Next to the Old Testament patriarch Abraham, perhaps no human figure was as highly regarded by the recipients of this letter as Moses. Philo of Alexandria, a Jewish philosopher who lived in the time of Christ, wrote that Moses functioned as a prophet, priest, king, and legislator. The author of Hebrews turns next to Moses to show that Jesus is better. In Hebrews 3:1 the writer calls Jesus an apostle. It is the only place in the New Testament where this term is used of Jesus. The title is not intended to lower Jesus’ status but to show that, like Moses, Jesus was an authorized messenger of God. Moses and Jesus alike served as God’s representatives to His people. But there is a distinct difference. Verse 3 points out what makes Jesus worthy of even greater honor. Moses was a servant, but Jesus was the “builder.” Moses is God’s messenger, but Jesus is God’s Son and the Creator (v. 6). If the readers of this letter respected the message that came to them through Moses, they had even more reason to regard the message that came through Christ. But the writer goes a step further by pointing out that Moses bore witness to Jesus (v. 5). In this way, Moses was not only God’s servant but also a servant of Christ. This assertion echoes Jesus’ claim in John 5:39 that the words of the Old Testament “are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” Consequently, those who ignore Christ’s message make the same mistake as the disobedient generation that perished in the wilderness after the Exodus (vv. 7–11). Those who reject Christ reject God and miss the rest He has promised to all who come to Him in faith (Matt. 11:28–30). If you have heard His call, do not ignore it!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How human was Jesus? In his book Jesus Wars, author Philip Jenkins observes, “In the early centuries of Christianity, very strong forces were pulling Christ Godward and heavenward.” Many early Christians emphasized the divine nature of Christ, sometimes at the expense of His humanity. But Jenkins goes on to point out that this tendency was checked by the New Testament itself, which clearly portrays the divine Christ as human. The book of Hebrews is outspoken on this point. This same Jesus who is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” also “shared” our humanity (Heb. 1:3; 2:14). Jesus did not merely appear to be human, He was “fully human in every way” (v. 17). In the person of Jesus Christ, we find someone who is both truly God and truly human. Verses 14 and 17 go on to explain the reason this was necessary. Jesus shared our humanity so that He could die for us. He was also made like us so that He could live for us. Humanity was essential to Christ’s role as our High Priest. Without a human nature, Christ would not have been able to die on our behalf. Because He was truly human, Jesus not only died but “suffered when he was tempted.” As a result, he is “able to help those who are being tempted” (v. 18). Jesus’ humanity was not a publicity stunt intended to get our attention. Hebrews 2:17 points out that it was a necessity. Jesus had to be made like us to be our sacrifice and High Priest. Because He was made like us and has suffered for us, He is able to “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (v. 15). Jesus is the one and only God–Man!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People sometimes wish that God would say something to them. They have a question to ask or perhaps even a complaint to air. But if the Old Testament teaches us anything, it indicates that God has already spoken to us. The writer of the book of Hebrews, whose name we do not know, begins with a reminder that God spoke “at many times and in various ways” in the past (Heb. 1:1). The author says this to draw a contrast that will shape everything else we read in this book. God has spoken in the past. But the climax of all that He has said is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is because everything God has said is ultimately meant to reveal Himself. According to verse 3, only Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Jesus puts a human face on God. But He does more than translate the unseen nature of God into a human form. Verse 3 points out that Jesus shows us what God is like because He is God. He sustains all things “by his powerful word.” Jesus is the revelation of God that all previous revelation was building toward. Yet He came to do more than show us what God is like. Jesus also provided “purification for sins” by offering Himself as a sacrifice (v. 3). The message at the heart of the book of Hebrews is the incomparability of Christ. Jesus is superior to all things, even the angels, because He is their creator (v. 4). He is the sacrifice that surpasses any other sacrifice that may be offered for sin, even those that God Himself prescribed in the Law of Moses. Jesus is the only way to God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a later chapter, the author of Hebrews defines faith as “assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). And 2 Corinthians 5:7 makes a similar point when it says that we “live by faith, not by sight.” Yet faith is itself a way of seeing. The faith that shapes our vision for living is not blind faith. When we live by faith, we train our vision to see the world as Scripture describes it. In today’s text, the writer contrasts how things appear and how things truly are. Verses 5–8 quote Psalm 8, comparing what we can see with what we do not yet see. We do not yet see all things subdued under Christ’s control (v. 8). Instead, we see Jesus “who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (v. 9). This is the language of faith. While we may not see these things with the naked eye, we can apprehend them through the testimony of God’s Word. The gospel message portrays a crucified, risen, and exalted Christ who became the “pioneer” of our salvation by suffering on our behalf (v. 11). He has gone before us to open the way to God. Those who trust Christ receive His righteousness as a gift and are adopted into God’s family (v. 12). How, then, do we come to see things as the writer of Hebrews describes them in these verses? The only way is to view them through the eyes of faith and put our trust in Christ (v. 13). The work of God that is unfolding in our lives today is a work that is already finished (see also John 19:30).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angels are everywhere. You see them on charm bracelets, in pictures, and shaped in sculpture. You can find them in cemeteries, mounted on park fountains, and even on a certain brand of toilet paper. Humans in every age have had a fascination with these heavenly beings. Unfortunately, this interest has sometimes crossed the line and fallen into angel worship. Those who received this letter appear to have developed an excessive interest in angels. The writings of the Jewish community of Qumran, known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, include speculations about angels. There may even be an indication that they were venerated to the point of worship. Similarly, Colossians 2:18 warns, “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.” Today’s passage puts angels in the proper perspective by pointing out that Jesus is superior to the angels. Angels are God’s servants and messengers, but Jesus is the divine Son of God and is worshiped by angels (vv. 5–6). The angels surround the throne and are God’s servants (v. 7, compare with Rev. 5:11). But Jesus is enthroned at God’s right hand (vv. 8, 13). Although Jesus was made “lower than the angels” when He took to Himself a human nature (2:9), He is now enthroned at the Father’s right hand, waiting for all His enemies to be subdued (v. 13). Jesus is not an ordinary human who has been elevated to divine status. Nor is He an angel on steroids. He is the eternal God and our Creator who became flesh (vv. 10–12). He is worthy of our worship. No angel can make such a claim (Rev. 19:10; 22:8–9).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I live near one of the Great Lakes, so I sometimes float on the lake in an inner tube in the summer. I prefer to stay in one location, but I’ve noticed how easy it is to drift. If I don’t pay attention, the wind or the waves will carry me far away from my starting point. Something similar had happened in the spiritual lives of those to whom the letter of Hebrews was written. In verse 1, the author warns of their need to “pay the most careful attention.” Their immediate problem was not one of ignorance so much as it was a kind of spiritual amnesia. They had been taught correctly but had begun to drift away from the things they had first heard. In particular, they had begun to move away from the message of salvation through Jesus Christ (v. 3). The emphasis on Christ’s superiority to the angels offers a clue about how this happened. They had not rejected the message outright but seemed to have become distracted from it by an inordinate interest in angels (v. 5). As their interest in angels increased, their focus on the significance of Christ and His sacrifice decreased. They forgot how the gospel had first been announced to them by those who heard Christ’s teaching and the way God had attested to the validity of their message by the working of the Holy Spirit. Eventually, their interest in secondary spiritual matters overshadowed the fundamental truths they had once embraced. Jesus and His work took a back seat and was in danger of being replaced entirely by their fascination with angels. The remedy for this? Pay careful attention to what you have already heard. Do not drift away from it or let it slip from your thinking. Ignoring the truth can cause us to reject the truth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angels are everywhere. You see them on charm bracelets, in pictures, and shaped in sculpture. You can find them in cemeteries, mounted on park fountains, and even on a certain brand of toilet paper. Humans in every age have had a fascination with these heavenly beings. Unfortunately, this interest has sometimes crossed the line and fallen into angel worship. Those who received this letter appear to have developed an excessive interest in angels. The writings of the Jewish community of Qumran, known as the Dead Sea Scrolls, include speculations about angels. There may even be an indication that they were venerated to the point of worship. Similarly, Colossians 2:18 warns, “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.” Today’s passage puts angels in the proper perspective by pointing out that Jesus is superior to the angels. Angels are God’s servants and messengers, but Jesus is the divine Son of God and is worshiped by angels (vv. 5–6). The angels surround the throne and are God’s servants (v. 7, compare with Rev. 5:11). But Jesus is enthroned at God’s right hand (vv. 8, 13). Although Jesus was made “lower than the angels” when He took to Himself a human nature (2:9), He is now enthroned at the Father’s right hand, waiting for all His enemies to be subdued (v. 13). Jesus is not an ordinary human who has been elevated to divine status. Nor is He an angel on steroids. He is the eternal God and our Creator who became flesh (vv. 10–12). He is worthy of our worship. No angel can make such a claim (Rev. 19:10; 22:8–9).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People sometimes wish that God would say something to them. They have a question to ask or perhaps even a complaint to air. But if the Old Testament teaches us anything, it indicates that God has already spoken to us. The writer of the book of Hebrews, whose name we do not know, begins with a reminder that God spoke “at many times and in various ways” in the past (Heb. 1:1). The author says this to draw a contrast that will shape everything else we read in this book. God has spoken in the past. But the climax of all that He has said is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This is because everything God has said is ultimately meant to reveal Himself. According to verse 3, only Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” Jesus puts a human face on God. But He does more than translate the unseen nature of God into a human form. Verse 3 points out that Jesus shows us what God is like because He is God. He sustains all things “by his powerful word.” Jesus is the revelation of God that all previous revelation was building toward. Yet He came to do more than show us what God is like. Jesus also provided “purification for sins” by offering Himself as a sacrifice (v. 3). The message at the heart of the book of Hebrews is the incomparability of Christ. Jesus is superior to all things, even the angels, because He is their creator (v. 4). He is the sacrifice that surpasses any other sacrifice that may be offered for sin, even those that God Himself prescribed in the Law of Moses. Jesus is the only way to God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Prepare to Be Amazed” is the title of the final chapter of a book my husband Peter and I wrote together, 20 Things We’d Tell Our Twentysomething Selves. A friend painted that phrase on a beautiful wooden sign, which sits above our kitchen sink. It reminds us that God is working in incredible ways for His own glory—despite any “evidence” we might claim to the contrary. Isaiah 43 is a beautiful decla- ration of this truth. These verses communicate God’s commitment to His people and love for them. The prophet—as God’s own mouthpiece— speaks directly to them. The repeated use of the personal pronouns (“I” and “you”) highlights the intimate connection between the Lord and His chosen ones. In verses 1–7, God reminds them of His past work. He created them, redeemed them, and called them to Himself. Then He promised that same ongoing care through future fires and floods. Verse 4, in particular, is a direct and passionate declaration of love. He calls His people “precious,” and He underscores His promise to pay any price for their deliverance. Verses 8–13 describe a courtroom scene. All the nations have assembled to hear the testimony, and God’s people are His witnesses. To the blind and deaf and needy, they testify that He is the only true God and Savior, Who has “revealed and saved and proclaimed” (v. 12). But as amazing as God’s work has been in the past (vv. 16–17), it is not finished. He is “doing a new thing!” (v. 19). He is not done redeeming. He is not done “making a way in the wilderness” (v. 19). We are able to obey the Greatest Commandment because He has loved us—faithfully and generously! Knowing this compels us to praise (v. 21)!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have a goal? Maybe you want to lose 10 pounds or build up to running a marathon. The right goals can be helpful and motivating. They give us direction and focus. They help us plan, challenging us to solve problems and overcome obstacles. They act like a beacon, guiding us toward growth. But not all goals are so positive. Sometimes we fix ourselves on personal gain. Some goals harm us and even lead us to sin. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul is addressing conflict in the Corinthian church. Members had competing values and goals. They were a church divided. Some pursued social status and pleasure, while others were promoting abstinence and piety. The specific issues here were the consumption of meat sold in the marketplace and the invitation to a meal in an unbeliever’s home. To guide their decision-making process, Paul offered several principles: 1) They should choose what was beneficial and constructive (v. 23); 2) They should consider the good of others above themselves (v. 24); 3) They should enjoy what God created (v. 26); 4) They should consider the conscience and temptation of weaker believers and not lead them to sin (vv. 28–29, 32); 5) They should give gratitude to God (v. 30). Paul challenged them to commit to one main goal: God’s glory. He said that no matter what the Corinthians decided to do, they should “do it all for the glory of God” (v. 31). Nothing matters more than this. It is the plumb- line by which all decisions can be made and all goals can be set. As we set our own goals, we should ask: Will this bring Him glory? When together we pursue the main goal of honoring God, we demonstrate our love.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time is an uncomfortable reality, isn’t it? Like clothing, time rarely seems to fit just right. Sometimes we want to rush toward a longed-for event or a new stage of life. Or, we can’t wait for a trial to end. Other times we cry for the clock to stop. We’d like time to stand still so we can just sit and savor. For centuries, philosophers and theologians have argued that we are uneasy with time because we weren’t created to be caged by it. Our hearts were made for more. Jesus promised eternal life to His followers: the disciples (John 14:1–3), the crowd in the Temple (John 5:24), the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43). Perhaps His most famous conversation about eternity occurred with Nicodemus in John chapter 3. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Apostle Paul also wrote repeatedly about the eternal. He encouraged the Corinthians not to “lose heart,” for their “momentary troubles [were] achieving for [them] an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor. 4:16–17). With the Philippians, he shared his own eternal hope: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain... I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far (Phil. 1:21, 23). In Colossians 3, Paul tells the church in Colossae to set their hearts and minds—their desires and thoughts—on the “things above” (vv. 1–2). They can do this in response to the past, present, and future work of Christ Himself (vv. 1–4). This eternal focus would orient their daily lives. It would drive them to relinquish all manner of sin (vv. 5–10). And it would clothe them in compassion, humility, forgiveness, and love (vv. 12– 14). We love God by aligning our eternal vision with His.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perhaps the greatest longing of the human heart is to be loved—to be cherished, cared for, and admired. As we reflect on the many ways in which we live out our love for God, today we acknowledge the foundational truth that He loved us first. Love is a central theme in the book of 1 John. It’s a pastoral letter, written by the apostle John to the churches under his leadership. His affection for them is evident, since he calls them “beloved” many times. These believers are loved by John. Also, by God. First John 4:7–21 begins with an exhortation to love one another— the second greatest commandment. Commentators believe that some significant conflict was tearing the church apart, and John was writing to address the rift. Hence, his repeated call for them to love each other. But John does not expect them to muster up this love in their own strength. Instead, he tells them that their love originates from the ultimate source, from God himself. God does not simply do loving things. He is love. Love is the essence of His being, His defining characteristic. John supports that truth with the most compelling evidence. God “showed” His magnificent love when He sent Jesus into the world. The Greek word for “showed” (NIV) means to reveal with clarity and detail. The clear and detailed and primary proof of God’s love for us is Jesus—the “atoning sacrifice for our sins” (v. 10). Jesus is God’s most extravagant display of love. The second example John presents of God’s love is the Holy Spirit (v. 13). The third is our eternal confidence (v. 17) and our ability to live without fear (v. 18). “We love because he first loved us” (v. 19). We are able to love Him and love others only because of Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Jesus walked the earth, He healed many people. He even raised some from the dead. With each miracle, He demonstrated His deity and His power. But He also showed His love for the hurting and lost. But Jesus’ healing went far beyond the physical. In Mark 5, two individuals came to Jesus for healing. The first was Jairus, a synagogue official (v. 22). A well- respected man, whose daughter was dying, Jairus had heard of Jesus’ power and pursued Him in his most desperate hour. He fell at Jesus’ feet in front of the crowd and begged for help. Jairus believed Jesus could heal his daughter with only a touch of His hands (v. 23). And Jesus honored his faith by following Jairus home (v. 24). However, a second person interrupted them—a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. She was destitute, alone, and socially shunned (vv. 25–26). For fear of confrontation, she snuck through the crowd to place a finger on His robe. When she did, immediately, she was healed (v. 29). Sensing the miraculous change in her body, she attempted to retreat unnoticed. But Jesus had more to do. The healing He had for her was not merely physical, so Jesus searched until He found her. She was trembling at His feet, but she told Him her story in “the presence of all the people” (Luke 8:47). Notice that Jesus called her “daughter.” He changed her identity with a simple direct address and affirmed her faith (v. 34). Jesus’ healing was holistic. He gave her a voice. He restored her to community. And He bestowed on her both freedom and peace (v. 34). God loves us by providing such complete transforming power. We love Him by coming to Him in faith, humbling ourselves, and receiving the holistic healing He has to offer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that forgiving others has health benefits? The physical benefits include less anxiety, lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and improved self-esteem. The spiritual benefits are even greater: restored communion with God and others. You may think of Matthew 18 as the “church discipline chapter.” Verses 15–20 are often referenced when one member of the body has conflict with another. But we should also pay attention to the context. Jesus tells a parable about the one hundred sheep. In the story, ninety-nine sheep are accounted for, but one is missing. The shepherd leaves the flock and searches for the stray (vv. 12–14), so determined is His mercy and love. After this parable, Jesus explains the discipline process (vv. 15–20). Peter then asks: “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” (v. 21). In response, Jesus tells about a king who needs to settle his accounts. His first servant owes the king ten thousand talents—an astronomical amount. He is making the point that this servant could never repay the debt. The only solution would be to sell himself and his family into slavery, a common practice of the time (v. 25). But the servant falls to his knees and pleads for more time to pay. It’s an unrealistic request. More time won’t help. However, the king has compassion, cancels his debt, and lets him go (v. 27). Immediately, the servant finds a fellow servant who owes him a hundred denarii, a pittance by comparison. He demands payment, ignores his cries for patience, and sends him to prison. When the king hears, he is enraged. Jesus called His followers to demonstrate their love for God and others by extending unlimited forgiveness and mercy—just as He has done for us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we confess, we admit guilt and acknowledge our sin. Repentance takes confession a step further. When we repent, we are asking for forgiveness and changing of direction, turning from evil and running toward good. Both confession and repentance are acts of love. Psalm 51 gives us a model of both confession and repentance. In David’s song, we see how we too can be cleansed and restored. The psalm begins with David’s plea to God for forgiveness (vv. 1–2). He appeals to the Lord’s mercy, compassion, and love. As is common in Hebrew poetry and song, a similar idea is repeated, using different words. Taken all together, David’s three verbs for “wash,” his three nouns for “sin,” and his three acknowledgments of God’s character communicate a deep and total cry for God and confidence in His cleansing power. In verses 3–6, David admits what He has done wrong. He had sinned against God. David is aware of his wrongdoings and takes responsibility for them. No excuses. No justification. Just confession. He has sinned—not only against other people, in this case, Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Sam. 11–12). David has primarily sinned against God. He also acknowledges that his sin is rooted in his very nature and has been present in him since birth (v. 5). In the next section, David asks the Lord again to cleanse him and restore their intimacy (vv. 7–12), which is the source of true joy and sustainable strength. The Psalm finishes with a public proclamation. David’s repentance and reinstatement are not for his sake alone. As King, he commits to teaching others this same path back to God. And he prays for Zion to prosper and Jerusalem to be rebuilt. In other words, he prays for God’s people to be restored to their right standing with Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may be familiar with the sin cycle described throughout Scripture: longing, temptation, sin, consequences, confession, repentance, restoration, then back to longing. It seems God’s people have always struggled with this same pattern, just as we do today. In 1 Samuel 13, the young King Saul longed to make a name for himself. He had already defeated the Ammonites in the east. Now he wanted to engage the Philistines, one of Israel’s greatest enemies. Saul rebuilt his army up to 3,000 men. He kept 2,000 with him and ordered Jonathan, his son, to lead the other 1,000 to Gibeah (v. 2). Then, he gave Jonathan the order to attack (v. 3), effectively declaring war. The problem here was that the prophet Samuel has given Saul clear instructions to wait (10:8). Israel was to be different from other nations. They were to receive instruction from God alone—through His prophet. Saul’s impatience resulted in a Philistine show of force—3,000 chariots, 6,000 charioteers, and “soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore” (v. 5). The army was terrified. Many of them ran and hid (v. 6). In desperation, Saul remembered Samuel’s directions. He waited, expecting Samuel to come on day seven as promised. But when Samuel didn’t arrive, Saul charged ahead again—making a sacrifice to save his own skin (vv. 8–9). As soon as he completed the offering, Samuel appeared and asked, “What have you done?” (v. 11). Saul offered excuses, but the damage had been done. The consequences were far-reaching. This was the beginning of his end. It’s easy for us to excuse certain sin, to call it insignificant, or even ignore it all together. We point to people who are worse. We fool ourselves that the “end justifies the means.” However, all sin falls short of God’s holy standard, and we love Him by acknowledging its effects.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When counseling someone in a new dating relationship, we might advise, “Guard your heart.” Don’t get too close or emotionally attached to a significant other in case the relationship ends in rejection and hurt. “Protect yourself from undue pain” seems to be the warning. Proverbs 4:23 also tells us to “guard” our heart, but it carries an entirely different meaning. Chapter 4 is a condensed version of the instructions found throughout the Proverbs. It encapsulates the book’s teaching on righteous living. This lesson begins by a father addressing his son and admonishing him to “pay attention” and listen closely (v. 20). The advice is given by an older, more experienced person to a younger person. While many things compete for our attention, an honorable life begins with the discipline to train your ear to listen for truth. Whatever we tune our ears to, our eyes and heart will follow (vv. 21–22). The son is being taught to consume God’s truth in every way possible as it is the only thing that gives life and health to the entire being. This comes to a climax in verse 23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Our heart is the core of our being—mind, emotion, and will. We demonstrate our love for God not by protecting our hearts from intimacy but by guarding our hearts from evil. Our heart is the wellspring of life. From the heart flow our words (v. 24), focus (v. 25), action, and decision (v. 26). What we allow into our heart will work its way out in our communication, our relationships, our priorities, our values, and our choices. This section of Scripture summarizes how we grow and mature. As we receive instruction and put it into practice, we take wise steps on firm paths.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pain, both physical and emotional, is a part of human experience, and as Christians we are not exempt. How can we walk through times of suffering while remaining in God’s love? In 2 Samuel 15, David found himself in deep pain. His son Absalom had gained a following and was conspiring to take the throne from his father. David fled for his life. Many commentators believe that David wrote Psalm 143 from that place of pain and betrayal. David begins his prayer by crying out to God (v. 1). The basis for his request is not his own position as king. Rather, his confidence lies in the very character of the faithful and righteous God. Next, David appeals for mercy, asking God to refrain from judgment. He acknowledges his own fallenness, saying, “For no one living is righteous before you” (v. 2). Then, David expresses his deep pain (vv. 3–4). He tells God how he feels. David’s “enemy”—perhaps his own son—had wounded him. He feels crushed and is “dwelling in a dark place.” This could be the cave in which he was hiding or refer to his state of mind. It might even be both. David is weak and devastated, and he expresses that to God honestly. In verse 5, David moves from that pain with a conscious choice to remember and meditate on God’s work in the past. He remembers God’s faithfulness to himself and to Israel. The triple statements emphasize the importance of this intentional mental refocusing. Dwelling on God’s care creates a thirst for His presence (v. 6). Then, David cries out for God’s help and companionship (vv. 7–9). Over and over, David intermingles his desperate requests with declarations of trust. He finishes the psalm with a humble posture, asking God—in an act of love—to mature him and show him how to do His will (vv. 10–12).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emotions play a significant role in our lives. They motivate us, connect us, and add meaning to our experiences. But emotions can also rise and fall like a roller-coaster ride. How can we be consistent in our love for God when our emotions may be out of control? In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul addresses our emotions, both negative and positive, and puts them in the context of our Christian walk. First, he explores the connection between emotions and actions. Paul instructs the Ephesian Christians to process their anger without acting in sin (v. 26). While there are times we may experience anger, believers have the Holy Spirit’s help not to hold on to it, lest we “give the devil a foothold” (v. 27). Anger, if left unchecked, often leads to other sins. But when given to God and tempered by the Spirit, anger will not turn into “bitterness” or “rage.” It will not result in the actions of “brawling” or “slander” or “malice” (v. 31). Paul encouraged the Ephesian church to speak to one another with truth (v. 25) and edification (v. 29). Their relationships were to be characterized by kindness, compassion, and forgiveness—growing out of their own status as forgiven by Christ (v. 32). These are actions they could take, choices they could make, regardless of their emotion. Finally, Paul’s teaching reaches a climax in chapter 5 with the command: “Follow God’s example” (see Eph. 5:1). Loving God fully means that we will seek to become like Him. We will pattern our life after His character. The motivation for this imitation is not fear, but love— both emotional and active. Paul affectionately calls his readers “dearly loved children,” and he reminds them of the ultimate loving action of Jesus sacrificing Himself on their behalf.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When researchers asked 50 people over the age of 95 what they would do differently, their top three answers were: reflect more, invest in more long-living projects, and take more risks. While Scripture doesn’t advocate taking risks for risks’ sake, we do see God’s people following His leading boldly into the unknown. Take Moses. He was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, when the angel of the Lord appeared to him (3:2). When Moses went to investigate, God Himself called his name (3:4). Then, God instructed Moses to remove his sandals. This was a holy encounter with the Almighty God (3:5–6), and Moses responded with understandable fear. God then got straight to the point: “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (3:10). Moses recoiled, doubting his qualifications (3:11), his reception (3:13), and his ability (4:10). But God patiently responded by promising His presence (3:12). God reminded Moses of His identity (3:14). And God gave Moses clear instructions on how to speak and work in His power (3:15– 4:9). This was God’s project; it did not belong to Moses. In the end, Moses obeyed. With Jethro’s blessing, he and his family started back to Egypt, where Moses had been raised. Aaron joined them along the way (4:27). When they arrived in Egypt, they immediately gathered all the Israelite leaders, and Aaron shared with them everything that the Lord has said (4:30). Moses performed the signs that prove God’s power. The Israelites believed and worshiped (4:31). Moses was a reluctant leader. In part, his self-doubt kept him humble and dependent. But his fear almost paralyzed him. Courage isn’t an absence of fear. We love God when we choose to obey despite our fear, trusting God’s power to make the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Friday afternoon, as I drove home from work, I was already feeling frustrated. I had expectations for our Saturday that I knew would not be realized. Yet in that moment, the Spirit prompted me to “adjust my expectations,” to set aside my to-do list and make it my goal to love well. Expectations are a natural part of life. It is easy to get frustrated when reality does not measure up. Acts 20 records the story of Paul and his companions, meeting with the elders of Ephesus for the final time. After an extended trip from Troas, by ship and on foot (vv. 13–16), Paul finally arrived in Miletus. He avoided going to Ephesus himself, perhaps to save time or to ensure his own safety. So he sent for the elders of the Ephesian church and spoke frankly. Paul began by reminding them of his own testimony—how he “served the Lord with great humility” in their presence (v. 19). He boldly preached the gospel, even though he faced severe testing from the Jews. He preached and taught and called everyone (Jews and Greeks) to repentance and faith (v. 21). Paul also let the elders know that he was now heading to Jerusalem, “not knowing what [would] happen to [him] there” (v. 22). He expected “prison and hardships” because the Holy Spirit had warned him of such (v. 23). Yet—despite this reality—his singular goal was to preach the gospel of grace (v. 24). Finally, Paul called them to adjust their expectations. They, too, would encounter hardship (vv. 29–30), so Paul called them to stay on guard. Keep watch over the church, knowing that their reward would be eternal (v. 32). We demonstrate our love for God when we adjust our expectations to align with His will, rather than hanging tenaciously onto our own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the Holocaust, Corrie ten Boom and her family helped many Jewish people escape the Nazis. We can only imagine the anxiety she experienced. Later she wrote, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength—carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” In Matthew 6, Jesus instructed His followers: “Do not worry about your life.” He listed common human concerns: food, water, clothing. The people, gathered to hear His teaching, were well-acquainted with work and worry. Their days were consumed by meeting their basic physical needs. Jesus gave two examples of God’s great care. The first was the “birds of the air” (v. 26). Jesus explained that birds do not work as humans do— sowing, reaping, storing away grain. Instead, they do what God created them to do: find food and build nests. Yet God provides for them. Jesus followed up with a rhetorical question: “Are you not much more valuable than they?” The implied answer, of course, is yes. God provides food for His children as well. Jesus then pointed to the “flowers of the field” (v. 28). They do not work at all, yet they are extravagantly beautiful, even more beautiful than Solomon, the most excessively adorned king. These flowers decorate the ephemeral dried grass, which is burned up for fuel (v. 30). Jesus told His followers that God will dress them with even greater care. Jesus urges us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (v. 33). The word seek here does not mean “search for” but rather “pursue.” When we love God with our whole being, He promises to provide, and we need not worry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When my husband and I started the China adoption process in 2005, we were told it would take eighteen months. Then, because of a bureaucratic logjam, we waited for six long years. At times, I was patient. But at other times, I felt frustration, even anger, because of the delay. No one likes to sit in the waiting room. But waiting is a part of the human experience, and God’s timing is often not ours. We love God by waiting well. In Psalm 40, David “waited patiently for the LORD” (v. 1). There is a richness in the Hebrew that isn’t captured in the English phrase. The original language is full of hope and confidence. This “patient waiting” wasn’t just David biding his time. Instead, it was waiting with great anticipation, focusing on the good that God would certainly bring. In verses 2–3, David describes the Lord’s deliverance. God lifted him from the muck and placed his feet in a firm place. He was transformed from hopeless and helpless to safe and secure. God put a new song in David’s mouth. In verse 4, David reveals the secret: trust and an unwavering confidence that the Lord is working for our good and His glory. David’s extended testimony of praise follows (vv. 5–10), spoken directly to the Lord (“you”), but for the benefit of all who would hear. He declares his desire to do the will of God (v. 7), and he proclaims the righteousness and faithfulness of the Lord (vv. 9–10). David could trust because God’s character is sure. But even with this assuredness, David appeals again to God for help— for mercy, love, and truth to abound (vv. 11–17). It is a personal plea for deliverance from the consequences of sin. And he finishes with an appeal for haste. “You are my God, do not delay.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2016, the Wellcome Foundation conducted the world’s largest “Rest Test.” They surveyed 18,000 participants from 135 countries, asking them what activities they found to be restful. The top five answers were reading, spending time in nature, spending time alone, listening to music, and doing nothing in particular. We may demonstrate our love for God when we rest in Him. In Genesis 2:2, God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. In Exodus 16:23–30, God introduced the Sabbath to Israel through Moses, and He explained His expectations and provisions. The Sabbath was an opportunity for God’s people to rest and trust. In Exodus 20:8–11, God included the Sabbath in His Ten Commandments as a holy day when God’s people must refrain from work. In Mark 6:31, Jesus expressed His own need to rest. In His human frailty, He grew physically, relationally, and spiritually tired. He invited His closest disciples to join Him for a brief retreat on a boat. Their rest was short-lived, however. The crowds were waiting when the boat docked. Matthew 11 gives us an intimate prayer of Jesus and an invitation to rest. Jesus praises His Father, “Lord of heaven and earth,” for the way in which He revealed His salvation (v. 25). The gospel was beginning to divide those who believed from those who did not. Those who were wise in their own eyes did not understand what Jesus was teaching. They rejected Him because of their pride and self-sufficiency. In contrast, those who humbled themselves like children recognized their need and came to Him in humility and dependence. They were willing to listen and learn. Jesus invites the weary to rest: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” (v. 29). In Jesus, we find rest. The rest Jesus provides is soul-deep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg defines habits as actions we perform—all day, every day—with little or no conscious thought. We look at our phone as soon as we hear it ding. We make that afternoon cup of coffee when our eyelids begin to droop. We go for a walk as soon as we get home from work. Of course, habits can be healthy or harmful. The good news is that bad habits can be broken—especially with the power of the Holy Spirit. The book of Proverbs is an excellent source of support as we seek to identify and evaluate our own habitual behavior. As a series of individual statements of wisdom, Proverbs speaks truth into everyday life situations. Today’s passage begins and ends by highlighting the role of longing in human motivation. Verse 12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” We make decisions because we want things. If we want to lose weight, we have a number on the scale or a healthy image in mind. That goal changes our behaviors. We desire a certain outcome—whether we are conscious of it or not—so we make choices that will move us toward that goal. The verses in the middle play out the difference between wise choices and foolish choices. They follow the common proverbial pattern of Hebrew parallelism—with the second statement of each Proverb providing a contrast to the first. Here, the case is repeatedly made that the wise person will value good teaching and instruction. But this is not just knowledge for knowledge’s sake. This is knowledge that produces action and turns into discipline (v. 18). We love God with all our strength when we make wise choices—small and large— that move us closer to Christlikeness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever used a diet where you had to record everything you ate? It is revealing to track all the calories you consume, and you may be surprised at how quickly you use up your daily maximum. Suddenly, the number on the scale makes more sense. I’ve often wondered what we would discover if we recorded what we feed our souls. As we watch Netflix, scroll social media, listen to music, engage in conversations, and surf the web, what ideas are we taking in? What messages are filling our minds? In 1 Timothy 4, the Apostle Paul urges his young colleague to feed his soul well. Paul was a father-figure to Timothy (1 Tim. 1:2). The two were also co-laborers on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:1–5). And after that, Paul sent Timothy on missions of his own (1 Cor. 4:17). When Paul wrote this letter, Timothy was acting as his ambassador in Ephesus. Paul tasked Timothy with addressing certain doctrinal problems that were threatening that group of believers. In 1 Timothy 4:1–5, Paul warned Timothy of “hypocritical liars” who were spreading false teaching. He reminded Timothy of the “good teaching” he had received (v. 6). Timothy’s training had begun at home, where he was “brought up in the truths of the faith” by his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14–15). He had also experienced discipleship from the church (Acts 16:2). And, of course, he was mentored by Paul. But in verses 11–16, through a series of imperatives, Paul urges Timothy to take ownership of his ongoing spiritual nourishment. Timothy was to teach the truth, devote himself to Scripture, use his gift of preaching, and guard his doctrine. Doctrine and action are connected. We live rightly when we know rightly. What we feed our heart and mind comes out in our life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friends have a powerful influence on us. Good friends help reduce our stress and process our pain. Together, we rejoice and mourn. They increase our happiness, encourage our good choices and our self-control. Of course, the wrong friends can have the opposite effect. They tear us down, tempt us to sin, or even abandon us in our time of need. Psalm 1 warns against keeping the wrong types of friends. God blesses those who do not “walk in the step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers” (v. 1). This is not material blessing, but the joy that comes only from a consistent relationship with God. The walk, stand, sit progression used here helps us understand what it looks like to become increasingly involved with immoral people. The unwise subject moves from being casually connected to the wicked to communing with those who have chosen a hardened lifestyle of sin. The Psalmist then paints the opposite picture. The blessed person delights in the law of the Lord (v. 2). He desires it, pursues it, and meditates on it continually. He fills his mind and his heart with God’s Word. This is his habit, and the application of it is his joy. Such meditation produces a deeply-rooted and fruitful life, described as “a tree planted by streams of water,” which maintains its fruitfulness and vitality in all sorts of seasons (v. 3). There is a contrast between the abundant life of the righteous and the worthless and temporary existence of the wicked. One is a tree that thrives and endures, the other is blown away by the wind (v. 4). The Lord knows and cares for the righteous. In response, we demonstrate our love for Him by meditating on His law and being careful about the company we keep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you distinguish between true and fake love? A quick internet search provides plenty of advice. Your love may be fake if you are the only one initiating contact. Or, if you can never rely on the other person. Maybe they won’t acknowledge you in public or resist making plans with you. They express love with words but fail to follow through with actions. This month, we are looking at how we can obey the greatest commandment to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second greatest command—“love your neighbor as yourself”—goes hand-in- hand with the first. Romans 12:9–21 focuses on our love for people. The way we love others is a testament to how we love God. When we love God well, we become a conduit for His love to pour out on other people. This passage may seem like an interesting but random series of directives, gathered under the heading of “love must be sincere” (v. 9). It almost serves as a thesis statement. “Sincere” means genuine and lacking in pretense. Sincere love is not for show and is not self-serving. Paul goes on to give several concrete demonstrations. In verses 9–13, he calls the sincere believer to a high moral standard (v. 9), selfless devotion (v. 10), zealous and tenacious faith (vv. 11–12), and a generous posture of giving and hospitality (v. 13). These acts of love build unity (vv. 4–5). In verse 14, the focus shifts to how believers should respond to unbelievers who persecute them. “Bless” means we ask God to bestow His kindness. “Curse,” of course, is the opposite. Paul calls his readers to humble harmony (v. 16)—even with their enemies! We are to resist revenge and retaliation (vv. 17–19). Peace should reign (v. 18). Paul challenges us to “overcome evil with good” (v. 21).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pride is a dangerous and destructive sin. It can skew our view of the world and our place in it. Left unchecked, it can cause an inflated ego, a lack of empathy, the belittling of others, an extreme sensitivity to critique, and ultimately broken relationships. In Romans 12, Paul continues his down-to-earth instruction on how to live out our calling. He first reminds the Roman Christians of God’s grace to him (v. 3). His apostolic position and authority were from God, not earned or deserved (Eph. 3:7–8). As he calls them to a “renewed mind” (from Rom.12:1–2), he points to how believers ought to live in community. A grace-filled community happens when we each remain humble. “I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment” (v. 3). With God’s help and by His grace, we can objectively and realistically understand who He has created us to be. We are freed from pride and self- loathing, self-centeredness and self- consciousness. “In accordance with the faith,” we see ourselves through God’s eyes (v. 3). When we take this hard look at ourselves, we are freed to serve others with the gifts God has given. In verses 4–8, Paul uses the image of the body to describe the unity and diversity that work together for the good of all. Each of us has a unique function and a particular gifting, yet we form one “body”—and “each member belongs to all the others” (v. 5). Together, we have a collective trust, connection, and commitment to one another. Loving God with our mind means maintaining a biblical, humble, and sober view of ourselves. Loving our neighbor also means sharing what God has given us for the good of the body.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last August our family spent a week in Minnesota. For three days, we stayed on the north shore of Lake Superior at the Naniboujou Lodge. This is my favorite place on earth. No cell phone service. No wi-fi. No television. Only delicious family meals in the grand, colorful dining room. Evening board games in the cozy atrium. And early morning prayer times on the rocky beach. It was exactly the renewing I needed. It felt like a rebooting for my soul and brain. In Romans 12, Paul tells us how we can renew and refresh our mind. He begins with that wonderful transition word “therefore.” Here, Paul signals a clear cause and effect. He shifts from his doctrinal teaching to getting very practical about the results of our theology. Paul “urges” (earnestly pleads with) the Roman Christians to live their lives based on what God—in His great mercy—had done for them. Paul begins by talking about our bodies. He calls us to offer ourselves as “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (v. 1). The first-century Christians would have been intimately familiar with the solemn act of sacrifice, so it would have been a powerful analogy. However, this sacrifice is “living”: vital and dynamic and ongoing. It is also a holy, dedicated, and pure act of worship. Paul also addresses the renewing of our mind. He urged believers to continually subject their thoughts and intellect to the renewing work of the Spirit (v. 2). Every thought is to be taken captive by God. We love Him when we think rightly and purely. As we steward our thoughts, the Spirit will provide the gift of discernment. God wants to lead His children in paths of righteousness (Ps. 23:3). And when we renew our mind, we can more readily determine His “good, pleasing, and perfect will” (v. 2).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, two friends, Christian and Hopeful, deviate from the True Way to explore By-Path Meadow because it looks like an easier route. They think it will lead them to the same destination, but they lose their way and spend a night at Doubting Castle owned by the Giant called Despair. Doubt is a common experience in the Christian life. It can be caused by many things—convincing arguments, scornful comments, painful experiences. As with Christian and Hopeful, doubt can be a result of getting distracted and losing our way. In Matthew 11:3, John the Baptist expressed his doubt regarding Jesus’ identity, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” John’s question may surprise us. After all, John was Jesus’ cousin, His chosen forerunner, His prophet in the wilderness. But when John spoke truth to Herod Antipas and condemned his marriage to Herodias, Herod imprisoned him (see Mark 6:14–29). During his imprisonment, John was unable to observe Jesus directly, and that lack of firsthand evidence seems to have planted a seed of doubt. Thankfully, instead of withdrawing into confusion and depression, he took his questions to Jesus. He sent one of his disciples to ask Jesus: “Are you the one?” (v. 3). Jesus responded gently and offered His miracles as proof that He was the Messiah. Then Jesus vouched for John before the crowd and condemned the people’s unbelief. Those who had seen Him firsthand, and yet rejected Him, were condemned (vv. 20 24). There are two ways to respond when we struggle with doubt. We might be tempted to look for problems and reasons to abandon the faith. But when we love God, we seek the truth and reasons to trust.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Christian counselor friend of ours once asked our small group that was gathered in his home: “If I told you to think about what you had for breakfast today, could you do it?” Of course, we all nodded. Then he asked, “What if I told you to feel happy on demand? Or sad, or angry? Could you do that?” Not surprisingly, we shook our heads and shrugged. He was making the point that we have greater control over our thought life than over our emotions. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can “set [our] minds on things above” (Col. 3:2). And when we do, our emotions— the fruit of the Spirit, joy and peace— often follow. But we can’t just muster up joy on a moment’s notice. Paul makes a similar point in today’s passage. He exhorted the Philippians to several actions: “Rejoice in the Lord always” (v. 4). Be gentle or reasonable in the face of opposition (v. 5). Approach all situations with prayer and gratitude (v. 6). He also admonished them to think rightly. In a series of “whatever” statements, Paul listed different categories of thought for Christ followers to focus on. “Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (v. 8). All of these good things come from God. “The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Ps. 24:1). We love God with our mind when we think of these good things and, therefore, meditate on Him. Right actions and right thinking produce the same result: the peace of God. Tranquility. Freedom from anxiety (v. 6). This peace, which comes from God alone, surpasses our human understanding and protects our hearts and minds from fear (v. 7). It is evidence of His presence (v. 9).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Carol Dweck’s popular book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success she explains a theory that became popular in the classroom. Students with a growth mindset believe their skills and understanding can be improved with study and practice. They are engaged in the teaching and learning process. How about us? Do we have a growth mindset when it comes to our Christian walk? Remaining open to input and instruction should be our approach to all areas of life, including the spiritual. In 2 Peter 1, Peter assured his audience that God had given them everything they need to pursue spiritual growth and maturity (v. 3). He describes the goal of discipleship as godliness (“good worship”), intimacy with God, and freedom from evil desires (v. 4). Then Peter lays out a pattern to attain growth, which begins with a basic faith in Jesus Christ. While salvation is essential, it is only the starting place. Peter explains the process, “Add to your faith goodness” (v. 6), virtue, or high moral standards. True faith affects how we live. To goodness, we are to add “knowledge” or the ability to discern truth. These believers were to weigh all new knowledge against the Scripture. After knowledge, Peter calls them to “self-control” (the discipline to resist temptation) and “perseverance” (the strength to withstand trials). The very top of this progression is love (v. 7). Philadelphia (“brotherly kindness”) and agape (“love”). The process unfolds like a flower—petal by petal—until the full revelation of love at the end. In verse 8, Peter urges us to teachability. While believers already “possess these qualities” in some measure, loving God with our mind means that we keep growing and focus on the eternal reward (v. 11).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Carol Dweck’s popular book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success she explains a theory that became popular in the classroom. Students with a growth mindset believe their skills and understanding can be improved with study and practice. They are engaged in the teaching and learning process. How about us? Do we have a growth mindset when it comes to our Christian walk? Remaining open to input and instruction should be our approach to all areas of life, including the spiritual. In 2 Peter 1, Peter assured his audience that God had given them everything they need to pursue spiritual growth and maturity (v. 3). He describes the goal of discipleship as godliness (“good worship”), intimacy with God, and freedom from evil desires (v. 4). Then Peter lays out a pattern to attain growth, which begins with a basic faith in Jesus Christ. While salvation is essential, it is only the starting place. Peter explains the process, “Add to your faith goodness” (v. 6), virtue, or high moral standards. True faith affects how we live. To goodness, we are to add “knowledge” or the ability to discern truth. These believers were to weigh all new knowledge against the Scripture. After knowledge, Peter calls them to “self-control” (the discipline to resist temptation) and “perseverance” (the strength to withstand trials). The very top of this progression is love (v. 7). Philadelphia (“brotherly kindness”) and agape (“love”). The process unfolds like a flower—petal by petal—until the full revelation of love at the end. In verse 8, Peter urges us to teachability. While believers already “possess these qualities” in some measure, loving God with our mind means that we keep growing and focus on the eternal reward (v. 11).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you have a favorite childhood story—one you read again and again? Maybe you imagined you were that princess who rose from rags to riches. Or you soared with a superhero who donned a cape to save the world. Stories shape us in subtle and significant ways. From them we learn values, priorities, and goals. They can shape our view of God. What happens, though, when the Bible contradicts these stories? Which one wins the war for our mind? Loving God with all our mind means examining our worldview and aligning it not with our culture, but with the God of the Bible. In today’s passage, Paul was “greatly distressed” when he saw how the wrong stories were winning the allegiance of the Athenians. They were intellectual people, but they were misguided. Paul’s emotion and compassion compelled him to action. Instead of preaching to the people of Athens, Paul went to their synagogue and marketplace and reasoned with them. He likely asked them questions, using the popular Socratic method. Paul understood the people and met them where they were. They believed in many gods and worshiped each god for the specific role it played. Paul acknowledged their study and quoted their poets. Then, rather than attack their world- view, he invited them into a new narrative: of a God who “made the world and everything in it” (v. 24). Paul told the story of God’s development of the nations (v. 26) and His desire to be known by them (v. 27). This God is a personal Father (v. 29) who “commands all people everywhere to repent” (v. 30) and will one day judge the world’s response to Jesus whom He raised from the dead (v. 31). Paul’s story contradicted everything they had learned. How would they respond?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In what ways have you been discipled? By your parents, teachers, or by a trusted mentor? Did they teach you overtly? Or did they just model the life of a Christ follower? In simple terms, “discipleship” is the process by which Christians learn more about Jesus and increasingly follow His example. It can happen in many ways. When Jesus walked on earth, He attracted many followers, some became His disciples. In Luke 5–19, as Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, He taught the people what it meant to follow Him. In today’s passage, an expert in the law approached Him. Recognizing His authority as a teacher, the lawyer asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Rather than answer directly, Jesus responds with a question: “What is written in the law?” Knowing the law well, the man quoted the Shema (see February 1): “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (v. 27). This is the second and only other citation of the Shema in the Gospels (for the first one, see February 2). Though the Shema is cited in the Gospels only on two occasions, it’s clear that this command is central to Jesus’ message of discipleship. When Jesus affirmed the lawyer’s answer, the lawyer asked for clarification: “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29). In response, Jesus paints a clear picture of neighborly love with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Loving one’s neighbor means sacrificially providing care for another, even to the despised by society. The story of Mary and Martha follows, providing a concrete example of what it means to love God. Following Jesus and being His disciple means sitting at His feet, attending to His teaching, and prioritizing our relationship with Him above all else.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When my college students often ask me to name my favorite author, story, or poem, I usually have trouble answering. My mind goes blank, and I can’t think of a single book I’ve ever read—let alone identify the very best one. In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked a far more important, question. This conversation occurred not long after He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, drove the merchants out of the Temple, and healed several people who were blind and lame. “The chief priests and teachers of the law . . . were indignant” (Matt. 21:15), so they challenged Him repeatedly, looking for a reason to arrest Him. Then the Sadducees took their turn. Although they didn’t believe in the resurrection, they quizzed Jesus on the concept. They created a hypothetical puzzle in which a widow married seven brothers one by one, and then asked Jesus to crack this code: “At the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” (v. 28). They expected Him to be theologically stumped. Of course, He wasn’t. But rather than dignify their question with a response, He turned the tables back on them, pointing out errors in their understanding. The Sadducees retreated. Then one bold Pharisee stepped up with another test. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (v. 36). In response, Jesus quoted the Shema: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’...And the second is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (vv. 37–38). These two commands encapsulate the entire covenant made between God and His people in Deuteronomy. “Heart,” “soul,” and “mind” aren’t meant as separate categories: We are to love and obey God with our entire being.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

