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TFTBR - June 2016


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01 June 2016

 

Joshua 18

Isaiah 24

Hebrews 6; 7

 

"MADE PERFECT FOREVER" 

 

Our Hebrews and Isaiah chapters both end on a note of climax – and wonder!  Hebrews was written to inspire those Jews who now believed in Christ -  to make it clear how the Law of Moses had been superseded.

            

The writer (Paul?) points out how dramatic and meaningful the involvement of Abraham with Melchizedec was. [Hebrews 5:6, quoting Psalm 110:4]   Our 7th chapter of Hebrews starts by telling us how Melchizedek blessed Abraham. This man is "by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace." [Hebrews 7:2]  Hebrews 7:11 tells us that "perfection" was not "attainable through the Levitical priesthood" - but this Psalm is quoted to show that Jesus is "a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." [Hebrews 7:17] and "he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 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." [Hebrews 7:24-25]

 

How heart numbing this is as we try to meditate on its’ reality - for us.  The chapter ends by telling us the "Son … has been made perfect forever."  This 'perfection' is beyond our comprehension and, looking back at Hebrews 5:9-10 we ponder with heart-felt awe how Jesus; "being made perfect … became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,  being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek." 

            

Let us commit ourselves each day to "obey him."

            

So Jesus "has been made perfect forever" - and one day – will we?  Will Christ’s return bring a state of perfection?  This perfection is beyond our comprehension as is some of the language in today's chapter of Isaiah [isaiah 24] which 'pictures' - in awesome language - the climax to God's judgements on the earth. 

            

Oh, the wonder stated in the last verse, when "the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders." We are reminded of what Daniel says he was told of this time, "the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever …" [Daniel 7:18]  Those elders/saints will be "made perfect forever." 

            

Back in Isaiah, what awesome, indeed frightening words, we are told about the time previous to when "the LORD of hosts reigns"!  Is it all poetic language?  It cannot be, how increasingly true it is today that "the earth lies defiled under its inhabitants ... Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt ..." [isaiah 24:5-6] 

             

And look at the 1st verse in today’s chapter! "Behold, the LORD will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants."  

            

When we come to Hebrews 12 we will feel challenged as to the reality of Hebrews 12:26 "... now he has promised, 'Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.' "Only those things that survive the shaking will be “made perfect forever”   

            

The end of the chapter inspires us! “Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”  

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- DC  

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02 June 2016 

 

Joshua 19

Isaiah 25

Hebrews 8; 9  

 

"ON THIS MOUNTAIN"  

 

Not on any mountain, but, declares Isaiah, "On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food..." [isaiah 25:6] - and we can perceive the spiritual parallels!  And then, wonderfully, Isaiah 25:8 adds "He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces ... for the LORD has spoken."

            

What a heart inspiring vision this is in following on from yesterday's heart-stirring chapter which ended with a vision of when "the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion ..." Zion is surely – “this mountain”! 

            

Back in today's Isaiah 25, the next verse [isaiah 25:9] inspires us further, "It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him .... let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."  How many are waiting for him today?  Only those who read His words and have got to 'know' it in their hearts and will therefore be spiritually strong enough to "endure the day of his coming" [Malachi 3:2]

            

We join our prayer with that of David who pleaded to the LORD "Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!" [Psalm 36:10]

            

We now glance ahead at the opening verses in Isaiah's next chapter. "In that day this song will be sung ... ‘Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter ..."  This is a spiritual nation!  Peter was inspired to understand and write to believers, telling them (and us) "...you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession" [1 Peter 2:9] 

             

Then Peter added words which are so appropriate for us in our utterly godless world: "I urge you ... to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." [1 Peter 2:11] As members of a spiritual and holy nation, let us make sure we "wage war" effectively.  To do this we must make every effort to stop our godless world from distracting us. 

            

Let us meditate on a final, but most meaningful quotation from Isaiah, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you" [isaiah 26:3]  And in keeping our mind focused in this way, today's chapter [isaiah 25], tells us the LORD "will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples" – and above all, "He will swallow up death forever"  With our minds "stayed" (fixed) in this way, that will be our wondrous future. 

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- DC

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03 June 2016

 

Joshua 20; 21

Isaiah 26; 27

Hebrews 10  

 

"... HAS OUTRAGED THE SPIRIT OF GRACE"

 

First, we are in awe of what we read in Isaiah 26: may we be counted by the Almighty as being among "my people."  We sense we are living at a time when this is more important than ever - access through the "narrow gate" may soon cease!  We remember Jesus said, "those who find it are few." [Matthew 7:13-14] What a wondrous blessing to find it and feel that the guidance of our Lord is surrounding us.

          

The last 2 verses of our Isaiah chapter describe an event which we sense - with heart-numbing awe - is soon to happen, maybe very soon.  "Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.  For behold, the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity ..."  It is clear  Isaiah is being caused to 'see' and write of the distant future - a time which concludes when "the dead shall live." [isaiah 26:19]

 

Then, in coming to our reading in Hebrews 10 we read of God's anger with those who have "outraged the Spirit of grace?” This causes him to ask, "how much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved..." [Hebrews 10:29] by those who have done this?  We have seen a lot of talk - and written material - in the churches and their bookshops in recent decades about grace - it has been described as 'the unmerited forgiveness of God.'   This is true – but it has led some (many?) to make no really serious attempt to live genuinely godly lives.

            

The writer of Hebrews quotes the final words of Moses we read recently in Deuteronomy 32:35-36. The words, as quoted in Hebrews, are "Vengeance is mine; I will repay" and, "The Lord will judge his people" and then makes this awesome point!  "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." [Hebrews 10:31]  

            

But we must take heart from Hebrews 10:36. " For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised." 

            

How utterly wonderful are those promises! They give an eternal meaning and purpose to our lives - as long as we have not only gone through "the narrow gate" but are treading positively on the narrow way - refusing to be influenced by the masses on the broad way, making sure we have not "outraged the Spirit of grace."

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- DC
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04 June 2016

 

Joshua 22

Isaiah 28

Hebrews 11 

 

"THE CONVICTION OF THINGS NOT SEEN" 

  

The Romans at first called Christians Atheists! This is shown in the records that have been found in the writings of Roman historians of the 2nd Century. Christians were seen as people who were worshipping something that could not be seen!  The Romans could see their gods, but their gods were the work of human hands!

