This Man Welcomes Sinners

August 6, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Luke 15:1-7

A large crowd was gathering. The Pharisees and teachers of the law muttered about the calibre of people Jesus attracted, since there were tax collectors and sinners in the crowd. Isn’t it interesting the designation that categorized groups of people, in their minds? Although they looked down on tax collectors as lesser beings, often of ill-repute, they separated them from sinners. How were they defined?

Jesus was teaching in parables again. This time He spoke about a shepherd who, leaving ninety-nine sheep safe in the fold, went in search of one that had strayed. It’s a very moving account of caring and compassion, of concern for the safety of one sheep that was lost. Jesus went on to describe the joy of the shepherd when he found the sheep, lifting it to his shoulder and carrying it home. We learn many things about the shepherd from this parable. He was tender and personally involved – he didn’t delegate. Help for the helpless was and is always forth-coming. Rescue operations are a rewarding responsibility. There seem to be no consequences for straying beyond being brought back into the fold. Mission accomplished was cause for celebration with the community. The Shepherd called his friends and neighbours together to rejoice with him.

Taking the story one step further Jesus explains its meaning. The lost represent spiritually needy people. The shepherd is Jesus, Himself – He talked about His mission: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Did you know there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents? (Luke 15:10). Jesus said that is cause for greater joy than the ninety-nine righteous people who remained securely in the fold, not needing to be rescued (:7). What an awesome thought!

But the Pharisees and teachers of the law complained. “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (:2). They were treated to a long sermon using many examples of how important the “lost” are to God. Jesus talked about searching for the lost coin, about the prodigal son who strayed from the safety and security of his father’s home and for that period of time was essentially lost. We don’t read anywhere that they understood His point. Rather each time these religious leaders are mentioned it is always from a position of condemnation – “They sneered at Jesus“. (16:14).

Other Gospel writers noted this also. Matthew writes that after Jesus forgave a paralytic of his sins, teachers of the law labelled Him blasphemous (Matthew 9:3). They were quick to point out how His disciples were breaking the law by picking and eating grain on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:2). Mark records how Jesus was held responsible by the Pharisees for allowing His disciples to eat with unwashed hands (Mark 7:5) and how anxious they were to trip Him up as they tested Him and asked for some sign from heaven that would validate His teachings (Mark 8:11). Even the crowds couldn’t make up their minds about Jesus. Some declared Him to be good on account of His miracles, but others criticized Him for deceiving the people (John &:12, 20, 45-49)…..and these are just a few examples.

Behind the arrogance and pride of the religious leaders, Jesus continued about His Father’s business. He was too busy doing good, teaching the way to a personal relationship within the Kingdom of God, to be distracted by the complaints and criticisms that would probably deter many of us from our mission.

Reflection:

How do you define “sinners”?

What was it that kept Jesus strong in the face of criticism?

Will His example strengthen you in your resolve to welcome sinners, in spite of what people think?

Does this help you consider the impact a critical spirit might have on people with whom you interact?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Let the Nations Renew

July 29, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 41 (Listening to God)

In an era when news of international discord grips our hearts in a vise of fear, it is very encouraging to read the message God gave to Isaiah. “Let the Nations renew their strength” (:1). How is that possible today in this generation, if indeed it was then in Isaiah’s day?

First of all, the Lord demands silence before Him, in His presence. Is this to enable the people to listen, to actually hear the voice of God? Then He invites the nations to come forward and to speak (:1). This reminds me of the protocol when Esther went before King Ahasuerus. Quietly she presented herself, waiting for him to extend the sceptre to her so that her presence was not only acknowledged, but she was then given permission to speak.

What we find hard to recognize today is the awesome majesty of Yahweh, which demands our obeisance. We have reduced God to man-size, because He made Himself visible in the person of Jesus Christ. Further, we have made God our equal by calling Him “friend”. It is true in special cases God met with man as with a friend (Exodus 33:11). He encouraged Solomon to understand the spirit in which He related to people by describing Himself as a ”friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Abraham was called God’s friend (James 2:23). It is not wrong to experience friendship with God. Jesus laid down His life for his friends, to which group hopefully you and I belong (John 15:13).

