Tag: Faithfulness

In His Steps

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1 Peter 2:21 (ESV): 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

EXPLAIN

Peter wrote believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, who were suffering or would soon suffer for their faith in Jesus. He wrote to assure them of their salvation, but also to challenge them to holy living.

It may only make sense due to their suffering in a hostile society, but Peter’s first practical application of how to live holy was to be obedient to governmental authorities. His second application was for slaves to be obedient to their masters, even if they were unjust in their treatment.

We should understand that instructions like these from Peter were not a justification for the evil of slavery to continue. Rather, instead of teaching rebellion against societal institutions, God’s Word teaches how to live, think, and speak holy in a corrupt world. This holiness in heart and life then destroys the immoral foundations of societal practices. A society that is revitalized by biblical foundations must come to grips with immoral systems and reject them.

APPLY

When we suffer injustice, whether on a societal or more individual level, it is quite difficult to be patient, quiet, and faithful in our own responsibilities in life, work, and our community.

Yet Peter wrote that we have been called to do good and suffer for it, for Christ our example also suffered from us and has called us to follow in his steps.

Jesus himself said that a servant is not greater than his master. We should not expect an unholy world to treat us any better than it did the holy Son of God.

Therefore, we must choose to follow in Jesus’ steps of suffering all the while loving others, responding with kindness and sacrificing our prerogatives.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to follow closely in Jesus’ steps, willingly suffering for your sake because he suffered for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He will fulfill his purpose

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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.

Training for godliness

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1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV): 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

EXPLAIN

1 Timothy is a very personal letter from Paul to his son in the faith in which Paul encourages Timothy in his calling as a minister of the gospel and duties as a pastor.

One specific issue Paul challenged Timothy repeatedly about in this letter were some in the church who were focused on trivial issues – myths, genealogies, unbiblical rules such as forbidding marriage and abstinence, etc. – thinking that these led to spirituality.

Paul instead urged Timothy to devote himself to studying and proclaiming God’s Word. While physical exercise is good, training ourselves for godliness is much more valuable.

APPLY

A danger the believer can fall into is thinking that because they have read the Bible all the way – or even 10 times through, because they have attended Sunday School for so many years – or even taught Sunday School, because they have gone through this or that class, or went to the altar so many times… they have “arrived” spiritually.

They know it all. They’ve seen it all. If you can persuade them, they might be willing to teach what they know. Otherwise, they are not interested in learning or teaching, but only want to “experience” God.

They want to be entertained.

The secret to continuing spiritual victory and vitality is ongoing training in godliness.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to be disciplined and faithful in “godliness” training, building up my strength, stamina, and wisdom in how to be more like Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Worthy of His calling

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2 Thessalonians 1:11 (ESV): 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

EXPLAIN

Paul greeted the church of Thessalonica, speaking of how he regularly boasted of their faithfulness in persecution and difficulty.

He went on to say that their suffering was evidence of God’s righteous judgment by demonstrating that they were worthy of God’s kingdom. God would repay with affliction those who afflicted them. Indeed, those who did not know God and refused the gospel would suffer eternal punishment, but these believers would marvel at Christ’s appearance.

Therefore, Paul prayed that God would make them worthy of his calling.

APPLY

We should always remember that God uses the difficulties we face, especially those caused by people who reject the gospel, to prepare us, making us worthy of his kingdom. Therefore, our prayer should be that God will help us to be faithful and to accomplish all that he has set before us.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, make me worthy of your calling. Strengthen me to serve you faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When the way grows dark

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Job 2:3 (ESV): 3 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”

EXPLAIN

The story of Job fills us both with questions about God and suffering and yet also gives us comfort and hope in times of trouble.

Satan appeared before God in heaven twice. The first time, God allowed Satan to touch all that Job had. Satan proceeded to destroy Job’s oxen, donkeys and sheep, and to cause a storm to knock down the house in which Job’s children were feasting, killing them.

Job responded by worshipping God.

Now, Satan challenged God to allow him to afflict him physically. God allowed Satan to do so, only sparing Job’s life.

APPLY

This scripture is incredibly challenging for us. Do we live such a holy life that God would characterize us as blameless, full of integrity, fearing him and turning away from doing evil?

If God were to allow us to suffer even a fraction of what Job suffered, would we respond by worshipping God and maintaining our integrity?

Will we choose to respond to setbacks and difficulty in life with the same hope and faith in God displayed by Job?

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live a holy life, blameless and full of integrity for your sake. When trouble comes, help me to worship you, trusting you completely and implicitly. Amen.

His path is not always easy

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Acts 21:13 (ESV): 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

EXPLAIN

Paul was on his way back to Jerusalem. Paul definitely felt it was God’s will to go there, to deliver the money gathered to help those in need in Judea. But he also seemed to recognize that suffering lay ahead of him.

Paul and his group stopped at Caesarea for some time. While he was there, a prophet named Agabus prophesied that the Jews in Jerusalem would bind Paul and deliver him to the Gentiles.

Upon hearing this, the believers tried to convince Paul not to go. But Paul was determined. He was willing to suffer and even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

APPLY

Living in the center of God’s will does not necessarily mean “success”, an easy life, the favor of those around you, and security.

Sometimes, God’s will means definite suffering, even death. We should not seek to find another way. Rather, we should continue to follow faithfully the way Christ has set before us.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live faithfully for you, following you closely, regardless of where the path may take me. May I confidently, passionately share the Good News with others regardless of hardship that awaits. Amen.

Finish strong

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2 Chronicles 25:15 (ESV): 15 Therefore the Lord was angry with Amaziah and sent to him a prophet, who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?”

EXPLAIN

2 Chronicles 24-26 tell a sad story of three kings who started well, following God, yet who ended sadly.

Joash was the first. After being saved from murderous Athaliah by Jehoiada the priest and then ascending to the throne, Joash led the people in living for God. The Temple was repaired.

But after Jehoiada died, Joash turned from God and even killed the priest’s son for standing up to his sin. Joash himself was assassinated not long after.

Joash’s son Amaziah then reigned and led the people well over all, although not totally following God. God provided an amazing victory against his enemies because Amaziah trusted him. 20,000 enemy soldiers perished. But Judah also suffered a raid in which 3,000 people were killed and much spoil was taken.

Amaziah turned from God and refused to listen to God’s counsel through his prophet. He attacked Israel and was badly beaten. Not long after, Amaziah was assassinated.

His son Uzziah then reigned for many years, seeking after God. But after growing strong, Uzziah became proud. He sought to offer incense in the Temple, and was struck by God with leprosy. He lived the rest of his life in a separate house.

APPLY

A grave danger we face spiritually is that after having received God’s blessing we do not become proud and forsake him for other gods, or even for our own wisdom.

It is my understanding that John Wesley lamented this phenomenon in his day, noting that people converted to Christ tended to prosper greatly, and their prosperity then led their hearts away from God.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to live true to you all my life. I do not want to start strong and then turn from you. Let my life be marked by humility, self-discipline and faithfulness to you. Amen.