             

These were our thoughts as we read the familiar chapter 11 of Hebrews this morning. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”   We cannot see God’s kingdom because it has not happened yet!  Things that have happened do not require faith, the evidence for them is there before our eyes.  

            

Five hundred years ago some men and women were burnt at the stake because of their conviction that the teaching of the established church was wrong - such as saying believers went to heaven at death!  Those who died had developed total conviction in things not seen! As a result they preached about what they read in the Bible, they refused to “recant” and deny it, they died because of their total faith in a hope that was true and of total importance in their hearts.

            

The accounts in Hebrews of those who suffered and sometimes died because of their faith, might make us fearful of having too strong a conviction because of what it might cost us!  Yet notice in the examples that follow in Hebrews 11 the different things for which people were commended for doing or saying which revealed their faith. Key examples are Jacob and Samuel. Enoch could be seen as a special example for us in these days.  We read that he was “taken” and did not see death and when Jesus comes that will be the experience of those who are faithful and alive as Paul says in his writings. [1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17] 

              

What was Enoch commended for?  In Hebrews 11:5 we read, “Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.” Twice in Genesis 5 we read “Enoch walked with God”  That simple statement sums up what Enoch was commended for; his commitment to God at a time the world was becoming very ungodly.  We will soon read in Jude about Enoch, that he “prophesied saying, “Behold, the Lord comes … to execute judgement on all and convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness … and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him” [Jude 14-15] Perhaps some were saying he did not exist! And so the flood came and destroyed these “ungodly sinners.” 

            

How many things are “spoken against” God today!  Many deny he exists. As this world grows ever more ungodly, what a total “conviction of things not seen” do we need to develop. We must fill our hearts with God’s word and then we will walk in the footsteps of Enoch - showing our faith in the same way as he did – and so be “taken” into God’s kingdom.

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- DC

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05 June 2016

 

Joshua 23; 24

Isaiah 29

Hebrews 12  

 

"SHALL THE POTTER BE REGARDED AS THE CLAY"

 

A number of times in the Old Testament (especially Jeremiah 18;19) God is described as a potter.  God shapes and makes all that exists, he is the Creator.  In Isaiah today [isaiah 29] we have an intriguing mix of Divine messages.  Isaiah lives in a environment similar to ourselves and his message to the people is, “You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say to its maker, ‘He did not make me’; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?” [isaiah 29:16] 

            

Today, especially in recent years, most people seem determined to deny that a Creator exists, especially in “educated” countries. God’s methods in creation are totally beyond human comprehension, but all that the scientists have been doing is examining the nuts and the bolts, they are blind to the whole picture.  It is tragic, because these human attitudes are a denial of the power of the Holy Spirit, a blasphemy for which there is no forgiveness [Matthew 12:31-32].

            

Those who regard “the potter“ as non-existent, are those “whose deeds are in the dark, and who say”, as Isaiah records,  “Who sees us?  Who knows us?” [isaiah 29:15]   But those who read the Bible and reflect carefully about what they read are not in the dark!  The more they read, the brighter becomes the light! 

 

Isaiah 29  today also contains a vision of the last days!  It gives us “Ariel” as a code name for Jerusalem, “the city where David encamped” [isaiah 29:1]  With heart-felt awe we read that “in an instant, suddenly, you will be visited by the LORD of hosts with thunder and with earthquake and a great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire.” An utterly awesome ‘picture.’ [isaiah 29:5-6] 

            

But what a vision of the future then unfolds!    “And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel (Jerusalem), all that fight against her and her stronghold and distress her, shall be like a dream, a vision of the night … so shall all the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mt. Zion.” [isaiah 29:5-8].  

            

There is no event in past history that fits the scene described here. In Isaiah 29:11 we read, “the vision of all this has become like the words of a book that is sealed”.  Is the unsealing about to occur?  Read Daniel 12:4,9-11 and keep our eyes open to understand what the potter is about to do or we will become “clay” ourselves – and never “see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God” – as we will read this week in Isaiah 35 - of the time when “a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice." [isaiah 35:1]  

            

We are in awe of who will be elevated to be among the princes - we remember how the disciples were told, “you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [Matthew 19:28]          

            

Finally, Isaiah 40 ends with this wonderful description of what some of "the clay" will become!  We read "they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  

            

What will "the potter" do to "the clay" that has told the "the potter" you “did make me”? Tomorrow’s chapter in Isaiah [isaiah 30] gives us the answer. “because you despise this word” you will be like “a potter’s vessel, that is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a shard is found.” [isaiah 30:14]

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- DC

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06 June 2016

 

Judges 1

Isaiah 30

Hebrews 13

 

“THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS”

            

I remember how, years ago,  our back fence collapsed under the weight of ivy and other creepers.  The challenge when putting up the new fence was not just to clear away the vines but to dig out the roots – and that was no easy task.  The entire root system had to be unearthed. We thought of this as we read Hebrews 12 and the phrase “root of bitterness” [Hebrews 12:15].  Let us carefully note the context, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled”.   Human beings are no different to plants.  

            

We may not realize it, but in the way we think, the places to which we let our minds travel and take root in the experiences of life, those roots become habits that are good or bad, healthy or unhealthy. Getting rid of bad habits is not easy, especially if they have dug in deep!  When life seems to collapse, or threatens to, it is even more vital we dig out all those ‘roots‘ before God does!  John the Baptist used the same word when he said the “axe is laid to the root of the trees” [Matthew 3:10] And that generation, those who turned away from Jesus, felt the effect of the “axe”! 

            

We think of what we read in Hebrews 11 and its encouragement to us to imitate all the examples of faith in former ages that we read of in God’s scriptures. These are described as a “great a cloud of witnesses, so (because of them) let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely” [Hebrews 12:1]  

            

They cling closely like those vine roots we had to dig out with so much difficulty– and – coming to today’s chapter [Hebrews 13] must make sure we respond to the advice to “keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have” [Hebrews 13:5]  That advice is the very opposite to the spirit that is in the world today!  The world’s ‘spirit’ is constantly confronting us with a barrage of alluring marketing messages and other godless attractions/distractions.

            

Money is of course essential, but loving it, is destructive.  People are not content, they forever want more – and this attitude puts down roots into their thinking until it ultimately destroys them.  Finally, we must note the vital point  that is made in Hebrews 13:9 “Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings …it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.”  When that happens it proves we have put down good healthy roots!  