What is dangerous to our worship is our perception of God as only a friend. He is also “Judge” because of His nature. He is King of kings and Lord or lords, omniscient, eternal and so much more. Imagine having a friend who knows your thoughts, motives, capabilities!

Isaiah goes on to describe the power of God to work among nations. Prophesying what King Cyrus of Babylon would do to facilitate the end of the diaspora of God’s chosen people, we read that God was responsible for stirring up this mighty king. Through Isaiah God would relieve His people of the penalty of dispersion that He had imposed on them for their disobedience! (41:2 – the one from the east). He even names Cyrus in Chapters 44 and 45. This is crucial to our understanding of what is going on in our world today. God called Cyrus into His service (:2) – a pagan? Yes!

Vivid descriptions of the hand of God moving nations, subduing them, turning them into dust, demonstrate not only His power to do so, but His determination to accomplish His purposes. From the beginning to the end (41:4) the Lord called forth each generation.

From this short portion of scripture (Isaiah 41:1-4) we gain hope. Knowing what God has done in the past, and understanding He has given us clues about the future when the Lord Jesus Christ will return, brings a glorious joy, as sense of anticipation to our hearts, even in the midst of global turmoil.

Reflection:

Who is in control? Whom shall I then fear? If God can bring a heathen king alongside for the benefit of His people Israel, what might He yet do today to accomplish His mighty, eternal purposes? What if that leads His people through a “captivity” of sorts? Will we lose faith if we suffer?

“Let the nations renew themselves with hope in the Lord God!”(Isaiah 41:1)

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Love of God

July 22, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

John 21:25, 1 John 3:1-2

Frederick Lehman was born in Germany, but moved to America with his family when he was four years old. He first met the Lord in Iowa, where he grew up. At the age of eleven the Lord convicted him of his sin and his life was never the same. He studied for the ministry and pastored several churches in Iowa, Indiana and Missouri. He enjoyed writing poetry which often became sacred songs. While writing one day, he remembered the words of a song he had scratched on a paper, copied from an unknown source, but it fitted what he wanted to say:

“The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star

and reaches to the lowest hell.

The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled

and pardoned from their sin!

Oh love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure –

The saints’ and angels’ song.

Later investigation showed these words were written on a cell wall in a prison some 200 years before. It is not known why the prisoner was incarcerated; neither is it known if the words were original or if he had heard them somewhere and had decided to put them in a place where he could be reminded of the greatness of God’s love – whatever the circumstances, he wrote them on the wall of his prison cell. In due time he died and the men who had the job of repainting his cell were impressed by the words. Before their paint brushes obliterated them, one of the men jotted them down and thus they were preserved.”

The name of the prisoner was never discovered, but historians later found the source of the poem; it came from a Hebrew poem composed by a Jewish Rabbi living in Germany. The poem was thought to have been written around the year 1000 AD.

We know nothing about Lehman’s sermon that day but the words of this song, like the love of God, have endured for years! God will not leave Himself without a witness. Here in an unknown hand is evidence of His abiding love. Our world desperately needs true love, that amazing quality which comes from God alone, fitted to meet the needs of every heart!

Reflection:

The love of God is worthy of our mediation. It is trustworthy and true. God’s love for the human race is the theme of scripture from beginning to end. Search the scriptures to prove what is that acceptable, admirable quality of God for which every heart longs.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Go and Sin No More

July 15, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

John 8:3-11 (KJV)

What are our thoughts when we read this verse, words from the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself. Is this a suggestion for Godly living? Perhaps it’s a thought, which in reality is impossible because we are still warring with our old nature and prone to fall when faced with temptation. After all the Apostle Paul tells us he, the mighty giant of New Testament faith, struggled with conflicts in his own desires. Maybe it’s only situational, for surely the sin as Jesus faced this woman caught in adultery, the sin of immoral choice, is something anyone could avoid (John 8:10-11).

Or is it? Doesn’t scripture warn us to beware, for he who prides himself on standing, may suddenly find he has fallen (1 Corinthians 10:12)? How often do we continue to sin, excusing ourselves on the grounds that we are only human and God will surely understand? The question then arises – would God ask something of us that is impossible?