St. Augustine is often quoted as saying, “Love God and do whatever you please.” Taken at face value, it sounds like a license to carefree living. However, the second half of the full quote provides an important qualification: “[F]or the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.” In Deuteronomy 6, we find the command to love God with “all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (v. 5). The Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land (v. 1). Just one chapter earlier, the Lord had given Moses the Ten Commandments, containing instructions for His people. They were to observe these commandments and teach them to their children. If they obeyed, God would give them prosperity and longevity (vv. 2–3). In the center of today’s reading, verses 4–5, is what is known in Jewish tradition as the Shema. This prayer, one of the most important to Jewish people, begins with a call to “hear” (or “obey”). The supremacy of Israel’s God is proclaimed, as is the communal life of His people (v. 4). The Shema also asked people to listen and to respond with love. This love would be marked by their obedience to God’s commands. “Love” and “obey” are interchangeable in the Shema. To love is to obey. To obey is to love. Deuteronomy 5:10 made a similar equation. Loving God means more than just a feeling. He requires our entire “heart” (intellect), entire “soul” (will), and entire “strength” (function). The people of Israel were commanded to love God not just in part, but with their whole being. And so are we. The passage finishes with further instruction to make these commands a permanent and present fixture in their lives and to pass this loving, obedient life on to the next generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Abraham’s life comes to an end, we may feel disappointed...there is much we do not know and much left unfinished. When we meet Abraham in Genesis 12, he was already 75 years old. We learned about his life from ages 75 to 99. Then, four chapters are devoted to one year of his life: the year Isaac was born. The last three chapters cover an additional 75 years in which we are given minimal detail. What does all this tell us? From a human perspective, Abraham was somewhat ordinary. He was the head of a small household that lived nomadically around Canaan. He was surely one of many who lived in a similar way. He did not become a king or major political figure. He did not create any monuments or build any large structures. Yet, he was devoted to the Lord. In turn, God made big promises to Abraham. God’s call of Abraham and the promise bestowed upon Isaac are key elements. Abraham’s pivotal years were spent living as if those promises would come true. Even by the end of his life, he saw just the beginnings of their fulfillment. Genesis 25 describes Abraham’s death and burial. After the birth of Isaac, he had six more sons through his wife Keturah (vv. 1–2). He would send each son off with gifts, but he would not make them co-heirs with Isaac in accordance with God’s direction (vv. 5–6). At his death, Isaac and Ishmael came together to mourn their father (v. 9). Today, we know that Abraham’s story played an important role in God’s redemptive plan. The promises God made to Abraham and his descendants would come true and ultimately be fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. As for us, we are only halfway through the book of Genesis. We’ll learn more when we study Part Two later this year. Go Deeper What stories in Genesis have left the biggest impact on you? What are your key takeaways from this study?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One historian estimated that there have been over 100 million love songs published since music began to be recorded. People are drawn to a good love story, especially one with ups and downs that ends with a “happily ever after.” Genesis 24 presents a dramatic love story. In Abraham’s world, marriages were arranged between families. What was unusual is that Abraham did not want his son to marry one of their neighbors. While Abraham had committed to living in the Land of Canaan, he did not want to become a Canaanite (v. 3). Believing in God’s promise, he charged his servant with finding a bride for Isaac from his own people in Mesopotamia (vv. 6–9). This would not be easy. The woman and her whole family would have to agree to allow her to leave her homeland. The servant showed dependence upon the Lord. He prayed about the project. He also administered a kind of test. He was looking for a woman who would be hospitable and kind. When arriving at a watering hole with ten camels, he would ask a woman for a drink. If the woman provided a drink for him and offered to give water to the camels, he would know this was the woman the Lord had chosen (v. 14). Not only did Rebekah pass this test, it turned out she was also a relative of Abraham (v. 24). The servant burst out in praise at this answer to prayer. God had shown himself faithful to Abraham once again (v. 27). Rebekah played an important role in the story. Like Abraham, she was willing to leave her homeland and go to a land she did not know (v. 58). God will provide a way for His will to be accomplished, but that does not mean we are passive in the process. Go Deeper What did the servant do when given a task that was both difficult and extremely important? How can his example help us when we are faced with important decisions?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year 431,322 people applied for asylum in the United States. Of those, about 25,000 people were accepted. Refugees applying for asylum agree not to return to their home country while their status is being processed. Many will never step foot in their home country ever again. In the ancient world, people were normally buried in the homeland of their ancestors (Gen. 50:25). Abraham made a significant step by seeking to bury Sarah in the land of Canaan. In this act, he was renouncing his former homeland in Mesopotamia. Yet, he was still a foreigner in Canaan. He did not own any land. By purchasing the cave and field of Machpelah, Abraham showed his faith in God’s promise that Canaan would become the permanent home of his descendants. Even though God had promised to give the land to Abraham and his descendants, he was patient and waited for God’s timing (Gen. 12:7). The conversation between Abraham and Ephron reflected typical bargaining protocol. While Ephron sounded polite and generous throughout, he sold the land to Abraham for a substantial price. Abraham paid in full and in public at the city gate (v. 18). This was the first piece of the Promised Land Abraham acquired, and it served as a down payment or the firstfruits of the rest. Abraham’s purchase of the land was a declaration that God’s promise did not end with him but continued with his descendants. He was putting down roots. This cave became the family burial plot where Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah would all be buried. God’s promises are not exhausted by our life spans. His promise of eternal life and a new heavens and new earth require a resurrection. Scripture calls us to trust in God’s faithfulness even beyond the grave. Go Deeper Do you have trouble waiting for God to fulfill His promises to you? What can you learn from Abraham’s story? Can you give an example when you stepped out in faith, trusting in God?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of a semester, teachers often give final exams, which demonstrate what the student learned through the course. In Genesis 22, Abraham experienced the most difficult test of his life (v. 1). The timing of this test is important as it comes near the end of Abraham’s story. God had promised that through Isaac, Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation (Gen. 17:19). After years of waiting, Isaac had finally been born (Gen. 21:1–2). Now, just when things seemed to come together for Abraham, God administered a test. This is the only time in Scripture where God is said to test an individual. He commanded Abraham to offer Isaac up as a burnt offering (v. 2). To us, this command is startling and disturbing. What should Abraham do when God’s command seemed to conflict with His promise? Abraham immediately obeyed (v. 3). This passage beautifully and memorably highlights two important truths. First, it taught Israel the meaning of sacrifice. When God provided a ram in place of Isaac, Israel would understand the concept of substitutionary atonement (v. 13) and the significance of the sacrificial system. It also pointed forward to Christ’s substitutionary atonement (John 3:16). “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all” (Rom. 8:31– 32). We also learn the importance of faith. Abraham believed in God’s promise and trusted in His word. His statements, “we will worship and then we will come back” (v. 5) and “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering” (v. 7), are expressions of faith. God promised, and Abraham knew that somehow he would be able to obey the command and Isaac would survive. God provided a way. Go Deeper How does Abraham react to this impossible command from God? How does Isaac react? How does this event foreshadow God’s sacrifice of His Son, Jesus?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A friend of mine needed a heart transplant. As he waited, he shared with me that it was hard for him to pray that he would receive one. He knew that for him to get a heart, it would mean a tragedy for another family. One person’s joy can be another person’s sorrow. For Abraham and Sarah, the birth of Isaac brought both joy and sorrow. As Isaac grew, tensions between Sarah and Hagar also increased. In the ancient world, babies were breastfed until the child was about three years old. Since infant mortality was so high, it was a major event when a child was weaned. It meant the child had survived infancy and was far more likely to grow into adulthood. When Isaac reached this milestone, Abraham celebrated (v. 8). For years, Ishmael thought he would inherit Abraham’s household. What were the chances Sarah would have a child? Even if she did, what were the odds the child would survive? Yet, Isaac did! At the party, Sarah noticed Hagar’s son Ishmael mocking Isaac (v. 9). Sarah responded decisively by commanding Abraham to dismiss Hagar and her son (v. 10). Abraham was distressed since he loved and cared for the child (v. 11). Yet, God instructed Abraham to follow Sarah’s command (v. 12). Apparently, it would not be a good thing for these two boys to grow up together. Abraham sent Hagar away (v. 14). Turned out of the household and lost in the wilderness, Hagar cried out to God (vv. 14–16). God heard her cries and provided for her (v. 17), promising Hagar that the boy would become the founder of a great people (v. 18). This passage contains important elements of the Abraham story: God’s clear choice of Isaac; the complications arising from sinful decisions; and God’s grace and provision for the vulnerable. Go Deeper Why did the tensions between Sarah and Hagar increase as Isaac grew older? What does this chapter teach us about the lingering effects of sin?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the United Nations, about 350,000 babies are born each day. Even though the experience is commonplace, I vividly remember when each of our three children came into the world. If a contest was held for the most surprising birth in history, the virgin birth of Jesus would be the winner. But a close second might have been the birth of Isaac. God had promised Abraham that he would have numerous descendants. Yet, Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years without seeing that promise come true. God could have provided Abraham and Sarah with a son right away. But He had a purpose in the waiting. Abraham and Sarah had to learn to live in faith between God’s promise and its fulfillment. The fulfillment did finally come. Three times the text emphasizes that God did just what He had promised (vv. 1–2). God was faithful to His word. The years of doubt and suspense had come to an end. God not only kept His promise, but He did it in a miraculous way. Sarah was 90 years old at the birth of Isaac! In response to this miracle, Abraham was scrupulously obedient. He had the baby named “Isaac” and circumcised on the eighth day just as the Lord had commanded (vv. 3–4). Sarah responded by bursting out in poetry. “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (v. 6). Sarah’s laughter of unbelief has changed into the laughter of joy (Gen. 18:12). Or as the Psalmist put it, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5). God has made big promises not only to Abraham and Sarah but also to us: Jesus will return and one day sin and sorrow and sickness will end. We are called to live in faith that God will be faithful to His promises. Go Deeper What was Sarah’s response to the birth of her son? Why do you think God made Abraham and Sarah wait so long to see His promise come true?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever misjudged someone? Many years ago, I started a job as a high school teacher. When I went in to organize my classroom, the school janitor saw me and sternly warned me that students should not be in the school building yet. He escorted me off the premises, refusing to believe that I was a teacher. (I looked a lot younger then!) Abimelek, the king of Gerar probably felt misjudged. In Genesis 20, Abraham acted on assumptions he made about the Canaanite king. We can understand why. Abraham was still not living in his homeland and was vulnerable to abuse and attack. He had also just discovered that there were not even ten righteous people living in Sodom (Gen. 18:32). Abraham pulled the same deception he had done before and passed off his wife Sarah as his sister (Gen. 12:10–20). Abimelek called for Sarah to become one of his wives. Yet, before the marriage was official, Abimelek was warned by God not to touch Sarah. He obeyed, and asked Abraham to explain himself. Why did Abraham continue to doubt God’s protection? He knew God had promised to bless and preserve him and Sarah (Gen. 12:3; 15:1). God had promised to provide a son for Abraham through Sarah (Gen. 17:19). Surely God would not allow them to be killed before that promise was fulfilled. The fact that Abraham was not perfect reassures us. We see that the fulfillment of God’s promises does not depend on our ability, talent, or reliability of His people. God chose Abraham not based on his merit, but because of grace. The same is true for us today. God sent the Lord Jesus to die for us, even though we did not deserve it. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Go Deeper Why did Abraham and Sarah continue to doubt God’s promise and protection? What mistakes did they make?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We tend to become like the people that we surround ourselves with. This can be either good or bad. Iron sharpens iron, but also “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor. 15:33). Scripture calls us to be in the world but not of it (John 17:14–16). How can we be in the world, but not become like it? Lot chose to live in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 13:11). He had become a part of that community. The fact that he sat in the city gate (v. 1) shows that he was a leader and a town elder. His daughters were engaged to local men (v. 14). Lot had not been much of an influence on the town, but the town had influenced him and his family. When men wanted to abuse the angels staying with Lot, he offered the mob his own daughters (v. 8). When the angels announced God’s judgment, Lot’s future sons-in-law didn’t believe him (v. 14). When it was time to leave, Lot hesitated (v. 16). The angels had to grab him by the hand. As God’s destruction rained down on the city, “Lot’s wife looked back” (v. 26). It was a look of longing and identification. She had become so identified with Sodom and Gomorrah that she shared in their judgment (v. 26). Lot’s daughters also had their perspective warped from their time in Sodom. When they desired children, they deceived their father and engaged in incest (vv. 30–37). Lot’s story is a sober warning (Luke 17:32). While Sodom had been destroyed, its effects on Lot and his family continued. God has warned us to “not love the world or anything in the world” (1 John 2:15). The world system awaits God’s judgment. Go Deeper Why did Lot and his family struggle with leaving Sodom and Gomorrah? How can we be in the world and not “of it”? What does that look like for us?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever tried to bargain with God? Maybe you were so desperate for His favorable response that you were willing to promise anything. People often point to today’s reading as an example of bargaining with God, but there was more to Abraham’s story. In Genesis 18:16–33, the Lord reveals another reason He stopped by Abraham’s tent. He said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me” (vv. 20–21). Of course, God knew all about the sins of these people. But God was revealing Himself to Abraham as a fair and righteous judge. He was also teaching Abraham about His grace. Abraham was deeply troubled by this announcement of judgment. After all, he had a special interest in these people. Not only did Lot and his family lived there, but Abraham had also saved them all from marauders (Gen. 14). Abraham asked God, “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” (v. 23). He was concerned that these people would be judged unfairly. Notice that he prayed not only for Lot to be spared but also for Sodom and Gomorrah as a whole. He reasoned that a few righteous people would be enough to spare them all. God demonstrated His grace in response to this request as well. People often describe Abraham here as bargaining with God, but that is not really the case. Notice that God never presented a counteroffer. Every number Abraham suggested, God agreed to it, from 50 down to ten. We too can pray that others will come to a saving knowledge of God. And we can trust that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been faced something that felt beyond your ability? Maybe you felt so overwhelmed that you gave up without even trying. That’s the situation Sarah faced when God promised her a child in her old age. How could she believe Him? Sarah and her husband, Abraham, were staying near Hebron (v. 1). Abraham was relaxing during the heat of the day when he saw three men approaching (v. 2). He ran to meet them, bowing down and calling them “Lord.” He offered them bread and water (vv. 4–5) but then asked Sarah to bake an enormous amount of bread (v. 6). They slaughtered a choice calf and served the meat with curds and milk (v. 8). This was a feast fit for a king or, perhaps, appropriate as a sacrifice to the Lord (Lev. 24:5). We aren’t told when Abraham realized his visitors were not ordinary men. While commentators differ on the exact interpretation, most suggest that Abraham was visited by God and the two angels who would go to Sodom the next day. Abraham responded as you might expect. He ran to them, spoke with great respect, and prepared an extravagant meal. As it says of hospitality in Hebrews 13:2, “some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” God and the two angels hadn’t come solely for Abraham; they had an important message for Sarah (v. 9). The Lord affirmed to Sarah that she would bear a son within a year (v. 10). Sarah struggled with this news. She was far past child-bearing age. She had lived for years hoping for a child only to be disappointed month after month. Her laughter stemmed from a sense of hopelessness (v. 12). She needed to be reminded that nothing is too hard for the Lord (v. 14). God delights in doing the impossible. He also delights in the faith of His people. Go Deeper Do you sometimes struggle to believe God’s promises? How can Sarah’s story encourage you in your own?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine if God appeared to you today and gave you a new name. In the Old Testament, Jacob was given the name Israel which meant “struggled with God” (Gen. 32:28). In the New Testament, Jesus renamed His disciple Simon as Peter, meaning “rock” (John 1:42). Along with these new names, they were given a new identity. In Genesis 17, God gave Abram and Sarai new names, Abraham and Sarah (vv. 5, 15). Abraham would become a “father of many nations” (v. 5). He would be known as a man who belonged to God Almighty (v. 1). Here God reaffirmed the promises He had made to Abraham. In addition to the promise of many descendants, He also declared that the land of Canaan would belong to them (v. 8). Most significantly, He promised, “I will be their God” (v. 8). Then God called for a response from Abraham. He commanded that Abraham, every male in his household, and every descendant be circumcised (vv. 9–10). At first, this may seem that God’s promises are conditional. But this is not the case. God would be faithful to fulfill His promises to Abraham. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant, not the covenant itself. If Abraham and his descendants wanted to identify themselves with the covenant and benefit from it, they would need to be circumcised. Abraham obeyed God’s command. That same day, he had himself and the men of the household circumcised (v. 23), demonstrating his trust in God and God’s plan. The command to be circumcised is no longer necessary in Christ, but we are still called to respond in faith to His promises. One of God’s promises in this passage is that “kings of peoples” would come from the offspring of Abraham and Sarah (v. 16). It has been fulfilled in the Lord Jesus who will rule over all the nations (Rev. 1:5). Go Deeper Why were Abraham and Sarah’s new names so significant? What does today’s reading teach us about how we should respond to God’s promises?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people live by the motto, “The end justifies the means.” The idea is that if our goal is good, it does not really matter how we achieve it. That mindset has been the rationale for many evils, big and small. The Bible is clear that God cares deeply about how we go about achieving our goals. God had promised Abram and Sarai children. Yet, it had been ten years since they left their homeland, and they were still waiting (v. 3). So, Sarai came up with her own plan for helping God to keep His promise. She convinced Abram to have a child with her servant (vv. 1–2). This seems quite odd to us today, but it was a customary practice in Abram’s world. That is the way people in the ancient world addressed issues of infertility. Yet, that clearly went against God’s plan. In this scene, Abram and Sarai tried to achieve a worthy goal in an unworthy manner. It did not turn out well. When Hagar became pregnant, it immediately caused tension between her and Sarai (vv. 4–5). The Bible does not sugarcoat what happened. It plainly says, “Sarai mistreated Hagar” (v. 6). Hagar ran away to free herself from Sarai’s oppression. When Hagar was in the wilderness with her son, the angel of the Lord met her (v. 9). He instructed her to go back to Sarai (v. 9). But he also made a promise to her. Her son would become the founder of numerous descendants (v. 10). God would bless him. Hagar learned that day that God cared about her, an abused servant who had run from Abram and Sarai. She celebrated this knowledge by declaring, “You are the God who sees me” (v. 13). God is known for hearing the cries of the oppressed and caring for them. Go Deeper What did Abram and Sarai do wrong? What was the consequence of their sinful action? What is the key takeaway from Hagar’s story?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we know someone will keep a promise? Many rituals have been developed to ensure that people will be faithful to their word. Little children use “pinky swear.” Couples recite marriage vows in a formal ceremony. Banks have borrowers sign legal documents. Even so, many of those promises are eventually broken. In Genesis 15, God reaffirmed another significant promise to Abram. God declared He would give Abram the land of Canaan (v. 7). Instead of thanking God, Abram asked, “How can I know that I will gain possession of it?” (v. 8). God instructed Abram to get a collection of animals (v. 9). While this may not make sense to us, it did to Abram. In the ancient world one of the ceremonies developed to confirm a promise involved cutting animals in half, then arranging each half opposite the other, creating an aisle between the pieces of the animals. Each person making a promise would walk through the aisle reciting an oath. The oath would be something like this: “If I break my promise may my shoulder become like the shoulder of this cow” (compare with Jer. 34:18). It was a way of showing that you would rather die than break your word. In this scene, God had Abram arrange the animals. Then, God put Abram into a deep, divinely induced sleep (v. 12). In the form of a “smoking firepot,” God Himself walked between the pieces of the animals. Through this action, God communicated to Abram that He would keep His promise no matter what. As believers, our hope is anchored in God’s commitment to keep His promises (Heb. 6:13–20). Every time we take communion, we remember God’s faithfulness in the death and resurrection of Jesus. We also look forward to the promise of His return (1 Cor. 11:26). Go Deeper How does Abram typically respond to God’s promises? Are we anything like Abram? What gets in the way of trusting God’s Word?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hymn writer Isaac Watts once wrote, “Learning to trust is one of life’s most difficult tasks.” This can be especially true in our relationship with God. When our life experience does not seem to line up with our view of God, it can lead us to question God. Learning to trust God in any circumstance is part of what it means to grow in faith. Sometime after Abram’s rescue of Lot, God appeared to Abram and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (v. 1). What a wonderful promise! Yet, Abram did not immediately respond in gratitude. Instead, he asked God, “What can you give me since I remain childless?” (v. 2). In other words, “How can I trust this new promise since You haven’t come through on your first promise yet?” In response, God reaffirmed His original promise (v. 4). But then He asked Abram to come outside. Imagine following Abram through the tent door to gaze at the night sky. God commanded Abram, “Look up and the sky and count the stars...so shall your offspring be” (v. 5). In response, “Abram believed the LORD” (v. 6). God reminded Abram that He was the creator of the stars. The God who is powerful enough to create the universe would be powerful enough to keep His promises. Through this experience, Abram learned to trust in God’s word more than his own experience or reasoning. Because of this, God “credited it to him as righteousness” (v. 6). God also calls us to live in faith, to trust His Word and the finished work of Jesus. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Rom. 4:22–23). Go Deeper Why did gazing up at the stars help Abram’s faith? Take a moment to step outside tonight and worship the Creator.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A good friend will always be there for you. But many of us have that one friend who is in a state of perpetual crisis. We are no longer surprised when we get a message asking for help. That seems to be the case with Abram and Lot. In Genesis 14, Lot was in trouble. Sodom and Gomorrah had been paying tribute to a coalition of Elamite kings (vv. 1–4). After years of this tribute, they decided to rebel and paid a price (vv. 5–12). Not only were Sodom and Gomorrah defeated, but Lot and his family were taken captive (vv. 11–12). When Abram found out, he jumped into action. He gathered 318 men from his household and went to rescue Lot (v. 14). Since he had a much smaller force, he sprung a night attack (v. 15). This caught the captors by surprise, and Abram was able to rescue Lot and the residents of Sodom (v. 16). At the end of the chapter, there is an interesting contrast between the king of Sodom and Melchizedek. Melchizedek showed hospitality to Abram and blessed him (vv. 18–20). However, the King of Sodom was disdainful of Abram. His only speech with Abram was a surly, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself” (v. 21). God had promised to bless those who blessed Abram and curse those who treated Him with contempt (Gen. 12:3). Melchizedek was blessed. We will see what happens to the King of Sodom. God was keeping His promise to Abram. Melchizedek is not only an example of a non-Jew who is blessed by Abram but also becomes a type of the future Messiah (Ps. 110; Heb. 5–7). Bundled into this story is the hope of our future deliverer and Savior. Go Deeper Why did Abram react to the King of Sodom by saying, “I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal” (v. 23)?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you ask most police officers, their least favorite call to address is a domestic dispute. Conflict between family members can get messy. In Genesis 13, we learn about the first conflict recorded in Abram’s family. After returning from Egypt, Abram and Lot had both grown wealthy. It took quite a bit of land and fresh water to maintain their flocks and herds. The shepherds of Abram and Lot began to quarrel with one another over the best places to pasture (v. 6). This could have turned into a significant family conflict. Abram responded in a generous way. Even though he was the older of the two, he allowed Lot his choice of land (v. 8). To him, maintaining the relationship was more important than having the best land. The way in which Lot went about choosing his land is significant. Lot saw that the land to the east was well-watered and beautiful (v. 10). It reminded him of Egypt. This is not a throwaway line. Lot foreshadows later Israelites who would also long to return to Egypt. More importantly, the people who lived in that land were “sinning greatly against the LORD” (v. 13). Lot chose what was attractive to him. In contrast, God instructed Abram to look around at the land of Canaan (v. 14). He reaffirmed His promise that the land of Canaan would belong to his descendants forever (v. 14). He also reaffirmed His promise to make Abram into a great nation (v. 16). Abram’s response was to worship (v. 18). Like Lot, sometimes we are tempted to make impulsive decisions based on what we see in the moment. Lot would later suffer the consequences of his choice (Gen. 14, 19). In contrast, Abram here is a model of faith. He waited for God’s instructions before making his choice (v. 14). He was willing to trust in God’s word more than in his own sight. Go Deeper Compare and contrast the choices of Abram and Lot. What can we learn from their decisions?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the ancient world, history was recorded in glowing, positive terms. For example, Assyrian and Egyptian records do not recount any defeats in battle. They skip over the negative parts of their past. Israel was unique in this regard. Throughout the Old Testament, the authors record not only Israel’s successes but also their failures. Because there was a famine, Abram decided to travel to Egypt for relief. The regular flooding of the Nile provided Egypt with food even when other countries were suffering. Did this show a lack of faith on Abram’s part? God had promised him the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:7). The text does not say God commanded Abram to leave. As Abram traveled to Egypt, he was clearly afraid. He worried that Sarai’s beauty would tempt the Egyptians to kill him, if they knew he was her husband. So, he told his wife to say that she was his sister (v. 13). The irony here is that God had already promised to protect Abram (Gen. 12:3). Even so, Abram decided to take matters into his own hands. Thinking that Sarai was not married, Pharaoh brought her into his palace to prepare her to become one of his wives (v. 15). This was a direct threat to God’s promise to make Abram into a great nation (Gen. 12:2). God delivered Sarai from Pharaoh’s household by afflicting Pharaoh’s household with plagues (v. 17). Abram’s silence when rebuked by Pharaoh demonstrated his guilt (vv. 18–19). Yet despite this, God blessed Abram and brought him back to Canaan. God is faithful to keep His promises despite the failure of His servants—“For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29). Our salvation is secure not because we are perfect, but because of God’s faithfulness. Go Deeper Have you ever been tempted to manipulate circumstances to get a desired result, even when you have already committed the situation to God in prayer? How does Abraham’s story speak into our need to trust God?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first eleven chapters of Genesis read like a tragedy. God created a perfect world, but humans chose to rebel against God and go their own way. Sin entered the picture in dramatic fashion: Adam and Eve ate forbidden fruit, Cain killed Abel, and humans united in opposition to God at the Tower of Babel. How would God address this sin problem? We see the beginning of an answer in Genesis 12. The answer begins with a blessing. God called Abram to leave everything behind on the promise that, from him, God would make a great nation that would bless the whole world (v. 2). We do not know much about Abram at this point except he is 75 and he and his wife Sarai are childless (v. 4; Gen. 11:30). This was God’s plan to address human sin? Why would He choose this senior, barren couple? Throughout the Bible, we see how God delights to call and use people who we would least expect. If you were to consider all the people who were alive at the time of Abram and Sarai, you probably would not have picked these two to further His plan to redeem humanity. But our ability to be used by God does not depend on our status, skill, or talents. The Apostle Paul reminds us that “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27). Abram believed in God’s word—and he obeyed! When God called Abram to leave his homeland and made big promises to him, Abram went— no questions asked (v. 4). In the next chapters, we will follow Abram’s journey of faith and discover how God’s plan unfolds. Go Deeper Describe the blessing that God gives to Abram. Why did God choose Abram to fulfill this promise? What does that tell us about how and why God calls us today?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Biographer William Manchester describes Winston Churchill as one of two or three greatest men of his generation. Apparently, Churchill thought so as well. Manchester noted that Churchill’s idea of a good evening was to dine well and then discuss a good topic, with himself as the chief conversationalist. He enjoyed his speeches so much that he would go to bed listening to them. Is it wrong to love ourselves? How much is too much? Two primary sins are described in the Tower of Babel narrative found in Genesis 11. The first sin is pride. The people desired to “make a name for ourselves” (v. 4). They wanted to build a tower that was impressive for their own glory and reputation. According to this and other biblical accounts, the sin of pride occurs when you put yourself in the place of God or give yourself credit without acknowledging that everything you have comes from God. This kind of pride can lead us to do things that look great and impressive to us and others, when in God’s eyes it is sinful. The second sin at Babel was fear. One reason the people wanted to build the city was not to be “scattered over the face of the whole earth” (v. 4), in direct conflict with God’s command (Gen. 9:1). Staying together would provide safety and security. God had given them a command, yet they were afraid to obey, so they united in opposition to him. They loved security more than God. God’s response to the people was both an act of judgment and grace. By confusing the languages of the people, He prevented them from continuing in their rebellion and also enabled them to obey His command to spread out and fill the earth. Ultimately, God’s judgment on Babel will be redeemed when Christ returns. At that time, people “from every tribe and language” will join together in worship of God (Rev. 5:9). Go Deeper What is the danger of pride? How do the lessons in Genesis 11 contradict our modern culture’s view of success?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the Art Institute of Chicago, there is a large painting titled “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” by Georges Seurat. It depicts 19th-century people relaxing by a river. However, upon closer inspection, you see that this is no ordinary painting! Seurat used a technique called pointillism, fashioning the image from thousands of tiny dots. While we may be tempted to skip past genealogies in the Bible, these lists of individual names come together to paint a larger picture of God’s plan and faithfulness. This genealogy in Genesis 10 also communicated important truths for ancient Israel and for us today. In the ancient world, most societies traced their lineage directly to the beginning of the world and to the gods. They told stories of their founding that made them somehow better than all the other people in the world. In contrast, Genesis 10 describes the formation of most of the nations that existed in Israel’s world: Egypt, Canaan, Assyria, the Philistines. Israel is not even mentioned in the chapter. There are two important points that follow from this. First, we are told that all the peoples of the world trace their origins back to Noah and Adam. Israel was not to view itself as superior because of their lineage. Nowhere in Scripture do we find an endorsement for racism or a sense of ethnic superiority. We are all connected in one great human family. Second, it should not surprise Israel that God cares for all the nations. As one theologian put it, “Prior to the particularity of God’s call to Abram...we have the Table of Nations with its universal concern for nations and territories.” This concern for the nations is also reflected in Jesus’ command to the church to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). Go Deeper Did you find any surprises in this genealogy? For further study, look up information on Egypt, Canaan, Assyria, and the Philistines on the internet or in a Bible encyclopedia!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love the start of a new semester. The gradebook is empty; no tests have been given. Even if a student did poorly in their previous class, a new semester provides a fresh start. In a similar way, life after the Flood in Genesis delivered a fresh start for humanity. Just as with Adam, God charged Noah and his family: “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth” (v. 1). The reason for the Flood was that human sin and violence had reached an unbearable level (Gen. 6:11). Since God had promised not to judge the earth with a flood any longer, what would keep human violence in check? In Genesis 6, the responsibility for restraining violence and upholding justice was given to human society. If someone burns the flag of the country, it is understood as a symbolic attack on the country. The flag stands for the country. In a similar way if a person commits murder, it is an attack against God because humans are created in God’s image. This is the reason given for the command, “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind” (v. 6). God also established a covenant with Noah, his family, and all the animals on the ark (vv. 8–10). God promised that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. He also gave a sign as a reminder of His commitment, the rainbow (v. 13). Whenever we see a rainbow today, we are reminded of God’s promise. The flood account also reminds us that a final judgment on the whole earth will occur in the end times (Zech. 14:1–3; Rev. 19:15). Only after that judgment can there be lasting peace and justice on earth (Isa. 2:4; Mic. 4:3). That is a day we can eagerly anticipate. Go Deeper Why did God place a rainbow in the sky? What promise did it contain?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This past Sunday, a member of our church brought in cinnamon rolls and muffins to celebrate her 60th birthday. She did not think she would make it to this milestone because of some serious health concerns. She wanted to thank God and celebrate His answer to her prayers. In Noah’s ark, another celebration would soon be happening. Noah, his family, and all the animals had endured weeks in the ark. They had seen the world turn into a watery chaos. That changed with the first four words of verse 1, “But God remembered Noah.” It was not as though God had forgotten Noah. Instead, this means that God acted on Noah’s behalf. God was faithful to the promises He had made to Noah. And God never forgets His promises! When Noah and his family came out of the ark, their first act was to give thanks. They built an altar and worshiped the Lord (v. 20). They had experienced God’s salvation and were profoundly grateful. Worship is the natural and appropriate response to God’s work in our lives. Instead of taking credit for saving himself through building an ark, Noah recognized that they owed their lives to God’s grace. Noah might have feared: “Will God do this again? What if people fall into the same pattern of sin that brought on the flood?” But God gave an important promise. He would “never again destroy all living creatures” (v. 21). Even though humans were still sinful, God would be faithful to provide the seasons and sustain life on earth (v. 22). God would redeem humanity from their sin through His calling of Abraham, His covenant with Israel, and ultimately through the coming of our Lord Jesus. He would provide a way for sin to be forgiven so that we could be in relationship with Him forever. Go Deeper For what are you giving thanks to God today? How can you celebrate and share God’s goodness with others in a tangible way?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people have a skewed perception of God. Some view Him as an angry tyrant waiting for people to step out of line so He can bring judgment. Others view God as a benevolent grandfather who would never hurt anyone. Neither of these images captures the biblical view of God. In Genesis 6, human evil had reached a critical point. The earth was “full of violence” and “all the people on earth had corrupted their ways” (vv. 11–12). God responded neither through unhinged anger nor through turning a blind eye to sin. Instead, God graciously saved people and animals from His just judgment. God determined to put an end to the cycle of violence wreaking havoc on the planet. But He also provided a way for Noah, his family, and a representative of every animal to be saved. This was an act of grace. As one theologian put it, “In the flood narrative it is God who saves Noah from God.” The description of Noah as righteous and blameless is not the reason for God to save him (7:9). Instead, we are told that Noah “found favor in the eyes of the LORD” not because he was perfect or deserving (6:8) but because he trusted in God’s word. When God commanded him to build an ark, Noah obeyed (6:22). By this point in our study, we have learned that God is angered by sin. In one sense this should be encouraging because God cares about righting injustices. God’s grace to Noah is good news because it means God cares for sinners. The flood reminds us that there is a final judgment coming at the return of Christ (2 Peter 3:5–7). All people will stand under God’s judgment. But in Christ, we can be forgiven and delivered. Go Deeper What does the story of Noah and the ark teach us about God? What is God’s view of sin? What do you need to correct about your own understanding of God’s character?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genesis 6:1–8 is one of the most difficult passages to interpret in the Old Testament. The passage describes the “sons of God” intermarrying with the “daughters of humans” (v. 2). This intermarriage brought about God’s judgment on humanity and was a part of the sin that led to the great flood (vv. 3–8). So, you might wonder, what is going on here? There are three main views regarding this intermarriage. Some argue that the “sons of God” were angels who were violating distinctions between the heavenly and earthly realms by intermarrying with human women. The phrase “sons of God” is used to describe angels elsewhere in Scripture (for example, Job 1:6). Another view is that it refers to human rulers who abused their authority by forcibly taking the daughters of less powerful people in marriage. Human rulers are occasionally referred to as sons of God in Scripture (for example, 2 Sam. 7:14). Finally, some assert that it is the godly line of Seth intermarrying with the ungodly line of Cain. It is helpful to consider other Bible passages. God does not get upset at angelic beings, but at humans (Gen. 6:3). Jesus taught that angels do not marry and cannot be given in marriage (Matt. 22:30). If that is so, it seems that “the sons of man” refers to human rulers who abused their power. They “saw” that the daughters of men were “beautiful” (literally “good”) and they “married” (literally “took”) these women. These words (saw, good, took) are the same ones used to describe Eve’s actions in the account of the Fall (Gen. 3:6). People in authority often abuse their positions of influence. Jesus came to show us a different way. He came “to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This passage reminds us of the need for the redemption and forgiveness we can receive in Christ. Go Deeper What are the three possible interpretations for Genesis 6:1–8? What was the consequence of this sinful act?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Watergate scandal of the 1970s revealed criminal activity and systematic abuse of power from the Nixon administration. It led to the arrest and conviction of 48 people and the resignation of the President. It also eroded public trust in the presidency in a way that many have still not fully recovered from. Sin often has consequences that linger for generations. This was especially true about the sin of Adam and Eve. Genesis 5 includes one of several genealogies in the book of Genesis. Notice that every genealogical notice ends with a single word in Hebrew, “then he died.” Eight times this word is repeated. Each is a reminder that the “wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). The reality of death is also a good reminder for us today. Many people live in denial of death; they act like this life is all that matters. But until Jesus returns, death is a reality we will all face. Scripture reminds us to “number our days” (Ps. 90:12). Yet, this genealogy gives hope. Children are born and flourish. Families grow and thrive. Even though fallen, humans are still created in the “likeness of God” (5:1). There is a break in the pattern of death with Enoch (vv. 21–24). We do not know much about Enoch except that he “walked faithfully with God” (v. 24). Enoch’s story reminds us that death does not have to be final nor is its rule over humanity absolute. Death is under God’s sovereign rule and it will come to fruition in the resurrection of Jesus. After proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus, Paul celebrates: “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54). In Christ we find redemption from sin and death! Go Deeper What stands out to you as you read through these genealogies? How does the Christian view of death differ from the world’s view? What impact does that have on the way we live today?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christians have been notorious for fighting over styles of worship. Contemporary or traditional? Seeker sensitive or confessional? High church or low church? While the labels may have changed, the debates about worship have existed for centuries. How tragic that the worship of God, which should lead to unity, often becomes a source of division. Cain’s jealousy began when God accepted Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s. The reason was likely the attitude with which it was offered. Abel brought his best “fat portions from some of the firstborn of the flock” (v. 4). Cain brought merely “some of the fruits of the soil” (v. 3). God’s rejection led Cain to be frustrated and angry (v. 5). Cain’s anger could have led him to repentance. God counseled Cain, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door” (v. 7). Sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve and was now an active force in all relationships. Instead of listening to God’s counsel, Cain killed his brother (v. 8). It is easy to lash out at others instead of addressing our own sin. But Cain’s sin did not go unnoticed by God. God declared, “Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground” (v. 10). Sin impacted Cain’s relationship with God, his family, and the earth itself (v. 12). God’s response demonstrated both a concern for justice and grace. He put Cain under a curse and exiled him (vv. 11–12). But He also provided protection (v. 15). This chapter vividly illustrates the plight humanity faces because of sin. It also illustrates God’s commitment to bring redemption. The hope of the promised offspring who will crush the offspring of the serpent remains alive and well (v. 25). Go Deeper Why did God accept Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s? What does this teach us about the way we approach God in worship?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, a profound change occurred in the world; things have never been the same since. The pair felt shame for the first time and tried to hide their bodies from one another. When they heard God walking in the Garden, they hid (v. 8). Humans have been hiding from God ever since. Sin has impacted all our relationships. Adam and Eve’s sin also revealed God’s character. After the Fall, God did not immediately strike down Adam and Eve. He sought after them. They may have tried to hide from God, but God pursued them. He called to the man, “Where are you?” (v. 9). And He asked the woman, “What is this you have done?” (v. 13). Of course, God already knew. But He allowed them the opportunity to confess their sin. God’s grace was also seen in how He provided for Adam and Eve. He replaced their fumbling attempt at clothing with leather coverings (v. 21). God’s justice was also evident. He pronounced judgment on the serpent, the woman, and the man (vv. 14–19). Childbearing would be difficult. There would be tension in marriage relationships (v. 16). Work would be toilsome and full of obstacles (v. 17). Death would be inevitable (v. 19). Yet even in judgment, God’s grace shone through. God only cursed the serpent and the ground (vv. 14, 17). The man and the woman were not cursed. God promised that an offspring of the woman would crush the offspring of the serpent (v. 15). There we see a glimmer of hope for the coming of the future Redeemer. God had not given up on humanity. That is our hope. The God who pronounced judgment on the serpent, Adam, and Eve also promised to redeem what was lost. Go Deeper Try to imagine a world without sin. We would hardly recognize it. What would it be like to have friendships, work, and an environment that were unspoiled by sin?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are some of the most powerful weapons in the world today? You might picture aircraft carriers, missiles, or nuclear submarines. But I think one of the most common and powerful weapons is misinformation. This is nothing new. Deception goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3, we are introduced to the serpent. We are told two things right away: he is crafty, and he was created by God (v. 1). Later Scriptures make clear that this serpent is Satan (Rom. 16:20; Rev. 12:9). The serpent did not overpower Adam and Eve by force. Instead, he raised questions about God, “Did God really say... ” (v. 1)? The serpent began by misconstruing God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (v. 1). He twisted God’s prohibition to sound more restrictive than it was. Once the serpent had provoked the woman, his speech became more explicit and hostile. “You will not certainly die” is an outright denial of God’s word (v. 4). He goes on to question God’s motives. He accused God of giving the prohibition to keep Adam and Eve from reaching their full potential (v. 5). The serpent twisted the purpose of the idyllic garden in which God had placed the human pair and reframed it as a prison. In a sense, the serpent was like a conspiracy theorist: “Yes, things may look good on the outside, but if you really knew what was going on, you’d be outraged! God is not who you think He is.” Scripture often warns us not to be deceived (1 John 3:7; 2 Cor. 11:3). God calls us to exercise discernment and not to get caught up in the lies of the evil one. Adam and Eve’s sin had profound consequences, but, thankfully, that is not the end of the story. Go Deeper What do we learn about the serpent’s methods in Genesis chapter 3? How does this help us guard against Satan’s lies today?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a building is constructed, the builders start with the foundation. It is essential to get the foundation laid correctly, so it can support everything else. In the same way, the opening chapters of Genesis lay the foundation for the rest of the Bible. Here we discover the relationship between God, the world, and humanity, before sin entered the world. Genesis 2 goes into more detail in describing the creation of humanity. In an intimate picture, God “formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (v. 7). This tender picture reminds us that humans exist because of the careful work and craftsmanship of God. God also created a place for the man to live, the Garden of Eden. This garden did not take care of itself. Man was given the job of cultivating and maintaining it (v. 15). God also gave a command. Humans could freely eat from any tree in the garden, except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (v. 17). This command may seem mysterious to us, but it serves an important role. The command implies a choice. Humans can obey God, but they can also reject His command. This dynamic makes a real relationship between humans and God possible. This chapter also teaches that humans were not meant to be alone. God looked around at His creation and saw that something was “not good” (v. 18). Adam needed a companion. After the formation of the woman, Adam speaks for the first time in the Bible. It is a poem joyfully celebrating the creation of the woman (v. 23). Adam and Eve serve as a model for the marriage relationship (v. 24). God intentionally created us to be in relationship with Him, to have meaningful work to do, and to be in relationships with one another. Praise God today for these precious gifts. Go Deeper Why is it important that God gave Adam and Eve a choice? What else do we learn about the way God viewed us as His creation?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1859, Charles Darwin published his work On the Origin of Species. One of the most controversial arguments Darwin made was that all life had a common descent. He argued that every living thing, including all animals and humans, evolved from an original single-cell organism. He challenged the biblical view that human beings were unique. Today’s reading reflects on the relationship between humans, animals, and the rest of Creation. According to Genesis 1, humans and animals have a lot in common. Both were created by God. Both are dependent upon the environment that God created for their survival (v. 24). Both have the “breath of life” in them (v. 30). Both are dependent upon the land for food (v. 30). However, Genesis 1 also makes it clear that there is a difference between humans and animals. People are created “in the image of God” (v. 27). This truth has profound implications for the Christian faith. In Scripture, there is no room for racism or discrimination. All humans bear God’s image, including all ethnicities, young and old, rich and poor, able-bodied and handicapped. As His image-bearers, God has called humans to steward the rest of Creation (vv. 26, 28). In these verses, humans are presented as royalty who rule over what God has made. As images of God, they should exercise their rule in the same kind of way that God does—for the good of what is in their care and in a way that is responsible to God. Part of faithfully living out our identity as images of God means thoughtfully and attentively caring for the land and animals that God has entrusted to us and acknowledging the worth, value, and dignity of all people. The “image of God” is not something we achieve. Rather, it is an essential part of our created identity. It is part of what it means to be human. Go Deeper What does Genesis 1:24–2:3 teach about our identity?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks the beginning of a new year. It is an appropriate time to reflect on the things that are the most important to us. It is especially fitting to begin this year with a reminder of some of the most important biblical truths. Today’s reading in Genesis 1 presents us with two of the most fundamental truths about our relationship with God. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). This truth is like the keystone of an arch. If it is removed, the whole edifice will crumble. The basic relationship between God and everything else in existence is this: God is the Creator and everything else is created. This view is quite different from creation stories told in the ancient world. In those texts, the gods produced the world out of conflict and strife with one another. There is no conflict in Genesis 1. God spoke and things came into existence. God’s existence did not depend upon anything. He alone is the self-existent One. The universe we live in is not the result of random impersonal processes and forces, but the carefully crafted product of a personal God. This means there is a purpose and meaning in our existence. Second, we learn that our very existence is the gracious gift of God. We cannot bargain or strike a deal with God because everything we have comes from Him. We are valuable not because of what we produce or not because of what we can give to God. The most we can do is simply rearrange and reorganize what God already created. Our basic posture toward God should be one of gratitude and wonder: “How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” (Ps. 104:24). Go Deeper How do the two truths mentioned in today’s devotional shape our understanding of God? Of ourselves? As we begin the year, let Today in the Word help you make Bible reading a lifelong habit! Download the FREE app for daily reminders and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year the Tour de France is broadcast on television. Most non-cyclists, like me, look for the person wearing the yellow jersey, understanding that this is the overall leader. However, the most important person might be the team’s domestique (from the French word for “servant”). This individual will sacrificially pave the way to enable their team leader’s success. In John 21, Jesus, in His risen state, was having breakfast on the shore with His disciples. Jesus engaged Peter in a dialogue regarding his service once He returned to be with His Father. He commissioned Peter, saying, “Feed my lambs” (v. 15), “take care of my sheep” (v. 16), and “feed my sheep” (v. 17). He also told Peter that his death would bring glory to God (v. 19). At the close of their discussion, Peter asked about Jesus’ plans for the Apostle John. “Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me’” (v. 22). John lived a long life and because of it, we have the book of Revelation. As predicted by Jesus in John 21 (vv. 18–19), Peter died by crucifixion after a fruitful life of ministry. The Lord had a different plan for each apostle. God has a unique plan for each one of us too, and He desires that we would follow Him. Peter eventually understood this and wrote, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus isn’t asking us to go to any place without His leading. That may be a place of suffering or beside quiet waters (Ps. 23:2). But in either place, Jesus is there. >> Jesus is the ultimate “Domestique,” sacrificing Himself to allow us to know God and follow Him. As we move into the new year, let’s make sure that we seek Jesus. What is He prompting you to do this new year? Trust Him and follow His lead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, earlier this year researchers were surprised to discover new underwater species in the Ha Long Bay of Vietnam. Peering into a “semi-dark” tunnel, they identified a new species of sea sponge: Cladocroce pansinii. In John 20, Jesus had risen from the dead. While this was wonderful news to His followers, some of them struggled to accept the reality of His resurrection, even after seeing it with their own eyes. After leaving the tomb, Jesus encountered Mary Magdalene (vv. 11–18), His closest disciples (minus one) (vv. 19–23), and then all the disciples, including Thomas (v. 26). Thomas struggled with the idea that Jesus rose from the grave. Although he witnessed firsthand the raising of Lazarus from the grave (John 11:43), he quickly forgot that death was no match for Jesus. His mind would not accept the fact that Jesus had actually risen. Thomas was so adamant that he stated, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (v. 25). It is human to struggle with belief. In the Old Testament, God said Sarah would have a child, but she didn’t believe (Gen. 18:12–15). In the Gospel of Luke, Zechariah is told that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son, but he didn’t believe (Luke 1:20). God’s people often struggle to accept the seemingly impossible things God says He will do. When Jesus encountered Thomas, He had a word for him (and us): “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v. 29). >> Learning about a different species of sponge is interesting but not life- changing. Knowing Jesus and believing the truth about Him is imperative. He gives new life! As we approach a new year, let’s resolve to take Jesus at His word and believe what the Bible says about Him (and us).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June 2023, ultra-marathon runner, Courtney Dauwalter set a woman’s record finishing the Western States 100-mile race in 15 hours, 29 minutes, and 34 seconds. The previous record had stood for 11 years. When making the final turn toward the finish line, Dauwalter stated, “That was the moment I let myself actually believe that we had finished.” In John 19, Jesus cried out, “It is finished” (v. 30). A casual observer of Jesus’ death could make the mistake of thinking that He was only referring to His earthly life. In other words, He was saying that His life was ending. However, that would be a shallow understanding of the significance of that phrase. According to theologian J. Dwight Pentecost, the term was used in Greek commercial life to signify “the discharge of a debt by a completed payment.” Jesus, by His life and death, accomplished what we as fallen humans could not. He lived a sinless life that pleased God in every respect. He died a painful death as payment for the sins of fallen humanity. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). The punishment that we (being guilty and unrighteous) should have received, Jesus (being innocent and righteous) endured. He made the way to God available to all. Jesus completed His mission so that all who put their faith in Him may have eternal life (John 3:16). Since you’ve put your faith in Jesus, have you discovered your mission? And are you pursuing it? >> Just as Jesus finished His mission, let’s strive to finish ours. As the writer to the Hebrews said, “[L]et us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Heb. 12:1–2).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anybody who has played organized team sports has probably heard a proverb along the lines of “the chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Coaches use this phrase to motivate players never to let down the team and always give their all. Ideally, links in a chain provide continuity and strength. After eating the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus gave some final words of encouragement and then prayed. What did He pray about at this important moment? First, He prayed for Himself (vv. 1–5). Notice that Jesus spoke not only of the work set before Him, but He also referenced His existence with God “before the world began” (v. 5). He prayed for His disciples (vv. 6–19) and for His future followers (vv. 20–26). He prayed for those who would eventually believe because of the word spoken through those early disciples (v. 20). This is remarkable that the word spoken by Jesus was spoken through His disciples to others who continued sharing it until it reached you and me. In essence, Jesus prayed for us! When we read the book of Acts, we see the challenges that the early church had to endure to ensure the spreading of the gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the remotest parts of the earth. We have heard and believed the word because of those faithful early disciples. However, Jesus also prayed that we might be unified for the purpose of bringing glory to God (v. 21). A unified church is a powerful witness to the world (v. 23). >> We live in a very divided time. Cultural, moral, and political strife seem to be at an all-time high. As Christians, we can be pulled into unintentional conflict with a brother or sister in Christ. Jesus prayed that we might be unified. Reach out to a fellow believer today who might see things differently on a particular topic and pray together for the resolution of your differences. Strive to give your all for unity in the church.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Years ago, I received a summons for jury duty. After arriving at the courthouse, I was chosen to be one of twelve jurors for a trial. However, I was dismissed after I said I was a pastor. Did the defense think I would be too strict? Did the prosecution think I would be too forgiving? In John 16, Jesus explains that He knew the disciples would be grieving. He wanted them to realize that His going was a good thing. He would be reunited with His Father, and the Holy Spirit, referred to in verse 7 as “the Advocate,” would come. The disciples were not yet familiar with the Holy Spirit Who would become an integral part of their life. The Holy Spirit fulfills several roles, but one of those roles is one of the prosecutor of the world for its disbelief in Jesus, its rejection of His righteousness, and its alliance with the evil one who stands condemned (vv. 8–11). As a prosecutor, the Holy Spirit doesn’t need a jury, unlike our court procedures, because He is the Spirit of Truth. As our Advocate, the Holy Spirit brings comfort and guidance. To the believer He reveals the truth which comes from Jesus Himself (vv. 13–14). Jesus could only share a limited amount of truth with His followers. Some things they were unable or not ready to understand. Like a parent concerned with what their child is ready to process, Jesus says, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear” (v. 12). When the Holy Spirit came, He would guide them into truth. >> Is there a question in Scripture where you need clarification? Is there a decision that you need to make before the end of this year? Maybe you need help evaluating your options regarding a job or potential spouse. As you seek the Lord on these items, remember that the Spirit of Truth is ready and able to provide the wisdom and direction you need.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of each growing season, I used to make a compost out of vegetable and fruit peels along with leaves and grass clippings. In the spring I would use this compost to fertilize my new vegetable garden. One year an unrecognizable vine spouted through the soil. I allowed it to grow. To my surprise, this vine, which I did not purposely plant, produced three large pumpkins in the fall. In John 15, Jesus uses the analogy of the “true vine” (v. 1). His Father is the gardener who oversees the vegetation, but Jesus is the vine from which the branches grow (v. 5). If the branches (His disciples) want to produce fruit, they must remain connected to the vine. God, as the gardener, prunes and shapes His followers as we grow in Him (v. 2). Separation from the vine would make the branches worthless and good for nothing, only as kindling for the fire. The branches (Jesus’ disciples) that remain connected to and nourished by the vine receive the benefit of producing much fruit and being loved by Jesus (vv. 8–9). As fellow “branches,” we are connected not only to Jesus but also to one another. Christian community is important! Jesus challenges His disciples to remain in His love by keeping His commands (v. 10). As a result of keeping His commands, Jesus’ joy will be in them to the fullest (v. 11). So, what is the command that Jesus is emphasizing to His disciples? In verse 12 He states, “Love each other as I have loved you.” In verse 17 He repeats once again, “This is my command: Love each other.” >> Love for one another demonstrates that you are properly connected to the Vine, which in turn produces joy in your life. On this day after Christmas, is there someone you can contact who might have had a difficult holiday? Is there a way you can bless someone? This is a great time to communicate the love of Christ and encounter His joy in your life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The seminary I attended was approximately 18 hours from my home. Going home for a weekend was unthinkable. Instead, I would drive five hours to my grandparents’ home. Whenever I arrived, my grandmother would have a room waiting for me and a nice comfortable bed in which I could sleep. She prepared a place just for me. In John 14, Jesus shared with His disciples that He was going away to prepare a dwelling place for them (v. 3). He explained that while He was away, He would make arrangements for their arrival. Then He would return and take them back with Him (v. 3). A Jewish marriage custom was for a son to attach an addition to his father’s house as a home for his family. Jesus was stating that He would return to take His disciples to His Father’s home where He would dwell with them forever. Jesus gave some insight regarding the location. He told them, “You know the way to the place where I am going” (v. 4). Thomas, speaking on behalf of the disciples, said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (v. 5). Obviously, the place His disciples had in mind is a physical location on earth. While Thomas was asking about the latitude and longitude of this place, Jesus was speaking of heaven. When we accept Jesus’ offer of salvation, we are included in this invitation to His Father’s home. Jesus answered Thomas, saying: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (v. 6). >> This Christmas we rejoice that the baby who was born in a manger, because there was no place for Him in the inn, has provided a room for us in His Father’s estate. This heavenly home is open and waiting for all who have put their trust in Him. What a wonderful Christmas gift it would be to trust in Jesus as your Savior!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My wife and I were invited by a friend to a three-day retreat for pastors. The free activities, lodging, and eating took place in a large private residence that easily accommodated several couples. At the end, I asked, “Whose property is it? Who offered it to us for the retreat?” I was told that it was the unassuming guy who served us dinner—the last person I expected to be the owner. In John 3, Jesus and His disciples were preparing to partake of the Passover meal. But before the meal, Jesus got up, put a towel around His waist, and began to wash and dry His disciples’ feet (vv. 4–5). Usually the washing of the feet was done by a servant or someone of lower social status when a guest entered the home of his host. Jesus took on the role of a servant by washing His disciples’ feet. Imagine their surprise at having Jesus, their esteemed Teacher, kneel before them to wash their feet! Peter was uncomfortably aware of the reversal of roles and wanted nothing to do with it (v. 8). However, Jesus made it clear that He needed to wash his feet or Peter would have no part with Him. Peter repented and wanted his head and hands washed as well (v. 9). Jesus demonstrated to His disciples what humble and loving service looked like. By taking on this role of a servant and extending loving care to each one of them, He was encouraging them to set aside their differences and serve one another. Jesus taught by example, serving them to the very end. >> Christmas is known as a time of giving. We give gifts to our family and friends. In addition to material gifts, consider giving the gift of service: serving food at a homeless shelter or helping at a nursing home. Remember, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although I grew up in a city, my mom always had a vegetable garden. Each spring she would purchase plants at the farmer’s market to transfer to our backyard. When my wife and I moved into our home, I continued the tradition. However, I loved planting seeds because the process of seeing seeds transform into living plants that produce vegetables has always fascinated me. In John 12, some Greeks approached Philip with the request to see (or speak with) Jesus (vv. 20–21). Both Andrew and Philip shared this request with Jesus (v. 22). In turn, Jesus made a startling announcement: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (v. 23). This seems to have been prompted by the desire of these Greeks to see Jesus. Previously in his Gospel, John had made it clear that Jesus’ time had not come (John 7:6, 8; 16:25). Jesus’ initial outreach was to the Jewish people, but something evidently had changed. Could it be that these non-Jews were seeking Jesus? That’s why Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (v. 24). By using this illustration of the seed, Jesus was explaining the impact His death would have on all people, including these Greeks. A seed, once planted, will grow, transform, and produce fruit. Jesus would lay down His life on the cross, but through that sacrifice He would draw people from around the globe to Himself (vv. 32–33). >> Jesus’ death on the cross paved the way for all to have a relationship with God. This is good news! Take time this Christmas season to praise Him and thank Him for His indescribable gift. If you haven’t yet put your faith in Christ, this is a good time to come to Him as God and Savior.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The coronation of a new monarch in the United Kingdom has always been an impressive event. Crowds gather to catch a glimpse of the joyous occasion, which begins with a 1.3-mile procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. About 400 million people around the globe viewed the broadcast of the most recent coronation. Jesus was also greeted as King by the crowds when He entered the city of Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. People pushed forward to catch a glimpse of Jesus’ arrival. They were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (v. 12). As Jesus entered the city, He found a young donkey to ride on, a symbol that a new king was being installed in Israel (vv. 14–15). It is helpful to observe the crowd’s reaction to this processional. The common people of the day recognized and accepted the fact that Jesus was worthy to be established as their King. They didn’t understand exactly what that would mean, but they were willing to submit to it. The religious leaders, on the other hand, rejected Jesus. They wanted to put a quick end to the praising of Jesus (v. 19). The disciples were observant, but they didn’t fully understand what was happening (v. 16). It wasn’t until after Jesus was glorified that His disciples realized what they had experienced. Fortunately, we have the advantage of hindsight. As we look back on this event on the other side of the Cross and Resurrection, we know that Jesus is our risen King. >> During Christmas, we picture Jesus as a baby. While that is a part of His story, it is not the complete picture. Let’s take some time today to worship and give thanks to King Jesus. “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matt. 2:2).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people, when asked their opinion on which of our five senses is least important, name our sense of smell. But smells are important! They can delight (freshly baked bread), repel (rotting garbage), comfort (lavender), or warn us (smoke). We often find that even a subtle scent can unlock a buried memory from years ago. In today’s Bible reading, a scent was powerful enough to create a lasting memory for Jesus and His disciples. John 12 describes a dinner being given in Jesus’ honor. His friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus appear to be the hosts (vv. 1–3). Unexpectedly, Mary poured a pint of expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair (v. 3). So intense was the scent that the entire house was filled with the fragrance (v. 3). Mary was keenly aware of what Jesus had done for her family (see John 11:43). Nothing would be too expensive for the One who had raised her brother from the dead. In humility, she was demonstrating her honor and devotion to her Lord. Judas objected, saying that the perfume was valued at a year’s wages and could be better used to help the poor. To which Jesus replied, “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial” (v. 7). This scene has another layer of significance. Mary was anointing the King for His entry into Jerusalem on the following day and preparing Him for burial (vv. 7, 12–13). Jesus alludes to His burial in verse 7, reminding everyone that His time on earth was brief and should be valued. It would not be long before Mary would go to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body (Mark 16:1). >> Mary probably had no idea of the deep significance of her actions, but her actions demonstrated her whole-hearted devotion to Jesus. Jesus isn’t asking you to understand everything that He is doing through you. He desires your devotion to Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this year, I received an invitation to attend a high-school class reunion. Most of my old classmates are still alive. However, a few have died, and I’ve often wondered if I will see them again. In John 7:17, we find Jesus arriving in the town of Bethany. His good friend Lazarus had “been in the tomb for four days,” and many friends had arrived to comfort Lazarus’s sisters, Martha and Mary. Hearing that Jesus was in town, Martha left their home to meet Him. Amid her sorrow she stated, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v. 21). Martha believed that Jesus had the power to keep death from overtaking her brother. In fact, she implied by her next statement, that Jesus could change the present reality by making a request of God. She said, “But I know even now God will give you whatever you ask” (v. 22). Jesus consoled Martha by telling her, “Your brother will rise again” (v. 23). Martha didn’t fully understand what Jesus was telling her, as she said, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day (v. 24). But Jesus replied, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (v. 25). Martha’s “theology” wasn’t wrong, just incomplete. The ultimate resurrection will take place at some time in the future. However, Jesus wanted to clarify that He is the source of both the resurrection and eternal life. That day, Lazarus would live! >> Although the loss of loved ones on earth is painful, we can be thankful that death does not have the final word. Those who have put their faith in Jesus have eternal life now and forever. Jesus Himself is the resurrection. All who believe in Him will experience the future resurrection and can experience His present resurrection power in their lives today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Death is like an unwelcome visitor who enters without being invited, interrupts without pardon, takes without asking, and leaves without remorse. In less than ten years, all four of my grandparents died. I remember thinking two thoughts when the fourth passed. My first was, “I was fortunate to have known all four of my grandparents.” My second: “All of my grandparents are dead!” Jesus experienced the grief and reality of death firsthand. He plainly told His disciples in John 11: “Lazarus is dead” (v. 14). Jesus had been staying across the Jordan River where John the Baptist had previously been ministering (see John 10:40), when news came to Jesus about His friend Lazarus’s illness (v. 3). The apostle John stresses the love that Jesus had for Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary (vv. 3, 5). We would expect Jesus to hurry to Bethany to care for Lazarus. Instead, He stayed two more days (v. 6). At that point Jesus invites His disciples to travel back to Judea with Him (v. 7). He informs His disciples that He is going to wake Lazarus for he has fallen asleep (v. 11). This is understood by the disciples as literal sleep, but Jesus knew that Lazarus had died (vv. 12–13). Jesus also said to the disciples, “I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (v. 15). Although Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, He remained across the Jordan until Lazarus died, so that His disciples would witness His resurrection power and grow in their faith. >> Death may be an unwelcome visitor, but Jesus is a permanent resident in the life of the believer. Through His resurrection Jesus defeated death once and for all! Until we get to eternity, God can use death and the losses we encounter to increase our faith. No matter what we face, He walks with us through the valley of death and loss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author Phillip Keller wrote, “Sheep are notorious creatures of habit. If left to themselves, they will follow the same trails until they become ruts; graze the same hills until they turn to desert wastes; pollute their own ground until it is corrupt with disease and parasites. Many of the world’s finest sheep ranges have been ruined beyond repair by over-grazing, poor management...and ignorant sheep owners.” It is clear that sheep need a competent shepherd! Jesus states in John 10 that He is more than competent; He is the “good shepherd” (v. 11). He is known to both the sheep and the gatekeeper (v. 3). He leads His sheep in and out to pasture and calls each one by name (vv. 3–4). His sheep recognize His voice (v. 4). As the good shepherd, He acts as the gate through which they must pass (v. 9). He protects His sheep from predators even at the cost of His life (vv. 11, 13–15). Speaking of the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day, Jesus declares that they have not looked out for God’s people. Here Jesus compares them to hired hands who abandoned the sheep and ran away in the time of the sheep’s greatest need (vv. 12–13). They left the sheep vulnerable to attack. By contrast, Jesus was willing to die for His sheep (v. 11). There is an intimate and trusting relationship between the Good Shepherd and His sheep (v. 14). We are assured that Jesus knows His sheep as well as He knows God the Father (v. 15). This is a remarkable truth that is worth pondering. >> If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then He is your Good Shepherd and you are one of His sheep. He knows you intimately just as He knows the Father. A competent shepherd understands that sheep don’t always know what’s best for them. That is the shepherd’s job! Trust the Good Shepherd to guide your life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I was a child, I used to be afraid of my aunt. It wasn’t because she was mean. She was very nice. It was because she was born blind and could not look directly at me. However, she seemed to know my location in the room. How was she able to do that?—I wondered. In John 9, the disciples of Jesus asked a question about a man born blind. Their question was more theologically complex than the childlike question I had asked about my aunt. They wanted to know, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (v. 2). The disciples believed that a specific sin had to be directly associated with the man’s condition. Therefore, they wanted to know who sinned and when? Jesus rejected that premise by stating, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned” (v. 3). This man’s condition was not the result of something his parents did before he was born. Nor was it because of something this man did while he was in his mother’s womb. This man was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him (v. 3). Then Jesus performed a miracle. He “spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.” The man obeyed, washed his eyes in the Pool of Siloam, he was able to see (vv. 6–7). Jesus used this occasion to show everyone that He is the Light of the world (v. 5). The Pharisees resisted both the fact of the healing and the message of Jesus. To this the now-seeing man replied, “Now this is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes” (v. 30). >> It is only by the work of Jesus Christ that we are given spiritual sight to see Jesus for Who He is, the Light of the world. Once we were blind, but now we see (v. 25). Let’s thank God for opening our spiritual eyes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of a two-week mission trip to Uganda, our team spent a day and a night on an island. As we traveled across the lake, it was evident that we were in a rural location that had no electricity. When night arrived, it was so dark that I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. When I turned on my high-powered flashlight, the light beam only extended a few feet beyond the lens. It was dark! Oh, how I longed for daylight. In John 8:12, Jesus called Himself “the light of the world.” What did that mean at the time? What does that mean to us today? The religious leaders in Jerusalem had been trying to arrest Jesus during the Feast of the Tabernacles. But they were unable to make a move because of Jesus’ profound teaching that was having a significant impact on everyone who heard Him (John 7:32, 45–46). The next time Jesus spoke publicly was in John 8. One of the most significant activities during the Feast of the Tabernacles was the lighting of the large lamps, which symbolized God’s presence with Israel in the wilderness by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night. It was within this context that Jesus made His extraordinary claim: “I am the light of the world” (v. 12). He also stated, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (v. 12). Those who follow the light that emanates from Jesus Christ always see clearly because they have the very Light of life. How could the religious leaders have missed this important truth? >> The world we live in is blanketed by spiritual darkness. This may feel discouraging. But there is a source of light, powerful enough to illumine a clear path for you and me to travel. That light is Jesus, the Light of the world. Those who follow Him, will never walk in the dark.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a recent vacation, my wife and I had the opportunity to travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The house where we stayed was on the beach. From the balcony, we looked out at what seemed to be an endless supply of beautiful blue ocean water. But as beautiful as it was, I knew that a drink of this vast supply of salty water would not refresh me; it will only make me thirstier. I wanted water that was fresh, cool, and clean. In John chapter 7, Jesus’ disciples went to Judea for the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles (vv. 2–3). Jesus went in secret, partway through the festival, because the Jewish leaders were pursuing Him, seeking to kill Him (vv. 1, 8). In John 7:37, Jesus spoke to the crowd on the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The practice of the week required the priests to walk from the pool of Siloam and pour out water at the base of the altar at the Temple. On the seventh day there was a special ceremony. It is possible that Jesus used this event to reinforce the meaning of His words to the crowd: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (v. 37). Think about it. Parched and thirsty pilgrims could be refreshed only by the water that Jesus offered. Not only would the person who drank the water that Jesus offered be refreshed, but more than that, as Jesus added, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (v. 38). >> When we believe in Jesus we can be refreshed. But it also means that we can be a refreshment to others. It can happen because the Giver of refreshment and the source of refreshment is God. When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you receive the Holy Spirit Who provides us with all that we need to flourish and refresh others in our spiritually parched world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“My wife is a great cook!” I imagine that most husbands say this about their wife’s cooking, but I really mean it. Every now and then, she will try a new recipe and the meal is delicious. The only problem is that it doesn’t last. The next day the hunger pangs return, and my boiled hot dogs don’t satisfy. In John 6, Jesus fed the masses. Not only did His meal perfectly satisfy, but there also were abundant leftovers! John tells us that five thousand men were fed and that number didn’t include women and children (v. 10). That evening Jesus had crossed the Lake to Capernaum (v. 24). In the morning, some in the crowd crossed the Lake, found Jesus, and asked, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” (v. 25). The people were seeking Jesus because He had completely satisfied them with food the previous day. Jesus said, “You are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill” (v. 26). Jesus used this opportunity to challenge them to work not for food that spoils but for “food that endures to eternal life” (v. 27). The people wanted a sign to believe in Him (v. 30). They referenced their ancestors who ate manna from heaven (v. 31). Jesus clarified that the bread was not given by Moses, but by His Father that gives the true bread from heaven (v. 32). This bread gives life to the world (v. 33). When they requested “this bread” (v. 34), Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (v. 35). >> Physical food can sustain your physical body only for some time. It is necessary and needed, but it doesn’t last. Jesus satisfies your spiritual needs now and for all eternity. You have unlimited access to spiritual nourishment through a relationship with Jesus Christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When I was working as an engineer, my company developed a product that relied upon a technology named Bluetooth that connected different devices. Curious about this strange name, I learned that Harald Bluetooth was a Danish king who converted his people to Christianity and united (or connected) the tribes of Denmark. Unfortunately, his son rejected Christianity and overthrew him. Jesus is the perfect Son. He always does the will of His Father. In John 5, we see that the Jewish leaders were committed to persecuting Jesus because He was doing His Father’s work (v. 17), claiming God to be His Father (v. 18). Notice that the Gospel of Mark opens with the statement, “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). For Mark, there was no confusion regarding the Sonship of Jesus. In Luke’s gospel, he unfolds how Mary came to know that she was going to have a child. After the angel Gabriel gave her the message, Mary was confused as to the way this would happen, seeing that she was a virgin. Gabriel stated, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Gabriel wasn’t confused. John says, “For this reason they tried all the more to kill him...he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (v. 18). We should have no doubts that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and equal with God. The Bible is clear. >> Christmas is just twelve days away. You may be busy with gift giving, cookie baking, and office parties. In all the hoopla, don’t forget the fact that Jesus is the Son of God Who came to take away the sin of the world. Let’s remember that the baby in the manger was God’s Son.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once when I was stopped at a traffic light, a man came up to the car window and asked for money. I reached into my pocket and handed him a few bills. To my surprise, he said I should have given him more. While I didn’t voice my question out loud, I wondered, “Did he want to work?” In John chapter 5, Jesus encountered a man who was an invalid. He had been lying near a pool in Jerusalem where there were many disabled people. The pool, known for its healing properties, was surrounded by “the blind, the lame, the paralyzed” (v. 3). Everyone was hoping for a miracle; they longed to be healed. When Jesus saw a man who had been lying there for some time, He asked a surprising question, “Do you want to get well?” (v. 6). This question may seem odd. Obviously, this man wanted to get well. Why wouldn’t a lame person want to walk again? But Jesus was getting at something deeper than his physical healing. Getting well would mean a new life. It meant this man could no longer depend on others to help him. It meant that he would have to become a responsible citizen of the community. It meant that people would begin to expect things from him. Getting well also meant that God would expect things from him. When Jesus healed him, He gave him two new responsibilities. The first was physical: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (v. 8). The second was spiritual: “Stop sinning” (v. 14). This would be a new start, from inside out. >> We have to answer the same question, “Do I want to get well?” When Jesus makes us well, He has new expectations for our life. He challenges us to leave our old sinful ways behind and walk in a new way. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor. 5:17).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I coached a youth baseball team for the purpose of spending time with my son. During a practice session one of the kids threw a ball when my son wasn’t looking, and it cracked his eye socket. In anguish, I didn’t wait for the emergency medical service to arrive. I drove my son to the hospital as fast as I could. I was desperate to help him. In John 4:46, we are introduced to a royal official whose son was not doing well. In fact, verse 47 tells us that his son was near death. As a dad myself, I am not surprised that this royal official traveled 20 to 25 miles to speak with Jesus (v. 46). When he found Jesus, he begged Him to come and heal his son (v. 47). His desire was for Jesus to make the trip back to Capernaum. Evidently, the official felt that there were no other options for his son’s healing. This father was beside himself with worry. Jesus responded in an unexpected way, stating, “Unless you people see signs and wonders you will never believe” (v. 48). By saying “you people,” Jesus was probably speaking to all the observers of this interaction between Him and the official. But He was also speaking to the official. Jesus told the official: “Go [without seeing]...Your son will live” (v. 50). Acting with trust and obedience, “[t]he man took Jesus at his word and departed” (v. 50). We can only imagine his thoughts on that long ride home. But we learn that his son lived and had been healed at the exact moment that Jesus spoke. As a result, his entire household believed (v. 53). >> Every one of us will encounter desperate times in our lives. The question is: To what or to whom will you turn to during those times? If you are facing such a time right now, turn to Jesus. Know that the Lord Jesus Christ can be trusted with everything that is most precious to you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state of Michigan is the largest producer of cherries in the United States. During the cherry season, the orchard trees are overflowing with tart and sweet cherries, ready to pick and enjoy. Jesus used this cycle of sowing, reaping, and enjoying the harvest as a spiritual object lesson. In John 4, Jesus’ disciples had returned from purchasing food, and were surprised to see Him talking with a Samaritan woman. When the woman left, they were trying to get Jesus to eat some of the food they had purchased. However, He would not. Instead, Jesus redirected their attention. He told them, “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (v. 35). Jesus was not simply commenting on food to eat. Rather, He was referring to the people from the Samaritan town who were ready to receive the gospel. It is interesting that the Samaritan woman is the one who told the town’s people about Jesus. Jesus sowed into her life, and then she sowed into other people’s lives. Now the disciples had the privilege to do the reaping. Jesus said to His disciples, “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor” (v. 38). The beautiful thing about following Jesus is that He gives us opportunities to sow into others’ lives or opportunities to lead people into a relationship with Him. Sometimes He even gives us the opportunity to do both. Each part of inviting people to know Jesus is important; each person plays a part. >> The Lord continuously brings people into your life. Some relationships are short term and all you can do is briefly touch people’s lives. Other relationships are long term, and you get to walk together through the ups and downs of life. Whether short or long term, prepare to sow or reap according to the Lord’s leading.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Sunday after worship service I began a conversation with a family that was visiting our church for the first time. After a few casual comments I mentioned to the husband that he looked like a well-known personality in our area. To my surprise, he stated, “I am he!” I wasn’t expecting that! In John 4, Jesus was continuing His conversation with the woman He had met at Jacob’s well in Samaria. Jesus asked the woman to go and get her husband. She explained that she didn’t have one. This gave Jesus the opportunity to reveal that He already knew her story (vv. 17–18). When the woman realized how much Jesus knew about her, she concluded that He must be a prophet. She used this opportunity to turn the conversation into a theological discussion regarding the proper place to worship God. Jesus did not hesitate to dig deeper during the conversation. He saw through the superficial and led her to the truth that God seeks those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth despite the location (v. 24). Confused and embarrassed, the woman exclaimed that the Messiah will “explain everything to us” once He comes (v. 25). Jesus revealed Himself to her, saying, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he” (v. 26). She wasn’t expecting that! Like most Samaritans, she was looking for a “teaching” Messiah and she got one. Jesus taught the woman about the Messiah and to her surprise, the Messiah was He! Jesus was more than a prophet. He was the One she was waiting for. >> Our world is filled with people like the Samaritan woman. They believe in a god or higher power but have no idea what that means. Often, they will debate you when you try to share the simplicity of the gospel with them. Pray that the Lord gives you words that will cause them to listen and see Jesus clearly for Who He is.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thirst is the way our brain alerts us that our body is getting dehydrated. When our body craves fluid, our throat and mouth get dry, we get dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. But the word thirst can be used another way, it can describe our desire or craving for something more. To thirst for something is to want it urgently. In John 4, Jesus was sitting alone by Jacob’s well in Samaria when a woman came to draw water in the middle of the day (vv. 4–7). Jesus asked if she would provide Him with a drink (v. 7). By making this request, Jesus was violating several cultural norms. First, He, a Jew, was speaking with a Samaritan. And second, He, a Jewish man, was speaking to a woman in public. This kind of behavior broke cultural norms and would be considered disgraceful. Jesus was not just being a rebel. Rather, He violated cultural customs to give this woman something she craved but could never have obtained on her own. He asked her to take a risk in giving Him something He wanted, so He could provide for her what she really needed. He wanted physical water. She thirsted for living water. When Jesus asks us to serve Him in ways that aren’t conventional or involve risk, He, in turn, blesses us unexpectedly in ways that we cannot imagine. Following Jesus in willing obedience is always the best option. And what Jesus asks of us boils down to a simple principle: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). >> Have you ever been confronted with a situation in which you did not feel prepared to engage? Maybe you sensed the Holy Spirit prompting you to get involved. Whether it was providing support to somebody who didn’t look like you or doing good to someone who treated you poorly in the past. Whatever the Lord is asking you to do, He will bless you for it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently someone I know asked my opinion on a Christian organization that had run into some controversy. I think I was asked because my acquaintance knew that I am a seminary professor and trusted me. Because I am a college professor and a pastor, people normally expect me to answer questions, not ask them. In John 3 we find an important teacher of Israel, Nicodemus, asking questions. He had come by night to speak with Jesus (v. 2). But even before Nicodemus could ask a question, Jesus addressed what was in his head and on his heart. Jesus told Nicodemus that “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (v. 3). This made no sense to the teacher. How can anyone be born twice? Can they enter back into their mother’s womb? (vv. 4, 9). To answer Nicodemus, Jesus used an illustration of the wind blowing wherever it pleased. He used this example to highlight the nature of those who are born again. We cannot figure out the moment-by-moment movement of the wind. In the same way, we cannot figure out who will be born again by the Spirit of God. It is, and will always be, a great mystery. Jesus is not negating human responsibility, but He is emphasizing the Spirit’s role in a person coming to faith in Him. The Spirit of God chose the disciples of Jesus who were uneducated, unsophisticated, and were passed by many of the elite and educated people in Israel. “The wind blows where it pleases” (v. 8). >> For some of us it seemed natural to put our faith in Jesus Christ. By God’s grace we were born into a Christian home and taught about the goodness of Jesus at an early age. For others, it may be a complete mystery how God saved us out of our broken and ungodly circumstances. The Spirit’s movements may be mysterious, but they are not random. Let’s thank God for choosing us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While in middle school, my son discovered bowling and fell in love with the sport. For several years life consisted of bowling leagues, bowling lessons, bowling tournaments, and high school bowling. Eventually, it paid off and he earned a bowling scholarship to college. He had a zeal for bowling. In the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, we learned that when Jesus was twelve, He traveled with His parents to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. While His parents were returning home, they realized that Jesus was not in the caravan. They traveled back to Jerusalem and searched for days and finally found Him in the Temple courts among the teachers, listening and asking questions. When His parents said that they had been looking for Him, He stated, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). To Jesus, the Temple in Jerusalem was more than just a building with courtyards. It was His Father’s house. The Temple was the place where God’s glory resided. Jesus knew the proper spiritual climate surrounding this place of worship and learning. According to Isaiah 56:7, God wanted His house to be called a house of prayer for all the nations. But the Jews had turned the Court of the Gentiles into a marketplace. Therefore, the Gentiles could not worship or pray at the Temple. Jesus’ passion for His Father’s house emboldened Him to empty the Court of the Gentiles from all the business opportunists. By doing so, He made room for the Gentiles. As for the merchants, He was showing them that “the who” of worship was the most important thing. >> Do you have a zeal for worship? Today, consider how you can re-center your attention on worshiping “the Lord, our God.” We worship Him not just when we are in church, but with every waking breath, with all our heart, mind, and soul. God desires that people from every nation and tribe worship Him. Let’s pray to that end.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couple of years ago, our oldest daughter got married. My wife, our son, our youngest daughter, and I were all part of the wedding. With so many moving parts that day, I was very thankful for our wedding director. All the stress of pulling off a smooth event rested on her shoulders and not on us. We could relax and enjoy that important day. In John 2, Jesus, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His disciples had been invited to a wedding in the town of Cana. It seems that Mary had been asked to help with the wedding festivities. Unfortunately, everything did not go as planned and all the wine was quickly consumed by the attendees. Since weddings lasted for an entire week, several days must have passed and the attendees had quickly gone past their allotted share. Before the lack of wine became public knowledge, Mary went to Jesus with the problem (v. 3). Like any mother, she assumed that her son would help in some way. Mary knew that if they were unable to get more wine, it would be a great embarrassment to the families. Although Jesus seemed to resist helping, Mary knew that He would. She knew His character. She knew that He could be trusted to always do the right thing. So, she told the servants to “do whatever he tells you” (v. 4). Although it wasn’t Jesus’ hour (or time for His public ministry to begin), He still turned water into wine. He did this for the sake of His mother, for the sake of the bridegroom, for the sake of the servants, for the sake of His disciples, and for His glory (v. 11). >> Mary knew Jesus would help. She had watched Him mature (Luke 2:52). She knew His character. She knew He could be trusted even when He appeared uninterested. When Jesus seems distant to you, don’t lose hope. He sees. He cares. He will provide what you need exactly when you need it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the summer of 2023 there were several days in the Midwest and on the East Coast of the United States when the air was filled with smoke from fires in Canada. One day in June it became so overcast that it looked like the clouds were touching the ground and blocking our view of the sky above. I kept wondering when will we see clearly again? In John chapter 1, Philip, a new disciple of Jesus, brought his friend Nathanael to meet Jesus. Prior to the meeting, Nathanael had asked Philip if anything good could come out of Nazareth (v. 46). When Jesus told Nathanael that He saw him under the fig tree, Nathanael knew for sure that Jesus was the Son of God, the King of Israel (v. 49). Jesus’ words transformed Nathanael from a skeptic to a believer instantaneously. Then Jesus told Nathaniel that he would see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man (v. 51). Centuries earlier, Jacob had a dream of a stairway that extended into the heavens. He saw the Lord at the top and angels ascending and descending (Gen. 28:12). Both men were given a vision of a staircase to heaven. While the two situations have similarities, they are also distinct. As one Bible commentator notes, “Jacob had guile (Gen. 27:35), but Nathanael had none. Jacob saw a staircase, but Jesus is the staircase. Jacob had a dream, but Jesus is the reality.” >> Heaven is open to the believer in Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus we have direct access to the throne of God. The clouds have opened, and the way made clear. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16). What do you need from God? He’s accessible to you today through Jesus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not knowing much about farm animals, I once asked someone if there was a difference between a sheep and a lamb. To my surprise, there is! A lamb is a sheep who is one year of age or less. A farmer will tell you that, unlike a sheep, a lamb is young, small, innocent, and docile. Jesus is called the Lamb of God. In the fourth Gospel, John the Baptist proclaimed: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (v. 29). Just as a shepherd, or a farmer, owns and cares for lambs, John proclaimed that this Lamb belongs to God. Also, notice the singularity of the word “Lamb.” Jesus is not one of many lambs, but the one and only Lamb of God. In Exodus, God commanded Moses and Aaron to tell the Israelites who were being held captive in Egypt to choose a lamb for each family and slaughter it on a specified day. Regarding those sacrifices, God said, “The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect” (Ex. 12:5). A portion of the blood of the lamb was to be placed upon the sides and tops of the door frames (Ex. 12:7). That night the LORD struck down all the first-born in Egypt except in the houses where the blood was on the doorposts (Ex. 12:12–13). In Egypt, the Israelites were responsible for providing their own sacrificial lamb for the Passover meal and the saving of blood. John the Baptist realized that God Himself had provided Jesus as His own sacrificial Lamb. This Lamb had the power to take away the sin of the world. >> John the Baptist later stated, “I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One” (John 1:34). Let’s follow John’s lead. This Christmas season let somebody know that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God Who will take away their sin, if they will put their faith in Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our church has had the wonderful opportunity to partner with a missionary couple who has been working for years among a nomadic tribe. This endeavor has been challenging for our friends and their children. During their frequent travels, they must set up their tent, cook, eat, sleep, then pack up their tent and travel some more. When Jesus, the Word from eternity past, became a human being, He made His dwelling among us (v. 14). The term for dwelling means to “spread or pitch a tent.” It refers to a temporary dwelling place. Jesus chose to pitch His tent, for a time, with us. In the Old Testament, Moses was directed by God to instruct the Israelites to build Him a tabernacle. God said, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them” (Ex. 25:8). God gave Moses specific instructions regarding the materials, measurements, design, and colors of the tabernacle and all that went into it. It was to be constructed according to God’s exact specifications. After it was completed, “the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Ex. 40:34). In the New Testament, Jesus replaced the Old Testament tabernacle. He is the One Who “tabernacled” among us. As John 1:14 states, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” God, the Word, became human and displayed His glory for all to see. >> Today’s reading is a great reminder that Jesus is more than the baby in a manger. He is the living Word of God Who chose to pitch His tent among us so that we may see God’s glory. He traveled, slept, cooked, and ate with us so that we could know God in an intensely personal way (v. 18). Whom can you invite to study with you and get to know the Jesus of Christmas?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to NASA, roughly 68 percent of the universe is made of dark energy and 27 percent is made of dark matter. That means approximately 95 percent of the universe is consumed in total darkness. That fact should make us even more thankful to God for creating the sun that gives light to the earth and the moon that reflects that light. The Apostle John opens his Gospel by explaining that the Word is One Who always existed and Who created everything (vv. 1–3). John would later explain that this Word is Jesus Christ (v. 14). In Jesus existed life, physical and spiritual. This life was and is given for all mankind (v. 4). The spiritual darkness of this world is no match for the light that Jesus illuminates (v. 5). Light has the ability to attract or repel. We see light’s powerful attraction in the Nativity story. The Magi from the east came to Jerusalem drawn by the light from His star. When they arrived, they wanted to know, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matt. 2:2). The star would appear again and lead the Magi directly to Jesus (Matt. 2:9). Light doesn’t leave people neutral. We see this principle again when Jesus told Nicodemus, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Jesus is the Light of the world, and He will not leave us unchanged. >> December has arrived, and as we begin our journey toward Christmas, we realize that (in the northern hemisphere) December is the darkest month of the year. In December we experience the longest night of the year. Join us in giving thanks to God for the gift of His Son, Jesus. He has brought light to the world. We are also thankful that He has chosen us to reflect His light.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has God ever opened your eyes abruptly to truth? Has He ever penetrated the darkness of your mind like a bolt of light? One morning, several years ago, God seemingly ripped the scales from my eyes and revealed long-standing anger that He wanted to uproot. Suddenly, I recognized my sin as sin. I was piercingly aware of His patient pursuit and the call I had been resisting for some time. Saul’s call to ministry is perhaps the most dramatic one of all. Saul had a reputation for “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (v. 1). He had planned a mission to Damascus to hunt down and arrest any Christians, those “who belonged to the Way” (v. 2). Outside the city, Saul was struck and blinded by a light from heaven. He fell to the ground and heard a voice call him by name, asking: “Why do you persecute me?” Saul knew immediately that it was the Lord (v. 5). Saul’s call came in two phases. First, the Lord told Saul to “go into the city” and wait for further instructions (v. 5). But when Saul opened his eyes and rose to comply, he discovered that he was blind. His companions led him into the city where he spent three dark days. The Lord appeared also to Ananias, instructing him to find Saul and restore his sight. Ananias objected. Saul’s reputation had preceded him, and Ananias was afraid. So, the Lord clarified Saul’s calling— to bring the gospel to Gentiles and Jews, a calling that would also bring suffering. Ananias found Saul and placed his hands on him, explaining that the Holy Spirit would fill him. Then, the scales fell from his eyes. Saul was baptized immediately, a public testimony of God’s trans- formative work. He stayed with the disciples for a few days, undoubtedly learning from them before he began to preach (vv. 19–20). >> Saul’s calling involved both conversion and call to ministry in one intense encounter. His call is effectual and transformational for even the most unlikely believer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to answer Jesus’ call? John Stott wrote, “At its simplest Christ’s call was ‘Follow me.’ He asked men and women for their personal allegiance. He invited them to learn from him, to obey his words and to identify themselves with his cause. To follow Christ is to renounce all lesser loyalties.” In Matthew 4, Jesus’ public ministry had begun. John the Baptist had been taken into custody, and, because of the growing threat, Jesus left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum. There He preached publicly a message of repentance, an acknowledgment of sin and a turning from it (v. 17). Two fishermen, Peter and Andrew (v. 18), were familiar with Jesus, since Andrew had been a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35–42). They’d already considered Jesus’ mission and message. When Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me” (v. 19), they were prepared to immediately leave their boats, their occupation, and their livelihood—and follow Jesus. Next, Jesus called another pair of brothers, James and John, who were fishing with their father. When He called them, “immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him” (v. 22). The magnitude of their obedience is highlighted by the fact that they also left their family. While discipleship was a common concept in the Jewish culture, being a disciple of Jesus was distinct. The traditional model involved a rabbi, demonstrating his teaching of the Torah, and his disciples following his pattern. Certainly, Jesus’ disciples were committed to His teaching, but they were even more committed to His person. Jesus was not only offering them temporal teacher training but also inviting them into an eternal kingdom relationship. >> The call of first disciples highlights Jesus’ authority. When He calls us to follow, the only appropriate response is obedience and utter dedication. A renouncing of all “lesser loyalties.” A complete realignment of focus and life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We resist the call of God for many reasons. Maybe we feel inadequate, or we fear the ramifications. We might prefer the comfort of our current situation or have a distaste for the assignment. The book of Jonah documents one man’s resistance to God’s call. Others merely protested, but Jonah led God in a full-on chase. God called Jonah to bring a message of repentance to Nineveh, a large city on the eastern bank of the Tigris River (now Iraq). It was over 500 miles from Israel, a month’s journey by land. Nineveh was considered “great” because of its size and importance. Morally, however, it was a mess. The people were cruel, violent, and known for idolatry. If he entered that city, Jonah’s life could be in danger. Unlike the prophets before him, Jonah did not offer a verbal protest to the Lord. He didn’t argue his inadequacy or fear. He just ran. His destination was Tarshish, which may have been in North Africa or even Spain (possibly more than 2,000 miles away). Jonah was serious about his escape. In the narrative, Jonah (probably the author) recorded that he “ran away from the LORD” (v. 3). This, of course, was impossible. The omnipresent God worked through the wind, the water, and the sailors to bring Jonah to a place of confession and discipline. And when the crew had thrown Jonah into the sea to save themselves, God sent a fish to rescue him. From the belly of the fish, Jonah cried, “In my distress I called [kaleo] to the LORD and he answered me” (2:2). In Jonah’s distress, God opened his eyes to His mercy and salvation and moved Jonah from disobedience to thankfulness and obedience. >> Jonah’s story shows us how we, too, can sometimes disobey or even deny the call of God. But if you read the rest of Jonah’s story, you’ll see that God is able to bring His servants back—to correct our course in extraordinary ways.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When He calls you, God isn’t concerned about your talents. Neither is He concerned about your age. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young” (1 Tim. 4:12). In Jeremiah 1, God called another prophet. What is unique about this call is His explanation of the timing. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew [yada] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (v. 5). Like the Hebrew word qara for “call,” the word yada has a range of meanings. Here, it indicates a relationship—one in which God chooses and protects His child. God set Jeremiah apart for holy service before he was even born. Jeremiah’s first response was: “Alas, Sovereign LORD” (v. 6). The “alas” was a cry of alarm. Like Moses, Jeremiah objected because of his ineloquence of speech. His second objection was his age. Commentators believe he was probably younger than twenty at the time. God dismissed Jeremiah’s concerns and reiterated His call. But—as He did many times before—He also promised His presence and defense. God would give Jeremiah the words and rescue him from danger (vv. 7–8). The Lord even stretched out His hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth. Unlike the hot coal used to cleanse Isaiah’s lips, this touch demonstrated God’s intent to fill Jeremiah’s mouth with His message, one of both judgment and blessing, building up and tearing down. In verses 11–16, God confirmed Jeremiah’s call with two visions. It gave Jeremiah courage and motivation. In Jeremiah 20:7–18, the prophet complained to the Lord. He even cursed the day he was born (20:14). Yet he continued in obedience. >> Isn’t it mind-boggling to consider that God knew your call before you were born? His call can come regardless of our age, and it is always compelling. What God calls us to do may be painful, but if we keep silent, it burns within us (20:9).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humility might not top the list of qualifications for a pastor, but it should! As David Mathis wrote: “Few things poison the church, and sully her reputation in the world, like arrogant pastors.” And the Apostle Paul included humility in his list to Titus: “Not overbearing [arrogant]” (Titus 1:7). In Isaiah 6, we find the prophet’s specific call to ministry and his humble response. Isaiah was given a vision of the Lord, sitting on His throne. The hem of His robe filled the Temple. Surrounding seraphim covered their faces and their feet with their wings, and they cried to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty! (v. 3).” The triple “holy” emphasized the degree to which God was set apart. The Lord’s utter perfection prompted Isaiah’s reaction. He cried, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (v. 5). When confronted with the perfection and majesty of God, Isaiah’s response was humility. He could only acknowledge his own sinfulness and that of the people. Then, in the vision, one of the seraphim touched Isaiah’s lips with burning coal, an act of cleansing and forgiveness (vv. 6–7). Upon Isaiah’s cleansing, the Lord uttered His call: “Whom shall I send?” (v. 8). Isaiah knew nothing of the actual assignment—He didn’t know the message, the location, or the duration of the call. He didn’t understand the difficulties he would face. Yet, unlike Moses and Samuel, Isaiah offered no objection and expressed no fear. He simply offered himself. “Here am I. Send me!” (v. 8). The prophet had a difficult task ahead. The Israelites’ hearts would be hardened. Yet a remnant would remain. Throughout all generations, God preserved a faithful remnant of His people. >> Like Isaiah, we are not worthy. We must not become proud or self-reliant in our call. The Bible teaches us the importance of confession and cleansing. May we too adopt this beautiful posture of willing obedience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, Jayson D. Bradey wrote an article titled “10 Qualities Church Members Expect in a Pastor.” Here’s his list: 1) Scriptural understanding; 2) An ability to listen; 3) Competence; 4) Teaching ability; 5) Good character; 6) Vision; 7) An ability to lead a team; 8) Disciple-building focus; 9) Self- awareness; and 10) Drive. I think it’s important that “good character” made the list. Our human admiration can be so drawn to great gifting and charismatic personality that we overlook deeper matters of holiness, humility, and devotion. In 1 Samuel 16, we find two more specific callings of God, His call of the prophet Samuel and of the young shepherd David, who would be king. Samuel was still grieving over Saul’s disobedience when God instructed him to go to the house of Jesse the Bethlehemite and anoint a new king from among his sons. God was doing a new work. Samuel’s initial response was fear. “If Saul hears about it, he will kill me” (v. 2). Notice that God didn’t rebuke Samuel for wavering. Instead, He provided more detailed instructions about how to approach the family—with a sacrifice. Then, Samuel obeyed. At Jesse’s home, Eliab was the oldest and the first son to appear. Impressed by his physical appearance Samuel felt certain that he was God’s choice. But God rejected Eliab and explained, “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (v. 7). One by one, Jesse’s other sons came to Samuel, and the Lord rejected each one. Then Samuel asked: “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep” (v. 11). Clearly, even David’s dad didn’t expect him to be chosen. But when David came in, the Lord told Samuel, “Rise and anoint him, this is the one.” >> God alone is the judge of whom He wants to do His will. And His criteria often do not match our own. Ask God to help you see people as He sees them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve heard people say that you can identify your calling by looking at what others tell you that you do best. That is often true. God does gift His children in particular ways, and He uses those gifts for His glory and the work of the gospel. Certainly, others might encourage those gifts. We ought to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). But there are times when God uses those things we aren’t good at for His purpose. In Exodus we see that happen to Moses. When God called Moses to bring His people out of Egypt (3:10), Moses objected several times. His first objection was his own inadequacy: “Who am I...?” (v. 11). To which God responded, “I will be with you” (v. 12). God promised His presence and a future hope. He painted a picture for Moses of the redeemed Israelites worshiping on that same mountain. Moses was not convinced. He responded with a second, odd objection. He didn’t know how to identify God. The Lord responded, “I AM WHO I AM” (v. 14)—a rich name, affirming God’s eternal self- existence. God instructed Moses how to explain His identity and assured him that the Israelites would listen (v. 18). Moses still faltered, claiming his own lack of credibility. The Israelites wouldn’t believe him (4:1). So God, then, performed three signs through Moses, demonstrating the power with which Moses would be authorized to act (vv. 2–9). Even these miracles did not embolden Moses, and he responded with one final concern—his own lack of eloquence (v. 10). God reminded Moses that He made his mouth, and He would provide the words (vv. 11–12). At which point, Moses finally whined: “Please send someone else” (v. 13). And God got angry. >> God may call you outside of your comfort zone to do something that seems beyond your ability. That’s the point! God promises His presence and His power because ultimately it is His work, not ours.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At times, God calls particular people to a particular task at a particular time—the special (secondary) call of God. Os Guiness explains: “A special calling refers to those tasks and missions laid on individuals through a direct, specific, supernatural communication from God.” Scripture includes many examples of God’s special call. We’ve already seen a few—Abram, Matthew, Mary. But it’s important to note that God calls in many ways. The diversity in the biblical accounts demonstrates this. While each is unique, these callings teach important truths. The call of Moses is one of my favorites. In Exodus 3, Moses was caring for his father-in-law’s flocks in the wilderness when he saw a burning bush that was not consumed, so he went over to have a look (v. 2). The Lord called to Moses from the flame, and Moses replied with innocent curiosity: “Here I am” (v. 4). God immediately established the solemnity of the situation with instructions to remain at a reverential distance and remove his sandals. He also clarified His identity and authority as the God of Moses’ forefathers. And “Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God” (v. 6). Then God told Moses that He had seen the affliction and heard the cry of His people, and He was sending Moses to bring them out of Egypt (vv. 7–10). Already, in these first few verses of the account, we see that when God calls, He will get our attention. Sometimes it will happen in extraordinary ways. He is in complete control of this calling; it is not ours to own. This happens on holy ground, and the appropriate response to His presence and authority is awe. God’s call is both personal and corporate. God called Moses to go to Pharaoh, but this wasn’t to make Moses great. It was for the benefit of Israel. >> Have you experienced a specific call from God? If so, how did God get your attention? Share your experience in our Facebook group: Today in the Word Devotional Discussion Group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suffering comes in many packages. And while we are aware of its existence, pain still catches us by surprise. We ask “Why?” and wish it away. As Oswald Chambers wrote: “No healthy Christian chooses suffering; he chooses God’s will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not.” Today’s passage is part of an extended section in which Peter offers guidelines for particular relationships. In 1 Peter 2:13–17, he addressed how Christians should consider government, and he introduced the overarching biblical principle of submission (putting oneself under the authority of another). The primary motivation for submission was the Lord. Then Peter addressed servants, those people responsible for the most lowly service in society. He instructed servants to “submit [themselves] to [their] masters” (v. 18). This charge was not only applicable when masters were kind, however. Submission was also the expectation when masters were harsh, since such unjust suffering, done with “reverent fear,” was “commendable before God” (v. 20). Within this context, Peter added to our understanding of the believer’s call. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (v. 21). Servants—and all followers of Jesus (4:12–19)—would suffer because in this way they would partake in the work of Christ. Jesus modeled suffering for us, both physically and spiritually. He sinlessly and humbly endured insults and physical pain. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross” (v. 24). He is our example, redeemer, and healer. Jesus trusted His own care to the Father, and the churches in Asia Minor—as helpless sheep—could rely on “the Shepherd and Overseer of [their] souls” (v. 25). >> We may be uncomfortable with the idea of suffering being a part of our calling. But we are reminded that Jesus showed us how to endure suffering, and He is our Good Shepherd through it all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As God’s children, we are called to repentance and salvation; confession and belief; belonging, obedience, and holiness. As we follow Jesus, we are all called to walk worthy, to be conformed to His likeness, and to focus on our future hope in Him. But in 1 Peter, we read about God’s calling to the church as a whole. The Apostle Peter wrote this letter to several small churches scattered throughout Asia Minor, encouraging them in their salvation, the Christian life, and their communal identity. Peter compares the church to “living stones” and a “spiritual house.” He exhorts the faithful to draw close to the Lord (v. 4), the living Stone risen from the dead. Peter describes Jesus as “rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him,” a description to which his audience would relate. Peter then calls them “living stones” as well—a “spiritual house” and a “holy priesthood” with one identity and one purpose, built on the cornerstone of Christ. Peter draws on three Old Testament passages (Isa. 28:16, Ps. 118:22, and Isa. 8:14) that also used this metaphor. Those who believe in Jesus recognize Him as the precious Cornerstone, the foundation of the church upon whom our faith is built. But those who reject Him stumble and receive judgment. As a result of their unity as a single spiritual house, Peter identified these churches across Asia Minor as “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” They were to be a cohesive, collective temple, a place to gather and worship together, as well as a presence of light and praise in the world, “that you may declare the praises of him who called [kaleo] you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (v. 9). >> How does Peter’s description of the church compare to what we experience today? Consider how Peter’s description of the church’s calling or purpose might change our own expectations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I recently reviewed the resumes of several accomplished individuals and was impressed by their education and experience. That’s the point of a resume, isn’t it? To highlight our qualifications and pique the interest of a possible employer. In Philippians 3, Paul encourages the church to live with a joy found only in the Lord and to guard against the Judaizers. Paul doesn’t pull any punches here. His warning is harsh as he called those pious legalists “dogs” and “evil” and “mutilators of the flesh” (v. 2). Their confidence was in their own merit. Paul offered his own resume in comparison (vv. 4–6). He was the ultimate Benjamite, Hebrew, Pharisee, and so forth. But when Christ appeared to Paul (Saul) on the Damascus Road (Acts 9) and called him to apostleship, Paul’s perspective on his credentials drastically changed. What follows in verses 7–14 is a very personal testimony of Christ’s transformative work. Everything Paul used to take pride in, he now saw as fallible and fallen human offerings that should only be considered as “loss” when compared to the greatness of “knowing” Jesus. Not limited to intellectual understanding, this knowing is an acknowledgment of and submission to Jesus as Lord. This sort of knowing resulted in a new righteousness from God and a fellowship in Christ’s suffering during this lifetime, as well as a future glorification in eternity. In verses 12–14 Paul repeatedly emphasizes his own humble position and reiterates the ultimate goal, “the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (v. 14). The rich theological significance of this call is undeniable, not only in the present but also in the future. It is a heavenly call which Paul persistently pursued with all his might, and to which we are welcome. >> God’s call on our lives changes our present condition and our eternal destiny! For this reason, we press onward. Take encouragement from Paul’s words today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was 21 when I went on my first overseas mission trip to Europe. We worshiped with a wide variety of congregations—from American military families in Germany to Romanians in tiny villages. It was eye opening and life-changing to experience the Christian bond that crosses cultural, language, and economic boundaries. In Ephesians 4, Paul turns his attention from the overtly theological (chapters 1–3) to the ethical and practical (chapters 4–6), reminding his readers of his imprisonment “for the Lord” (v. 1). Paul practiced what he preached, even in dire circumstances. With an attitude of humility, he issued the following appeals. The first was to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (v. 1). The NIV translation loses the power of the Greek, which includes a double emphasis on calling retained in the ESV: “[I] urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling [klesis] to which you have been called [kaleo].” Paul highlighted why we should live according to the truths he had already articulated. Because of all that Christ did on our behalf, Paul implores us to live rightly. Beginning in verse 2, he lists qualities we are to live out. “Humility” involves a right thinking about the self, a meekness of mind. “Gentleness” speaks of the mild demeanor of a true friend. “Patience” is “the exercise of a largeness of soul that can endure annoyances and difficulties over a period of time.” “Bearing with one another in love” values the other person above ourselves. “Make every effort” (v. 3) describes a diligence to preserve in “the unity of the Spirit” and “the bond of peace.” Their connection with one another was not ultimately up to them, although Paul called his readers to do their part. It was the work of the Spirit that resulted in peace. >> Today’s reading provides a wonderful prayer. Personalize it and pray this prayer, asking God to develop these qualities in your heart. Ask Him to help you live a life worthy of your calling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is this person “the one”? Should I pursue this job or that one? Is now the time to move or invest or retire? Whenever we are confused or concerned about more specific questions of calling, God’s general call anchors us. When we don’t know what to do, we ask God for wisdom, walk in faith, and pursue what He asks of all His followers all the time. While we may not even know how to pray, the Spirit utters groanings (Rom. 8:26). In today’s passage, Paul introduced himself to the church at Corinth—one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire, strategically located on a major trade route. Paul had spent many months in Corinth during his second missionary journey, establishing this church. Corinth, however, was also full of sin: immorality, idolatry, greed. Three years later, Paul learned that the Corinthian church was struggling. He begins his letter by reasserting his own credibility: “Paul, called [kletos] to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (v. 1). God had given Paul this position and bestowed on him the authority to speak on His behalf. He reminded the Corinthians of God’s call on them to be “holy” (v. 2). They were to be set apart and pure. This expectation was not unique to them! Paul explained that it was for “all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 2). Ancient letters typically included a word of thanks after the greeting, and Paul follows that convention (vv. 4–9). Despite the corruptness in Corinth, Paul expressed gratitude for God’s grace to them—in the form of teaching and spiritual gifts. Paul’s hope was in God who is faithful, and who had called (kaleo) the Corinthian church into fellowship with Christ. >> When we are confused about a difficult decision, we can be anchored by our faith in Christ and God’s call for us to be “holy” (v. 2). How does Paul’s challenge for believers to be set apart for God’s purpose affect your choices?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you remember when you first heard the gospel? When I was eight years old, my Sunday School teacher shared it again and asked my class to raise our hands if we had “asked Jesus into our heart.” That night, I prayed with my mom, confessing my sin and my belief in Jesus as Savior. Today’s passage is part of an extended section (Romans 9–11) in which Paul addresses God’s relationship with Israel after Christ. Jesus’ death and resurrection ended the era of the law, making righteousness through faith available to anyone who believes. Verses 5–7 contrast two kinds of righteousness. The righteousness that came through the law was obtained through human effort. Paul quoted Leviticus 18:5 as proof of this position. The “new” righteousness came by faith in Christ. There was no need to “ascend into heaven” or “descend into the deep” (vv. 6–7). Jesus Christ had already come to earth and dwelt among us. He had died, been buried, and resurrected. The saving work had been done. Paul writes that only two things are required for a Christian. First, “declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’” (v. 9). Acknowledging the deity of Christ is imperative to faith, and this understanding comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts (1 Cor. 12:3). Second, “believe in your hearts that God raised him from the dead” (v. 9). The resurrection is critical, for without it our faith is “futile” (1 Cor. 15:17). Paul finished this section with another statement about the equality and unity of the Jews and Gentiles. They had the same Lord, for “Everyone who calls on [epikaleo] the name of the Lord will be saved” (v. 13). This call was the believer’s declaration of faith—that Jesus is the Son of God who conquered death. >> If you’ve never accepted the call to salvation, we pray that today will be the day! To learn more, visit moodybible.org/knowing-christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been completely confused about how to pray in a troubling situation? We may sometimes struggle to understand the will of God or even how to approach His throne. Thankfully, God has provided His Spirit, who intercedes on our behalf. Just as God-given hope sustains God’s children when they suffer (vv. 22–26), so His Spirit aids our prayers when we can’t find the words. Paul describes the Spirit’s communication as “groanings”—inexpressible and inaudible pleadings in perfect alignment with the Father’s will. But that’s not all. Paul assured believers with the promise of God’s providence. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called [kletos] according to his purpose” (v. 28). Paul describes the recipients of this providence in two ways—by what they did (“love God”) and by what He did (“called [them] according to his purpose”). As God calls His people, so His people love Him. Paul then outlines God’s purpose as a series of actions to move His children toward their ultimate glorification (vv. 29–30). First, God foreknows. This is more than just a knowing ahead of time. Biblical “knowing” is also relational. God’s plan for His people began with His decision to enter relationship with them. He directs His people to his desired outcome (that is, conformity to the likeness of Jesus). Next, God “called” (kaleo) His people. This calling was not a general announcement to the masses. Rather, it was God’s beckoning His children to be His own. This results in believers’ justification (declared as innocent) and glorification (future hope). Paul’s goal is to offer assurance. God is sovereign, and He is working out His plan. >> There may be days when you doubt your calling. You may wonder if God is truly in your story. Rest assured that God has a plan for your life: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (v. 28).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many factors contribute to the formation of our worldview. Our family background. The teaching we received. The community we experienced. Our education. Our culture. Our media and music. The people we admire. The experiences we survived. Each plays a role. Ultimately, the book of Romans is about worldview. It is a richly doctrinal letter to the Christians in Rome (mostly Gentiles), but also to us. Throughout the letter, Paul explains what it means to be justified by faith and the transforming power of the gospel. When studied and received, Romans can anchor our worldview in the most important truths. In today’s passage, Paul intro- duces himself by explaining his position and purpose. Paul was a servant of Christ Jesus, “called to be an apostle” (v. 1). The word called here is kletos, derived from kaleo. God placed a special calling on Paul’s life when He appeared to him in a blinding light on the Damascus Road (Acts 9). As an apostle, Paul’s purpose would be to proclaim the gospel of God, the good news of redemption found only in Jesus. In verses 2–4, Paul elaborates on the gospel message, rooted in the Old Testament prophets (v. 2). This good news is dependent on the identity of Jesus—who was both fully human (v. 3) and the divine, resurrected Son of God (v. 4). Paul’s apostolic calling was not for his own benefit (vv. 5–6). Rather, he received this grace in order to call (kletos) the Gentiles to a relationship with Christ—a life of obedience that grows out of faith (v. 5), a position of belonging (v. 6), a relationship of love, and the designation of “holy people” or “saints” (v. 7)—with all of the privileges and promises that God bestows upon His people. >> Verses 5–7 help us understand the general call that Jesus extends to all who believe. If you are a Christ-follower, He calls you to that life of obedience, position of belonging, relationship of love, and designation of “saint.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most authors who write about “calling” distinguish between the general (or primary) call of God and the specific (or secondary) one. God issues a general call to everyone who listens and responds, a call to salvation and sanctification, discipleship, and devotion. This call is for all of His followers at all times. As Os Guiness writes: “First and foremost we are called to Someone (God), not to something (such as motherhood, politics, or teaching) or to somewhere (such as the inner city or Outer Mongolia).” We see God’s general call to His people in the Old Testament—a call to righteousness (Isaiah 43) and repentance (Zechariah 13). He called Israel by name and called them His own (Isa. 43:1). This was a calling of identity and relationship. For the next several days, we will study God’s general call to His followers in the New Testament. In John 10, Jesus continued a series of teachings that began in John chapter 5. Jesus described Himself as the Living Water (John 4), Bread of Life (John 6), and Light of the World (John 8). Then He turned to another familiar image to describe His work—the Good Shepherd (10:1–5). There is an intimate relationship between the shepherd and his flock—a metaphor packed with meaning. The sheep know the true shepherd because he enters the sheep pen through the gate, not over the wall like a robber. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice, and they listen to him. Shepherds were reputedly devoted to their flocks and often spoke or sang to their sheep. The shepherd in John 10 “calls [kaleo] his own sheep by name and leads them out” (v. 3). He goes ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice (v. 4). >> We all need to respond to that calling: the call to follow Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd, who tenderly calls us to Himself and has sacrificed His very life on our behalf. Have you answered His call?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every December, Christianity Today publishes its annual list of “Top Testimonies”—the most-read, most-shared conversion stories of the year. They are dramatic personal accounts of the gospel’s transforming power in the life of drug addicts, gang members, and the son of a Hindu priest. Matthew’s testimony in today’s passage would fit right in. At the time, Jesus’ ministry was well under way. He had been teaching (Matthew 5–7) and healing (Matt. 8:1–17) and casting out demons (Matt. 8:28–34). And He had already called two sets of fishermen brothers—Peter and Andrew, James and John—to be His disciples. Then He met Matthew. Matthew did not fit the mold. The most obvious reason was his occupation: tax collector. In that role, Matthew worked for the Roman government, extracting tax money from his Jewish neighbors and getting extra for himself. Such acts of extortion would have caused Matthew’s community, his own people, to hate him. Matthew was likely familiar with Jesus before this encounter in Matthew 9. He had probably heard of Jesus’ miracles and His preaching. So, when Jesus approached him and said, “Follow me,” Matthew was ready to go. He immediately left behind his booth and the lucrative income that went with it, and he followed. Then he brought Jesus to his home for a meal. He invited others— his closest companions—to come and meet Jesus, and perhaps experience the same shocking transformation as he did. The Pharisees saw this banquet and were appalled. How could this “teacher” keep such company? When Jesus heard their inquiry, He responded, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick...I have not come to call [kaleo] the righteous, but sinners” (vv. 12–13). >> Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. Have you answered that call? Today may be the day to share your testimony with someone else. Who can you invite to come and meet Jesus?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The moment when a woman learns she is expecting is forever preserved in her mind. Time stands still as she contemplates the new life within her. Soon, she will share that news with her husband, family, and friends. But, for just a moment, it is hers to cherish. In Luke 1, we read about Zacharias, Elizabeth, and Mary and others who received birth announcements. The angel Gabriel delivered these important messages both visually and verbally. God chose each person for these specific assignments because they were righteous and blameless (v. 6) and favored by God (v. 28). These calls involved a miraculous conception— because of Elizabeth’s advanced age (v. 7) and Mary’s virginity (v. 34). These individuals were called to something they could not accomplish by themselves. These calls required the work of God. The calls included a promise that these babies would become men and change the world. John would “bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God” (v. 16). And Jesus would “reign over Jacob’s descendants forever” (v. 33). Jesus’ kingdom would never end. Gabriel gave specific instructions regarding their names. To Zacharias, he said, “You are to call him John” (v. 13). And to Mary, he said, “You are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (vv. 31–32). This Greek word for call is kaleo, meaning to name, to invite, to call out, to assign (as in vocation). Kaleo is found throughout the New Testament. In response to God’s call, Zacharias expressed doubt (v. 18) and was disciplined accordingly. Mary, too, voiced a question. But she also declared her willingness to obey. “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled’” (v. 38). >> God often chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His kingdom’s sake. The proper response is always obedience. What might God be calling you to do?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a leader falls into sin, many follow. When well respected teachers depart from God’s truth, their followers are misled. The far-reaching consequences of false and sinful leaders is nothing new. In the Old Testament book of Zechariah. Israel’s leaders led God’s people into sin. Two hundred years after Isaiah’s ministry, God called Zechariah to preach to the Jews who had returned to Judah from Babylonian exile. The returning exiles resumed their sacrificial worship and laid the foundation for a new Temple. But the project came to a halt when they faced opposition. For more than 15 years, no construction occurred. So, God called His prophets Zechariah and Haggai to encourage the people to continue (Ezra 5:1). In this passage we see that while God is gracious and merciful, He is also a God of justice and discipline. He is a jealous God who will not sit idly by while His people worship other gods. Zechariah 13 describes a powerful cleansing that God would enact on Jerusalem. He would banish all idols and false prophets and cleanse the people from their “sin and impurity” (v. 1). The poetry in verses 7–9 further explains what this restoration would require. The “shepherd” likely referred to Israel’s leaders who bore responsibility for the people’s idolatry. When the leaders became corrupt, so did the people. When the shepherd lost his way, the sheep would scatter, making them vulnerable to attack. God Himself “turns [His] hand against” them, disciplining the young flock to purify them. During this disciplinary process, two-thirds of the flock would be lost. Only one-third would remain and be refined. This may seem discouraging, but it shows that God’s promise to His people would continue when they called (qara) on Him in repentance. >> Today’s devotional reveals the serious consequences of straying from obedience to God and His Word. Pray for your Christian leaders that they will remain faithful. And always check every teaching against Scripture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we think about God’s calling, we can be practical to a fault. We beg God to show us what we should do— when He is more concerned with who we are. In Genesis, God called Abram to go to an undisclosed land and become a great nation (Genesis 12). God wanted Abram to do something and to become something. The theme of calling is woven throughout Isaiah 40–55. In these chapters, God calls (qara) His people to righteousness (41:2) and servitude (41:9). He calls (qara) Israel by name (45:3–4), and His people “belong” to Him (44:5). God’s call is initiated even before we are born (49:1). He desires reciprocity (55:6), which is not always received (43:22; 50:2). Abram’s call is even recounted in 51:2 as an example. In today’s passage, we see that God’s call is motivated by love. Look at this beautiful description, beginning in verse 1: “But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do notfear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned [qara] you by name; you are mine.’” God’s call grew out of His creative and redemptive work, and it is expressed in the way God calls (qara) His people by name. He calls them “Mine.” Following God’s call can necessitate a difficult path, passing through the waters and walking through the fires. But it comes with unparalleled benefits. God promised His presence and His protection (v. 2). He promised that Israel would not be drowned or burned. And He made these promises on the basis of His identity: “the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (v. 3). In verse 4, God expresses His tender heart toward His people. He calls them “precious” and “honored,” and he plainly declared: “I love you.” >> God is not just calling you to go, He’s also calling you to be. Ask God not only what task lies ahead, but how He is calling you to change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Old Testament, prophets carried messages from God to His people. They spoke words of warning and comfort. The prophet Isaiah emerged during the reign of King Uzziah, a time of peace and prosperity in Judah. Isaiah’s ministry spanned several kings—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1)—as the cultural and political landscapes deteriorated. During Ahaz’s reign, Assyria occupied the northern tribes and deported most Israelites. God sent Isaiah to reassure Ahaz and call him to faith, but Ahaz didn’t listen. He took matters into his own hands and aligned himself with the Assyrian king who enforced heavy taxation and promoted idolatry. In 701 BC, Hezekiah became king. Assyria attacked, devastating Judah and almost Jerusalem. Again, Isaiah preached hope and repentance to deaf ears. In Isaiah 39, Marduk-Baladan of Babylon sent a gift to Hezekiah. Since Babylon was not a threat, Hezekiah flaunted his treasure—gold, silver, weapons. Immediately, Isaiah responded with a message from God: Babylon would conquer Judah (39:6). Hezekiah wasn’t concerned as this horror wouldn’t happen in his lifetime. Isaiah 40 focuses on that future reality. The remnant of God’s people in Babylon would reflect on their sin with remorse. Here God instructs the prophet to utter a call (qara) of comfort (v. 2) and preparation for the coming redemption (v. 3). In Isaiah’s time, this redemption was Judah’s freedom from exile, but this verse was also used to describe John the Baptist in all four Gospel accounts. In verse 6, God calls the prophet to utter a cautionary call (qara) about the fragility of human life. Isaiah 40 paints a powerful picture of God who is unparalleled in magnitude and might. We serve a God who calls (qara) the stars by name (v. 26) and who strengthens those who call on Him (vv. 29–31). >> Verses 10–26 paint a powerful portrait of the God we serve. Take some time to read this passage aloud and let the words sink into your heart. Focusing on God lifts us above our troubles and sets our eyes on Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many feared that church attendance would decline as a result of the COVID pandemic. But, according to a study by the Pew Research Center, “a remarkably steady share of Americans” (40 percent) have continually attended at least one religious service per month (online or in person). For those who identify as Christian, that number rose to 56 percent. God always continues to preserve His people. Psalm 116 is a celebration of that truth.  Collectively, Psalms 113–118 comprise the Hallel (“The Praise”). These psalms are used together as a traditional communal reading during Passover, Pentecost, and other Jewish celebrations. Running through all six psalms are themes of deliverance, protection, and provision, as God’s people praise Him for His sovereign and compassionate care. A clear and compelling progression of worship flows through the Hallel. Psalm 113 proclaims the glory and majesty of Lord, “enthroned on high.” In Psalm 114, God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt is pronounced, and the earth trembles in response to His glory. Psalm 115 declares the lovingkindness and truth of a sovereign God, who “does whatever pleases him” (v. 3). Today’s reading, Psalm 116, describes the people’s love for the Lord, who hears and acts when His people call. That word qara (call) appears four times in this psalm (vv. 2, 4, 13, and 17), as God’s people “call on the name of the LORD.” They call on Him for salvation when they are in distress and with thanksgiving in ongoing, lifelong, two-way communication. The Hallel finishes with Psalms 117 and 118, thanking God for His deliverance. It is good to join with our brothers and sisters in Christ to thank God for how He has provided in the past and to ask Him to protect us in the future. >> While yesterday’s passage (Psalm 17) was a personal cry, Psalm 116 is a corporate call. Look for opportunities to join with fellow believers in prayer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When newborn babies come into the world, they make their needs known, using the only method they have. They cry. When the adults in that baby’s life respond in a timely and compassionate manner, the baby bonds with them. On an instinctual level, the child learns that she is heard and loved, and the world, therefore, is a safe place. Psalm 17, a psalm of David, begins with a triple petition for God to hear the Psalmist’s righteous plea, listen to his cry, and give ear to his prayer (v. 1). This is one of only five psalms that is overtly designated as a “prayer,” the other prayer-psalms being 86, 90, 102, and 142. This particular prayer is a deeply personal and private request that demonstrates the intimate relationship that David had with his God. It is a call for justice and vindication (v. 2) for the wrong that had been done to him (vv. 9–14). In verses 3–5, David proclaims his own innocence and welcomes the Lord’s scrutiny of his heart. David’s confidence in his request for help resulted from his own obedience in speech, action, and motivation. Then, in verse 6, David calls (qara) on God—certain that the Lord will answer. Qara here has a different shade of meaning again. It is the audible cry of a son to his Father, a petition and a prayer. David requests God’s wondrous love (hesed), salvation, and protection. And he anticipates God’s tender care. “Keep me as the apple of your eye” (v. 8) references a most vulnerable part of the body, one that requires vigilant protection. Similarly, “Hide me in the shadows of your wings” (v. 8) paints a picture of a defenseless baby bird covered by its parent. >> Biblical “calling” is much more than a particular divine assignment. Here, it is a prayer. We can call to God in our moments of need, certain that He hears, and He will answer. Is your heart burdened today? Call to God in prayer using this psalm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes we call on God, asking Him to act, asking Him to reveal Himself or to remedy a dire situation. And sometimes He responds with dramatic intervention. Today we jump forward in biblical history to the time of Israel’s kings. First Kings 1–11 chronicles the rise and fall of Solomon whose love for foreign women ultimately caused his spiritual demise. Upon Solomon’s death, the kingdom divided. Jeroboam reigned over the ten tribes of Israel in the north, and Rehoboam ruled over Judah and Benjamin in the south. Jeroboam did evil in the sight of the Lord, as did all other eighteen kings in Israel. Ahab was the seventh (1 Kings 16:28), and he was even more evil than any other king before him (16:30). Ahab and his wife Jezebel worshiped Baal who they believed controlled the rain and all fertility. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah the prophet visited Ahab, predicting a drought—God’s punishment for their idolatry. The drought caused widespread famine. In the third year, God instructed Elijah to approach Ahab again. He would bring rain, but not without a showdown. On Elijah’s instruction, Ahab assembled 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah at Mount Carmel. Elijah addressed the starving crowd first: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (v. 21). Elijah instructed the Baal prophets to prepare a sacrifice. All day, they called (qara) on Baal to bring fire. They danced and cut themselves. Yet, “there was no response” (v. 29). Then it was Elijah’s turn. After soaking his altar three times, Elijah called (qara) on the Lord, asking Him to show Himself as God. And the fire of the Lord fell, consuming everything: offering, wood, stone, water, dust. When the people saw it, they fell on their faces, saying, “The LORD he is God!” (v. 39). >> Elijah’s story should inspire great confidence in you today. We call upon a God who hears and answers! Our God alone is sovereign. Call on Him today and be confident in His power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire burned more than 2,000 acres—including evangelist D. L. Moody’s Illinois Street Church. The fire caused Moody to reevaluate his life and ministry. It was during that critical season that God called Moody to preach the gospel to the world. Not long after, the evangelist embarked on a tour of the UK and Ireland, which fueled a great revival. Moody obeyed the Lord’s call, and God expanded his influence exponentially. So far, we’ve seen that calling in Scripture can mean naming, an invitation to conversation, or worship. But throughout the Old and New Testaments, we also see that God sometimes calls specific people to a specific task at a specific time. In Genesis 12, we find one of the first examples of God’s special call: His call on Abram. This calling came in the form of a direct command for Abram to leave his home and go to an undisclosed place. Following this call would require a significant measure of faith. But the call also came with a promise. God would bless Abram, make him a great nation, protect him, and bless all people through him. Abram’s response to God’s call was immediate and unquestioning obedience, although the journey would be filled with obstacles, danger, and risk. When Abram arrived in Canaan—approximately 500 miles from his home —the Lord appeared to him again. This time, God gave Abram a more concrete vision: “To your offspring I will give this land” (v. 7). So, Abram built an altar to the Lord, a visual declaration that he believed in God’s promise and would obey. Then he moved to Bethel and built another altar, where “he called [qara] on the name of the LORD” (v. 8). >> As God calls His people in both general and specific ways, so His people call back to Him—in prayer and worship. It is a two-way conversation. In what ways have you experienced the reciprocal nature of God’s call?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Worshiping with fellow believers is a powerful experience. Constance M. Cherry wrote, “Corporate worship is what happens when the body of Christ assembles to hear with one heart and speak with one voice the words, praises, prayers, petitions, and thanks fitting to Christian worship.” The Hebrew word for call (qara) has several shades of meaning. Today, we see another significant one. Genesis 4 recounts the family line of Adam and Eve, beginning with their first two sons, Cain and Abel. As grown men, Cain worked the ground and Abel tended flocks, both necessary vocations. They sought to worship the Lord, bringing offerings. Cain offered fruit while Abel the firstborn of his flock. God was pleased with Abel and his offering, but not with Cain and his offering. The reason was likely Cain’s heart, revealed in his visible anger (v. 5) and eventual murder (v. 8). Cain’s punishment was even more severe than his parents’. He became a “restless wanderer” (v. 12), distanced from God. The line of Cain proceeded through his son Enoch. His offspring built cities, domesticated livestock, fashioned tools, and developed musical instruments. But although Cain’s lineage progressed, they were not the most significant family line. In verse 25, Seth—a son to replace Abel—was born. Seth’s line would be traced all the way to Noah and his sons (Genesis 5). But for our study, Genesis 4:26 is of primary interest. “Seth also had a son, and he named (qara) him Enosh. At that time men began to call (qara) on the name of the LORD.” The first qara in this verse means “to name” as we have seen. But this second qara is different. This is the first account of a corporate calling on the Lord, a communal recognition of Yahweh as God. It was the beginning of collective worship. >> We often focus on God calling us. But we are to call on Him as individuals and as a community. How can you come together with others to call on God this weekend?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that the childhood game known as hide-and-seek dates to the second century BC? According to Encyclopedia Britannica, Greek writer Julius Pollux called the game apodidraskinda, and his rules were identical to ours. Two or more players would conceal themselves, and another player would try to find them. It almost sounds like Genesis chapter 3, doesn’t it? Except Adam and Eve’s avoidance of God was not for fun. After they ate the forbidden fruit, “the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked” (v. 7). They immediately experienced shame and a severed relationship with God. In a futile attempt to cover their crime, they sewed and put on fig-leaf clothes. When they heard God “walking in the garden,” they hid. The Moody Bible Commentary explains the use of the word walking: It indicates most likely the human form of the Son of God, come to fellowship with His people. Clearly, Adam and Eve were expecting immediate judgment, but God did not come with rage or retribution. Instead, He called (qara) to them: “Where are you?” It’s that same Hebrew word, but it doesn’t indicate a naming. Nor is God confused about their location. This is a call to conversation. An invitation to revelation—to vulnerability, repentance, and reconciliation. “Where are you?” That is, “Will you show yourself to Me?”—a gentle and merciful call to confession and restoration. Certainly, the consequences of their sin were coming and would be significant, but they were administered in the context of compassion and care. After God cursed the serpent, He described Eve’s resultant pain in childbirth and Adam’s subsequent struggle with the earth. But then God Himself crafted garments for His children before He sent them out from their first home. >> When we hide in shame, God is calling to us: “Where are you?” We can be thankful that He still pursues us with mercy. How do you respond?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who are you? If you were to answer that question, you might start with your name, your relationships, and your job. The roles we play, whether at work or home, help define our identity. In Genesis 2:15, God gave Adam his first assignment. He put Adam to work in the Garden of Eden. In effect, this was the first call God placed on a person. Adam’s vocation was to take care of God’s creation. In this verse, the Hebrew word for work is abad. In Scripture it is used generally to denote labor, but it also describes religious service. Adam’s work was an act of worship. As a part of Adam’s job, God brought the animals to him to see what he would call them. This call is also qara. (See yesterday’s devotional for the definition.) This is the first active and specific way in which Adam images God. Just as God named the light and the earth (Genesis 1), Adam named the animals. And in doing so, he exercised God-given authority over creation. However, this naming process revealed that God’s good creation still lacked one important thing—a mate for Adam. Adam’s aloneness was the sole flaw in the world. This was “not good.” Adam needed a partner and helper, someone who could labor alongside him in the work that God had given him to do. So, God created a new being out of Adam’s side and brought her to Adam to see what he would call (qara) her. Here, Adam did not bestow the specific name of Eve. Rather, he calls her “woman.” In his declaration, he recognized her human nature as parallel to his and declared her a separate category. She is both intrinsically equal and necessarily distinct (v. 23). >> We build our biblical understanding of calling on Genesis 1–3. God’s primary call is His general call to be His people. What work has God given you to do right now? Consider how your work can be an act of worship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What comes to mind when you hear the word “calling”? Your vocation? Your mission? The particular work God has given you to do? Certainly, we can use “calling” to refer to our primary occupation or a special assignment given by God. But the biblical concept of calling is broader and richer, more complex and more nuanced than that. It involves both salvation and sanctification, worship and prayer. Biblical calling presumes relationship. It is two-way communication between the called and the caller. For us to understand what it means to be called by God, we must start at the very beginning. In Genesis chapter 1, we find the word “called” as first used in Scripture. It’s a familiar passage. In it, God spoke the world into being. He created light and firmament, earth and sea, and then He “called” them such. The English word called in verses 5, 8, and 10 is the Hebrew word qara. It’s a common word, used over 450 times in the Old Testament. But it has many shades of meaning: to call out, to summon, to appoint, to cry out, to invite, to preach, to proclaim, to publish, to pray, and to name. Sometimes God is the subject of the verb, but more often the actor is human. And in each occurrence, we understand the particular meaning of call based on the context. In Genesis 1, God created and ordered the world. Then He called, or named, each element. The naming is an important—if sometimes overlooked—part of the process because it revealed, from the very beginning, an important aspect of God’s character. In the act of calling or naming, God demonstrated His authority and superiority over His creation. Genesis 1 reminds us that the One who calls is God Himself. He is sovereign over all. >> Have you experienced God’s calling? What questions about calling are you asking right now? Pray that God will open your heart and mind and eyes to His words and His call this month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a journey we have taken this month! We traveled with Nehemiah from the Persian capital all the way to Jerusalem. We mourned over the devastation of Jerusalem and rejoiced when God’s favor fell upon His servant. We watched as he faced fierce opposition and displayed an even fiercer faith. Through it all, we learned the importance of trusting God no matter what we face. In the final chapter of Nehemiah, we saw things fall quickly apart. The repentance of God’s people seemed short lived. They turned from following the Lord and returned to their former wicked ways. This last chapter may not be the happy ending we longed for, but there are some important life lessons. First, Nehemiah’s ending encourages us to examine our own lives and relationships with God. What has your relationship with God looked like in the past? When God’s people were in times of trouble, they were always encouraged to remember what God had done for them (Ps. 77:11). Remembering God’s provision gives us courage for our future. If God helped us overcome in the past, we need not fear our next steps. Second, we are reminded to remain faithful to the Lord. It means walking each day in obedience to God’s commands. Obedience shows our allegiance to Him and keeps us on the right path. We are warned not to swerve off the path, but to remain faithful, even in the absence of a strong leader. This book ends with a striking plea: “Remember me with favor, my God” (v. 31). It reminds us of a similar phrase in the New Testament, words that believers long to hear from God at the end of our earthly journey: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:23). >> What is one lesson you can take away from this study? Share what you have learned and invite someone to study Today in the Word with you! Next month, author Kelli Worrall helps us understand what the Bible says about being called by God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Contemporary readers may be shocked by Nehemiah’s behavior in today’s passage, especially in this age that celebrates inclusivity and diversity (v. 23). Nehemiah, however, offers two explanations for taking such extreme measures. First, the returned exiles were beginning to lose a common language (v. 25), making it difficult to communicate. Those who did not speak the language of Judah might lose access to the Word of God. Second, the religious views of those joining the community were not in line with the teaching of Scripture. Their faith was in jeopardy (v. 26). Does God hate “foreigners” then? Far from it. Think of Ruth, Rahab, and the “mixed multitude” (Ex. 12:38 ESV) that left Egypt. These were non-Israelites who became Israelites through their faith in the Lord. They were fully integrated into Israel, with Ruth and Rahab becoming ancestors of Jesus Christ. Christ redeems people “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9). The people of Judah showed willful disobedience, one more way they had turned away from following the Lord. When Nehemiah left, they reverted to old, sinful patterns. They went against commands and married “foreign women,” or non-Jewish women who did not follow Yahweh, the God of Israel. When God’s people chose to marry non-Israelites who did not worship the Lord, they were putting their relationship with God at risk. These women kept their previous devotion to other gods, and that devotion often turned God’s people away from Him and even caused them to commit idolatry. >> When you enter a close or contractual relationship with another person, it has a significant influence on you. Examples might include a dating relationship or a business partner. Being commonly “yoked” by our faith in God is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. How should this knowledge shape your personal relationships and commitments?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up, I believed that Christians “don’t drink, smoke, or chew, or go with girls who do.” Never once did someone tell me that stopping by the grocery store on the way home from church was a “wicked thing.” But that’s exactly what Nehemiah tells the people of Judah who were buying, selling, and going about their normal work on the Sabbath. To our modern ears this may seem strange. We might ask, “What’s the big deal?” First, God commanded Sabbath keeping. He rested from creation on the seventh day (Gen. 2:2–3), and when He led the people out of Israel, He established the seventh day as holy (Ex. 20:8), a day to rest and not to work. In an agrarian society, setting aside an entire day not to work meant that all the things that needed to be done to ensure a good harvest would either have to be done on a different day or not at all. Not to work was an act of trust in the Lord. It was saying in effect, “I know God cares for me and will provide for me. I trust you, Lord, to take care of my needs.” In Exodus 16:22–30, God’s people were instructed to gather twice as much manna on the sixth day and none on the seventh day. They had to trust that there would be enough food on day six to last two days. Remember what many of them did that first Sabbath? They left their tents in search of manna! In the same way, the people in Nehemiah’s day disobeyed the Lord by working on the Sabbath. They didn’t trust God to care for them. >> Most of us are firm believers in planning ahead and preparing well. But sometimes that might lead us to depend too much on ourselves and not enough on God. Pray about it. Consider how you can trust in God to care for your needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many churches, especially small congregations with very few full- time staff, will host a workday. On that day, members come together to complete much needed fix-it projects and generally clean up the building and property. They treat their church building with respect and care. In Nehemiah 13, we read that the people of Judah had neglected the house of God. They had stopped bringing tithes to the Temple. This disobedience had a direct and negative impact on the “Levites and musicians” and the effects cascaded down to all the people of Judah. The Levites and musicians relied on Judah’s tithes for their own well-being. Since the tithes were no longer being given, these workers had to leave the Temple and return to their land, so they could make a living and provide for their families (v. 10). The end result? The Temple could no longer function as it should, and worship had stopped. This might not seem like a big deal to us today, but it was a very, very big deal because the Jerusalem Temple was the only place where sacrifices could be offered to the Lord. Simply put, the worship God commanded had ceased. Dismayed at this behavior, Nehemiah once again sprang into action and set the people straight. Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, the procedure for and positions related to worship changed. We no longer need priests and Levites to slaughter animals for sacrifice, and our worship services look a lot different (Heb. 7:27). Even so, this episode in Nehemiah reminds us how important it is to support our local churches. When we give generously and obediently, our pastors are freed to make leading the church their main priority. >> If you are a member of a local church, your giving is an act of obedience to God! When you give generously, you help make sure your pastors are supported and worship can continue. Consider how you can participate through the act of giving.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to repent? It is one thing to feel sorry that you did wrong, it is another thing to truly repent. As Martin Luther said, “To do so [to sin] no more is the truest repentance.” The next several days in our study take a markedly darker turn. After all the repentance, the joyful worship, and the hard work that Nehemiah and the rest of God’s people had done, it seems they all too quickly returned to business as usual. They turned away from the Lord and compromised their relationship with Him and with one another. Tobiah is the one of the book’s primary antagonists. He had consistently opposed Nehemiah and the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem. We watched as Nehemiah stood up against him and remained faithful to the Lord. However, when Nehemiah left, the people did not remain steadfast. Eliashib was a priest responsible for caring for the Temple and ensuring proper worship of the Lord. He was also Tobiah’s relative, and his loyalty to Tobiah outweighed his loyalty to the Lord. In fact, Eliashib took one of the rooms that should have been used to store the gifts and offerings people brought to the Temple and turned it into a nice living quarters for Tobiah! We will soon learn the likely reason the room had been empty, but today simply take note that what had been intended for the flourishing of the Temple and its attendants was now being used for one the primary enemies of the restoration. Things had quickly fallen apart! Clearly God’s people had not changed their ways with true repentance. >> Is there an area of your life that should be reserved for the Lord, but you have been using it for something else? Maybe it is your money? Or perhaps it is your time? Spend some time in confession today asking God to show you His truth and to restore you to the right path before Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor and author A. W. Tozer once observed, “As base a thing as money often is, yet it can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor. It can keep a missionary actively winning lost men to the light of the gospel and thus transmute itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality.” Giving is an important topic that appears throughout the Old and New Testaments. But in Nehemiah 12 we are reminded that God’s people are to support spiritual leaders. The musicians, gatekeepers, Levites, and descendants of Aaron were responsible for the functioning of the Lord’s Temple. In modern terms, we might compare them to the pastors and staff of the church. But there is a significant difference. Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, so their livelihood was tied to their ability to cultivate land. That means you had to own land to cultivate. That’s where the difficulty lies—the tribe of Levi (the priests and Levites) owned no land, for “the LORD is their inheritance” (Deut. 10:9). With no land to produce their income, they had to rely on the gifts and offerings of the rest of Israel to provide for them and their families. God’s people were instructed to give, so that their need would be fully met. The New Testament also teaches the importance of giving. We are to provide for “the elders who direct the affairs of the church” (1 Tim. 5:17). If our shepherds are to have time and mental space to care well for their flock, we should give generously to support them. >> Do you support the ministry of your local church, pastors, or missionaries? One way we can use our money for good is to invest in God’s work. Consider how you can invest in eternity by supporting those who are committed to vocational ministry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think about your favorite book or movie or television show. What was the best part? What do you remember most fondly? Every good story moves up, up, up, with building tension, action, and conflict, until finally you reach the story’s high point, or climax, and then the action falls off and the story ends. We’ll get to the falling off and ending soon in the book of Nehemiah, but chapter 12 is the climax: the dedication of Jerusalem’s walls. After another long list of names in verses 1–26, verses 27–43 recount the great celebration that accompanied the dedication of the walls—and there are even more names interspersed throughout this section. There are a few things we can take away from Nehemiah’s description of the festivities. First, there is a reason for this list of names. I think the author wants us to understand that this was celebration not confined to Nehemiah and those closest to him. This was not a top-down effort enforced upon the people. No, this celebration encompassed all of the people. As with the repentance and study of Scripture described earlier in Nehemiah, God’s work was for all people, not just men, the elite, or the super-spiritual. The same remains true today! Second, this section is overflowing with descriptions of joy. There was great singing, rejoicing, playing of music, and sacrifices offered to the Lord for His goodness to His people. The people are not at all shy about being loud in their praise of God, so much that “the sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away” (v. 43). We serve a great God; may we learn to rejoice in His goodness like the people of Judah in today’s passage! >> Why not make today a celebration of God’s goodness? Let your heart be filled with joy as you remember all He has done for you. Maybe take out the special dishes and put on some music. Invite everyone in your house to join in!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My wife and I have lived in four different States during our marriage, and each move became increasingly complex. The most recent, from central Louisiana to northern Idaho, was the most difficult because we had three children in tow. Moving an entire family is a far cry from packing up a single car and hitting the road! The people in today’s passage experienced something similar as they uprooted their lives in the countryside to move into the city of Jerusalem. I really don’t blame you if you skip over all the names in today’s reading. We’ve already seen several such lists of names in Nehemiah, and this isn’t even the last one! What I think is important in today’s passage is that it shows the people’s commitment to follow through in reestablishing Jerusalem, even when it meant leaving their home and moving their families to a new city. They had already banded together to rebuild the city’s walls, but as anyone who has been on a short-term mission trip knows, staying a short time to help complete a task is much different from moving your entire family to live there. Short-term missionary work is inconvenient, to be sure, but at the end of your trip you get to return home to your comfortable bed. Long-term missionaries are just that—long-term. They have decided to make their lives in a new and likely much different place. It certainly isn’t easy, but missionaries feel so strongly called by God that they give up their “normal” lives to build a life in an unfamiliar place. This passage is not about missionaries, it is about making big changes and taking big risks to obey God. >> Seek the Lord and ask if He is calling you to leave your comfortable life and move to a new place to serve Him there. Before you make any plans, ask God to determine your next steps!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up Southern Baptist, I was presented with several options at the altar call each week. The speaker called those who did not know Jesus to repent and trust in Him; those who knew Jesus but had been living in sin to “rededicate their lives” to Christ; and for others to surrender to God’s call into vocational ministry. I remember very clearly responding to each of these calls at different times in my life. Today’s passage reminds me of those times. The first few verses contain a long list of names, something we’ve become familiar with in Nehemiah. This list records the names of the family heads who sealed the renewed covenant with the Lord after the prayers of confession, repentance, and worship in chapter 9. Recording names provided an important layer of accountability and community solidarity, just like walking down the aisle in my Baptist church. It meant that all the people in my community knew I had made a commitment to follow Jesus, repented for turning away from Him, or surrendered to the ministry. Also important is verse 28, which states that everyone else, including “their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand” also bound “themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the law of God.” As we saw earlier, the inclusion of women and children shows that a relationship with God is open to everyone. Knowing God is not just for the family heads or the “important” people in society—it is for all of us! Praise the Lord for His open invitation for all to come to Him! >> Have you given your life to Jesus? Are you a Christian but living in sin? Do you feel God calling you to ministry? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, call your pastor or a friend today and talk to them about it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the distressing situation we find ourselves in is a result of our own poor choices. Sin has consequences, and we live with the fall because of our disobedience. Nehemiah chapter 9 ends with a plea to God: “We are in great distress” (v. 37). God’s people had just prayed a prayer, being radically honest before God. They conclude by asking God to be faithful, just as He always has been. In their state of distress, they need Him! Verse 32 opens with a quotation from Deuteronomy 10:17. If you’re not familiar with the passage, take a few minutes to read verses 12–22. Here, the Lord reminds the people that He is the defender of widows, orphans, and foreigners and tells them to do the same. They are also to worship the Lord and Him alone. Unfortunately, the Israelites did not do what the Lord required of them, and so they found themselves as “slaves in the land you gave our ancestors” (v. 36). They remind themselves that the Lord is a God who defends the powerless, a great comfort since they have found themselves in dire circumstances. “We are in great distress,” they tell the Lord, and ask Him to be who He has already shown Himself to be—“the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love” (v. 32). Notice that they don’t elevate themselves or remind Him of their accomplishments, or even base their request on their repentance. No, they fall upon God’s mercy and base their requests on His character. This, I believe, is the most important thing we can learn from today’s passage. Our only hope is in God, not in our own goodness or righteousness or deservedness (Isa. 64:6). When we pray, let us rest on the rock-solid foundation of who God is and never the shifting sands of who we are. >> Make today’s passage personal by praying that prayer for yourself. No matter what circumstance you may find yourself in, know that God is always faithful!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been tempted to remember something a bit differently than it happened? I may be the only one, but I tend to remember my sin as not so bad and to spin what I did (or didn’t do) to make myself look better or feel better. The problem is that it’s not honest, and if we are going to be in right relationship with God, we must be honest with ourselves, with the Lord, and with the people around us. Nehemiah 9 shows us what radical honesty looks like in our prayer lives. First, the prayer in verses 5–31 is radically honest about who God is. The prayer draws heavily on Scripture to describe God’s attributes and work in the world. Only the Lord is God, and He created everything. He called Abraham out of his country and established a relationship with him. He heard the Israelites’ cries in Egypt and rescued them. He fed them spiritually with the Torah— “regulations and laws that are just and right” (v. 13)—and physically with food from heaven and water from a rock, and later He gave them land and great abundance. God is and has always been good. Second, this prayer is radically honest about who the Israelites are. They rejected God repeatedly. They wanted to return to slavery in Egypt, and they cast an idol while Moses was on Mt. Sinai. They rejected God’s word and His prophets, continually turning away from the God who saved them. The contrast between God and His people is stark. The honesty shown here is key to a restored relationship between God and His people. We must tell the truth about God and about ourselves, and we must remember rightly our sins and His great goodness. Anything less simply will not do. >> Take time today to get honest about who God is and who you are. What would it look like if we took this radically honest approach to prayer?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several years ago, my wife and I were part of a new church in Kansas City. One of my favorite parts of this fledgling community was that each Sunday included the basic format we see in Nehemiah 9. We would spend time together in prayer, confession and repentance, the public reading of Scripture, and worship. There was a sermon, of course, and we know from earlier in this study that Ezra and other leaders put a high priority on helping people understand Scripture. We read that the “Israelites gathered together” with outward signs of inward repentance (v. 1). They did not just say they were sorry— they demonstrated their repentance through wearing sackcloth, “putting dust on their heads,” and fasting (v. 1). What’s more, the people had “separated themselves from all foreigners” and were publicly confessing “their sins and the sins of their ancestors” (v. 2). Put another way, these people’s actions matched their words—they were not simply paying lip service. The next half of the day they spent partially in reading Scripture and partially in worship and even more confession of sin. I don’t think this passage in Nehemiah is a manual for modern church services. (The services at my former church certainly didn’t go on all day like the one we read of here in Nehemiah!) But I do think they show us the value of turning our hearts toward the Lord regularly and corporately. I can tell you that I left services each week with a renewed heart for the Lord, because I had just spent a few hours confessing sin, reading Scripture, worshiping, and praying with other believers. Knowing I would be doing the same thing the next Sunday had a way of keeping me tethered to the Lord throughout the week. >> Consider how you can incorporate these elements of prayer, confession and repentance, Scripture reading, and worship—all with other believers—into the regular pattern of your life. What might that look like for you?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been on a camping trip? I’ve been on several such trips, spending the evenings around the campfire and sleeping on the ground in a tent. Well, today’s passage describes something sort of like that, but also significantly different. After the celebration of their newfound understanding of Scripture, as recorded in Nehemiah 8, most of the people went home. The family leaders, though, stayed behind and continued to study Scripture. They learned about the Festival of Booths, a weeklong celebration of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. They erected temporary houses, “booths,” or what we might think of as “tents” (though much different from our modern tents). These temporary dwellings reminded the people of their journey out of Egypt and God’s miraculous works on their behalf. After learning about this festival, the heads of each family sent out word to those who had gone home to return and bring materials to build the “booths.” The people obeyed God’s Word, celebrating God’s redemption in a way they hadn’t since “the days of Joshua son of Nun” (v. 17). This reference to Joshua is significant because it connects the people returning from exile in Babylon to the people of Israel whom God brought out of Egypt. These are the people of God! Ezra read Scripture daily, and God’s people experienced enormous joy as they obeyed God’s Word. Can you imagine what it would look like today to obey Scripture in this way? The people in Jerusalem knew nothing of this festival. But when they learned of it and realized the time for it was right then, they rearranged their lives and schedules to do what God had commanded them to do. It is no wonder they experienced such joy. Satisfaction in life comes when we obey the Lord. >> Is there a time in your life when you obeyed the Lord so radically and immediately? Is God calling you to such obedience now? Do not delay!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever attended a wedding reception? It’s one of my favorite events. I love the food, the cake, and the smiles plastered on everyone’s faces. Most of all I love that it makes me think of my own marriage and all the joy, life, and hope wrapped up in that relationship. These few verses in Nehemiah recall a similar occasion, where God’s people were filled with overwhelming joy and hope for the future. Ezra and his associates had just finished helping the people of God understand Scripture. The people, understandably, “had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law” (v. 9). They had likely realized all the ways in which they had failed to obey the Lord, and the Spirit was convicting them of sin. That is a good and right response, and I only wish that we would all more fully recognize our sin that we would respond with weeping at the Spirit’s conviction. However, Nehemiah quickly tells the people that this was not the day for weeping and mourning. It was more like a wedding reception, a time of “choice food and sweet drinks” (v. 10). What’s more, the people were to “send some [food and drinks] to those who have nothing prepared.” They were not to keep the joy to themselves; instead they were to live out the command to love their neighbor by providing for those who did not have any with them. What was the reason for all the rejoicing and feasting? “They now understood the words that had been made known to them” (v.12). There is great joy in understanding Scripture! Just like the feasts after weddings, understanding Scripture is a cause to rejoice and to share that joy with the people around us. >> Does God’s Word bring you joy? When we let His truth sink into our heart, it can bring a deep sense of personal conviction and repentance. But it can also bring joy that goes beyond anything the world offers!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you have a favorite passage of Scripture, one that always brings you comfort, or hope, or joy, or peace? Today’s reading is one of those passages for me. As a teacher of Scripture, my heart soars when I read the long list of names in verses 4 and 8 of those who helped the people understand God’s Word. I may never be an Ezra or a Nehemiah—it’s not what God has called me to. But there’s a whole string of “nobodies” in this passage whom God allowed to teach and serve His people. That’s encouraging! There are a few other reasons this passage is a favorite of mine. First, the group listening to Scripture included “men and women and all who were able to understand” (v. 2). Scripture is for everyone! It isn’t only for men, and it isn’t only for adults. The assembly gathered to learn Scripture included women and children as well. That seems normal to our 21st century minds, but it was remarkable in Nehemiah’s day and time that women and children would be included along with the men—and it’s a pattern Jesus continues in the New Testament. Second, those teaching made sure the people understood Scripture. The teachers were “making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read” (v. 8). God wants to communicate with His people—He wants us to understand His Scripture clearly and plainly. And He has given us people to help us understand, so we can apply His Word, knowing and loving Him and others. Third, the people who gathered to learn Scripture worshiped the Lord. Learning Scripture should always provoke us to worship its Author and our Creator. >> How does this passage speak to your heart and life? God wants you to understand His Word, to worship Him, and to realize that Scripture is for all people, not just some! The Bible is for everybody. That’s why we at Today in the Word are dedicated to sharing God’s life-changing Word!