            

Let us finish with the last words in this epistle - “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all”  Grace? It is the loving favour of our Lord – the reality of which, when we sense it in our hearts, will inspire us to get rid of bad roots. 

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- DC

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07 June 2016

 

Judges 2; 3

Isaiah 31

James 1 

 

"... WHO REMAINS STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL"

            

Today we started reading one of the most thought (and heart) provoking books in God's word - the letter of James. In many verses James comes straight to the point; the challenge to develop and then maintain Christ-like behaviour in a godless world.  James encourages us to be among those  "who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." [James 1:12] 

            

James does not simply say the promise is to those who believe in God! - he says "those who love him."  This is a reaction of the 'heart' - not just an intellectual acceptance in our minds.  

            

The 'trials' we face individually vary - they can largely be described as things which hinder our minds - no, more than our minds - our hearts - from whole-heartedly focusing on the wonder of eternal things. ‘Focus’ is an interesting word.  When I was young it was constantly used in regard to cameras; it was a challenge to take a picture in focus - so it printed out sharp and distinct.  Today, it is not a problem, cameras are automatic!  But our minds and hearts cannot be put into automatic mode in the service of our Lord. What can we do?  We should all know the answer to that question.

            

Our chapter in Judges today has many illustrations of how, after Joshua died, the people struggled without the guidance of his leadership, their 'focus' on the God who had delivered their parents and grandparents from bondage in Egypt - and the eternal blessing of all that godly living entailed – had become distorted, they failed to "remain steadfast under trial." 

            

What a blessing that we have one (often more) copies of the divine guidance for godly living readily at hand, many of us also have it on computers! Do we make adequate use of this blessing?  Do the words we read (or hear read) penetrate our hearts as well as our minds? 

            

James also told his readers to " receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls …be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." [James 1:21-22]  A "doer" is one who 're-acts' to what he or she hears or reads.  God's word, says James, is "the perfect law, the law of liberty" [James 1:25]  Liberty!? What does James mean?      We meditate on what Jesus said to those "who had believed him ... you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." [John 8:30,32]  This is free from being "a slave to sin" [John 8:34] and therefore from eternal death. It is a freedom that will create in us the ‘will’ to "remain steadfast under trial."  

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- DC

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08 June 2016

 

Judges 4; 5

Isaiah 32

James 2 

 

"FAITH APART FROM WORKS IS DEAD"

            

We must beware of taking the familiar pronouncements of Scripture for granted. The counsel and warning of James in the 2nd chapter of his epistle should be familiar to us - may it not become too familiar. What is classified as "works"?  James' epistle makes it clear it is faith 'in action'! Our faith in the words of Jesus (it is significant the word “faith” occurs 30 times in the gospels) - and the words his disciples and the apostles wrote - should inspire us to live Christ-like lives. 

           

Our chapter in Judges, Judges 5, about Barak and Deborah shows that teamwork often lays the foundation for success in serving our Lord.  To this we must add that the clearness of our own vision of the future plays a vital part in the way we live – of our acts, done in faith.   What do we have faith in?  Then our second portion, Isaiah 32, commences: "Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice." How positive!  This “will” happen!

            

Jesus left his disciples with a vision of the future - and they spread the message of this, seeking to stir hearts to genuinely believe and have faith in Jesus.  And so we see that "faith" must have a clear vision, an objective - in which we have faith.   We then show our faith by the way we live our lives, our priorities. 

            

At the moment the news broadcasts in this country are largely filled with the promises of politicians  as an election will soon take place.  But we have good reason, from past experience to be cynical. It is hard to have "faith" that many of those promises will be fulfilled.

            

James holds out to us the example of Abraham [James 2:21-23]  as an outstanding example of a man of faith in what God was able to do; a man who showed his faith by his resultant actions - his "works."  Let us do the same, taking to heart the blunt point that James makes at the end of the chapter:  "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”  

            

It is vital we develop a genuine 'spirit' of "faith"  to gain the reward of eternal life.  Let us echo, from our hearts, and embrace the words of Paul in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, "Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, ‘I believed, and so I spoke, we also believe, and so we also speak ...'" [2 Corinthians 4:13]  May we “according to what” is “written”, which we read every day, show - in the way we speak and act today (and every day) we have genuine faith, in what we say we believe. 

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- DC

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09 June 2016

 

Judges 6

Isaiah 33

James 3; 4  

 

"DRAW NEAR TO GOD ..."

 

Our chapters today combine to create an abundance of thoughts for our meditation. We must read them carefully and reflectively. In Judges we read how Gideon learnt to "draw near to God” – but his experience followed from when “the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, 'The LORD is with you' " [Judges 6:12]  What this incident reveals has 'proved' true ever since - and previously - in the lives of godly men such as Noah, Abraham and Moses.

            

What an inspiration are the words we found in Isaiah 33. They provide us with several inspiring perceptions.  Isaiah 33:2 is like a prayer, "O LORD, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble." Troubled times are increasingly with us - and we should use this 'prayer' constantly.

            

Isaiah 33:15,17 shine like a beacon of light in our increasingly 'dark' world.

            

"He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil ... Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty ..." 

            

We can add to this - words from Isaiah 33:20-22. "Your eyes will see Jerusalem ... there the LORD in majesty will be for us ...  For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us." 

            

What a heart inspiring vision of the kingdom!

            

Finally we turned to the letter of James and his challenging - and inspiring words in James 3.  We must seek  "the wisdom from above" which  "is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." [James 3:17]  This leads to "a harvest of righteousness" [James 3:18] And then in James 4, we are challenged to  "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." [James 4:8]  James tells them (and us) to "Cleanse your hands ... purify your hearts" and "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." [James 4:8,10]

            

You must agree there are intensely thought challenging words for meditation in our readings today - yes, not just for reading, recall what David said in the Psalms, "I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways" [Psalm 119:15] and in this way he – and ourselves – are able to genuinely "draw near to God.”

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- DC

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10 June 2016 

 

Judges 7; 8

Isaiah 34

James 5  

 

“BE PATIENT, ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS”                                                                                           

   

Our chapter in Isaiah today [isaiah 34] clearly has some application to our days.  This is further illustrated by the way it flows into the next chapter which is so evidently a picture of life in God’s Kingdom and is often quoted and some of its verses form part of our hymns about the kingdom. The vision presented in today’s chapter has, of course, its roots in a situation in the prophet’s own time, but God causes Isaiah to extend his vision much further. 