I was thinking of some of the excuses we use when faced with the difficult truths of scripture. We are faced with the reality of God’s holiness time and again. So far from what we find within ourselves, does He truly mean “Be holy as I am holy?” Peter makes frequent use of this word (1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:5 & 9). He makes it an “ought” in his second epistle, in answer to the question “What sort of people ought you to be?” He tells his readers, including you and me “You ought to live holy and Godly lives” (3:11).

Perhaps we do not fully comprehend the holiness of God. Do we understand the awfulness of any and every sin in the eyes of a Holy God? Have we truly repented of our wrong choices or do we excuse them? Was Jesus asking the impossible of this unfortunate woman? Surely not!

Paul solves the problem of holiness for us. In many of his letters, to the Romans, to the Corinthians, and the Ephesians he illustrates by using the root of the tree being holy, therefore so are the branches; he refers to Timothy’s calling to a holy life and so forth. Writing to the Hebrews, he confirmed what he said earlier about holiness….he gives us hope. When Christ came into the world, it was with the express purpose of doing His Father’s will. “And by that will we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all!” (Hebrews 10:10).

The goal of God’s people (“holy nation” 1 Peter 2:9) is to “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy” (Hebrews 12:14). Now if I find I have failed to be holy, if temptation has overpowered me, I have recourse to the Father’s forgiveness, but without true repentance it’s useless to ask for it. True repentance expresses the attitude, intention, determination not to do it again. Whatever it takes, I am to flee the devil. I cannot continue to live in circumstances that bring this same temptation before me without placing some safeguards against it. Certainly blaming God for the way He made me will never hold water in the face of His holiness. If God’s word says it is wrong, then I have to examine what it tells me to do to protect myself. If a child has a murderous temper, the parents are obliged to curb it, to teach the little one to control that urge.

Reflection:

Do we think with shame and embarrassment how often we have failed by repeating the same sin?

When something is difficult is that an excuse for not trying?

Doesn’t this command “Go and sin no more” place the responsibility on us? Does God extend extra mercy and grace to help us? Praise God – believers have the Holy Spirit living within to provide the strength to overcome and to produce the fruit of Godliness/Holiness within our hearts.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The One and Only

July 8, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Deuteronomy 4:35-40.

The Israelites were shown many things that would demonstrate the reality of their God. Fighting for the land God had promised to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they were called to overcome a people who worshiped gods made of wood and stone, and to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12). Their God was invisible so how could they make Him known to others around them?

Let us remember that Creator God had made Himself known in many ways. Miraculously He brought the nation, called by His name, out of slavery in Egypt. In Jewish texts, as well as in Christian Greco-Egyptian texts, Israel was understood to mean “a man seeing God”. You might remember how Jacob wrestled with the man, understood to be a theophany of Jesus Christ, before Jacob’s name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32), with promises that he would become a great nation. Not only God’s people Israel, but other nations around were in awe of what He had done, throughout their early history recorded in scripture.

Do you know there are 28 Biblical references to the fact that there is only one God. “Hear Oh Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One”….beside Him there is no other” (Deuteronomy 6:4, 4:35). One of my favourite of such verses is written by John. Jesus prayed “that they (you and me) may be one as we are One”. There is unity in the heart of God. Jesus’ prayer goes on – “that they may be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me, and have loved them” (John 17:22-23).

Three young Israelite men risked their lives by standing up for the One and Only (Daniel 3). “King Neb, they said….If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it and He will deliver us from your Majesty’s hand!” WOW! That is raw courage. It was a matter of life and death, so – into the fiery furnace they went. They knew their God was able and willing to save them!

The imagery of God as a tender Father goes from Old to New Testaments. What glorious truth it is to worship God as “Our Father”. Right now He is in heaven but one day we will join Him in that happy place, free from fears and trouble. There we will worship Him face to face in all of His glory.

