ. Of whom the apostle Paul wrote, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God… Everything was created through him and for him” (Col. 1:15-16).

We were made by Christ and “for” Christ. The longing of the human soul will never be satisfied with anything or anyone other than Jesus Christ Himself!

PRAYER: Dear Father, You are the Maker of our souls and only You can fully satisfy our longing. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit this day that we might overflow with Your joy and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN

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.

“I gave them over to worthless decrees and regulations that would not lead to life” (Ezekiel 20:25 NLT).

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.

“The Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:28 HCSB).

From: November 9, 2021

CHRIST WILL APPEAR A SECOND TIME

The Messiah, Jesus 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 appear a second time 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 sees that Day?

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.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Psalm 107:2 NKJV).

From: November 9, 2020

IF YOU KNOW SO, SAY SO!

The psalmist David encouraged the redeemed to “say so!” If we have been redeemed (bought back, ransomed, delivered from the penalty of sin) by the Lord, the Word encourages us to “say so!” We can never repay the One who gave His life as a ransom for us, but we can certainly give Him thanks and praise. We were sinful, separated and spiritually dead, but Christ has redeemed us, granting us His righteousness, sonship, and life.

So, if you know so, SAY SO!

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are those You have redeemed through Your Son, Jesus. Forgive us when we are silent. We desire to shout it from the mountain tops and declare it in the valley. We want to sing it and tell it until every nation hears. Strengthen us today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I gave them over to worthless decrees and regulations that would not lead to life” (Ezekiel 20:25 NLT).

From: November 9, 2019

WHEN GOD GIVES A PEOPLE OVER TO 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 Supreme Court since 1963 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?

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.

“If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice” (Hebrews 9:26 NLT).

From: November 9, 2018

CHRIST’S SINGULARLY SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE

The Mosaic sacrificial system was a copy of the “greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven” (Heb. 9:11). It existed to prepare God’s people for the true Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). In the Mosaic system, regular and recurring sacrifices had to be made. But Christ’s sacrifice was singularly sufficient. He does not need to repeat it. For it radiates out into time past and time future to cover the sins of those who believed both before and after His appearing. Christ died “once for all time.” Indeed, from God’s perspective, the Lamb of God was slain “before the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8).

Christ’s sacrifice marked the “end of the age” for Temple sacrifices. For the sacrifice of animals was always like an IOU written on a future payment, which was paid-in-full when Christ declared from the cross, “It is finished!”

“For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107:9 NKJV).

From: November 9, 2017

Why is there such a longing in the human soul? Why this emptiness that no physical thing, nor human relationship can fill? We hunger and thirst, so we attempt to satisfy our craving, but to no avail. Since nothing of this world satisfies the soul, isn’t this evidence that it was made for something or someone beyond it?

Surely, the hole within our soul is a residual echo of the fallen image of God within us. And it can only be filled by Jesus Christ. Of whom the apostle Paul wrote, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God… Everything was created through him and for him” (Col. 1:15-16).

We were made by Christ and “for” Christ. The longing of the human soul will never be satisfied with anything or anyone other than Christ!

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” (Hebrews 9:24 ESV)

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.

“Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! They say of me, ‘Does he not speak parables?’” (Ezekiel 20:49 NKJV)

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.”