Tag: Devotional

Faith unrealized

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 11:39–40 (ESV): 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

EXPLAIN

Hebrews 11 is the great Hall of Faith. In this chapter, we find numerous heroes of the faith who, because they trusted God, acted obediently upon that faith.

Abel offered a better sacrifice. Noah built a built. Abraham went traveling without destination set in his GPS. Moses chose to identify with slaves instead of the political elite.

Yet none of these received what was promised – the Messiah. All of these heroes looked forward in faith. But even though they did not receive the promised Messiah in their lifetimes, they continued to obey God’s will through their faith in him.

APPLY

Today, we have received the promised Messiah. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life. Yet I wonder if we should consider another application of this scripture: what if we never receive in our lifetime the answer to various promises God has made to us?

Take as an example the Christian parent who prays faithfully for an unbelieving child to accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Some have even felt God’s assurance that their wayward child will return from sin. Yet this parent continues to pray and believe, trusting God, until their death. We have heard various stories then of how God finally answered the believer’s prayer after entering eternity.

Do we have a faith that will persevere in trust and obedience to God, even if we do not receive what was promised in our lifetime, or when or how we expect it?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of the great heroes of faith who obeyed you in trust, even though they never received the promise of your Messiah. Help me to be faithful in obedience to you even when I receive the answer to my prayer when or how I might expect it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Unseen Footprints

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 77:19 (ESV): 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

EXPLAIN

This psalm is attributed to Asaph who said that he was crying out loud to God. Asaph was in great distress. He could not be comforted, and when he thought of God, he felt worse. He couldn’t sleep nor even speak because of his troubled mind and soul.

Finally, he decided to think back on the past. faithfulness of God. He asked if God would never display his love and grace again. That gave the psalmist hope. He determined to remember God’s past faithfulness and appeal to that hope.

In verse 15, Asaph remembered how God redeemed Judah and Israel by his arm. The next few verses speak of how the seas, the sky, and earth respond to God’s presence. Whether the psalmist was thinking of any specific historical event is unclear.

The last two verses of the psalm, Psalm 77:19-20, could refer to the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea. But the key fact noted by Asaph is not that the Israelites crossed on dry ground, but rather the idea, firstly, that God walked through the great waters with the Israelites, and secondly that God’s footprints were unseen.

APPLY

Probably every person has, or will have, a time in their life in which stress about their circumstances and the future robs them of sleep. Our heart is so troubled by wrong that we cannot find rest or comfort.

In those times, we may question, like Asaph, if God will ever restore us. Have we somehow lost God’s favor forever? Do God’s promises of faithfulness not apply to us?

If we remind ourselves of God’s deeds in the past, we can begin to find hope.

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

Psalm 77:13–14 (ESV)

It is then we remember and are assured that God walks with his people, even though we don’t see him at the time.

The famous “Footprints in Sand” poem suggests that when there is only one set of footprints God is carrying us. That mental imagery is beautiful.

Psalm 77 does not make that promise. Rather, this psalm assures us that while we must walk through great waters, God walks with us even though we may not see his footprints.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that while your footprints may be unseen, you walk before me and with me even through the great trials of life. May I then be faithful to follow your path as you have been and always will be faithful to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why Jesus lives today

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

EXPLAIN

Melchizedek is a curious figure in the Old Testament whose appearance is extremely brief, but whose example is extremely important for us today in understanding who Jesus is.

Little is known about Melchizedek. We don’t know who his parents were, when he was born or when he died. Melchizedek was a priest of God, and in Abraham’s time received tithe offerings from the great father of our faith.

The Hebrews writer used Melchizedek then as an illustration of Jesus, the Son of God, who is eternal without beginning or end, who was not part of the Levitical priesthood, but made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

The statement of our highlighted text is at once glorious, and shocking. Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, but also … Jesus always lives to … in order to … make intercession for us.

APPLY

Was Jesus’ victory over death limited to the purpose of intercession for us, strictly? Did not Jesus conquer death because God found in him the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sins of the world? Was not Jesus the Son of God who is eternal? Could death ever have truly hoped to keep Christ in the grave? Does not Jesus live today in anticipation of being recognized fully as King over all the universe in the near future?

Then again, it is mind-boggling to us to understand how Jesus, Son of God and Son of man, could ever die.

Consider again that the whole reason for Jesus’ sacrifice and death of himself was an intercession for us before God that we might receive God’s pardon and be restored in relationship to him. Furthermore, Jesus continues to make intercession for us. We are weak and human and fail God from time to time, but his one-time sacrifice still pleads the blood before the Father.