Do you have a favorite passage of Scripture, one that always brings you comfort, or hope, or joy, or peace? Today’s reading is one of those passages for me. As a teacher of Scripture, my heart soars when I read the long list of names in verses 4 and 8 of those who helped the people understand God’s Word. I may never be an Ezra or a Nehemiah—it’s not what God has called me to. But there’s a whole string of “nobodies” in this passage whom God allowed to teach and serve His people. That’s encouraging! There are a few other reasons this passage is a favorite of mine. First, the group listening to Scripture included “men and women and all who were able to understand” (v. 2). Scripture is for everyone! It isn’t only for men, and it isn’t only for adults. The assembly gathered to learn Scripture included women and children as well. That seems normal to our 21st century minds, but it was remarkable in Nehemiah’s day and time that women and children would be included along with the men—and it’s a pattern Jesus continues in the New Testament. Second, those teaching made sure the people understood Scripture. The teachers were “making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read” (v. 8). God wants to communicate with His people—He wants us to understand His Scripture clearly and plainly. And He has given us people to help us understand, so we can apply His Word, knowing and loving Him and others. Third, the people who gathered to learn Scripture worshiped the Lord. Learning Scripture should always provoke us to worship its Author and our Creator. >> How does this passage speak to your heart and life? God wants you to understand His Word, to worship Him, and to realize that Scripture is for all people, not just some! The Bible is for everybody. That’s why we at Today in the Word are dedicated to sharing God’s life-changing Word!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve been teaching Old Testament at Moody Bible Institute for ten years now, so I have it on good authority that the long genealogies are everyone’s favorite part of Scripture. How can you not love the long lists of names that no one can pronounce? I’m kidding, of course. Most folks may be tempted to skip over the genealogies—and that usually includes me! But “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17). So why are these long lists of names included in the Bible? First, genealogies cover a lot of ground in a short time. For example, Jesus’ genealogy in Luke 3 brings readers all the way from creation to the birth of the Messiah. Second, genealogies prove a person’s heritage. That was especially important for the priests and Levites, who had to be from a certain family in order to minister at the Temple, for the returning exiles, and of course for Jesus, because the promised Messiah would be a son of David (Jer. 23:5; 2 Sam. 7:12–16; Isa. 11:1). We know He is a descendant of David because of His genealogy! Finally, genealogies record God’s faithfulness through the generations. My oldest son’s middle name is Zechariah, which means “the Lord remembers.” My wife and I named him Zechariah because the Lord remembered us (his parents) repeatedly throughout our lives. We wanted to remind our son that God would be faithful to him. So, as we read through the lists of names in Scripture, let us ponder God’s faithfulness to these saints who have gone before us, and let us trust Him to care for us as well. >> How has God been faithful to your family? Take some time to share stories with your family of God’s faithfulness and make it a priority to tell of His goodness to your children.