            

Look how today’s chapter starts, “give attention O peoples! Let the earth hear … for the LORD is enraged against all the nations and furious against all their hosts; he has devoted them to destruction …" [isaiah 34:1-2]  What follows challenges our understanding!  “All the host of heaven shall rot away and the skies roll up like a scroll.”   We understand these words as symbolic of the leaders, those in power in the nations, the ones the people look up to!  This is even clearer in the next verse where we read, “my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens…”  God’s sword!

            

Verse 8 puts the focus on Zion, God’s holy mountain. “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.”  But why the reference in the next verse to Edom? 

            

Back in Genesis 36:1 we learn that Esau (the brother of Jacob) starts to be referred to as Edom. There is a parallel here to Jacob being renamed Israel.  One of Esau’s wives was the daughter of Ishmael [Genesis 36:3]. Esau had 12 sons as did Jacob and the detailed list of his descendants [Genesis 36:9-43] shows they spread as far as the Euphrates [Genesis 36:37]

            

This led us to wonder at the implication here,  that,  at the time of the “recompense for the cause of Zion” - there occurs a parallel to earlier events -  when the “streams of Edom shall be turned into pitch” [isaiah 34:9] – does this show Edom is a particular object of God’s vengeance?   

             

Then in Isaiah 34:16 God encourages all those who are seeking him in this time of great trouble, to “Seek and read from the book of the LORD … his Spirit has gathered them.”  It is good to ignore the chapter break.  Those who are gathered will experience the time when “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom … be strong and fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance”  An inspiring exhortation for us. 

             

Our reading in James 5 then gives us an appropriate exhortation: James 5:1-3 provide us with parallel thoughts.  James writes about the “the miseries that are coming upon you … in the last days” and offers the powerful exhortation, “be patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” [James 5:8]  As the world moves into its final era of godless chaos - how essential it is that we establish our hearts.

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- DC

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11 June 2016

 

Judges 9

Isaiah 35

1 Peter 1  

 

"BORN AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE"

 

What a total contrast there is between our readings in Judges 9 and all the conflict and resultant deaths it describes - caused by Abimelech - and the “living hope" of which Peter writes at the start of his First Epistle.  The spirit that Abimelech created all around him has considerable comparison with life around nearly all the world today. 

            

Peter addresses his letter to the "exiles of the dispersion" - this would be the Jewish dispersion - and, of course, written to "those who are elect." [1 Peter 1:1-2] "Elect" is an significant word - we do not use it in normal conversations, although with elections looming here, there will soon be lots of comment about those who are 'elected.'  But whoever is elected, not one of them can give us, "a living hope" [1 Peter 1:3]  

            

The world can only provide 'a dead hope' - which is no hope at all!  This life is all there is, and how short may this become as the human 'pathway' appears to be going more steeply downhill into utter godlessness! 

            

Remember what we read yesterday in James 5:1,5,9 "...weep and howl for the miseries that are coming ... You have lived ... in luxury and in self-indulgence... the Judge is standing at the door."  Very few years after James wrote this, the nation came to an end - and Jerusalem was destroyed. 

            

In contrast Peter tells his readers, the believers, that God "has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable." [1 Peter 1:4] Peter then says this "inheritance" is "kept in heaven for you ... ready to be revealed in the last time." [1 Peter 1:5]  

            

Those who read the scriptures carefully know that genuine believers do not go to heaven to receive it.  The last chapter in Bible [Revelation 22:12] says, "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." The "recompense" or reward, is given to believers "on earth."   Jesus taught "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." [Matthew 5:5]  

            

Let us make sure we have been "born again to a living hope" - a spiritual rebirth,  which we outwardly witnessed by our baptism.  They showed this on the day of Pentecost when they were "cut to the heart" at the preaching of Peter, and  [Acts 2:37] and "said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  And so they went down into the water and were "born again to a living hope"  

            

There are increasing signs that the coming of Jesus is close  - and then he will "repay each one for what he has done."   All those who have been "born again to a living hope" followed by a life of commitment in service to Christ will have prayerful confidence as what their reward will be.

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- DC

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12 June 2016

 

Judges 10; 11

Isaiah 36

1 Peter 2  

 

“LONG FOR THE PURE SPIRITUAL MILK”                                                                                               

 

What is “pure” in this world?  Ways of living are corrupted in various ways, there is constant friction as everyone wants to do “what is right in their own eyes” as the very last words in the Book of Judges tells us of that era.  In reaction to this our opening quotation from the writings of Peter are very appropriate – as an essential counter-weight – to tip the scales in our minds towards God.

 

The break between chapters 1 and 2 in Peter’s 1st Epistle is unfortunate; start reading from verse 24 in chapter 1 and see what a meaningful (and blunt) message Peter is making. "'All flesh is like grass … the grass withers … but the word of the Lord remains forever.' And this word is the good news that was preached to you, so put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.  Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation" [1 Peter 1:24-1 Peter 2:2]

 

In those days, far more than today, newborn babes had to be fed on their mother’s milk if they were to survive in a meaningful way – remember how Moses, the babe in the bulrushes survived? [Exodus 2:2-9]   

 

We take in Peter’s point “the word of the Lord remains forever” – but that word is being watered right down today – often only little bits are being quoted so they can support humanistic reasoning.

 

We need the purity of God’s word more than ever if we are to “grow up to salvation.”  Just 2 weeks ago in Hebrews we read that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword … discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” [Hebrews 4:12]   Humanly speaking – it is ‘dangerous’ to read God’s word carefully!

 

But Peter links the word with Jesus who was “the word made flesh.”  He says “you come to him as a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious” [1 Peter 2:4].  He then observes what at first seems remarkable, “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood …” [1 Peter 2:5]

 

In 1 Peter 2:9 we see that believers are called “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you (we!) may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” That “light” becomes so marvelous as we feed our minds on Scripture and “grow up to salvation” that we have less and less difficulty in putting out of our minds the things of the world that once had some degree of attraction for us. 

     

Let us all make sure we have plenty of “pure spiritual milk” every day.

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- DC

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13 June 2016

 

Judges 12; 13

Isaiah 37

1 Peter 3; 4; 5  

 

"HUMBLE YOURSELVES ... BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU"

           

Today we completed reading Peter’s first epistle: we developed the perception that it was written as the situation in Jerusalem was getting close to its’ final crisis.  The future Jesus had prophesied, the time when he said "... do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down" [Mark 13:2] - that time was now clearly imminent, a matter of months? Even weeks, days? 