It seems audacious to say, to hope, to believe…, but Jesus lives eternally to make intercession for me and you.

He ever lives above / For me to intercede / His all-redeeming love / His precious blood to plead. / His blood was shed for all our race, / And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

– Verse 2, “Arise, My Soul, Arise”

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son who became one of us so that he might experience our life fully, yet without sin. Thank you for his obedience in suffering and dying on the cross. Thank you for raising him from the dead, victorious over sin, so that he might ever live to plead for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Striving to rest

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 4:11 (ESV): 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

EXPLAIN

Using God’s rest on the 7th day of creation as an analogy along with the failure of the Israelites to enter Canaan as God’s rest, the writer contends that there is another rest for the people of God, in which we rest from our works as God did (Hebrews 4:10).

Fascinatingly, the Hebrews writer immediately uses the terminology of work, “strive”, to exhort the people to enter God’s rest.

The key to understanding this tension is in the concept of obedience. The Israelites in the wilderness failed to enter Canaan because of disobedience. So those who are called by God for salvation may lose out on the opportunity to be saved by failing to obey God’s call to trust in Christ alone by grace through faith.

In the latter part of Hebrews 4 and the beginning of Hebrews 5, the writer points out that Jesus, as God in flesh, understands our weaknesses and was tempted like us, yet he did not disobey. He lived without sin.

Indeed, Hebrews 5:8–9 (ESV): 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

APPLY

It has been ingrained in us that salvation is by grace, which is never and can never be earned, alone through faith. This is true, and we must understand that we do not gain salvation through our own striving.

Yet missing sometimes in our understanding of salvation is that faith is much more than an intellectual agreement that Jesus is God or even that Jesus died in our place, taking our sin upon himself.

Rather, faith is a believing obedience, a surrender to the lordship of Christ Jesus, the beginning of a life of obedience to the one and only King.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace. I have surrendered my life to you, but I recommit myself today to live in obedience to your precepts and principles, always listening closely to the whisper of the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The privilege of sharing

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 2:10–11 (ESV): 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

EXPLAIN

Hebrews 2 begins with the challenge that we must pay closer attention to the gospel so we do not drift from this great salvation. The writer then spoke of the majesty ofJesus, Lord of the universe, who was made lower than angels for a little while so that he might taste death for everyone.

This was only proper so that the founder of our salvation might be made perfect through suffering. Indeed, both Jesus (who sanctifies) and his followers (who are sanctified) have one source.

We are brothers with Christ! Hebrews 3:14 says that we have come to share in Christ, “if … we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”

APPLY

Suffering is not an extraordinary experience for the follower of Jesus. Indeed, it was necessary for Jesus to suffer… and it is necessary for us to suffer as we follow him.

Suffering for Jesus does not mark us as under God’s displeasure; suffering enables us to share in Christ!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of sharing in Christ. While I do not enjoy times of difficulty, may I see your hand in all seasons of life and live for your faithfully, holding on to the confidence of my salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The radiance of God’s glory

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

EXPLAIN

The Hebrews writer proclaimed Jesus, the Son of God, as “better” throughout this letter. But even in the first sentences, we find this theme, as well. He immediately began to compare Jesus to angels, showing how these created beings are far inferior to the eternal Son of God.

Then, in Hebrews 1:10-12, the writer cites Psalm 102:25-27 to establish that Jesus laid the foundation of the earth and heavens at the beginning and even though the heavens and earth will perish, he will remain the same, his years having no end.

APPLY

It is truly amazing to consider that the “radiance of the glory of God” clothed himself in flesh to live among us. Even more, Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s nature. He upholds the universe by his power.

Yet Jesus willingly died in our place, taking the sins of all the world upon himself. Even more… Christ calls us, his followers, to be like him.

The exact imprint of God’s nature welcomes us… and expects us… to be changed by his grace so that we are an imitation of God’s holiness?!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I praise you for your wisdom and grace. You are so beyond us that we truly can only understand a little of your glory. Yet you willingly gave your only begotten Son so that we might know you. Thank you for the Light that has come into the world. Having received your light, may I be a light to this sin-darkened world for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 65:12–13 (ESV): 12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, 13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

EXPLAIN

Psalms 63-65 may not have been written in chronological order, but they provide interesting comparison and contrast.

In Psalm 63, David was in the wilderness of Judah, longing for God’s presence. He chose to worship God and so expressed confidence that those who sought to destroy him would experience destruction.