I’ve been teaching Old Testament at Moody Bible Institute for ten years now, so I have it on good authority that the long genealogies are everyone’s favorite part of Scripture. How can you not love the long lists of names that no one can pronounce? I’m kidding, of course. Most folks may be tempted to skip over the genealogies—and that usually includes me! But “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17). So why are these long lists of names included in the Bible? First, genealogies cover a lot of ground in a short time. For example, Jesus’ genealogy in Luke 3 brings readers all the way from creation to the birth of the Messiah. Second, genealogies prove a person’s heritage. That was especially important for the priests and Levites, who had to be from a certain family in order to minister at the Temple, for the returning exiles, and of course for Jesus, because the promised Messiah would be a son of David (Jer. 23:5; 2 Sam. 7:12–16; Isa. 11:1). We know He is a descendant of David because of His genealogy! Finally, genealogies record God’s faithfulness through the generations. My oldest son’s middle name is Zechariah, which means “the Lord remembers.” My wife and I named him Zechariah because the Lord remembered us (his parents) repeatedly throughout our lives. We wanted to remind our son that God would be faithful to him. So, as we read through the lists of names in Scripture, let us ponder God’s faithfulness to these saints who have gone before us, and let us trust Him to care for us as well. >> How has God been faithful to your family? Take some time to share stories with your family of God’s faithfulness and make it a priority to tell of His goodness to your children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all heard that “Bad company corrupts good morals” or “One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel”. Jesus gave a similar warning, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6). And the apostle Paul observed: “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” (Gal. 5:9). These sayings all make the same important point: It only takes a little bit of compromise, a little bit of sin, a little bit of going along with evil people to corrupt our whole lives. After all their work resisting their enemies in the first six chapters of Nehemiah, and after the walls are finally completed, we read that some of the “nobles of Judah” were in cahoots with Tobiah, who had staunchly opposed the rebuilding efforts. You may be shocked that such betrayal came so quickly on the heels of their victory. That didn’t take long! These nobles were “under oath” to Tobiah because he had enmeshed himself and his family with “important” people in Judah through marriage—marriages that would not have happened if the people of Judah had kept their word not to marry non- Israelites (see Ezra 10:10–11). These nobles wanted to bring peace between Nehemiah and Tobiah and used an all-too-familiar tactic: “He’s not such a bad guy, Nehemiah. You just need to give him a chance. Look at all the good things he’s done!” Nehemiah, though, would not be deceived by the nobles’ positive spin on Tobiah. After all, Tobiah had again revealed his true character when he “sent letters to intimidate” Nehemiah (v. 19). Whether the nobles genuinely believed Tobiah was a good person, we do not know. But we can be certain that his rottenness spread through their ranks. >> We always need to be on guard against even the slightest compromise in our life that will lead us away from following God. One small choice, one wrong decision can corrupt everything. Why take that risk?!

