Devotional

God’s Glory

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Ezekiel 38

In scripture we read a lot about the glory of God, and yet, if asked to describe it, sometimes we find ourselves without words. Whether we can bring honour and glory to His holy name, or not, God will do so Himself. He told Moses that He would gain glory for Himself through Pharaoh. Who would have supposed such an unlikely thing, yet God is the God of the impossible.

Here’s the plan Moses – God would harden Pharoah’s heart so that he would not let the Israelites go. Then when finally Pharaoh caved, the army and all his people would recognize the power of the God of Israel! Exodus 14:4.

Hundreds of years later God’s purpose hasn’t changed. Ezekiel writes that in the last days God will gain the victory over Gog. “Then they will know that I am the Lord” (38:23). For years God had prophesied through his prophets details of the nations gathering together against the tiny nation of Israel; why is still a mystery. Someone has described Israel as “the navel of the earth”. Surely its location isn’t what makes it such a target for the nations.

No – it is the eternal battle of evil against good, Satan against God in his final attempt to be like God. Jesus spoke about the coming battle, recorded in the gospels – Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Revelation 16:16. This is interesting since Ezekiel, hundreds of years before, prophesied clearly about that final battle.

Having been patient with mankind through millennia of time, God described His zeal and fiery wrath through His prophet. There will be a great earthquake; mountains will crumble, every man’s sword will be against his brother. God’s judgment will bring plague and bloodshed, hailstones and burning sulphur upon the troops of the nations gathered against Israel.

The promise is consistent with His character: “I will show My greatness and My holiness”. There is no other god to compare with the terrible glory of God’s wrath. Have we a correct picture of the God we worship? Have we forgotten the miracles which Jesus Christ performed when He was here on earth?…raising the dead, Himself raised from the dead!

Reflection:

We sing “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns in heav’n supreme” but does He reign in our hearts supreme over every earthly temptation? Each day God wants to show the world His glory through the lives we live, as we follow the Lord Jesus. Imagine the joy of being His image-bearers! “Then they will know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 38:23) All glory goes to our God!

Devotional

The Triumph of Mercy

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James 2:8-13

Our Ladies were studying the book of James. We’ve probably read it many times, but there is still much to learn! A little phrase suddenly jumped out at me “Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (:13). First of all we need to understand what judgment looks like.

In our world today people are tweeting about their personal observations, so often from the bias of criticism, it seems. Is this the test of one’s intelligence, I wonder, to be able to discern the faults of others? How often are we acting out what Jesus warned about – looking at the speck of sawdust in our brother’s or sister’s eye while ignoring the plank that limits the vision in our own (Matthew 7:4). Jesus recommended that we take time to remove the plank before we assume a helping relationship with our brother/sister (Matthew 7:5).

Sometimes we ignore the potential dangers God warned the Israelites about …the damage of giving false testimony about our neighbour (Deuteronomy 5:20), because we are so quick to pass sentence on another fellow human being. James reminds us that often anger is the basis of our condemnation, so we should pause to listen, before expressing our opinions (James 1:19). Have we forgotten the besetting sins of our own nature that make us so displeasing to God?… and yet He repeatedly forgives us. Can we, will we, pause to remember His mercy?

Another thing – Jesus told the crowd assembled on the mount, that we will be judged with the same measure of mercy we deliver towards those who offend us (Matthew 7:2). James amplifies this thought:
“judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful” (James 2:13). That follows the theme of the Lord’s prayer that so many of us know by heart, and repeat often: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive others who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12 KJV).

Do we really want God to forgive us in the same way as we have forgiven others? Even William Shakespeare got it right when he wrote the Merchant of Venice, reminding Shylock that mercy must be freely given – “The quality of mercy is not strained [forced]”. It must be genuine, real. God knows whether or not we are going through the motions, or if we mean what we say.