            

The sense of urgent encouragement Peter makes here is equally appropriate for believers today!  But we have no Peter among us to do so - but we have his epistle. We can see in the way the situation in the Middle East is building up that an 'explosion' of conflict is certain to happen - sooner - or later.   Jesus said that believers must "be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." [Matthew 24:44]  Well, the world will not be expecting it – but what about believers?  But how few really know God’s word in detail! 

            

This final chapter in Peter's 1st Epistle is also interesting because it begins by Peters stating, "I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder..." This gives us the true picture as to Peter's role - not at all like the 'fiction' the R.C. church developed 3 centuries later.  Look at the words of Jesus [Matthew 23:9-11] “…call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. … The greatest among you shall be your servant.”

            

Peter tells them to "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." [1 Peter 5:5] The next 2 verses provide us with a wonderful exhortation. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."    

             

This is 'food' for our meditation, not just for today, but for coming days, weeks, months - indeed, until God acts  - both to judge our world for its' ungodliness - but also to reward those who believe its teaching – from their hearts - and genuinely practice the godliness described in God's word. 

            

So let us all, "humble ourselves ... under the mighty hand of God ... because he cares for you" taking all our anxieties to him in prayer – having developed full faith and confidence that he cares for us.      

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- DC

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14 June 2016

 

Judges 14; 15

Isaiah 38

2 Peter 1; 2  

 

"THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO RESCUE THE GODLY"

 

All our readings today convey Illustrations of the “rescue” of “the godly” – those who are striving to serve God – or who are being used by God for this purpose despite their imperfections. In Judges 15 we read of Samson who, despite his weaknesses of character in certain situations, God used in defeating the Philistines. Samson gets mentioned in the list of examples of those showing “faith” in Hebrews 11:32.

            

Then in Isaiah 38 we read of the good king Hezekiah’s God-given recovery after he "turned his face to the wall and prayed .... ‘Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.’" [isaiah 38:2-3]  Would we be able to pray using those words?

            

Isaiah 38:17 is thought challenging; after his recovery, Hezekiah says, "Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back. "   God can cause 'bad' things to happen for a 'good' purpose - but this is only recognised as we look back.  Truly Paul observed, "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." [Romans 8:28] and Paul told the Philippians, " it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." [Philippians 2:13]

            

This brings us to points Peter makes in his 2nd epistle; we read of "righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked" [2 Peter 2:7] We can experience distress ourselves for this reason. Do we have feelings of “distress” at times?  Peter says, “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly.” [2 Peter 2:9]  We have read of examples. As our world becomes ever more evil, we should take to heart our reading of Peter's warning about those who "entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. " [2 Peter 2:18] Peter says how such, "promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption."  What kind of freedom?

            

Finally we note Peter’s warning to believers that "if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, (and) they are again entangled in them and overcome, their last state has become worse for them than the first." [2 Peter 2:20] 

            

Then Peter adds. "it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them." [2 Peter 2:21]  May we who have learnt "the way of righteousness" read and then absorb the lessons of that "way" day after day.  Finally we ponder what will be the nature of the "rescue of the godly" as around us we see "people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken." [Luke 21:26]

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- DC

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15 June 2016

 

Judges 16

Isaiah 39

2 Peter 3  

 

"BE DILIGENT TO BE FOUND BY HIM ... AT PEACE"

 

We finishing reading Peter’s epistles today.  Once again parts of his message are a challenge to understand – but that is a common feature in the way God has designed his word – it challenges us to engage our hearts and minds for our lifetime. It is a wonderful spiritual jigsaw!   The more we read and meditate upon it the more the picture becomes clear.

            

It was revealed to Peter “that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, 'Where is the promise of his coming?'" [2 Peter 3:3-4]  This is now happening - indeed it has been increasingly so throughout my lifetime.  Here and there one would encounter scoffers who would ask questions like, "'Where is the promise of his coming?'"  Peter says that such people, "... deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God," [2 Peter 3:5]

            

God's word in Genesis  begins by telling us how God spoke (gave commands) and creation began. 2 Peter 3:8 fascinates us! Peter tells us, "do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."  So from God's perspective of time we are near to completing 2 days since his Son was crucified!   So we specially note Peter's next point! " The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness ..." 

            

Then Peter warns about what we may see as 'the third day'!   He tells us that "the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."   This is surely symbolic language - but what does it signify?  A few days ago we read in Isaiah 34 "For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens ..." [isaiah 34:5]  It seems clear the "heavens" are the rulers, the governing bodies - what perplexities will overwhelm them as Jesus is returning! All the evil they have allowed "will be exposed."

            

Then Peter poses one of the most powerful questions in all of Scripture! "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening (by prayer) the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved ..." 

            

Well, what sort of people are we? Are we truly "beloved" by Jesus and his Father?  May we, as Peter says, "since (we) are waiting ... be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace." [2 Peter 3:14]  May we embrace in our hearts what we are about to read in John's first epistle, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." [1 John 3:2]   

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- DC

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16 June 2016

 

Judges 17; 18

Isaiah 40

1 John 1; 2  

 

"SO THAT WHEN HE APPEARS WE ..."

           

We continue our readings in Judges, it was the time when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes" [Judges 21:25] – until God brought Samuel onto the scene.

            

But we are waiting for a far greater ‘Samuel’ to appear – and John’s epistles give us the answers to that with words for our profound meditation.

            

But first we must look at our chapters in Isaiah.  After the seeming interlude of Isaiah 36-39 about Hezekiah and his significant inter-reaction with the LORD – the theme of the prophecy totally changes to one of  “Comfort” to God’s “people.” [isaiah 40:1]  and is a vision of when “the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." [isaiah 40:5]

 

In Isaiah 40:28 we have a challenging question, one that is equally challenging today!  "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable." Humans cannot search out the real origin and meaning of life as well as the depth of the ways of God!

            

Then in Isaiah 40:31 there is a promise that inspires each one of us today! "....they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength ... they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. "  We wait for our Lord and Saviour’s return and the experience of this wonder! 