We’ve all heard that “Bad company corrupts good morals” or “One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel”. Jesus gave a similar warning, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6). And the apostle Paul observed: “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” (Gal. 5:9). These sayings all make the same important point: It only takes a little bit of compromise, a little bit of sin, a little bit of going along with evil people to corrupt our whole lives. After all their work resisting their enemies in the first six chapters of Nehemiah, and after the walls are finally completed, we read that some of the “nobles of Judah” were in cahoots with Tobiah, who had staunchly opposed the rebuilding efforts. You may be shocked that such betrayal came so quickly on the heels of their victory. That didn’t take long! These nobles were “under oath” to Tobiah because he had enmeshed himself and his family with “important” people in Judah through marriage—marriages that would not have happened if the people of Judah had kept their word not to marry non- Israelites (see Ezra 10:10–11). These nobles wanted to bring peace between Nehemiah and Tobiah and used an all-too-familiar tactic: “He’s not such a bad guy, Nehemiah. You just need to give him a chance. Look at all the good things he’s done!” Nehemiah, though, would not be deceived by the nobles’ positive spin on Tobiah. After all, Tobiah had again revealed his true character when he “sent letters to intimidate” Nehemiah (v. 19). Whether the nobles genuinely believed Tobiah was a good person, we do not know. But we can be certain that his rottenness spread through their ranks. >> We always need to be on guard against even the slightest compromise in our life that will lead us away from following God. One small choice, one wrong decision can corrupt everything. Why take that risk?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you remember the last time you successfully finished something you thought could never be accomplished? I remember the moment my wife delivered our oldest son after 48 hours of labor. I held his tiny hand while the doctors attended to him, then stumbled outside to cry with sheer relief that the Lord had brought my son into the world and kept my wife here. (For the record: my wife remembers it all much more happily, but she’s an eternal optimist.) The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls had gone astonishingly fast—it took a mere 52 days to complete the project, which was finished in early October of 445 BC (v. 15). Archaeological excavations have proven what God’s Word indicates; the construction of the wall was very rough and uneven, as one would expect from a quickly completed project. And though the new wall did not traverse the entirety of Jerusalem before the Babylonian invasion and destruction in 586 BC, it still enclosed about six acres. For six chapters we have read of Nehemiah’s faith in the Lord in the face of enormous obstacles. He and the people faced ridicule, death threats, and opposition at every turn, yet they stayed “prayed up” and put their trust in the Lord. They used wisdom and worked hard, and the Lord made their efforts succeed. What’s more, their work testified of the Lord to the unbelievers around them: “When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self- confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” (v. 16). The rebuilding mattered for God’s people, of course, but it also was a key way for the Lord to show His grace, goodness, and power to the unbelievers who lived near Jerusalem. >> What walls have been rebuilt in your life? Share this victory story with someone today, pointing them to God as the One who makes possible what to us seems impossible!