Often it is hard to forgive – it is a Divine gift in the moment. With God it is possible for mercy to triumph over judgment. Our judgment may or may not be perfectly correct. That is not the issue. The ability to lean on God to help us deliver His mercy to others is demonstrated by our desire, and His power, to forgive. This is the Divine triumphing in the lives of human beings!

Reflection:

“Dear Heavenly Father,

We say we are followers of Jesus. He was so merciful to those who were accused! May we learn from His example. His love drew people to Himself! May our lives exemplify our appreciation for all men and women because they are made in the image of God. Search my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me , before I pronounce judgment on anyone else. Help me to remember Jesus’ words “He/she who is without sin cast the first stone”. May I live by His perfect example, which demonstrated Your love for everyone. May Your mercy out-weight the judgments I might make. Keep me from slandering others. Empower me, my Father, to triumph over evil. In Jesus’ name I pray.”

Devotional

Egypt’s Shade

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Isaiah 30:1-5

In a day and age where folks seem determined to chart their own destiny, where does one go for help?

The Israelites, we read, had gone to Egypt for help, centuries ago. The Lord addressed them as His obstinate children (30:1). Starting with “Woe!” we must look closely to discover what it is that has so displeased the Almighty God!

Apparently the nation has gone down to Egypt for Pharaoh’s protection, without consulting God. What could Pharaoh do? Many times in the Old Testament God had warned Israel not to trust in Egypt’s horses and strength. Here we find them resting in “Egypt’s shade” (:2 & 3).

Resting! David had previously written “Blessed are those who walk not in the counsel of the ungodly” Wouldn’t that apply to the Egyptians whose religious idols were prolific? Were the Israelites not sitting in the seat of those who scorned their monotheistic God? (Psalm 1:1) Where did God’s people now put their trust?

The problem was ego…people wanting to form their own plans without asking “Thy will be done”, forming alliances without God’s Spirit directing the whole process (Isaiah 30:1). Before we become too judgmental, do we not often practice the same trend? How often do we make plans without asking for God’s direction? Or…. perhaps we ask God to approve our plans without any idea that His might differ. Sometimes we even try to dictate to the Almighty how He should help us.

What then could Israel expect from Egypt? At that time Egypt was a declining power. Assyria was on the rise. Their protection could only bring shame and disgrace (:3 & 5). God viewed Egypt as useless, powerless to bring help, or to put them at an advantage. Did they trust this all-seeing God? No! They chose to put their trust in Egypt.

The question for us today is “Where do we put our trust”? Do we sit in the shade of our own Egypt? Do we trust in science, in intellectualism – knowledge that at best is only seeing through a glass darkly? (1 Corinthians 13:12). Do we seek help from fortune tellers, astrology, wizards? Do we rely on alcohol and drugs to ease our emotional or physical pain? How do we deal with our spiritual emptiness and darkness?

Rebelliousness is deceitful, blind, evil – it cannot look on the Holiness of God. (30:9-10). Yet through it all God offers truth: “In quietness and trust is your strength” (30:15). Listen to God’s heart – “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion, for the Lord is a God of justice” (30:18). Have you ever been loved with such intensity? Has anyone else ever pursued you with active compassion?

Reflection:

How does God view our waywardness?

Does His faithfulness and patience set us an example?

Will you rise from the shade of your Egypt, to respond to God’s obvious love?

Devotional

The Shortest Prayer

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Luke 23:42

At Easter we learn some things about the power of prayer! Jesus prayed with His disciples, for His disciples. They could not have envisioned all that was going to take place after their Passover Feast, but they were beginning to feel anxious. Jesus sensed that, telling them not to let their hearts by troubled (John 14:1). He went on to talk about heaven. When our hearts are troubled do we turn our thoughts towards heaven?

Then He finished that special dinner with them by interceding on their behalf (John 17). He prayed for the protection of believers (:11) – which includes you and me today. He also prayed for their sanctification (:17) as well as for their unity (:21-23). His prayer began with asking God to glorify His Son (:1), and ends by His asking that the Father would ultimately glorify all His children (:24).