In Psalm 64, David expressed his complaint to God, asking God to preserve his life from the enemy. David described their attacks as ambushes, mounting sudden, secret, evil attacks upon him. But David expressed his confidence that God would shoot his own arrows at the wicked and they would be brought to ruin.

In Psalm 65, we now find a psalm of praise in which vows would be performed to God in the house of worship. God was described as the one who established the mountains and stilled the roaring of the seas. Now God would visit the earth with water, causing the crops to grow abundantly.

APPLY

God allows us to traverse dark, dreadful valleys in our lives. Indeed, sometimes, God allows us to be chased into barren wildernesses. But for the one who seeks God faithfully, God blesses.

God’s blessing should not necessarily be equated with worldly riches, although that may be a result. The greatest blessing we receive from walking faithfully with God is the confidence of his presence, in good times and bad.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your abundant blessings upon my life. They are too numerous to list. But thank you especially for the assurance of salvation, growth in Christ, and the confidence of your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God alone is my rock

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 62:1–2 (ESV): 1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

EXPLAIN

There isn’t much in the heading of this psalm to suggest its context. From what David wrote, however, it appears that he was under attack from people who were slandering him, trying to bring him down from his position of leadership. They were not doing this to his face, however. Instead, they would bless him with their mouths, but inwardly curse him.

In the latter part of the psalm, David addressed both the poor and rich, saying that both, in God’s sight, are “lighter than a breath” (v. 9). Therefore, David exhorted the people not to resort to trusting in riches, especially those gained immorally.

David closed the psalm expressing confidence that God will reward us according to our deeds.

APPLY

In a world of chaos and change, a world in which there are those who may wish us harm, God is our rock, our fortress. As a result, we can rest assured that we will not be “greatly shaken” (v. 2).

Yes, sometimes, we may feel like our world has been “rocked”, but if God is our Rock, our foundations for life will not crumble, for he is eternal.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for being my rock and fortress. I will wait on you, for salvation comes only from you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wise unto salvation

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Timothy 3:14–15 (ESV): 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

EXPLAIN

Throughout 2 Timothy 2-3 Paul wrote his son in the faith, encouraging him and challenging him to live and serve faithfully for Jesus, despite those in the church who focused on irreverent babble, twisting scripture and becoming doctrinally confused, as well as those in the world who would continue to live wickedly and oppose God’s people.

The salvation that God’s Word would make Timothy wise about is not “initial salvation” in which we are redeemed from sin and become children of God.

Rather, this salvation refers to our final salvation or to salvation in its entire scope – being saved by grace through faith, growing in grace, being filled fully with the Holy Spirit, and being welcomed into eternity as a good and faithful servant.

APPLY

A seemingly alarming number of believers today are questioning and even abandoning their faith. Also, a frightening number are adding onto their faith extra-biblical teachings that are not supported by God’s Word, but actually contradict it.

There is a place and need to “critically” study scripture. But scripture can and will stand up to faithful exposition; we must not abandon our faith!

Furthermore, scripture is all we need for life and godliness; we must not add or subtract to God’s Word because the plain text doesn’t support the popular ideas of people, whether inside or outside the church.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your written Word which gives us life. May I live faithfully according to your teachings by faith in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He will fulfill his purpose

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 57:1–2 (ESV): 1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

EXPLAIN

This psalm was written by David when he fled from King Saul and hid in the cave. Saul went in the cave to use the restroom while David and his men hid further inside.

David’s men wanted him to kill Saul, but instead David cut a piece of the king’s robe. David was then struck with guilt.

After Saul went out, David called to him and told him what he had done, asking why the king was trying to kill him. Saul was ashamed and called off the manhunt for David.

In this psalm, while David had hidden in the cave, he says he would take refuge in the shadow of God’s wings.While David’s men wanted him to assassinate Saul so that he could finally realize God’s anointing to be king, David instead professed his reliance on God who would fulfill his purpose for him.

APPLY

When we think about God’s purpose for our lives, we often see it as something we must pursue and be successful in accomplishing. Surely, there is an element in which we must be faithful to obey God’s call and work in his will.

Yet this scripture reminds us that truly God is sovereign and he wants his will for our lives to be accomplished more than we do. We then must simply surrender ourselves to him, be faithful in serving him, and be patient as God works to accomplish his plan in our lives.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for your goodness and faithfulness that you display not only in creation but even in the lives of your people. May I faithfully serve you as you accomplish your plan in this world. May I join you in your work of redemption and restoration. In Jesus’ name, Amen.