Do you remember the last time you successfully finished something you thought could never be accomplished? I remember the moment my wife delivered our oldest son after 48 hours of labor. I held his tiny hand while the doctors attended to him, then stumbled outside to cry with sheer relief that the Lord had brought my son into the world and kept my wife here. (For the record: my wife remembers it all much more happily, but she’s an eternal optimist.) The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls had gone astonishingly fast—it took a mere 52 days to complete the project, which was finished in early October of 445 BC (v. 15). Archaeological excavations have proven what God’s Word indicates; the construction of the wall was very rough and uneven, as one would expect from a quickly completed project. And though the new wall did not traverse the entirety of Jerusalem before the Babylonian invasion and destruction in 586 BC, it still enclosed about six acres. For six chapters we have read of Nehemiah’s faith in the Lord in the face of enormous obstacles. He and the people faced ridicule, death threats, and opposition at every turn, yet they stayed “prayed up” and put their trust in the Lord. They used wisdom and worked hard, and the Lord made their efforts succeed. What’s more, their work testified of the Lord to the unbelievers around them: “When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self- confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God” (v. 16). The rebuilding mattered for God’s people, of course, but it also was a key way for the Lord to show His grace, goodness, and power to the unbelievers who lived near Jerusalem. >> What walls have been rebuilt in your life? Share this victory story with someone today, pointing them to God as the One who makes possible what to us seems impossible!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1895, a young woman named Amy Carmichael came to India where she made it her life’s mission to rescue orphaned temple children. Amy founded the Dohnavur Fellowship which included nurseries, cottage homes, hospitals, and schools. But the young missionary encountered fierce opposition. Amy refused to give up, saying, “When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything that I do be called sacrifice?” Nehemiah also encountered intense challenges. When Nehemiah’s enemies learned the building project was successful, they were angry. Their mockery and collusion had come to nothing; the wall had been rebuilt. Still unwilling to submit to the Lord, they hatched a plot to physically harm Nehemiah. When he saw through their plans and refused to meet them outside Jerusalem’s walls, Sanballat (Samaria’s governor) sent a letter accusing Nehemiah of subversion. The accusation could have spelled Nehemiah’s doom at the hands of the Persian king. Nehemiah responded to Sanballat’s lie with the best possible remedy: the truth: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head” (v. 8). Nehemiah then did his usual best thing—he prayed. Have you experienced the sort of relentless opposition that Nehemiah faced? I certainly haven’t, and I don’t imagine that I would be as consistently faithful as Nehemiah has been. His trust in the Lord, refusal to stray from the task at hand, and unwillingness to play the same games as his enemies show us a clear path for navigating opposition, should we ever face it (and Jesus promises we will!). May we, like Nehemiah, remain faithful to the Lord, humbly dependent on Him, and focused on what the Lord calls us to do, come what may! >> What are you praying about that requires steadfast prayer, even in the face of direct opposition? Jot down a few concrete steps you can take to cultivate a life of prayer and trust like we have seen in Nehemiah.

In 1895, a young woman named Amy Carmichael came to India where she made it her life’s mission to rescue orphaned temple children. Amy founded the Dohnavur Fellowship which included nurseries, cottage homes, hospitals, and schools. But the young missionary encountered fierce opposition. Amy refused to give up, saying, “When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything that I do be called sacrifice?” Nehemiah also encountered intense challenges. When Nehemiah’s enemies learned the building project was successful, they were angry. Their mockery and collusion had come to nothing; the wall had been rebuilt. Still unwilling to submit to the Lord, they hatched a plot to physically harm Nehemiah. When he saw through their plans and refused to meet them outside Jerusalem’s walls, Sanballat (Samaria’s governor) sent a letter accusing Nehemiah of subversion. The accusation could have spelled Nehemiah’s doom at the hands of the Persian king. Nehemiah responded to Sanballat’s lie with the best possible remedy: the truth: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head” (v. 8). Nehemiah then did his usual best thing—he prayed. Have you experienced the sort of relentless opposition that Nehemiah faced? I certainly haven’t, and I don’t imagine that I would be as consistently faithful as Nehemiah has been. His trust in the Lord, refusal to stray from the task at hand, and unwillingness to play the same games as his enemies show us a clear path for navigating opposition, should we ever face it (and Jesus promises we will!). May we, like Nehemiah, remain faithful to the Lord, humbly dependent on Him, and focused on what the Lord calls us to do, come what may! >> What are you praying about that requires steadfast prayer, even in the face of direct opposition? Jot down a few concrete steps you can take to cultivate a life of prayer and trust like we have seen in Nehemiah.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve watched shows such as Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs, you know that in England, the nobility lived in an entirely different world than the serving class. The same wealth gap existed in Nehemiah’s time. The nobles and officials in Jerusalem were exploiting the poor by charging them exorbitant interest on loans. This was money they needed to cover their basic living expenses. Nehemiah challenged these leaders to live generously. By doing so, they would be showing God’s love. In addition to not charging interest on his own loans to the poor people in Jerusalem, Nehemiah refused to take what was his by virtue of his position. As the king’s “appointed...governor in the land of Judah” (v. 14), Nehemiah could have demanded that the people provide food for him and his entire court. But unlike the political leaders before him, Nehemiah refused to do this. In addition to refusing to tax the people, he participated in the manual labor required to rebuild the city walls. Nehemiah refused to prey upon those he led, and he was “angry” at those who did so (v. 6). He led by example, giving up the luxury he could have demanded for the good of the people. Even more, in verses 17 and 18 we learn that Nehemiah paid out of his own pocket for “a hundred and fifty Jews and officials...as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations” to eat at his table. For his generosity, Nehemiah asks God to “remember me with favor” (v. 19). Nehemiah understood that riches in this world will soon pass. Rather than fill his own coffers, he gave generously to the people he led. Rather than demand his rights, Nehemiah served his people. >> We tend to look at our bank balance and worldly possessions as “mine.” After all, we earned them! How does this passage challenge that belief? How can you give up your “rights” in order to show God’s love to others?

If you’ve watched shows such as Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs, you know that in England, the nobility lived in an entirely different world than the serving class. The same wealth gap existed in Nehemiah’s time. The nobles and officials in Jerusalem were exploiting the poor by charging them exorbitant interest on loans. This was money they needed to cover their basic living expenses. Nehemiah challenged these leaders to live generously. By doing so, they would be showing God’s love. In addition to not charging interest on his own loans to the poor people in Jerusalem, Nehemiah refused to take what was his by virtue of his position. As the king’s “appointed...governor in the land of Judah” (v. 14), Nehemiah could have demanded that the people provide food for him and his entire court. But unlike the political leaders before him, Nehemiah refused to do this. In addition to refusing to tax the people, he participated in the manual labor required to rebuild the city walls. Nehemiah refused to prey upon those he led, and he was “angry” at those who did so (v. 6). He led by example, giving up the luxury he could have demanded for the good of the people. Even more, in verses 17 and 18 we learn that Nehemiah paid out of his own pocket for “a hundred and fifty Jews and officials...as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations” to eat at his table. For his generosity, Nehemiah asks God to “remember me with favor” (v. 19). Nehemiah understood that riches in this world will soon pass. Rather than fill his own coffers, he gave generously to the people he led. Rather than demand his rights, Nehemiah served his people. >> We tend to look at our bank balance and worldly possessions as “mine.” After all, we earned them! How does this passage challenge that belief? How can you give up your “rights” in order to show God’s love to others?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When asked about the most important law in the Old Testament, Jesus famously responded that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Matt. 22:37). No one listening to Him would have disagreed, most certainly not the Pharisees who were questioning Him. But then Jesus went on, saying that “the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (v. 39). In the midst of the people’s courageous rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls—an act of loving God, to be sure—the people of Israel had failed to keep the command that “is like it.” Rather than loving their neighbors, the powerful people in Jerusalem were exploiting the poor. When we see this sort of injustice, it is easy for us to turn the other way and say, “It’s not my business.” We may assume: “They have made bad decisions to become so poor. You reap what you sow!” But that was not Nehemiah’s response. Rather than cast blame on the impoverished, Nehemiah became “very angry” (v. 6) and confronted the “nobles and officials” for their sin and called them to stop charging interest on their loans (v. 7). Not content with the leaders’ word that they would make restitution, Nehemiah made them vow to keep their word. And he even uttered a curse against them should they renege on their promise. Perhaps most important, he recognized that this was a theological issue. Nehemiah stated that poor leadership is a failure to fear God which will incite “the reproach of our Gentile enemies” (v. 9). Jesus would point out centuries later—we cannot separate loving God from loving our neighbor. If we fail in the latter, it shows we are failing in the former. >> What does it look like to truly love God and love your neighbor? Pray and ask God to show you if you have failed to show this type of love to “your neighbor.” Then ask God to help you make it right with that person or a group of people.