For those of us who find it difficult to spend time in prayer, this may have seemed a long one. However, Jesus prayed once again in the garden of Gethsemane. This time it was with infinitely more intensity! His own heart was troubled, greatly troubled! He experienced a rare phenomenon called hematidrosis. Only in extreme agony can blood be expelled through the sweat glands, resulting in the skin become very tender and fragile. Consider that through the night and into the day, His skin was put to the test with frequent beatings. Knowing all things, Jesus knew what agonies He faced as He prayed in the Garden that night.

However, Jesus was silent before His accusers. He acknowledged only that He was indeed King of the Jews. Hanging on the cross He had brief interaction with His heavenly Father only twice. He called on God to forgive His persecutors, generously reminding God they didn’t understand the depth of their sin. The second cry of agony came as He was separated from His Father for the first and only time.

Just before that cry of agony, Jesus’ compassion could be seen as He cared for His mother. Also, He cared about sinners who repented until the last moment of His life. As His blood was poured out for the men beside Him, only one received forgiveness of sins along with the promise that that very day they would be together in Paradise.

Reflection:

Our prayer of repentance doesn’t have to be couched in theological language, carefully intoned. In this account of 3 men hanging side by side on crosses, we hear the whisper “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom”. Short and to the point…he didn’t list all of his sins, but this man recognized Jesus as Sovereign God! What a revelation! What a moment – only one or two minutes between him and eternity! It is never too late, while we draw breath. It was a short prayer, heart to heart.

Devotional

Zealous for My Honor

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Number 20:12, 25:10-13 Revelation 5:13

As we bow in worship, would we consider ourselves to be zealous for the honour of our God? Indeed, why do we pray? Is it to see the pain of others relieved? Is it for guidance in decision-making? Is it with faithless hearts as we despair over our world? Do we praise God from whom all blessings flow?

Moses had a moment of faithlessness. In a life-time of amazing service, Moses had a hiccough, a crisis in believing. The Israelites were desperate – they had no water. Water was a religious issue as well as a physical necessity. They needed water for ceremonial washing, a ritual which prefigured the cleansing of the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:13-14, 1 John 1:7-9). They needed drinking water for themselves and their flocks.

Moses and Aaron went before the Lord. In fact they “fell face down, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them” (Numbers 20:6). How thrilling is that? Have you ever known the glory of the Lord to surround you as you prayed? God gave them specific instructions. They were to gather the people for a demonstration of God’s power. Then they were to “speak to the rock”. There would be enough water for all the people as well as their livestock, pouring out of the rock as a result. WOW!

When Moses began to speak, he accused the people of being rebels. In his rising anger he then struck the rock twice with his staff. Now, God had instructed him to bring his staff (:7), but He did not give instructions for its use. Perhaps this was as much a test of Moses’ faith as it was a miracle to provide water for His people.

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron: “Because you did not trust in Me enough to honour Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites you will not bring this community to the land I give them” (20:12). What a blow! After so much talk of the ‘promised land’, they would not enter into it? Imagine their disappointment. To us this might seem a very heavy punishment for a small slip-up, but in the mind of God, Moses was His representative among a people who found it easy to try short-cuts or even direct rejection, of the word of the Lord. Surely speaking to a rock wouldn’t be nearly as masterful as whacking it with one’s staff.

So what would it take to earn God’s approval? The Lord appointed Phinehas, grandson of Aaron as a replacement for Aaron “for he was as zealous as I am for My honour among them [the Israelites]” (Numbers 25:11). “Therefore…I am making My covenant of peace with him.” He earned “a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honour of his God” (25:13).