            

As we start reading John's first letter we see he makes the point, that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us ..." [1 John 1:9]  We confess them to him! See Psalm 32:5.  Note what John then says, "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments." [1 John 2:3]  

            

And what are his commandments!  John challenges us!  "... whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" [1 John 2:6]   Jesus sets the example, we must take fully into our minds how he told his disciples, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another". [John 13:34-35]  In his letter John tells us that our way of life shows whether we truly "abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming." [1 John 2:28] 

            

It is surely not long now before "he appears" - may love for our Saviour and his (and our) God, and “for one another” dominate our thinking, and therefore all that we say and do!  And then, as a result, as we will read tomorrow, "we may have confidence for the day of judgment." [1 John 4:17] and the time when we “renew” our “strength.” 

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- DC

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17 June 2016

 

Judges 19 

Isaiah 41

1 John 3; 4 

 

“PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR"

 

The Bible texts which describe the climax as Jesus is about to return, show they will be awesome!  Paul wrote that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” [1 Thessalonians 5:2] and in recent days we read similar comments by Peter.  Most of all we know how Jesus foretold, "distress of nations in perplexity ... people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world." [Luke 21:25-26]

            

To a degree this was experienced 75 or so years ago when I was young, particularly when bombs were dropping most nights, but teamwork among the people carried them through this ordeal, especially those with a true faith. We pondered on the only real way a believer can overcome fear – it was shown in our readings today.  

             

Chapters 3 and 4 in 1 John contain many profound thoughts from "the disciple whom Jesus loved" [John 19:26; 20:2; 21:7,20] this was about the 'depth' of the relationship believers can - and must develop with their Saviour.  John is surely writing from the 'depths' of his own experience. 

            

We read from 1 John 4:15: "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us."  Ponder carefully what John then declares, "whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment ..."  

            

How close are we to "the day of judgement" when people will be "fainting with fear and with foreboding"? The Middle East situation seems to be waiting/wanting to explode!  But not only the 'Middle East' - the world financial scene is increasingly unstable. Is the god of mammon about to fall on its knees? 

            

It is more vital than ever today to have a genuine relationship with God. We must fully grasp how John is stressing this point. God's "day of judgement" on our godless world seems near. How "fear" will then multiply, in an unlimited way, throughout our world!  

             

Let us take totally to heart 1 John 4:18-19 in this chapter. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us." May we all develop "perfect love" - toward each other - but most of all toward our Lord and his (and our) God.

            

Peter told believers to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart” [1 Peter 1:22] – but, above all, what is “most important” of all, is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' Jesus said this! See Mark 12:30.

            

May we all develop as fully as is humanly possible, as an outcome of the intensity of our faith, the  “perfect love (that) casts out fear.”    

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- DC

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18 June 2016

 

Judges 20

Isaiah 42

1 John 5 

 

"OUR FAITH ... HAS GIVEN US UNDERSTANDING”

            

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world,” writes John, and then he adds, “And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” [1 John 5:4]. What is faith?  That’s is a fundamental question – and the answer is simple!  

            

Consider what happened in the First Century – beginning with 12 ordinary men, most of them fishermen. Yes, miracles happened at times, but though these were a spur to faith, they did not create the ongoing faith that spurred so many on - to be faithful in the face of all sorts of persecution. The fact is that the pagan Greek and Roman world was challenged as to what it really believed, who really was the God that should be worshipped!  Many resisted the challenge – and nearly all do today!

            

Paul in his letters to these converts reminds them “how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” [1 Thessalonians 1:9-10]  

            

These former pagans had reached a conviction as to the real nature of the Creator of all things who sent his Son into the world.  This conviction included the realization that we are nothing, we are like a cloud floating through the sky, dissipating into nothingness - unless …!! Unless we seek a relationship with God! 

            

There is a well-known verse which tells us, “without faith it is impossible to please him … whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” [Hebrews 11:6]  Belief must be so genuine – that it spurs us into action.

            

Today the challenge to our efforts to develop such a faith is the fiction of evolution – the impossible idea that everything by some means “created” itself!  So we turn from human fiction to the wonder of what happened to challenge human minds 2,000 years ago. It is “our faith” in what happened then - that enables us to “overcome the world” writes John.  It is “our faith” that inspires us today.  

            

Let us fully absorb into our minds how John stresses this point - at the end of his first Epistle.  “We know the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ” [1 John 5:20] 

            

It is inevitable that genuine faith leads us to know God, to have a prayerful relationship with him, a relationship which develops more and more - to be “in him” - as we ‘feed’ on his word every day.

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- DC

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19 June 2016

 

Judges 21

Isaiah 43

2 John 1; 3 John 1  

 

“WALKING IN TRUTH”

 

Today we read those two short final and personal letters from the pen of the Apostle John.  As we started reading [2 John] we were impressed by the fact that four times in the first 3 verses he uses the word Truth. We read on to see and appreciate that to “love in truth” is to “know the truth” and must lead to our “walking in truth”. 

            

That last phrase especially jumps out at us. In his Gospel John recorded the words of Jesus about this – for e.g. John 8:31-32.  Truth is not just something we know, it is something we do; it is a principle by which we live, that is in evidence in all our decisions and resultant actions. 

            

John is alarmed that “many deceivers have gone out into the world” [2 John 7] who evidently had changed what the apostles taught.  Such people, says John, are “those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh”.   They were converts who thought they could re-interpret and ‘improve’ on what they had been taught by their own reasoning.  After accepting the teaching that Jesus was the Son of God who had brought God’s message to human beings (John 5:19-20, etc.), these deceivers were saying Jesus could not really have been a human being; as he was a Son of God, he could not have been flesh and blood.  

            

This is serious, John says, he states that such “a one is a deceiver and the antichrist.” John then immediately comments, “Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what you have worked for” [2 John 8].  He further says that anyone who “does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God.” [2 John 9].  

            

John described those who were teaching falsely as doing “wicked works” [2 John 11]!  In the end there is to be one particular “antichrist” – but there are to be a multitude of forerunners, all guilty of distorting the original “truth” and history testifies to the truth of this.    

            

It would wonderful if all Christians could be of one mind, but it is impossible, human nature being what it is.  We are in awe, thinking of the time when Christ, on behalf of the Father, has the final say as to whether we receive his wondrous eternal blessings.  

            

We noted the reasons held out against those he rejects.  In John’s third and final letter he writes more about “walking in the truth” [3 John 3-4] and identifies those like Diotrephes [3 John 9] who do not do so.  Let us make sure we know the truth and then make sure we walk in it in what we say and in what we do each day.  