When asked about the most important law in the Old Testament, Jesus famously responded that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Matt. 22:37). No one listening to Him would have disagreed, most certainly not the Pharisees who were questioning Him. But then Jesus went on, saying that “the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (v. 39). In the midst of the people’s courageous rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls—an act of loving God, to be sure—the people of Israel had failed to keep the command that “is like it.” Rather than loving their neighbors, the powerful people in Jerusalem were exploiting the poor. When we see this sort of injustice, it is easy for us to turn the other way and say, “It’s not my business.” We may assume: “They have made bad decisions to become so poor. You reap what you sow!” But that was not Nehemiah’s response. Rather than cast blame on the impoverished, Nehemiah became “very angry” (v. 6) and confronted the “nobles and officials” for their sin and called them to stop charging interest on their loans (v. 7). Not content with the leaders’ word that they would make restitution, Nehemiah made them vow to keep their word. And he even uttered a curse against them should they renege on their promise. Perhaps most important, he recognized that this was a theological issue. Nehemiah stated that poor leadership is a failure to fear God which will incite “the reproach of our Gentile enemies” (v. 9). Jesus would point out centuries later—we cannot separate loving God from loving our neighbor. If we fail in the latter, it shows we are failing in the former. >> What does it look like to truly love God and love your neighbor? Pray and ask God to show you if you have failed to show this type of love to “your neighbor.” Then ask God to help you make it right with that person or a group of people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I love basketball and underdog movies. That’s why Glory Road is one of my favorite films. It tells the story of Texas Western College, the first team in NCAA history with an all-black starting lineup. I won’t spoil the ending if you haven’t seen it; what’s important is the enormous opposition these students overcame in order to play. Like the workers in the book of Nehemiah, they refused to give up, no matter what came their way. Today’s reading in Nehemiah helps us understand the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It shows what it means to trust God while also being fully prepared. Nehemiah presents these two concepts as both/and, not either/or. The passage starts with Nehemiah recounting that the Jewish people’s enemies knew “that God had frustrated” their plot to stop the rebuilding project, and “we all returned to the wall, each to our own work” (v. 15). However, the Jewish people didn’t just return to the work as if everything was fine. No, Nehemiah shows both the importance of trusting in God and doing what was in their power to do. He put a plan in place to protect the people from their enemies as they worked. Half of Nehemiah’s men continued to work on the wall, while the other half armed themselves with “spears, shields, bows and armor” (v. 16). The folks carrying supplies “did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other” (v. 17). Every construction worker “wore his sword at his side while he worked,” and the trumpeter, who would sound the alarm if attacked, stayed with Nehemiah (v. 18). Thankfully, no fighting ensued, but Nehemiah assured them, “Our God will fight for us!” (v. 20). Nehemiah showed what it means to trust God fully while also preparing for adversity. >> What does it mean for you to balance trust and preparation? Nehemiah teaches us how to prepare well and move forward in faith, even in the face of opposition!

I love basketball and underdog movies. That’s why Glory Road is one of my favorite films. It tells the story of Texas Western College, the first team in NCAA history with an all-black starting lineup. I won’t spoil the ending if you haven’t seen it; what’s important is the enormous opposition these students overcame in order to play. Like the workers in the book of Nehemiah, they refused to give up, no matter what came their way. Today’s reading in Nehemiah helps us understand the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It shows what it means to trust God while also being fully prepared. Nehemiah presents these two concepts as both/and, not either/or. The passage starts with Nehemiah recounting that the Jewish people’s enemies knew “that God had frustrated” their plot to stop the rebuilding project, and “we all returned to the wall, each to our own work” (v. 15). However, the Jewish people didn’t just return to the work as if everything was fine. No, Nehemiah shows both the importance of trusting in God and doing what was in their power to do. He put a plan in place to protect the people from their enemies as they worked. Half of Nehemiah’s men continued to work on the wall, while the other half armed themselves with “spears, shields, bows and armor” (v. 16). The folks carrying supplies “did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other” (v. 17). Every construction worker “wore his sword at his side while he worked,” and the trumpeter, who would sound the alarm if attacked, stayed with Nehemiah (v. 18). Thankfully, no fighting ensued, but Nehemiah assured them, “Our God will fight for us!” (v. 20). Nehemiah showed what it means to trust God fully while also preparing for adversity. >> What does it mean for you to balance trust and preparation? Nehemiah teaches us how to prepare well and move forward in faith, even in the face of opposition!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when it felt like everyone and everything was against you? Everywhere you turned, you faced the enemy’s fiery darts. Such times call us to trust in the Lord and stand firm in our faith. In today’s reading, Nehemiah and the rest of those rebuilding Jerusalem continued to face opposition. Nehemiah 4:1–3 recounts the taunts that Sanballat and Tobiah lobbed at the Jewish people—and not just privately. Sanballat ridiculed them “in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria” (v. 2). They derided the people, calling them “feeble,” along with their work—“even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” (v. 3). Nehemiah sprang into action, showing believers even today how to address opposition to God’s work. First, Nehemiah prayed (vv. 4–6). This isn’t the sort of prayer we are accustomed to. Nehemiah asked God to turn the enemies’ taunts back on them, even imploring God to “not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight” (v. 5). Prayers like this (see also Psalms 58, 109) show that it is good and right to bring all of our concerns to the Lord. When we leave vengeance to the Lord, we are free to forgive our enemies. Second, the people got back to work (v. 6), even though the opposition continued (vv. 7–14). The continued opposition led the people to pray more and even take a third step—they readied themselves for battle. They trusted God’s sovereignty, but they also prepared appropriately. Finally, Nehemiah encouraged the people: “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes” (v. 14). >> We each react in different ways to opposition. But Nehemiah’s example helps us remember to keep on task and to trust God, even when the going gets tough. Remember these four points when you face trouble.

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when it felt like everyone and everything was against you? Everywhere you turned, you faced the enemy’s fiery darts. Such times call us to trust in the Lord and stand firm in our faith. In today’s reading, Nehemiah and the rest of those rebuilding Jerusalem continued to face opposition. Nehemiah 4:1–3 recounts the taunts that Sanballat and Tobiah lobbed at the Jewish people—and not just privately. Sanballat ridiculed them “in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria” (v. 2). They derided the people, calling them “feeble,” along with their work—“even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” (v. 3). Nehemiah sprang into action, showing believers even today how to address opposition to God’s work. First, Nehemiah prayed (vv. 4–6). This isn’t the sort of prayer we are accustomed to. Nehemiah asked God to turn the enemies’ taunts back on them, even imploring God to “not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight” (v. 5). Prayers like this (see also Psalms 58, 109) show that it is good and right to bring all of our concerns to the Lord. When we leave vengeance to the Lord, we are free to forgive our enemies. Second, the people got back to work (v. 6), even though the opposition continued (vv. 7–14). The continued opposition led the people to pray more and even take a third step—they readied themselves for battle. They trusted God’s sovereignty, but they also prepared appropriately. Finally, Nehemiah encouraged the people: “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes” (v. 14). >> We each react in different ways to opposition. But Nehemiah’s example helps us remember to keep on task and to trust God, even when the going gets tough. Remember these four points when you face trouble.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever seen Undercover Boss, the reality TV show? In it, a company’s CEO, owner, or other high-ranking employees go undercover to work at an entry-level position in their company. People loved it because, rather than staying in a high tower, the bosses got their hands dirty and saw what it was like to be “normal” employees. Well, the opposite is going on in our passage today. Nehemiah shared God’s work, encouraged the people, and rejected the scorn of naysayers. But it was God’s people who got to work rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. The chapter may seem a bit boring—it simply lists off people and the sections of the wall they rebuilt. It’s kind of like the list of acknowledgments at the back of a book, except that it comes right at the front. But if you take the time to read through the people and the work they did, it’s absolutely fascinating. Everyone went to work including goldsmiths, priests, Levites— people who relied on a wide variety of work to support their families pitched in to rebuild the broken-down wall, towers, and gates surrounding Jerusalem. What could have been a huge almost unsurmountable task, became possible when so many contributed. This was an equalizing team effort if there ever was one! However, verse 5 singles out a group who refused to help: The “nobles [from Tekoa] would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.” They apparently didn’t want to work for a boss other than themselves. They apparently viewed themselves as too important, too powerful, too big to humble themselves and join the rest of God’s people in rebuilding Jerusalem. >> As Christians, we must resist the temptation to think of ourselves as “better than.” Instead, we should remember that we are all part of one body, and no part is more important than another (see 1 Cor. 12:12–27). What can you do today to develop humility and a heart to serve the Lord in any capacity?

Have you ever seen Undercover Boss, the reality TV show? In it, a company’s CEO, owner, or other high-ranking employees go undercover to work at an entry-level position in their company. People loved it because, rather than staying in a high tower, the bosses got their hands dirty and saw what it was like to be “normal” employees. Well, the opposite is going on in our passage today. Nehemiah shared God’s work, encouraged the people, and rejected the scorn of naysayers. But it was God’s people who got to work rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. The chapter may seem a bit boring—it simply lists off people and the sections of the wall they rebuilt. It’s kind of like the list of acknowledgments at the back of a book, except that it comes right at the front. But if you take the time to read through the people and the work they did, it’s absolutely fascinating. Everyone went to work including goldsmiths, priests, Levites— people who relied on a wide variety of work to support their families pitched in to rebuild the broken-down wall, towers, and gates surrounding Jerusalem. What could have been a huge almost unsurmountable task, became possible when so many contributed. This was an equalizing team effort if there ever was one! However, verse 5 singles out a group who refused to help: The “nobles [from Tekoa] would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.” They apparently didn’t want to work for a boss other than themselves. They apparently viewed themselves as too important, too powerful, too big to humble themselves and join the rest of God’s people in rebuilding Jerusalem. >> As Christians, we must resist the temptation to think of ourselves as “better than.” Instead, we should remember that we are all part of one body, and no part is more important than another (see 1 Cor. 12:12–27). What can you do today to develop humility and a heart to serve the Lord in any capacity?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was mocked a lot as a kid. I was dorky, into video games, bad at sports, short, and weighed more than most kids my age. Mocking and ridicule hurt. Although the people in today’s passage weren’t ridiculed because of their physical appearance or their inability to throw a football, I’m certain they still felt the sting of the words hurled against them. Nehemiah had shared with God’s people all the Lord had done to bring them to Jerusalem, and God had given them the courage to join Nehemiah in the seemingly impossible task of restoring Jerusalem’s wall. Perhaps you can imagine the joy and excitement they felt when they listened to Nehemiah and knew, just knew, that God was going to do a mighty work. That is when their enemies—and the Enemy—attacked: “But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. ‘What is this you are doing?’ they asked. ‘Are you rebelling against the king?’” (v. 19). The people now had a decision to make: Would they walk away from the task because of the scorn and mockery of others? Would they second-guess their God and what He called them to do? Or would they trust the Lord, pick up their tools, and get to work? The very next verse tells us their response, and it gives us an important strategy in similar situations. Rather than believe the enemies’ lies, Nehemiah focused on what he knew was true: “I answered them by saying, ‘The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it’” (v. 20). >> When God gives us a task, we should not listen to those who question and ridicule. Consider all the people who undertook what seemed impossible for God: Noah, Joshua, Mary, Peter. Keep your focus on Him. God will give you success!

I was mocked a lot as a kid. I was dorky, into video games, bad at sports, short, and weighed more than most kids my age. Mocking and ridicule hurt. Although the people in today’s passage weren’t ridiculed because of their physical appearance or their inability to throw a football, I’m certain they still felt the sting of the words hurled against them. Nehemiah had shared with God’s people all the Lord had done to bring them to Jerusalem, and God had given them the courage to join Nehemiah in the seemingly impossible task of restoring Jerusalem’s wall. Perhaps you can imagine the joy and excitement they felt when they listened to Nehemiah and knew, just knew, that God was going to do a mighty work. That is when their enemies—and the Enemy—attacked: “But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. ‘What is this you are doing?’ they asked. ‘Are you rebelling against the king?’” (v. 19). The people now had a decision to make: Would they walk away from the task because of the scorn and mockery of others? Would they second-guess their God and what He called them to do? Or would they trust the Lord, pick up their tools, and get to work? The very next verse tells us their response, and it gives us an important strategy in similar situations. Rather than believe the enemies’ lies, Nehemiah focused on what he knew was true: “I answered them by saying, ‘The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it’” (v. 20). >> When God gives us a task, we should not listen to those who question and ridicule. Consider all the people who undertook what seemed impossible for God: Noah, Joshua, Mary, Peter. Keep your focus on Him. God will give you success!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been faced with a huge task, afraid to take the first step even when you knew God had called you to it? Perhaps you had everything planned out, knew God was with you, and all that was left was to begin— returning to school, starting foster care classes, or sharing the gospel with that one person in your life. Beginning takes courage! And courage is exactly what we see in Nehemiah and the rest of the people of Jerusalem who would rally with him to rebuild the city’s walls. Once Nehemiah finished his reconnaissance mission to learn the lay of the land, he saw just in what a bad shape the city had been (vv. 13–16). Nehemiah gathered the rest of the people of Jerusalem and shared his vision with them. Most importantly, Nehemiah told them all God had already done for him, ensuring that this was not some hair-brained idea from a Persian official: “I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me” (v. 18). Nehemiah’s testimony of God’s favor gave the people of Jerusalem the courage they needed to begin the enormous task: “They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work” (v. 18). Sometimes in our lives we will be like Nehemiah, called by God to lead for Him in a certain area, perhaps in our family or at our job. Other times we will be like the rest of the people in Jerusalem, called by God to follow someone as they lead out in a way God has called them to. At all times God calls us to trust in Him and go courageously wherever He leads. >> Is there something in your life that God has called you to do, but you’ve been too afraid to begin? Like Nehemiah, share your plans with those who can help you, trust the Lord, and get to work.

Have you ever been faced with a huge task, afraid to take the first step even when you knew God had called you to it? Perhaps you had everything planned out, knew God was with you, and all that was left was to begin— returning to school, starting foster care classes, or sharing the gospel with that one person in your life. Beginning takes courage! And courage is exactly what we see in Nehemiah and the rest of the people of Jerusalem who would rally with him to rebuild the city’s walls. Once Nehemiah finished his reconnaissance mission to learn the lay of the land, he saw just in what a bad shape the city had been (vv. 13–16). Nehemiah gathered the rest of the people of Jerusalem and shared his vision with them. Most importantly, Nehemiah told them all God had already done for him, ensuring that this was not some hair-brained idea from a Persian official: “I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me” (v. 18). Nehemiah’s testimony of God’s favor gave the people of Jerusalem the courage they needed to begin the enormous task: “They replied, ‘Let us start rebuilding.’ So they began this good work” (v. 18). Sometimes in our lives we will be like Nehemiah, called by God to lead for Him in a certain area, perhaps in our family or at our job. Other times we will be like the rest of the people in Jerusalem, called by God to follow someone as they lead out in a way God has called them to. At all times God calls us to trust in Him and go courageously wherever He leads. >> Is there something in your life that God has called you to do, but you’ve been too afraid to begin? Like Nehemiah, share your plans with those who can help you, trust the Lord, and get to work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like many people, I typically interpret opposition as a sign that I am doing something wrong, while a smooth road ahead makes me think I’m on the right path. We learned yesterday that God made the way smooth for Nehemiah, but today we read the first hint that not everyone would support Nehemiah’s mission. Should he take the displeasure of two important men as a sign he should not rebuild Jerusalem’s walls? Of course not! This was just another opportunity for Nehemiah to put his trust in the Lord. He should stand strong in what God had called him to do—to love God and his neighbor by restoring Jerusalem. One of the opposers was Sanballat whose name means “Sin [the moon god] Gives Life.” Those familiar with the Old Testament will remember that the Ammonites were sworn enemies of Israel. Sanballat and Tobiah would continue to oppose Nehemiah’s efforts, but at every step of the way Nehemiah demonstrated trust in the Lord, refusing to turn away from what God has called him to do. It is quite unlikely that God will call any of us to as huge a task as Nehemiah undertook, yet He has called all of us to love Him, love our neighbors, and share the gospel without fear. We should not be surprised when people oppose those efforts. Remember that Jesus taught His disciples to expect rejection. “If the world hates you,” Jesus said, “keep in mind that it hated me first...Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:18, 20). We are no exception to the rule. When we spread the gospel of Christ, we will experience resistance. Do not lose heart! >> Nehemiah’s story should encourage us to continue serving the Lord no matter what comes your way. Have you experienced hostility from others when you knew you were doing what God had asked you to do? How do you respond?

Like many people, I typically interpret opposition as a sign that I am doing something wrong, while a smooth road ahead makes me think I’m on the right path. We learned yesterday that God made the way smooth for Nehemiah, but today we read the first hint that not everyone would support Nehemiah’s mission. Should he take the displeasure of two important men as a sign he should not rebuild Jerusalem’s walls? Of course not! This was just another opportunity for Nehemiah to put his trust in the Lord. He should stand strong in what God had called him to do—to love God and his neighbor by restoring Jerusalem. One of the opposers was Sanballat whose name means “Sin [the moon god] Gives Life.” Those familiar with the Old Testament will remember that the Ammonites were sworn enemies of Israel. Sanballat and Tobiah would continue to oppose Nehemiah’s efforts, but at every step of the way Nehemiah demonstrated trust in the Lord, refusing to turn away from what God has called him to do. It is quite unlikely that God will call any of us to as huge a task as Nehemiah undertook, yet He has called all of us to love Him, love our neighbors, and share the gospel without fear. We should not be surprised when people oppose those efforts. Remember that Jesus taught His disciples to expect rejection. “If the world hates you,” Jesus said, “keep in mind that it hated me first...Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:18, 20). We are no exception to the rule. When we spread the gospel of Christ, we will experience resistance. Do not lose heart! >> Nehemiah’s story should encourage us to continue serving the Lord no matter what comes your way. Have you experienced hostility from others when you knew you were doing what God had asked you to do? How do you respond?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been afraid to ask your boss for something, such as a raise or maybe some time off? I know I have! I’ve been anxious that the answer would be no, or—even worse—that I’d be fired for presuming my worth. Now, imagine if your boss could literally murder you any time with no repercussions whatsoever. And what if you’re asking for something the boss already promised would never happen. That was the situation for Nehemiah in today’s passage. It had been four months since Nehemiah (“The Lord Comforts”) learned from his brother Hanani (“The Lord is Gracious”) about the devastation in Jerusalem. “When wine was brought for” King Artaxerxes, it was likely at a feast and, thus, he would be in good spirits, but he sensed something wrong with his trusted cupbearer: “Why does your face look so sad?” (v. 2). Nehemiah, though fearful (v. 2), answers honestly. Even though he knows that Artaxerxes had already halted construction of Jerusalem’s walls (see Ezra 4), Nehemiah prays to God and asks the king to allow him to return to do the very thing the king said should not be done. Miraculously, Artaxerxes reverses the course set in Ezra 4 and allows Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem, even providing letters to guarantee his safe passage, soldiers to guard his caravan, and materials for the rebuilding project. All of this, Nehemiah says, is “because the gracious hand of my God was on me” (v. 8). Nehemiah does not claim credit for the king’s stunning response. He does not post on social media “Just got that promotion!! All my hard work finally paid off!!” Instead, he recognizes that God has been gracious to him and turned the king’s heart (Prov. 21:1). >> Have you experienced God’s gracious hand on you? Don’t take the credit for this wonderful event! Instead, tell someone about the miraculous (and ordinary) ways that God has shown you favor. This is a God-story worth sharing!

Have you ever been afraid to ask your boss for something, such as a raise or maybe some time off? I know I have! I’ve been anxious that the answer would be no, or—even worse—that I’d be fired for presuming my worth. Now, imagine if your boss could literally murder you any time with no repercussions whatsoever. And what if you’re asking for something the boss already promised would never happen. That was the situation for Nehemiah in today’s passage. It had been four months since Nehemiah (“The Lord Comforts”) learned from his brother Hanani (“The Lord is Gracious”) about the devastation in Jerusalem. “When wine was brought for” King Artaxerxes, it was likely at a feast and, thus, he would be in good spirits, but he sensed something wrong with his trusted cupbearer: “Why does your face look so sad?” (v. 2). Nehemiah, though fearful (v. 2), answers honestly. Even though he knows that Artaxerxes had already halted construction of Jerusalem’s walls (see Ezra 4), Nehemiah prays to God and asks the king to allow him to return to do the very thing the king said should not be done. Miraculously, Artaxerxes reverses the course set in Ezra 4 and allows Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem, even providing letters to guarantee his safe passage, soldiers to guard his caravan, and materials for the rebuilding project. All of this, Nehemiah says, is “because the gracious hand of my God was on me” (v. 8). Nehemiah does not claim credit for the king’s stunning response. He does not post on social media “Just got that promotion!! All my hard work finally paid off!!” Instead, he recognizes that God has been gracious to him and turned the king’s heart (Prov. 21:1). >> Have you experienced God’s gracious hand on you? Don’t take the credit for this wonderful event! Instead, tell someone about the miraculous (and ordinary) ways that God has shown you favor. This is a God-story worth sharing!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve never read Judy Blume’s book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, but time and again I’ve thought of that title as I poured out prayers that felt like they got no further than the ceiling. Did God hear me? These eight verses in Nehemiah offer us a lesson on prayer. First, Nehemiah teaches that we should pray—even when we are sad or mourning (v. 4). God doesn’t want to hear from us only when things are going well! Second, just like Jesus taught the disciples, prayer begins with worship and submission to the Lord. In Nehemiah’s words, God is “the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (v. 5). Third, Nehemiah asks God to hear him, making his requests known to God (v. 6; Phil. 4:6). Fourth, prayer should include clear and honest confession and repentance (vv. 6–7). Nehemiah confesses “the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.” There is no “spin” here, no attempt to make himself look better. Finally, prayers should be saturated with Scripture—Nehemiah draws on an earlier passage of the Bible to ground his prayers in who God is and what He has promised. Doing this is no guarantee that God will grant your request, but this prayer is a model for our benefit and edification. In the very last verse, we are given Nehemiah’s profession. He “was cupbearer to the king” (v. 11). This was traditionally an office of high rank whose job was to pour and serve drinks at the king’s table. The king placed a high level of trust in him. >> It is often helpful to use Scripture to guide our prayers. You can even pray aloud a portion of Scripture making it personal and specific to your situation. Nehemiah’s prayer in verses 5–11 is an excellent one to try.

I’ve never read Judy Blume’s book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, but time and again I’ve thought of that title as I poured out prayers that felt like they got no further than the ceiling. Did God hear me? These eight verses in Nehemiah offer us a lesson on prayer. First, Nehemiah teaches that we should pray—even when we are sad or mourning (v. 4). God doesn’t want to hear from us only when things are going well! Second, just like Jesus taught the disciples, prayer begins with worship and submission to the Lord. In Nehemiah’s words, God is “the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (v. 5). Third, Nehemiah asks God to hear him, making his requests known to God (v. 6; Phil. 4:6). Fourth, prayer should include clear and honest confession and repentance (vv. 6–7). Nehemiah confesses “the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.” There is no “spin” here, no attempt to make himself look better. Finally, prayers should be saturated with Scripture—Nehemiah draws on an earlier passage of the Bible to ground his prayers in who God is and what He has promised. Doing this is no guarantee that God will grant your request, but this prayer is a model for our benefit and edification. In the very last verse, we are given Nehemiah’s profession. He “was cupbearer to the king” (v. 11). This was traditionally an office of high rank whose job was to pour and serve drinks at the king’s table. The king placed a high level of trust in him. >> It is often helpful to use Scripture to guide our prayers. You can even pray aloud a portion of Scripture making it personal and specific to your situation. Nehemiah’s prayer in verses 5–11 is an excellent one to try.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Going against the wave of technology, I exchanged my smartphone for a “dumb” phone several years ago. But before then, I remember texting with friends and seeing those little three dots come up that indicate your recipient is typing a response. I would sometimes get anxious, waiting for what they would say. Now, take that emotion and multiply it by a camel ride across 900 miles. Travel back to December of 445 BC, and meet Nehemiah, a trusted advisor to the king in the Persian capital Susa, which is the modern-day city of Shush in southwestern Iran. You probably know the city from the book of Esther, where events occurred about 20 years before this. Nehemiah had waited a long time for his message, and the news was even worse than he expected. Nehemiah’s brother Hanani (whose name means “The Lord Is Gracious”) told him that “those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace” (v. 3). Even the wall of Jerusalem had been destroyed. The people to whom he referred had been left in Jerusalem and the surrounding area when the rest of God’s people were deported to Babylon (see 2 Kings 24–25). We’ll learn later in our study that not all the people remaining in Jerusalem were truly God’s people, but God’s people in Jerusalem clearly needed the comfort and protection that Yahweh brings, for even the wall around the city had been destroyed. Our cities today don’t typically have walls around them, but walls were a necessity in the ancient world. They protected the city’s inhabitants from invaders and other threats. Without the wall and the gates that controlled traffic, God’s people were in constant danger from enemy attack. >> Think about a time in your life when you felt disgraced, under attack, or in trouble (or perhaps that is your situation today). How did God meet your need? Try to think of someone who might feel like you once felt, and, like Nehemiah, reach out to comfort that person today.

Going against the wave of technology, I exchanged my smartphone for a “dumb” phone several years ago. But before then, I remember texting with friends and seeing those little three dots come up that indicate your recipient is typing a response. I would sometimes get anxious, waiting for what they would say. Now, take that emotion and multiply it by a camel ride across 900 miles. Travel back to December of 445 BC, and meet Nehemiah, a trusted advisor to the king in the Persian capital Susa, which is the modern-day city of Shush in southwestern Iran. You probably know the city from the book of Esther, where events occurred about 20 years before this. Nehemiah had waited a long time for his message, and the news was even worse than he expected. Nehemiah’s brother Hanani (whose name means “The Lord Is Gracious”) told him that “those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace” (v. 3). Even the wall of Jerusalem had been destroyed. The people to whom he referred had been left in Jerusalem and the surrounding area when the rest of God’s people were deported to Babylon (see 2 Kings 24–25). We’ll learn later in our study that not all the people remaining in Jerusalem were truly God’s people, but God’s people in Jerusalem clearly needed the comfort and protection that Yahweh brings, for even the wall around the city had been destroyed. Our cities today don’t typically have walls around them, but walls were a necessity in the ancient world. They protected the city’s inhabitants from invaders and other threats. Without the wall and the gates that controlled traffic, God’s people were in constant danger from enemy attack. >> Think about a time in your life when you felt disgraced, under attack, or in trouble (or perhaps that is your situation today). How did God meet your need? Try to think of someone who might feel like you once felt, and, like Nehemiah, reach out to comfort that person today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what your name means? There are websites and books dedicated to explaining the meaning behind names. Maybe you were given a family name—I’m named after my paternal grandfather—or maybe your name evokes a favorite song, or your parents just liked the way it sounds. In the Old Testament, names held special significance and could reveal something about the person, their story, or their God. For example, Abraham was called “the father of many nations” (Gen.17:5), Abel’s name meant “breath” or “vapor,” and the mighty prophet Elijah’s name meant “Yahweh is my God”—certainly a reminder he needed during the darkest days of his ministry. This month we are reading about Nehemiah whose name means “The Lord Comforts.” Now, most of us are familiar with the idea that God comforts His people, but put yourself in Nehemiah’s shoes and the shoes of his original readers. God’s people had been living in exile for decades—first under the rule of the Babylonians and then the Persians. Their country had been invaded, their best and brightest leaders forced into service, and untold numbers slaughtered before the rest were carted off into exile. What’s more, God did all of this as punishment for His people’s sin. It is hard to imagine the pain, difficulty, and disillusionment the Hebrew people must have experienced in exile, but I’m certain we can all relate to feeling loss or abandonment. Like Nehemiah’s audience, we have walked through times where we desperately needed the Lord’s comfort. As this story unfolds, we’ll see that comfort is exactly what the Lord provided as He led His people back to the Promised Land and restored their relationship with Him. >> Do you need comfort from the Lord today? Ask God to use this study to remind you of His love for you. He has a plan and a purpose for Your life. And if our relationship with God is broken, He is ready to restore it.

Do you know what your name means? There are websites and books dedicated to explaining the meaning behind names. Maybe you were given a family name—I’m named after my paternal grandfather—or maybe your name evokes a favorite song, or your parents just liked the way it sounds. In the Old Testament, names held special significance and could reveal something about the person, their story, or their God. For example, Abraham was called “the father of many nations” (Gen.17:5), Abel’s name meant “breath” or “vapor,” and the mighty prophet Elijah’s name meant “Yahweh is my God”—certainly a reminder he needed during the darkest days of his ministry. This month we are reading about Nehemiah whose name means “The Lord Comforts.” Now, most of us are familiar with the idea that God comforts His people, but put yourself in Nehemiah’s shoes and the shoes of his original readers. God’s people had been living in exile for decades—first under the rule of the Babylonians and then the Persians. Their country had been invaded, their best and brightest leaders forced into service, and untold numbers slaughtered before the rest were carted off into exile. What’s more, God did all of this as punishment for His people’s sin. It is hard to imagine the pain, difficulty, and disillusionment the Hebrew people must have experienced in exile, but I’m certain we can all relate to feeling loss or abandonment. Like Nehemiah’s audience, we have walked through times where we desperately needed the Lord’s comfort. As this story unfolds, we’ll see that comfort is exactly what the Lord provided as He led His people back to the Promised Land and restored their relationship with Him. >> Do you need comfort from the Lord today? Ask God to use this study to remind you of His love for you. He has a plan and a purpose for Your life. And if our relationship with God is broken, He is ready to restore it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor A. W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This is a profoundly true statement. What we believe about God changes the way we think about ourselves, others, and the world we live in. Just like our relationship with other people, our knowledge of God is not a static thing. It grows as we get to know Him better. We conclude our study of images of God in the New Testament, with Ephesians 1. Here Paul prays for the church. His deepest desire is that we “may know him better” (v. 17). Paul understands that our first calling is to remain in fellowship with God (1 Cor. 1:8). God is unlike anyone else. He created the universe and stands outside of it. The only way we can know God is because He has made Himself known to us. He is revealed through His Word and ultimately through the Lord Jesus. Paul prays that we would learn about God through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit (vv. 17–18). God provides many pictures in Scripture to help us understand His character and attributes better. We looked at how God is like different aspects of the created world—light, water, fire, and shield. We considered passages where God is compared to animals—a lion, eagle, or bear. We examined different human occupations that illustrate aspects of God’s character—shepherd, king, warrior, judge, and farmer, to name just a few. Finally, we looked at the most intimate pictures of God as a parent and husband. >> It is our prayer that through this study, you have grown in your knowledge of God through His Word. What are the pictures of God that resonated with you the most? If you kept an artistic journal, maybe you can share what you have learned about God by posting some of your pictures!

Pastor A. W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This is a profoundly true statement. What we believe about God changes the way we think about ourselves, others, and the world we live in. Just like our relationship with other people, our knowledge of God is not a static thing. It grows as we get to know Him better. We conclude our study of images of God in the New Testament, with Ephesians 1. Here Paul prays for the church. His deepest desire is that we “may know him better” (v. 17). Paul understands that our first calling is to remain in fellowship with God (1 Cor. 1:8). God is unlike anyone else. He created the universe and stands outside of it. The only way we can know God is because He has made Himself known to us. He is revealed through His Word and ultimately through the Lord Jesus. Paul prays that we would learn about God through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit (vv. 17–18). God provides many pictures in Scripture to help us understand His character and attributes better. We looked at how God is like different aspects of the created world—light, water, fire, and shield. We considered passages where God is compared to animals—a lion, eagle, or bear. We examined different human occupations that illustrate aspects of God’s character—shepherd, king, warrior, judge, and farmer, to name just a few. Finally, we looked at the most intimate pictures of God as a parent and husband. >> It is our prayer that through this study, you have grown in your knowledge of God through His Word. What are the pictures of God that resonated with you the most? If you kept an artistic journal, maybe you can share what you have learned about God by posting some of your pictures!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If someone tells a married couple they are acting like newlyweds, it is a compliment. Why? Because newlyweds are so infatuated with one another that they see only good things in the relationship. Usually, it is not until later that they encounter struggles. Then we might say, “The honeymoon is over.” God’s relationship with His people is often described as that of a husband and wife. God is the faithful, loving husband to Israel (in the Old Testament) and the Church (in the New Testament). In today’s reading, God laments over His wayward bride. He reminds Israel of how He redeemed her from slavery in Egypt: “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness” (v. 2). Yet, Israel was not faithful. They worshiped idols (v. 5). They often simply ignored the Lord: “The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’” (v. 8). God asks, “Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number” (v. 32). In some ways it might have been easier to understand if Israel was angry with God, that would at least showed that they cared about the relationship. It is as if they forgot they were married. Often, we picture God as a judge handing down a sentence with dispassionate justice. The picture here is quite different. God expresses a deep sense of betrayal, like a husband who discovered his wife is unfaithful. God laments, “Have I been a desert to Israel or a land of great darkness? Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to you no more?’” (v. 31). This anguish demonstrates God’s love and care for His people. >> Are we ever unfaithful in our relationship to God? Have we forgotten our first love? The good news is that He does not give up on us. Through Christ, He made forgiveness and reconciliation possible (Rev. 19:7–9).

If someone tells a married couple they are acting like newlyweds, it is a compliment. Why? Because newlyweds are so infatuated with one another that they see only good things in the relationship. Usually, it is not until later that they encounter struggles. Then we might say, “The honeymoon is over.” God’s relationship with His people is often described as that of a husband and wife. God is the faithful, loving husband to Israel (in the Old Testament) and the Church (in the New Testament). In today’s reading, God laments over His wayward bride. He reminds Israel of how He redeemed her from slavery in Egypt: “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness” (v. 2). Yet, Israel was not faithful. They worshiped idols (v. 5). They often simply ignored the Lord: “The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’” (v. 8). God asks, “Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number” (v. 32). In some ways it might have been easier to understand if Israel was angry with God, that would at least showed that they cared about the relationship. It is as if they forgot they were married. Often, we picture God as a judge handing down a sentence with dispassionate justice. The picture here is quite different. God expresses a deep sense of betrayal, like a husband who discovered his wife is unfaithful. God laments, “Have I been a desert to Israel or a land of great darkness? Why do my people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to you no more?’” (v. 31). This anguish demonstrates God’s love and care for His people. >> Are we ever unfaithful in our relationship to God? Have we forgotten our first love? The good news is that He does not give up on us. Through Christ, He made forgiveness and reconciliation possible (Rev. 19:7–9).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The most common parental image of God in the Bible is as a father. In Scripture, God is never called mother. The authors of Scripture are intentional about how they use language and so we should respect that omission. However, there are several places where maternal imagery is used to help us understand God as a parent. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isa. 66:13). Isaiah asks, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast?” God speaks through Isaiah, saying that even if an earthly mother could disregard her child, God will never forget His children (Isa. 49:15). In Psalm 131, David uses a similar word picture to describe his relationship with God. He says, “I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content” (v. 2). Here David compares himself to the infant who finds comfort and security in the arms of the mother. David is not saying that God is his mother. Rather, the psalmist is emphasizing our intrinsic need for God. Because we depend on God, we should approach Him with humility. David confesses, “My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty” (v. 1). Just like a baby depends on a mother for nourishment and protection, so are we utterly dependent upon God. We can do nothing without God’s help. This knowledge should give us a spirit of humility before God. In the book of Isaiah, God affirms this attitude: “These are the ones who I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Isa. 66:2). >> When you place your faith in Jesus, you become God’s child! As His children, we have hope, not because of our ability or efforts to please Him, but because of His grace and compassion (v. 3). Humbly come to God, recognizing our complete dependence on Him.