Reflection:

First: As I knelt to pray this morning, I had to confess my own failure to honour my God at all times. If the fate of Canadians depended on the way I carry out God’s instructions to believers, written clearly in His Holy Word, Canada would be in trouble, very thirsty indeed! But here’s the thing – Canada is spiritually thirsty. Our whole world is dying for lack of the water of life. What are we going to do about it? Will God hold us accountable? Read Ezekiel 33:1-16

Secondly, if my entrance into the ‘promised land’ depends on the way I honour my God, then I need to seriously consider my ways.

Third, can I look forward to hearing voices lifted up from heaven and earth in praise, singing: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honour and glory and power forever and ever!”? (Revelation 5:13)

Devotional

Courage to Confront

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Luke 11:1, 37-53

Very few of us like people who are confrontational. They make us nervous. However, as Solomon observed, there is a time for everything…..a time to speak and a time to be quiet.

We know that Jesus, for the most part was silent during His trial. Had He already said His piece? Was anyone listening? It seemed in the fickleness of human nature many listened as long as it suited their purpose. How many were really converted to His way of thinking? How many had the courage of their convictions, having listened to what He taught?

Take for example a discussion which took place at the dinner table. Jesus was the invited guest of a Pharisee. How refreshing and kind after a long day of preaching and teaching and driving out demons! In itself, this invite was remarkable since Pharisees did not usually extend table fellowship to those whom they condemned for questionable conduct. Jesus had been accused of making friends with sinners – by association contaminating Himself. He was accused of breaking the law by healing on the Sabbath. He was accused of blasphemy, claiming to be equal with God. This was the confrontation He faced almost daily from the Pharisees and religious leaders.

Luke records Jesus was reclining at the table (11:37). This is a picture of relaxed posture. Knowing all things as He did, He certainly was aware that this was a God-given opportunity. For what? Did He anticipate a grueling grilling on His theology, or on His practise of faith? How could He be so relaxed? Think of it – how relaxed do you feel on the verge of possible confrontation?

He didn’t have to wait long. Immediately His host noticed He didn’t wash before eating. Why, we do not know, unless He orchestrated this to make a point. His point was very clear. Taking in all those who were present, Jesus declared “You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people!….Woe… Woe… Woe”

(:42-52 – repeated 6 woes).

The Pharisees made a great show of cleanliness; tradition demanded it. They would not even eat with folks they felt were unclean physically or spiritually….demonstrating a high degree of superiority and judgment. It was easy to insult His host by not washing, but imagine how Jesus turned the situation around! Such courage, meeting them on their own turf and then risking their displeasure. Would you be willing to risk ridicule or even worse – we read the Pharisees and leaders of the law opposed Him fiercely and besieged Him with questions (:53).

Reflection:

Imagine yourself in the same situation as guest of an uncertain friend. Would you have courage to confront error in their thinking?

After such a busy day would we be inclined to excuse ourselves on the basis of fatigue?

How was Jesus fortified for this encounter? We need to remember to be in reliance upon the Holy Spirit if we should find ourselves in a confrontational situation.

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God’s Grief

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Jeremiah 48

Moab was the nation descended from the son of Lot by his elder daughter (Genesis 19:38). After a rough beginning, the Moabites had been given chances to know the Israelite God. In fact, they are represented in the lineage of the Christ (Matthew 1:5). However, as they grew so did their opposition to Israel.

“She has defiled the Lord”. How? “Was not Israel the object of your ridicule?” the scorn of the Moabites continued every time they spoke of Israel (Jeremiah 48:26-27). They had forgotten that Israel was the apple of God’s eye: Zechariah 2:8. “For thus says the Lord of hosts: …. He has sent me against the nations that plunder you, for the one who touches you touches the apple of His eye”. Apparently Moab’s overwhelming pride and arrogance and the very haughtiness of her heart had consequences: “Her boasts accomplish nothing” (Jeremiah 48:29).

Now God was about to bring judgment upon Moab. Joy and gladness will no longer characterize their feasts and festivals, Rather the “destroyer” will wipe out their harvest (48:32). The waters of their rivers would dry up (:34). “ ‘Terror and pit and snare await you O people of Moab’, declares the Lord” (:43). Finally Moab herself would become an object of shame and ridicule (:39).