            

Truth never changes. [see Ephesians 4:4-6,14-15,25] 

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- DC

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20 June 2016

 

Ruth 1; 2

Isaiah 44

Jude 1  

 

"FEAR NOT, NOR BE AFRAID"

 

Today we read the first 2 chapters of Ruth; we can take this as a living parable of commitment to the way of the LORD after discouraging – even disastrous - events.   We see in the account of Naomi and Ruth that the all-seeing eyes of the LORD had a purpose in view – a purpose that was ultimately to extend  far beyond their lifetime. 

            

In following and then serving the Lord (this is a process of progress) our Lord sees the end from the beginning – as with Naomi and Ruth. We notice how Naomi began to realize this after she had returned to her  homeland. Have you realized this in your life? Look ahead to Wednesday’s reading of Isaiah 46 – how God is “declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done …” [isaiah 46:10]

            

This is brought out, on a larger scale, in today’s chapter, Isaiah 44.  The prophet is told, “Thus says the LORD ... the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god." [isaiah 44:6] "Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it?" [isaiah 44:8] Declared what?  The previous verse is a challenge to false gods , "Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen." [isaiah 44:7]  Only the true and real God can do that!

            

The world around us is increasingly fearful of "what will happen" and nearly all minds are focussed on living for this year - and at the most - next!  In Isaiah 44:24 we read how God declares, ""I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself"  How few believe this today!  Remember what we read in Isaiah 42:5!  Look out for what we will read in Isaiah 45:12.

            

In the next verse [isaiah 44:25] we read how God "turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish"  Today's 'false knowledge' will soon be demonstrated as foolish.!

            

How inspiring to our thoughts this morning are the last 2 verses we read at the end of Jude's short epistle! "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,  to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority,  before all time and now and forever. Amen"  

            

With faith in these words firmly fixed in our hearts and minds, we will "Fear not, nor be afraid."

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- DC

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21 June 2016

 

Ruth 3; 4

Isaiah 45

Revelation 1; 2  

 

"HOLD FAST TILL I COME"

            

Today we started reading the thought-challenging last book of the Bible; but before we endeavour to extract some meaningful thoughts from it we reflect on the sequel to the life of Ruth.   

            

Ruth’s faithfulness to her widowed mother-in-law led to her coming to Bethlehem. The heart-stirring sequel to this little book is how she ended up being the grandmother of Jesse who became the father of David.  [Ruth 4:17]

            

Our chapter in Isaiah [isaiah 45] is largely about the folly of the "idols"  humans make and  “carry about … and keep praying to a god that cannot save" [isaiah 45:20] So many in these days, have "idols" they carry about and which constantly occupy their attention - but they can only communicate with fellow mortals - not with the immortal God and his redeeming Son! 

            

Isaiah 45:15 is interesting - and challenging! "Truly, you are a God who hides himself ..."  Because of this faith is the essential foundation principal in our lives, faith would not be necessary if it was undeniably evident that a Creator existed; the time is coming when he will reveal himself, represented by his immortalised Son! And then unbelievers will be "put to shame and confounded ..." [isaiah 45:16]  

            

Then Isaiah 45:18 proclaims, "thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it ... he formed it to be inhabited!"  And how wonderfully it provides for the needs of its inhabitants - as long as they cultivate it wisely.

            

We now come to Revelation.  The symbols in the opening chapters are made plain to us: letters are sent to  7 different churches. These can be taken as representing all the different types of churches that existed then - and have done so ever since!  Each letter starts, "I know your works"  We must absorb the significance of this?  The churches are called "lampstands" [Revelation 1:20] and John "saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man ..." [Revelation 1:12-13]  Jesus was – and still is – there in spirit with all groups of believers.

            

The 7 letters all start - "I know your works"!  Let us humbly take into our hearts and minds, that our Saviour now has the power to know all.  He does not see one of these 7 communities as being a perfect church. It has been of great value to believers in every century to consider which of the messages apply to them and their community. 

             

As one example we take the letter to Thyatira. "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first." [Revelation 2:18-19]  What a wonderful commendation - if it was a letter to us!  But the next verse shows they are not perfect, there is a member who is "teaching and seducing my servants ..." [Revelation 2:20] 

            

Jesus says, " I gave her time to repent, but she refuses ..." [Revelation 2:21]  Finally, we ponder Revelation 2:24 "But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching ... Only hold fast what you have until I come." [Revelation 2:24-25]  Let us all make sure we are holding fast the true teaching - till he comes. 

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- DC

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22 June 2016

 

1 Samuel 1

Isaiah 46; 47

Revelation 3; 4 

 

"HE WHO HAS AN EAR LET HIM HEAR"

            

Don’t we all have ears!?  Yes – but how do we use them?  And eyes – and see with them!?  Our human nature is such that we usually only hear and see (& read) what appeals to us!

            

It is how we think, the attitudes that develop in our minds, that motivate us in what we choose to hear. If our minds are totally (or largely) focussed on this life – we will only hear and look at – things on which our minds are focussed.  Our minds have become like modern cameras, they develop an ‘automatic’ focus for the things we want to see – and hear!  This meditation is both simple – and yet – profound.  How few are thinking ‘through’ the evidence – and seeing – the eternal meaning of life today?   There appear to be increasingly few.  

            

Our thoughts were propelled along these lines as we completed reading the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2; 3.  

            

The believers in each church are challenged  -  "He who has an ear, let him hear."  The seventh church is portrayed as saying, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing ..." [Revelation 3:17] - their "hearts" have not absorbed the words and warnings of Jesus, their ears heard – and yet didn’t!  We have a saying – ‘it went in one ear and out the other!’

            

We need to think deeply about the 'picture' language employed here:  is not this the ultimate parable of Jesus!  Revelation 3:19 takes our thoughts to the relationship - and inter-reaction - between Jesus and his disciples. He said to them, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."  All 12 had occasion to repent – but for one it was too late!  

            

Judas came and declared to those who had given him money to lead them to Jesus by night, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." [Matthew 27:4]  His ears had heard the words of men more clearly than those of his Master.  Jesus had taught, " "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." [Matthew 6:24]

            

We all have "an ear" to “hear."  But what do we listen to?  Our world's 'words' become ever louder in our ears - and seen - with our eyes.  Jesus counselled that seventh church in Laodicea, " I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see." [Revelation 3:18] and we can add, 'and hear.'   Are not the minds of the world today ‘naked’ and their ears deaf!!