Reflection:

Sometimes we quote Bible verses rather mindlessly. Let us think as we repeat the words of Holy Scripture, that they are there to help us understand the meaning of a great relationship – one we have with God our loving Father, the One and Only true God!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Man Peter

July 1, 2024 Admin1 Comment

Matthew 16:16-18

How many of us can identify with the man called Peter? Jesus named him Peter, “Petros” which in the original Greek means “Rock”. Because Jesus is the Creator of all things, including people – Peter, you and me, He knows what name to give to each of us. Did Jesus call Simon “Peter” because of some inherent strength that he exhibited from childhood?

Looking at the life of Peter we do see a certain confidence expressed in his bombastic disposition. He was forever blustering…correcting Jesus when he didn’t like His predictions (Matthew 16:22), and generally assuming leadership within the group of disciples. Peter was wordy, always having answers…a take-charge sort of man. Was it because of this that Jesus named him the “Rock”? Peter makes a fascinating psychological study.

But we learn most from Peter’s spiritual journey. Just like everyone else, he was a complex mixture of strengths and weaknesses. Full of ideas, Peter suggested that booths should be built to commemorate the meeting of Jesus with Elijah and Moses, at Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2,5-6). On the surface this was a magnificent thought! However, we must notice his words were motivated by fear, not feeling. (How many people have tried to serve Jesus for the wrong reasons?)

His fears overwhelmed him on the night Jesus was taken by soldiers to face charges laid against Him by the religious right of that day. The Jewish leaders rose up to defy His deity, by having Jesus crucified and Peter, moved by panic denied knowing Him, not once, but three times (Luke 22:56-62). Recognizing his failure, Peter wept bitterly. At that moment he could have penned the words of a song we sing today:

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all.

Thankfully he didn’t give up. This man, jelly-like in his lack of loyalty, became a Rock constructed by Jesus, when he once recognized his own weakness. Here’s the thing….in spite of your weakness and mine, Jesus is able to do the impossible. He can and will make us solid in our faith. It isn’t all bad to reflect on our past sins, if we then recognize the glorious truth that we are made strong by our Creator, Himself, when we admit our inadequacy!

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all.

How many times can we fall down, before Jesus will no longer pick us up? We know of at least 3 instances in Peter’s life, but our Lord assured His disciples that they would be forgiven as they forgave others, up to seventy times seven. Who is counting?

Reflection:

As we worship let us remember Peter grew as he leaned on Jesus! Both he and the Apostle Paul knew what it meant for weakness to be turned into strength (Hebrews 11:34). Do you?

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

The Man of God

June 27, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

2 Timothy 3:17

Who qualifies to be “the man of God”? Does that apply to saints or to children of God, to men or to women, to all sinners who have been forgiven, to believers or to all of the above? Paul, writing to Timothy whom he calls his “son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), also calls him “man of God” (1 Timothy 6:11).

In his first letter to Timothy Paul emphasises fighting the good fight (1 Timothy 1:18). This includes caution against the love of money, an issue that has the potential to draw the hearts of believers away from God. “Man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness”. After all, Paul says “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:11, 6). Paul lists those characteristics which the man or woman of God must pursue – Godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Strangely these things do not come easily to any of us, so once again he warns Timothy to fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12).

We are not left to struggle alone. We have been blessed to have God’s written word to “make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 6:15). Paul reassures Timothy that “all scripture is God-breathed” (:16). Peter refers to this in his letter to people of faith. “We did not follow cunningly devised stories”. They recorded what they personally had witnessed of Jesus’ majesty (2 Peter 1:16).

Consider the society Christ came to love, heal and to forgive. Even Jews had digressed from purity when worshiping their God, falling into practises which the pagans used with loud and noisy public prayers, instead of seeking God in the quiet of their closet. Jesus Himself warned against praying for show (Matthew 6:5-6). Just as their practise became watered down, so did the truth of what God had said. It was not long until they followed Satan’s cunning fables instead of adhering to the honour and glory of God’s Son, with whom God was well pleased (2 Peter 1:16-18).

To guard against forming idols we need the “Holy Scriptures”. They are profitable for sound doctrine, teaching, rebuking and correcting sin in our lives, as well as for training us in righteous living! (2 Timothy 3:16). To these standards the man or woman of God must cling. It is through the leading of the Holy Spirit that we understand God’s Word which prepares us for every good work (3:17).