As God delivers this judgment, how does He feel? (48:31-32, 36) There are some key words which describe the Creator’s sorrow. Let’s not forget He had been patient for so long! “Therefore I wail over Moab….I moan for the men of Kir Hareseth”. “I weep for you”. “So My heart laments”. “There is nothing but mourning for I have broken Moab like a jar that no one wants” (:31, 32, 36, 38). All this comes from the heart of the Creator who loves His creation with an everlasting love. I wonder if, as today in our society many blame God for the mess things are in, if they would ever stop to consider the pain God feels about the mess we ourselves have created .

Satan is alive and well. Have you heard any sermons lately advising caution regarding the evil one? Do we teach our kids in Sunday School that there is an enemy who longs to see us flounder when moral choices have to be made? Is there, indeed, any such thing as right and wrong? There needs to be a balance in our theology. God is love; He is the very essence of love, but by the same token His must be true to His word. Around the world catastrophes are happening and people blame God. Perhaps He is responsible, but did they remember to thank Him when things were going well? Did they live by His code of ethics?

Reflection:

Jeremiah gives us a grim reminder that there are consequences of our choices. Is this why folks say the Old Testament is out of date; that it doesn’t mean anything since Jesus came to show us God is love? We need to be very careful which God we worship. Jesus came to fulfil the law. Jesus fulfilled the law by embodying its principles perfectly and revealing its deeper significance, rather than simply obeying its external rules. And we see the heart of God weeping once again as our Saviour wept over Jerusalem Read Matthew 23:37. And because He cared, Jesus gave His life “that whosever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Devotional

Do Not Go to Egypt

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Jeremiah 42

“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition, says: “ (Jeremiah 42:9).

The people living in Judah at this time were a remnant who have returned from living in other lands (Jeremiah 43:5). Nebuchadnezzar had conquered the people of Judah and had taken their king, and nobles (remember Daniel and his friends?) to live in Babylon. A remnant of poorer folks remained. God had appointed Gedaliah leader over the remaining remnant, but he was murdered and now the people feared reprisals.

All the army officers and the people from the least to the greatest appealed to Jeremiah the prophet to pray “to your God” for direction ( 42:1-2). Words are cheap. “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us” (42:5). Their commitment seemed to be sincere. “Whether it is favourable or unfavourable, we will obey the Lord our God…..so it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God” (42:6). One has to wonder how sincere they were when Jeremiah came back with an answer they didn’t like.

Ten days later God spoke. “If you stay in this land I will build you up….Do not be afraid of the King of Babylon” (42:10, 11a). “If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt” (42:15b, 16) God went on to warn His people that His wrath would fall on them if they chose to live in Egypt.

One would think, with such clear guidance, the decision would be easy. Perhaps they had already made up their minds. Maybe they believed a lie. There is anguish in the voice of God: “Why?” “Why?” “Why bring such disaster upon yourselves?” (44:7, 8). I wonder today if God looks at His people with such sorrow. The remnant went to Egypt and there confronted Jeremiah, who had been swept away with them. “We will not listen”. Why? “We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven” (the Assyro-Babylonian goddess Ishtar) (44:16, 17). It is worth noting the influence wives had over their husbands (44:15-17).

The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning the fate of Egypt, as we read in Chapter 46. “I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings and those who rely on Pharaoh. I will hand them over to….Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon” (46:25-26).

Reflection:

God already had a plan, knowing the heart of each person who had promised to adhere to His will. He would use Nebuchadnezzar to accomplish His purposes; He even calls this man “my servant” (43:10). Perhaps the remnant had forgotten their God, or at least the God of Jeremiah, is Almighty! As I read these chapters, I fear our own Christian culture resembles this remnant far too much. We have been infected by our culture. Do we realize our God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and He will judge us for our thoughts and words and actions? Maybe it is not too late. God never leaves His people without hope. He offers deliverance and compassion if we choose to walk with Him (42:11, 12).