            

Our minds are 'naked' if this world dominates - and therefore - penetrates our ears and our hearts and minds.  Let us become 'rich' - that is, "rich in faith" [James 2:5] "so that the tested genuineness of your faith­more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire­may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ." [1 Peter 1:7] 

 

May we all have “an ear” with which to “hear”  and hearts that are, as a result, motivated by God’s word.

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- DC

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23 June 2016

 

1 Samuel 2

Isaiah 48

Revelation 5; 6  

 

"I AM THE LORD ... WHO LEADS YOU"

            

We have 4 chapters to inspire and challenge us today.  In 1 Samuel 2 we have Hannah’s inspiring song of thankfulness after the birth of Samuel: it is an inspiration for all of us who are thankful for the way the LORD is leading us today in our godless world.  Sadly, it is to have a negative application to the godless sons of Eli.  

            

Hannah’s inspired words should put us in a mood of heartfelt awe “for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed"  for "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones ..." [1 Samuel 2:3,9]  But these words are immediately followed by "but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness ... The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth" [1 Samuel 2:10] The ultimate fulfilment of the LORD's judgements is surely near: may we be among “his faithful ones.” 

            

Verses in our reading of Isaiah 48 have parallel thoughts, it starts, "Hear this ... (you) who swear by the name of the LORD and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right.." [isaiah 48:1] A divine warning that has echoed ominously down through the centuries, constant failures by so many who claim to believe in God to recognise it is "the LORD …  who leads ..." them!  

          

Isaiah 48:17 has words from our Creator that we need to particularly highlight for ourselves. ""I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go." God's people in those days were paying little attention - is it any better among those who claim to believe today? Look at the divine lament in the next verse! "Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river ..."

            

Our world is such, despite God's word being available in every language so ‘seekers’ can recognise it is "the LORD ... who leads” them: but his leading is only for those who pay attention to his word every day and put into practise what they read.  

            

The chapter ends with the declaration, "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."

            

This world will soon face its' divinely appointed destiny and how awesome is the vision of this at the end of our 6th chapter in Revelation!  We note its declaration - and its question!  "... the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"  The answer is - those who have responded to the divine declaration "I am the LORD ... who leads you." Let us make sure we are among those who “stand” and who the LORD leads.

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- DC

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24 June 2016

 

1 Samuel 3

Isaiah 49

Revelation 7; 8; 9  

 

"SPEAK FOR YOUR SERVANT HEARS"

 

Today – do we ‘hear’ what God says to us through his written word?  Can we, in praying to our Creator, say I am “your servant” who ‘hears’ what you are saying through my reading of your written word for I read it every day.  Parts of it, especially as we are reading Isaiah and Revelation have messages, both of warning – and encouragement.  

            

Our first reading was 1 Samuel 3 and how young Samuel first heard the voice of the LORD and eventually responded, under the direction of Eli and said “Speak, for your servant hears” [1 Samuel 3:10] Let us ‘read’ intent on ‘hearing’ the message God has made sure is preserved for us.  Let us make sure we absorb it into our minds – and hearts.

             

God’s initial message through Samuel was about the fate of Eli’s godless sons – although they served in the Tabernacle.  Samuel grew up to serve the LORD in a meaningful way – and challenge others to do the same – and what a wonderful eternal future awaits those who do: a lesson for us!  In the language of Revelation – they were “sealed.”

         

Today’s chapter, Revelation 7, begins with a picture of those “sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” [Revelation 7:4].  Then the vision opens out in Revelation 7:9-10; “after this I looked, and behold a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”

 

This event was prefigured when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and the crowd “took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him” [John 12:13] and the crowd said, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” These words will find their complete fulfilment when Jesus comes again.  The symbol of the white robes is explained in Revelation 7:14 “These are the ones coming out of great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” We can understand the symbolic language here.

 

Revelation 9 tells us of the final terrible judgements, “but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads” [Revelation 9:4] will suffer.  How vital to be among the “sealed”- surely those who see themselves as servants, who hear!

              

The words about those “sealed from every tribe in Israel” -  tie in with today’s Isaiah reading,  “Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold , I will lift my hand to the nations … and they shall bring your sons … and your daughters … Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.” [isaiah 49:22-23]  They will be those who truly ‘hear’ among “the nations”.

 

World crises are increasing, especially north of God’s Holy Land – Lord, how long? At that time Israel will be caused to know! But the question for each one of us today is - will I be among that “great multitude”? How we “hear” really matters – eternally.

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- DC

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25 June 2016 

 

1 Samuel 4

Isaiah 50

Revelation 10; 11  

 

“THE NATIONS RAGED”  

 

Our first reading today in 1 Samuel 4 illustrates human folly in trying to achieve victory over the enemy in the wrong way.  The foolish sons of Eli took the Ark with them into battle, but they were killed and the ark was captured – and Eli died at the shock of hearing about the loss of the ark. The ‘fall-out’ from this event however was good, it brought Samuel to the fore – to be a great influence as the people developed into a nation..  

            

We can draw a comparison here with the tragedy of the death of Christ.  Our chapter in Isaiah [isaiah 50] echoes this to some degree, but it also reveals that a greater than Samuel was to come!  There are verses which pre-figure the work – and even more – the spirit of Christ!  Here is an example. "I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord GOD helps me ... therefore I have set my face like a flint ..." [isaiah 50:6-7] The prophet of the LORD, especially in O.T. times had to develop this spirit, he had to "... trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God." [isaiah 50:10]

            

Surely this is the message that applies today for those who truly believe and "trust" in God's word.  David wrote in Psalm 9, "... those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." [Psalm 9:10]  May we seek - and find - and then trust today!  It will soon be vital to have achieved this.

            

These thoughts prepare us for our chapters in Revelation.  Are we approaching the time when "there would be no more delay" when "the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets." [Revelation 10:6-7]  From our human perspective there seems to have been delay.   God said through his prophet Habakkuk, "the vision awaits its appointed time …. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." [Habakkuk 2:3] 

            

Finally in Revelation 11 we ponder the scene as  "the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God" saying "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.  The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great …" [Revelation 11:16-18]

           

And what happens to "the nations (who) raged"? Revelation 11:18 ends!  "... and for destroying the destroyers of the earth."  May we so live that that we "experience" the "rewarding" of the "servants ... those who fear (are in awe of God's) name" – this will have been essential as “the nations raged” around them. And how soon now?

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- DC

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