There are examples of men of God in the Old Testament too. We find one such “man of God” unexpectedly coming to advise the king of Israel. King Amaziah was on the verge of making war without considering what the power of God could do for him and his army (2 Chronicles 25:7-9). To me it is interesting to note that the King gets the credit when he won the war, working on God’s terms, yet the man of God goes unnamed. Truly he will get his reward in heaven.

Reflection:

Although men and women of God can be found on mission fields, sometimes the very folks we go to work with teach us how to live Godly lives! There will be a lot of unsung heroes in heaven. Whatever it takes to be used of God, let us never forget that doing His will is born out of the character of God, seeking the will of God, in all things.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Our Father

June 18, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano on Pexels.com

Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4

In answer to the disciples’ request, Jesus taught His disciples to pray (Luke 11:1). John the Baptist also taught his disciples to pray. We don’t know how John began his prayers, but Jesus addressed them to the “Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Notice an important link, personalizing our prayer. We are to pray to “Our Father” according to Matthew (6:9)….not just any Father, but Jesus’ Father also.

Jesus teaches us a lot about His Father. First of all, He is to be revered as Holy. Matthew and Luke agree: His very name is “Hallowed”, meaning respected, honoured. In fact, Jesus cautions us about the use of this term “Father”: “Do not call anyone on earth your Father, for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9).

The difference between our God and pagan deities is that He is relational. His Fatherhood is crucial to the freedom with which we can come into His presence. But – not everyone is a child of God. John reminds us in verses we should commit to memory, that we become children of God when we believe and receive Jesus, who in these verses is teaching us to pray (John 1:12-13). “to all who received Him [Jesus], to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God”.

Our Father can be applied to for daily provision (Luke 11:3), both material and spiritual. His children trust that His perfect will is sufficient for each day, because His will is done in a perfect place – heaven (Matthew 6:10).

God our Father also stands ready, filled with mercy and grace, to forgive His children when they misbehave, or make wrong choices, provided we hold a spirit of forgiveness towards those who sin against us (Luke 11:4, Matthew 6:12). “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us” Luke wrote.

“Father” is a tender term, in spite of what our human experience may have been. The character of God is often demonstrated by Godly fathers here on earth, but not always; God is so long-suffering and tender, kind and patient, “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9).

Good fathers do not provoke their children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4 KJV). Moreover, God may be trusted to carry out His word, whether it is a promise or a consequence, leading us in a relationship of trust. Sometimes we don’t appreciate the consequences, but like any good parent God is true to His word.

Reflection:

How did God become your “Father in heaven”? Do you remember that experience with joy? What do you know about Him and where can you learn truth about the One we call heavenly Father? We are invited to search the scriptures, God’s love-letter to mankind. Do you enter His presence with thanksgiving in your heart, and into His courts with praise? Are you free from the burden of bearing a grudge against someone else? Do you celebrate His tender mercies which are new every morning? Will you trust Him where you cannot see a solution to problems that exist here on earth? Does His truth impact your heart and mind day by day? How might that influence the way you live? Do you find comfort in calling God your “Father”?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Faithfulness

June 12, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Genesis 24:27

Eliezer had promised. Faithful to his word, he journeyed over 500 miles, back into Mesopotamia. Most likely his trip, backed by his wealthy master Abraham, was as comfortable as possible, although, having ridden a camel myself, it would not be my first choice! Abraham ensured he was well provided for, giving him 10 camels, as well as the dowery necessary for the transaction (24:10), if he found a girl who would be adventurous enough to risk marrying an unknown man.

Abraham was being protective. He valued the promise of God to give him the land in which he now lived (24:7). He did not want his son to be tempted by the luxuries of life back in Ur, so when the time came for Isaac to be married, Abraham sent his trusted servant back home to get a bride from among his God-fearing relatives. He was very anxious to avoid a daughter-in-law from among the pagan Canaanites (Genesis 24:3, 8).