Devotional

Hope

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Jeremiah 30-31

“I will discipline you, but only with justice” (Jeremiah 30:11). What a wonderful promise God gives to His people! Israel and Judah have long been divided, each having fallen into the evil ways of the nations around them, worshiping idols and even sacrificing their children in acts of worship. In spite of their faithlessness God is going to restore them both, bringing them back to the land given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “The days are coming” (Jeremiah 30:3).

“These are the words the Lord has spoken concerning Israel and Judah” (30:4). “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you” (30:2). So here we are, reading the Words of the Lord written thousands of years ago, yet coming true in my life-time. In 1948 Israel became a nation. ”I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants out of the land of their exile” (30:10). “I am with you and will save you” (30:11). Jews from all over the globe poured back into Israel! God’s Word is True.

Jeremiah goes on to record details of how God will restore the fortunes of His people, first healing their wounds, wounds of body, soul and spirit. “I will add to their numbers……I will bring them honour”. There will be sounds of rejoicing and singing (30:19).

In once again becoming their God, the Israelites will be protected. In fact, God will punish all who oppress them. Chapter 31 goes on to list the blessings which come. Repeatedly the Lord declares “I will be their God” (30:22, 31:1) Why? The sin which separated them was when they worshiped other gods. But their God is faithful!

Reflection:


Isn’t it precious to know that the God we are in relationship with is so faithful?! In a day and age when everything seems uncertain, where faithfulness is the exception to the rule, what comfort, what confidence we have in our God! He may need to discipline His children (us) but in the end His love remains constant. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again!” (31:3-4a). This is the believer’s hope!

Devotional

Share Your World

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Matthew 10:37-42

Some mornings ago I was watching the news when a report aired on the financial market’s progress. As figures were quoted and the international impact was explored I realized how very little I understood. That area of the financial world is a mystery to me. I couldn’t help but wonder if the same confusion applies to the minds of those who have no connection with the world of faith in which I live. What might stimulate their curiosity, or do they feel so overwhelmed by the intricacies of faith that it’s too much trouble to bother?

As a Christian I am embraced by the arms of God. Tentacles of insecurity from financial ruin or deterioration in health might threaten my physical world, but knowing God has a perfect plan for my life gives me assurance that whatever happens will be part of a greater plan for the world He created.

We often get so caught up in ourselves and those nearest and dearest that we forget God is looking at a bigger picture. Sometimes, for the greater good, He does things in an unorthodox fashion. For example – although being married to an unbeliever is not God’s plan for His children (2 Corinthians 6:14), He made an exception with Esther for the greater good of His chosen people (Esther 2:17). Other examples can be seen in the lives of those who give their all to God’s service and then they are brutally murdered by those they went to save. In Ecuador, many years ago the savagery of the natives met by a faithful woman who loved them for Jesus’ sake, eventually resulted in their salvation because they saw Jesus in her.

How do we make decisions when faced with options that conflict with God’s word? One consideration must be ‘Do I have control over this situation?’ If our loved ones decide to marry someone of the same sex, do we write them off because the Bible tells us this is not God’s will? Of course not! We are to love, to the glory of God. The purity of our loving example may be used of God who really is the only One who can change a situation over which we have no control.

How often do we disengage from situations where really we could be the loving presence of God? Jesus taught us to share cups of cold water with a spiritually thirsty world. Is this God’s way of showing love? He loved me and you while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8) – not after we shaped up. This is the foundational truth upon which I live and move and have my being. This is my world. I must share it with everyone who will listen! (Matthew 10:14).

Reflection:

What comprises the foundation of your world?

When do you hesitate to share your wonderful faith? Why? (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

When have you seen God working in unusual ways? Were you part of it?