Abraham trusted his God to send an angel before Eliezer (24:7). Going back into the records of Abraham’s walk with God we must remember that every male in his household was to be circumcised as a sign of their allegiance to Abraham’s God (Genesis 17:10-13). This gives us a glimpse into the life of the man he entrusted with this important task. So it comes as no surprise to find Eliezer praying.

We can learn something from the simple prayers of this man. He had certain expectations. Don’t we all? “Show kindness to my master Abraham”……”By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master”. He knew the Lord God was kind! Because God is kind, Eliezer expected God to give him direction and success in his mission. He watched the girl who had caught his eye as the potential bride, watching her closely. After all, a lot rested on his choice! He “watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful” (24:21).

When she passed the test, listen to Eliezer’s prayer: “Praise be to the Lord!” He recognized the Lordship of God. We might ask ‘what does it mean to you and to me, that Jesus is Lord of our lives’? As he bowed down, Eliezer praised God for His kindness and faithfulness, for His direction to the household of Abraham’s family (24:27).

Reflection:

What do we learn from Eliezer? He was a loyal, trustworthy servant. In fact, he was the chief servant in Abraham’s household, a position of honour! (24:2). When Abraham remained childless for nearly 100 years, he feared that his estate would have to go to Eliezer, a servant who had most likely been born in his own household (15:2). Eliezer was faithful to the task, because he was depending on God to hear his prayer.

Eliezer learned to trust the Lord implicitly and he was willing to give God the glory for the success of his mission.

What do we learn about God? He is faithful, provisional, and kind. He hears and answers our prayers. Eliezer believed Him to be worthy of all honour and praise.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Getting in God’s Way

June 4, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Matthew 16:13-

The Bible records a story that is close to the experience of every believer. How often do we try to interpret God’s word as instruction for us to do something? Sadly we often do so on the basis of incomplete listening. We are so frequently reactionary that we only have half the picture when we fly off to “do” or to “fix” something.

Perhaps this is why we are told “…know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In that same verse the Lord tells His people to “Be still” – cease striving, and know that I am God. It seems that although they claimed to know God, they didn’t understand the magnificence or the intentions of this Sovereign Being.

God spoke: “I will be exalted among the nations.” Pretty incongruous with the state of affairs in their world. So many other nations, heathens, pagans, were worshiping at the shrines of man-made gods. How would God be exalted among the nations? Certainly not with their help. Stop trying to fix it, God said.

A hymn-writer penned the words “Speak Lord, in the stillness, while I wait on Thee.” If God speaks to us in a still small voice, will we hear Him amidst the noise of our world? What assurance will we have that God speaks to His children today if we don’t practise the art of listening?

Back to our story – Peter had just identified Jesus as Divine. Jesus commended him for listening to the Holy Spirit who had revealed this truth to him, for it was on that truth that Jesus would build His church! (16:18) WOW! Imagine having that “well done” from Jesus’ own lips! However, Peter, being Peter, fails to listen to the rest of what Jesus needed to teach His disciples. He interrupted Him in the middle of an important prophecy. He only heard “I will be killed” – or that was what Peter thought he heard. Words tumbling over each other, Peter hastened to correct Jesus by exclaiming that was impossible! (Matthew 16:22).

Immediately Jesus turned the tables and spoke to him sharply. You are acting just like Satan; in fact your denial of my sacrifice is exactly what Satan wants this needy world to believe (16:23). You see – Peter was getting in God’s way. The perfect plan God was orchestrating in order to achieve redemption for the sins of the world, would have been turned upside down by Peter’s well-meaning protection of the One who needed to be his Saviour!

When the unexpected, or distasteful happens to us we are often tempted to tell God “Never, Lord!” just as Peter did, but if it fits into a Divine plan that is veiled from our eyes, might we just get in God’s way? Perhaps we need to pause, to listen carefully, and to wait for God to clarify His purpose, before we deny Him the opportunity to teach us precious lessons that He knows we need to learn.

Reflection:

Think about what God’s purpose might be in some unwelcome circumstance in your life.

Do your reactions tend to get in God’s way?

Does He sometimes need to rebuke you for not listening?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)