The most common parental image of God in the Bible is as a father. In Scripture, God is never called mother. The authors of Scripture are intentional about how they use language and so we should respect that omission. However, there are several places where maternal imagery is used to help us understand God as a parent. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isa. 66:13). Isaiah asks, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast?” God speaks through Isaiah, saying that even if an earthly mother could disregard her child, God will never forget His children (Isa. 49:15). In Psalm 131, David uses a similar word picture to describe his relationship with God. He says, “I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content” (v. 2). Here David compares himself to the infant who finds comfort and security in the arms of the mother. David is not saying that God is his mother. Rather, the psalmist is emphasizing our intrinsic need for God. Because we depend on God, we should approach Him with humility. David confesses, “My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty” (v. 1). Just like a baby depends on a mother for nourishment and protection, so are we utterly dependent upon God. We can do nothing without God’s help. This knowledge should give us a spirit of humility before God. In the book of Isaiah, God affirms this attitude: “These are the ones who I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word” (Isa. 66:2). >> When you place your faith in Jesus, you become God’s child! As His children, we have hope, not because of our ability or efforts to please Him, but because of His grace and compassion (v. 3). Humbly come to God, recognizing our complete dependence on Him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some people struggle with the biblical image of God as a father. Their experience of a human father has made the idea of God as a father unappealing. It is true that human fathers are often far from perfect. Even fathers in the Bible—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David—were men of faith but not ideal fathers. We can trust, however, that God is our perfect heavenly Father. He is utterly reliable, caring, and attentive to His children. In Psalm 103, David rouses himself to praise God (vv. 1–2). He reminds himself of many of God’s wonderful attributes. God heals, redeems, forgives, and satisfies (vv. 3–5). Even when we fail in our relationship with God, He “does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (v. 10). Instead, God forgives. He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west (v. 12). We find the reason for God’s forgiveness in verse 13: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” God is loving and compassionate. While at times God will correct and discipline His children (Heb. 12:7), He has also provided a way for us to be forgiven and restored in relationship with Him: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). These truths led David to worship God and obey His commands (v. 18). He called out to others to join him in praise. “Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones...all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion” (v. 22)! >> If you have come to faith in Jesus, you are God’s child. He is your perfect heavenly Father. Rest in the knowledge that God knows you intimately (v. 14). He loves you and cares for you.

Some people struggle with the biblical image of God as a father. Their experience of a human father has made the idea of God as a father unappealing. It is true that human fathers are often far from perfect. Even fathers in the Bible—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David—were men of faith but not ideal fathers. We can trust, however, that God is our perfect heavenly Father. He is utterly reliable, caring, and attentive to His children. In Psalm 103, David rouses himself to praise God (vv. 1–2). He reminds himself of many of God’s wonderful attributes. God heals, redeems, forgives, and satisfies (vv. 3–5). Even when we fail in our relationship with God, He “does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (v. 10). Instead, God forgives. He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west (v. 12). We find the reason for God’s forgiveness in verse 13: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” God is loving and compassionate. While at times God will correct and discipline His children (Heb. 12:7), He has also provided a way for us to be forgiven and restored in relationship with Him: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). These truths led David to worship God and obey His commands (v. 18). He called out to others to join him in praise. “Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones...all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion” (v. 22)! >> If you have come to faith in Jesus, you are God’s child. He is your perfect heavenly Father. Rest in the knowledge that God knows you intimately (v. 14). He loves you and cares for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelangelo was perhaps the greatest sculptor in history. When asked to describe his craft, he said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” Artists take materials in the world and reshape them to create something new. Today, we are viewing God as an artist. But, unlike Michelangelo or any ordinary artist, God is not dependent on using preexisting material. He can create from nothing! In Psalm 19, David proclaims: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (v. 1). David looks up at the night sky and is awestruck by God’s handiwork. When we take the time to really look at the universe God made, from the smallest blade of grass to the largest super nova, we cannot fail to see God’s grandeur and His artistic prowess. Even though nature cannot speak audibly, it communicates to us who God is (vv. 3–4). God’s artistry is also seen in Scripture. God’s Word is “perfect” and “refreshing to the soul” (v. 7). His commands are “radiant” and “pure” (vv. 8–9). They are designed to help us grow in wisdom and bring “joy to the heart” (vv. 7–8). God’s Word is not only true but also beautiful. God inspired the writers of the Bible to pen gripping narratives and majestic poetry. As David reflects on God’s Word, he realizes it is “more precious than gold” and “sweeter than honey” (v. 10). The artistry in Scripture reflects God’s nature as endlessly creative. David desires that his own words and thoughts would be true and beautiful like God’s. He prays, “May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight” (v. 14). >> Take some time today to look around at the world that God created. Where do you see evidence of God’s artistry? As you read Scripture, notice the beauty and the truth contained within it.

Michelangelo was perhaps the greatest sculptor in history. When asked to describe his craft, he said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” Artists take materials in the world and reshape them to create something new. Today, we are viewing God as an artist. But, unlike Michelangelo or any ordinary artist, God is not dependent on using preexisting material. He can create from nothing! In Psalm 19, David proclaims: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (v. 1). David looks up at the night sky and is awestruck by God’s handiwork. When we take the time to really look at the universe God made, from the smallest blade of grass to the largest super nova, we cannot fail to see God’s grandeur and His artistic prowess. Even though nature cannot speak audibly, it communicates to us who God is (vv. 3–4). God’s artistry is also seen in Scripture. God’s Word is “perfect” and “refreshing to the soul” (v. 7). His commands are “radiant” and “pure” (vv. 8–9). They are designed to help us grow in wisdom and bring “joy to the heart” (vv. 7–8). God’s Word is not only true but also beautiful. God inspired the writers of the Bible to pen gripping narratives and majestic poetry. As David reflects on God’s Word, he realizes it is “more precious than gold” and “sweeter than honey” (v. 10). The artistry in Scripture reflects God’s nature as endlessly creative. David desires that his own words and thoughts would be true and beautiful like God’s. He prays, “May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight” (v. 14). >> Take some time today to look around at the world that God created. Where do you see evidence of God’s artistry? As you read Scripture, notice the beauty and the truth contained within it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gardeners will tell you that getting your hands dirty and caring for plants can be therapeutic. During the darkest days of the American Revolution, George Washington took his mind off the war by drawing up elaborate plans for his gardens back home. Even today, his gardens at Mount Vernon are a delight to walk through. In Psalm 104, God is pictured as a gardener. The Psalmist proclaims, “The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted” (v. 16). God carefully plants and cares for groves of trees. While this is the only verse in the psalm where the gardener metaphor is explicitly stated, the idea of God tending to the created world permeates the whole poem. The Psalmist praises God as the Creator. Gardeners do not only plant seeds, they also nurture their gardens as they grow. In the same way, God did not only create the world but also continues to uphold and sustain it. God provides water for the animals (v. 11). He creates a home for the birds (v. 12). He provides food for all (v. 27). The created world is not just what God has done, but how He continues to provide day after day. The Psalmist closes with a reality check: God’s good creation has been infected by sin. Just as a snake entered the Garden of Eden, sin remains with us today. But it will not always be so: “But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more” (v. 35). God has redeemed us from sin, culminating in the finished work of Jesus. >> We look forward to the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 22:2–3: “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.”

Gardeners will tell you that getting your hands dirty and caring for plants can be therapeutic. During the darkest days of the American Revolution, George Washington took his mind off the war by drawing up elaborate plans for his gardens back home. Even today, his gardens at Mount Vernon are a delight to walk through. In Psalm 104, God is pictured as a gardener. The Psalmist proclaims, “The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted” (v. 16). God carefully plants and cares for groves of trees. While this is the only verse in the psalm where the gardener metaphor is explicitly stated, the idea of God tending to the created world permeates the whole poem. The Psalmist praises God as the Creator. Gardeners do not only plant seeds, they also nurture their gardens as they grow. In the same way, God did not only create the world but also continues to uphold and sustain it. God provides water for the animals (v. 11). He creates a home for the birds (v. 12). He provides food for all (v. 27). The created world is not just what God has done, but how He continues to provide day after day. The Psalmist closes with a reality check: God’s good creation has been infected by sin. Just as a snake entered the Garden of Eden, sin remains with us today. But it will not always be so: “But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more” (v. 35). God has redeemed us from sin, culminating in the finished work of Jesus. >> We look forward to the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 22:2–3: “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first step toward healing is recognizing that you are sick. Aspiring medical students are often counseled to minor in psychology. The reason for this is that treating someone medically involves more than simply diagnosing diseases and prescribing treatments. The patient also must accept that they are sick and that the treatment offered will help them. The prophet Hosea ministered to Israel during a time when the nation was prosperous and thriving economically. But while their pocket- books might have been healthy, their hearts were not. They worshiped idols and oppressed the poor. God raised up Hosea to warn them of the danger they faced if they continued this path. In Hosea 14, we read the prophet’s final plea to the nation: “Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!” (v. 1). Israel’s sin was like a sickness eating away at the nation from the inside. First, they needed to be honest about their condition. Instead of trusting in God and worshiping Him alone, they had often trusted in alliances with Assyria and worshiped idols (v. 3). They had ignored God’s command to care for the orphan and the widow (v. 3). There could be no forgiveness and no healing without accepting their guilt and turning to their God. God assured Israel that if they would repent, He “will heal their waywardness and love them freely” (v. 4). God is the great physician. He is able to heal physical sickness. And He alone could heal the spiritual sickness that Israel had brought upon itself. God could not only restore Israel, but He could also cause the nation to thrive (vv. 5–8). >>Perhaps you have struggled with a recurring sin in your past or continue to do so in the present. Turn to the Great Physician! “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we can experience true healing.

The first step toward healing is recognizing that you are sick. Aspiring medical students are often counseled to minor in psychology. The reason for this is that treating someone medically involves more than simply diagnosing diseases and prescribing treatments. The patient also must accept that they are sick and that the treatment offered will help them. The prophet Hosea ministered to Israel during a time when the nation was prosperous and thriving economically. But while their pocket- books might have been healthy, their hearts were not. They worshiped idols and oppressed the poor. God raised up Hosea to warn them of the danger they faced if they continued this path. In Hosea 14, we read the prophet’s final plea to the nation: “Return, Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!” (v. 1). Israel’s sin was like a sickness eating away at the nation from the inside. First, they needed to be honest about their condition. Instead of trusting in God and worshiping Him alone, they had often trusted in alliances with Assyria and worshiped idols (v. 3). They had ignored God’s command to care for the orphan and the widow (v. 3). There could be no forgiveness and no healing without accepting their guilt and turning to their God. God assured Israel that if they would repent, He “will heal their waywardness and love them freely” (v. 4). God is the great physician. He is able to heal physical sickness. And He alone could heal the spiritual sickness that Israel had brought upon itself. God could not only restore Israel, but He could also cause the nation to thrive (vv. 5–8). >>Perhaps you have struggled with a recurring sin in your past or continue to do so in the present. Turn to the Great Physician! “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we can experience true healing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine a classroom. What comes to mind? As a college professor, I picture desks in rows, a whiteboard, and a podium in the front. Education in ancient Israel was a bit different. There were no classrooms. The student/teacher relationship was also bit different. Scripture was taught mainly in the home (Deut. 6:7). Learning a new trade was accomplished through apprenticeships. In today’s reading, David portrays God as his teacher. He asks God: “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths” (v. 4). He wants to be guided by the Lord, because he knows that God is “good and upright” (v. 8). David’s request is based on two important truths. First, God cares for us and desires for us to change. David affirms, “All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful” (v. 10). God cares for him even though he has not been perfect. God also “instructs sinners in his ways” (v. 8). As Jesus taught, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matt. 9:12). Secondly, David’s request assumes a posture of humility. Being taught can be a painful and difficult process. It means changing how we think and behave. Learning to walk in God’s ways requires that we begin with the fear or respect of the Lord (v. 12). The proud cannot learn. They are too busy looking down on others to look up to God. David reminds us that God “guides the humble in what is right” (v. 9). Our attitude should mirror that of David: “My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare” (v. 15). Or as Paul instructed the church in Philippi, “Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus...[who] humbled himself by being obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:5, 8). >> God is your teacher. No one else can guide and instruct you like He can. Let our eyes be on the Lord today and look to His Word for instruction.

Imagine a classroom. What comes to mind? As a college professor, I picture desks in rows, a whiteboard, and a podium in the front. Education in ancient Israel was a bit different. There were no classrooms. The student/teacher relationship was also bit different. Scripture was taught mainly in the home (Deut. 6:7). Learning a new trade was accomplished through apprenticeships. In today’s reading, David portrays God as his teacher. He asks God: “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths” (v. 4). He wants to be guided by the Lord, because he knows that God is “good and upright” (v. 8). David’s request is based on two important truths. First, God cares for us and desires for us to change. David affirms, “All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful” (v. 10). God cares for him even though he has not been perfect. God also “instructs sinners in his ways” (v. 8). As Jesus taught, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Matt. 9:12). Secondly, David’s request assumes a posture of humility. Being taught can be a painful and difficult process. It means changing how we think and behave. Learning to walk in God’s ways requires that we begin with the fear or respect of the Lord (v. 12). The proud cannot learn. They are too busy looking down on others to look up to God. David reminds us that God “guides the humble in what is right” (v. 9). Our attitude should mirror that of David: “My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare” (v. 15). Or as Paul instructed the church in Philippi, “Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus...[who] humbled himself by being obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:5, 8). >> God is your teacher. No one else can guide and instruct you like He can. Let our eyes be on the Lord today and look to His Word for instruction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is nothing quite like the taste of fresh grapes. They are sweet, juicy, and refreshing. I don’t have first-hand experience of growing grapes, but I’ve been told it can be a fickle crop that needs constant attention. Grapes were—and still are—one of the most common agricultural products in Israel. In today’s reading, Isaiah envisions God as the owner of a vineyard. Planting a new vineyard was an especially arduous task. Vineyards were typically planted on a hillside (v. 1). They needed to be cleared of stones (v. 2). In an age before tractors or other mechanical help, this was backbreaking work. The stones would then be used to build a fence around the vineyard and a watchtower for protection (v. 2). Planting a vineyard was also a long-term investment. It takes a few years before a vine will grow eatable grapes. In Isaiah’s song, God has done this work skillfully and carefully. He has tended His vineyard with the utmost care and patiently waited for grapes to grow. Instead of good grapes, His vineyard only produced rotten ones (v. 2). In this metaphor, Israel is the vineyard. God had planted them in the land of Canaan and provided for them. Yet, they consistently rebelled against Him (v. 7). The leaders did not uphold justice but oppressed the weak and vulnerable (v. 7). This parable makes clear that their failure was not because of neglect on God’s part. Because of their rebellion, they would be judged (vv. 5–6). Thankfully, this is not the end of the story. God promised: “I will again plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them” (Amos 9:15). God does not give up on His people. >> Jesus taught that the way to live in right relationship with God was to stay connected to Him as the true vine (John 15:1–8). How are you cultivating and nourishing your connection to the Lord and His church?

There is nothing quite like the taste of fresh grapes. They are sweet, juicy, and refreshing. I don’t have first-hand experience of growing grapes, but I’ve been told it can be a fickle crop that needs constant attention. Grapes were—and still are—one of the most common agricultural products in Israel. In today’s reading, Isaiah envisions God as the owner of a vineyard. Planting a new vineyard was an especially arduous task. Vineyards were typically planted on a hillside (v. 1). They needed to be cleared of stones (v. 2). In an age before tractors or other mechanical help, this was backbreaking work. The stones would then be used to build a fence around the vineyard and a watchtower for protection (v. 2). Planting a vineyard was also a long-term investment. It takes a few years before a vine will grow eatable grapes. In Isaiah’s song, God has done this work skillfully and carefully. He has tended His vineyard with the utmost care and patiently waited for grapes to grow. Instead of good grapes, His vineyard only produced rotten ones (v. 2). In this metaphor, Israel is the vineyard. God had planted them in the land of Canaan and provided for them. Yet, they consistently rebelled against Him (v. 7). The leaders did not uphold justice but oppressed the weak and vulnerable (v. 7). This parable makes clear that their failure was not because of neglect on God’s part. Because of their rebellion, they would be judged (vv. 5–6). Thankfully, this is not the end of the story. God promised: “I will again plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them” (Amos 9:15). God does not give up on His people. >> Jesus taught that the way to live in right relationship with God was to stay connected to Him as the true vine (John 15:1–8). How are you cultivating and nourishing your connection to the Lord and His church?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1935, the United States had 6.8 million farms. Today, while approximately the same amount of land is used for farming, the number of farms has decreased to about 2 million. The shift from a family-based farming model to agribusiness is the reason. As a result, most Americans lack firsthand knowledge of farming. Farming was one of the most common occupations in the ancient world. It is not a surprise that one of the first images of God in the Bible is that of a farmer. In Genesis 1, God is the sovereign Creator. He speaks and the world comes into existence. Then the tone shifts in Genesis 2 and God gets His hands dirty in the soil. He “formed a man from the dust of the ground” (v. 7). After creating Adam, God “planted a garden in the east, in Eden” (v. 8). God was the very first farmer. He “made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food” (v. 9). After completing His work, God turned over the responsibility to Adam. He charged the man “to work it and take care of it” (v. 15). The garden would produce food that would sustain them. It would be a place where they could fellowship with God and have meaningful and productive work to accomplish. But because of sin, man’s relationship with the land changed. God proclaimed, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it” (Gen. 3:17). From that point on, farming became more difficult. Still, God continued to provide for His people. >> Most of us purchase our food from a grocery store. But if you have a garden or farm, you realize the work that goes into farming. Thank God for who He is as farmer and provider. It is by His hand that we are nourished. If you are keeping an image journal, draw or sketch something God has created for us.

In 1935, the United States had 6.8 million farms. Today, while approximately the same amount of land is used for farming, the number of farms has decreased to about 2 million. The shift from a family-based farming model to agribusiness is the reason. As a result, most Americans lack firsthand knowledge of farming. Farming was one of the most common occupations in the ancient world. It is not a surprise that one of the first images of God in the Bible is that of a farmer. In Genesis 1, God is the sovereign Creator. He speaks and the world comes into existence. Then the tone shifts in Genesis 2 and God gets His hands dirty in the soil. He “formed a man from the dust of the ground” (v. 7). After creating Adam, God “planted a garden in the east, in Eden” (v. 8). God was the very first farmer. He “made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food” (v. 9). After completing His work, God turned over the responsibility to Adam. He charged the man “to work it and take care of it” (v. 15). The garden would produce food that would sustain them. It would be a place where they could fellowship with God and have meaningful and productive work to accomplish. But because of sin, man’s relationship with the land changed. God proclaimed, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it” (Gen. 3:17). From that point on, farming became more difficult. Still, God continued to provide for His people. >> Most of us purchase our food from a grocery store. But if you have a garden or farm, you realize the work that goes into farming. Thank God for who He is as farmer and provider. It is by His hand that we are nourished. If you are keeping an image journal, draw or sketch something God has created for us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several years ago, I had a student in class who was old enough to be my father. Over the course of the semester, I got to know him and hear his story. He was originally from Cambodia. As a teenager, he was forced to flee from his home when the Khmer Rouge rose to power. During the short reign of this regime, an estimated 1.7 million people were killed, including many members of this student’s family. This is just one example of the horrific power of state. In today’s reading, Daniel has a vision of a succession of kingdoms portrayed as terrifying beasts. Daniel himself lived under some of these regimes. In his lifetime, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem. He also saw the Persians conquer the Babylonians. He knew from experience the beast-like nature of empires. From a human perspective, these powerful empires seem all-powerful. Daniel describes the fourth beast as “terrifying and frightening and very powerful...it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left” (v. 7). Yet, it is important to remember that human governments are not a law unto themselves. There is a higher power to Whom they must answer. In contrast to the beasts, Daniel’s vision also includes a picture of God sitting on his throne as the judge (vv. 9–10). A judge is one who not only knows what justice is but who also can hold people accountable. In Daniel’s vision, the terrifying and oppressive beast is easily condemned and judged by God (v. 11). >> We often need to be reminded that God is the ultimate authority in the universe. While human tyrants may seem to get away with evil in the present, God will hold them accountable. One day, the Lord Jesus will return and rule over all: “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (v. 14). We need not live in fear, but in the confident expectation of our future hope.

Several years ago, I had a student in class who was old enough to be my father. Over the course of the semester, I got to know him and hear his story. He was originally from Cambodia. As a teenager, he was forced to flee from his home when the Khmer Rouge rose to power. During the short reign of this regime, an estimated 1.7 million people were killed, including many members of this student’s family. This is just one example of the horrific power of state. In today’s reading, Daniel has a vision of a succession of kingdoms portrayed as terrifying beasts. Daniel himself lived under some of these regimes. In his lifetime, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem. He also saw the Persians conquer the Babylonians. He knew from experience the beast-like nature of empires. From a human perspective, these powerful empires seem all-powerful. Daniel describes the fourth beast as “terrifying and frightening and very powerful...it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left” (v. 7). Yet, it is important to remember that human governments are not a law unto themselves. There is a higher power to Whom they must answer. In contrast to the beasts, Daniel’s vision also includes a picture of God sitting on his throne as the judge (vv. 9–10). A judge is one who not only knows what justice is but who also can hold people accountable. In Daniel’s vision, the terrifying and oppressive beast is easily condemned and judged by God (v. 11). >> We often need to be reminded that God is the ultimate authority in the universe. While human tyrants may seem to get away with evil in the present, God will hold them accountable. One day, the Lord Jesus will return and rule over all: “His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (v. 14). We need not live in fear, but in the confident expectation of our future hope.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout its history, Israel was in an almost constant state of warfare. During the events described in the Old Testament, they were attacked by the Egyptians, Philistines, Moabites, Assyrians, and Babylonians—to name just a few enemies. In such a dangerous world, warriors were both common and necessary. In many places in Scripture, God is described as a warrior. In Exodus 15, Israel had achieved the unthinkable. They had escaped from Egypt, the most powerful nation on earth at the time. They did not escape because of their military prowess or their political savvy as negotiators. Instead, they were freed from slavery because God fought on their behalf. After the Egyptian army drowned in the Red Sea, Moses led Israel in a hymn of praise that proclaimed: “The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is his name” (v. 3). He silenced the prideful boasting of the Egyptian army (v. 9). God showed that He is unique. There is no one like Him. Egypt’s gods can’t compete (v. 11). As warrior, God often used forces of nature on His behalf. He parted the Red Sea, so Israel could walk through, and had it collapse back on the Egyptians. In other events of the Old Testament, God used hailstones and made the sun stand still (Josh. 10:1– 15). Other times, God empowered Israel to defeat their enemies (2 Sam. 5:22–25). God did not simply side with Israel though. When Israel was unfaithful to God, He fought against them (Deut. 28:25–26). In the New Testament, Paul uses warrior language to describe the victory Jesus accomplished on the cross (Col. 2:13–15). Our ultimate hope is that Jesus will return as a warrior and ultimately defeat Satan and the forces of evil (Rev. 19:11–16). >> You are not alone in your battles. When we pray to God for help, He is powerful enough to handle any situation. Jesus has already achieved victory over sin and death on the cross. He will be with us in our trials every step of the way.

Throughout its history, Israel was in an almost constant state of warfare. During the events described in the Old Testament, they were attacked by the Egyptians, Philistines, Moabites, Assyrians, and Babylonians—to name just a few enemies. In such a dangerous world, warriors were both common and necessary. In many places in Scripture, God is described as a warrior. In Exodus 15, Israel had achieved the unthinkable. They had escaped from Egypt, the most powerful nation on earth at the time. They did not escape because of their military prowess or their political savvy as negotiators. Instead, they were freed from slavery because God fought on their behalf. After the Egyptian army drowned in the Red Sea, Moses led Israel in a hymn of praise that proclaimed: “The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is his name” (v. 3). He silenced the prideful boasting of the Egyptian army (v. 9). God showed that He is unique. There is no one like Him. Egypt’s gods can’t compete (v. 11). As warrior, God often used forces of nature on His behalf. He parted the Red Sea, so Israel could walk through, and had it collapse back on the Egyptians. In other events of the Old Testament, God used hailstones and made the sun stand still (Josh. 10:1– 15). Other times, God empowered Israel to defeat their enemies (2 Sam. 5:22–25). God did not simply side with Israel though. When Israel was unfaithful to God, He fought against them (Deut. 28:25–26). In the New Testament, Paul uses warrior language to describe the victory Jesus accomplished on the cross (Col. 2:13–15). Our ultimate hope is that Jesus will return as a warrior and ultimately defeat Satan and the forces of evil (Rev. 19:11–16). >> You are not alone in your battles. When we pray to God for help, He is powerful enough to handle any situation. Jesus has already achieved victory over sin and death on the cross. He will be with us in our trials every step of the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building opened to great fanfare. At the time, it was the largest building in the world. The construction involved over 3,500 workers and took three years to complete. Architects, iron workers, stone masons, carpenters, and plumbers were all needed, along with many other specialties to craft the iconic building. In Job 38, God is the master builder. He created not a skyscraper but the entire universe! He alone is the Creator of everything. You may remember that the Old Testament book of Job shares the story of a man who had lost everything. His house, wealth, reputation, and his children had all been taken from him. Job could not fathom why. What had he done to deserve such calamity? Job’s intense suffering impacted his relationship with God, and he began to question God’s justice (Job 31:35). God met with Job “out of the storm” (v. 1), giving him a series of rhetorical questions that centered around God’s work in Creation. God presents himself as the main architect, carpenter, and builder of the world. He alone knows the secrets of the universe because He is its Creator. God is the master builder. How does God’s answer relate to Job’s question? God reminded Job of his place in the universe. The questions forced Job to reflect: “Where were you? Who are you? Have you ever? Are you able?” God was the Creator; Job was merely a creature. He was not to judge God. He did not have the information, the standing, or the capacity to do so. He had been speaking “words without knowledge” (v. 2). >> This is not an easy message to hear, but sometimes we need to be reminded of our limits before God. There are some things we will not know. But one truth we do know is that we worship a fully competent and caring Creator. We can trust in His sovereign rule.

On May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building opened to great fanfare. At the time, it was the largest building in the world. The construction involved over 3,500 workers and took three years to complete. Architects, iron workers, stone masons, carpenters, and plumbers were all needed, along with many other specialties to craft the iconic building. In Job 38, God is the master builder. He created not a skyscraper but the entire universe! He alone is the Creator of everything. You may remember that the Old Testament book of Job shares the story of a man who had lost everything. His house, wealth, reputation, and his children had all been taken from him. Job could not fathom why. What had he done to deserve such calamity? Job’s intense suffering impacted his relationship with God, and he began to question God’s justice (Job 31:35). God met with Job “out of the storm” (v. 1), giving him a series of rhetorical questions that centered around God’s work in Creation. God presents himself as the main architect, carpenter, and builder of the world. He alone knows the secrets of the universe because He is its Creator. God is the master builder. How does God’s answer relate to Job’s question? God reminded Job of his place in the universe. The questions forced Job to reflect: “Where were you? Who are you? Have you ever? Are you able?” God was the Creator; Job was merely a creature. He was not to judge God. He did not have the information, the standing, or the capacity to do so. He had been speaking “words without knowledge” (v. 2). >> This is not an easy message to hear, but sometimes we need to be reminded of our limits before God. There are some things we will not know. But one truth we do know is that we worship a fully competent and caring Creator. We can trust in His sovereign rule.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people dream of being an archaeologist like Indiana Jones, discovering lost treasures from the ancient world. However, actual archaeological digs are usually not so spectacular. Pottery is one of the most common discoveries, in part because it is highly resistant to decay, but also because pottery was so widely used in ancient cultures. In today’s reading, God instructs Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house (v. 2). Jeremiah notices that, in one case, a potter started to make one object, but the clay was not cooperating. Rather than giving up on the clay, the potter smashed it and shaped it into something else (v. 4). God used this scene to teach Israel about their relationship with Him. God is the potter, and Israel is the clay. There is a relationship between them. The clay can be unyielding to the potter’s hand, but the potter remains in control of what happens to the clay. God has the same kind of freedom as the potter (v. 6). This is both a warning and a source of hope for Israel. If God announces judgment against them and they repent, God can relent from His judgment and bless them (v. 8). But if they are rebellious against God, He can reconsider the good He had planned for them (v. 10). Just like a potter, God can change course in the midst of forming the clay to create something else. Tragically, Israel was being clay that was difficult to work with. They had forgotten God and turned to idols (v. 15). Most significantly, they remained unrepentant. They proclaimed, “It’s no use. We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts” (v. 12). >> Are you ever stubborn clay? We are at our best when we recognize our position before God. We need to realize that He is the potter. God has called us to submit so that He can shape us in the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).

Many people dream of being an archaeologist like Indiana Jones, discovering lost treasures from the ancient world. However, actual archaeological digs are usually not so spectacular. Pottery is one of the most common discoveries, in part because it is highly resistant to decay, but also because pottery was so widely used in ancient cultures. In today’s reading, God instructs Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house (v. 2). Jeremiah notices that, in one case, a potter started to make one object, but the clay was not cooperating. Rather than giving up on the clay, the potter smashed it and shaped it into something else (v. 4). God used this scene to teach Israel about their relationship with Him. God is the potter, and Israel is the clay. There is a relationship between them. The clay can be unyielding to the potter’s hand, but the potter remains in control of what happens to the clay. God has the same kind of freedom as the potter (v. 6). This is both a warning and a source of hope for Israel. If God announces judgment against them and they repent, God can relent from His judgment and bless them (v. 8). But if they are rebellious against God, He can reconsider the good He had planned for them (v. 10). Just like a potter, God can change course in the midst of forming the clay to create something else. Tragically, Israel was being clay that was difficult to work with. They had forgotten God and turned to idols (v. 15). Most significantly, they remained unrepentant. They proclaimed, “It’s no use. We will continue with our own plans; we will all follow the stubbornness of our evil hearts” (v. 12). >> Are you ever stubborn clay? We are at our best when we recognize our position before God. We need to realize that He is the potter. God has called us to submit so that He can shape us in the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“It is legal because I want it,” King Louis XVI said. This quote embodies the attitude of monarchs throughout history. And while the Bible recognizes the authority of human kings and rulers, God is the King of kings! Any human king is under God’s authority. Daniel 4 is an unusual chapter. It is the only place in Scripture where a Gentile king is allowed to speak for himself. In the form of a letter or proclamation, Nebuchadnezzar testifies about God’s work in his life. He recounts a dream he had about a mighty tree that was cut down. Naturally, he turned to Daniel for its interpretation. Daniel declares that God has pronounced judgment on Nebuchadnezzar for his pride. He would be “driven away from people” and “live with the wild animals” until he acknowledges the truth that “the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth” (v. 25). And that is exactly what happened. One day, while Nebuchadnezzar was relaxing on the palace roof, he surveyed the city and boasted, “Is this not the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (v. 30). While the words were still on his lips, God pronounced judgment on him. The once mighty king was reduced to living with animals and eating grass like an ox until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty (v. 33). Imagine if you lived at that time. King Nebuchadnezzar looked all- powerful. What a striking object lesson to see a person who seemed so majestic now humbled in such a dramatic and public way. When the king finally acknowledged God, his sanity was restored. He declared, “[God’s] dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation” (v. 34). >> It is easy for us to get discouraged by the failures of human leaders. But be encouraged today! No matter how things may look at times, God is on the throne. Even those who walk in pride, “he is able to humble” (v. 37).

“It is legal because I want it,” King Louis XVI said. This quote embodies the attitude of monarchs throughout history. And while the Bible recognizes the authority of human kings and rulers, God is the King of kings! Any human king is under God’s authority. Daniel 4 is an unusual chapter. It is the only place in Scripture where a Gentile king is allowed to speak for himself. In the form of a letter or proclamation, Nebuchadnezzar testifies about God’s work in his life. He recounts a dream he had about a mighty tree that was cut down. Naturally, he turned to Daniel for its interpretation. Daniel declares that God has pronounced judgment on Nebuchadnezzar for his pride. He would be “driven away from people” and “live with the wild animals” until he acknowledges the truth that “the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth” (v. 25). And that is exactly what happened. One day, while Nebuchadnezzar was relaxing on the palace roof, he surveyed the city and boasted, “Is this not the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (v. 30). While the words were still on his lips, God pronounced judgment on him. The once mighty king was reduced to living with animals and eating grass like an ox until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty (v. 33). Imagine if you lived at that time. King Nebuchadnezzar looked all- powerful. What a striking object lesson to see a person who seemed so majestic now humbled in such a dramatic and public way. When the king finally acknowledged God, his sanity was restored. He declared, “[God’s] dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation” (v. 34). >> It is easy for us to get discouraged by the failures of human leaders. But be encouraged today! No matter how things may look at times, God is on the throne. Even those who walk in pride, “he is able to humble” (v. 37).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is almost nothing worse than working for a bad leader, in a workplace filled with confusion, mistrust, and frustration. On the other hand, when we work for a good leader, even the most difficult job can seem bearable. Again and again, the Bible refers to God as King. In democratic nations, we may be a bit suspicious of that title. But unlike many earthly kings, God is not an elevated tyrant concerned only with his own power and privilege. In today’s reading, the Psalmist celebrates God’s rule with great enthusiasm: “Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises” (v. 6). Psalm 47 celebrates God’s rule over all the earth, including all the nations (vv. 1–2). As believers, we owe Him our allegiance. We can trust God as King. Our King wants to hear from us. He delights to receive our worship (v. 6). He cares for us personally and is intimately involved in our lives. David declares, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Ps. 145:18). The fact that God rules over all things gives us hope. This psalm looks forward to a time when God’s rule will be recognized by all people (vv. 8 9). When Jesus returns to rule from Jerusalem, “He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation” (Micah 4:3). >> What does it mean to live under God’s rule in the present? One way is to remember that our lives are not our own, but everything we have belongs to Him (1 Cor. 6:19–20). We submit to God as King in every area of our lives, trust in His wisdom and guidance, and seek to glorify Him in all that we do.

There is almost nothing worse than working for a bad leader, in a workplace filled with confusion, mistrust, and frustration. On the other hand, when we work for a good leader, even the most difficult job can seem bearable. Again and again, the Bible refers to God as King. In democratic nations, we may be a bit suspicious of that title. But unlike many earthly kings, God is not an elevated tyrant concerned only with his own power and privilege. In today’s reading, the Psalmist celebrates God’s rule with great enthusiasm: “Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises” (v. 6). Psalm 47 celebrates God’s rule over all the earth, including all the nations (vv. 1–2). As believers, we owe Him our allegiance. We can trust God as King. Our King wants to hear from us. He delights to receive our worship (v. 6). He cares for us personally and is intimately involved in our lives. David declares, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Ps. 145:18). The fact that God rules over all things gives us hope. This psalm looks forward to a time when God’s rule will be recognized by all people (vv. 8 9). When Jesus returns to rule from Jerusalem, “He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation” (Micah 4:3). >> What does it mean to live under God’s rule in the present? One way is to remember that our lives are not our own, but everything we have belongs to Him (1 Cor. 6:19–20). We submit to God as King in every area of our lives, trust in His wisdom and guidance, and seek to glorify Him in all that we do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that there are over a billion sheep on the earth today? In New Zealand, sheep outnumber people five to one! Humans have a long history of tending sheep. Since sheep are naturally defenseless against predators, they tend to be nervous and easily frightened. If you think about it, we have a lot in common with sheep. The world often seems like a dangerous place. Anxiety and fear are rampant today, even among the most wealthy and successful. In today’s reading, the Psalmist expresses deep distress. Instead of peacefully sleeping through the night, he groans and stretches out his hands to heaven in desperation (vv. 2–3). He laments to God: “You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak” (v. 4). Most disturbing was the fact that his situation made him question God’s faithfulness. He wondered if God would keep His covenant promises and be true to His nature as compassionate and gracious (vv. 7–9). These troubling doubts increased his anxiety. Imagine, if a sheep started questioning the shepherd’s care and trustworthiness! The Psalmist then paused and encouraged himself to remember who God is and what He had done (vv. 11–12). He reflected on God’s stunning deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. He reminded himself that God is powerful and cares about His people. Verses 16–18 remind us of the disciple’s observations about Jesus: “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matt. 8:27). This powerful, mighty God is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. Note the comparison of God’s people to a “flock” in verse 20. >> Sheep need a shepherd to protect, lead, and calm them. We need that too! When doubts creep in, remember what God has done for you. Best of all, God showed His love by sending Jesus to save us from sin. He made a way for us to be in fellowship with Him. “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Ps. 23:1).

Did you know that there are over a billion sheep on the earth today? In New Zealand, sheep outnumber people five to one! Humans have a long history of tending sheep. Since sheep are naturally defenseless against predators, they tend to be nervous and easily frightened. If you think about it, we have a lot in common with sheep. The world often seems like a dangerous place. Anxiety and fear are rampant today, even among the most wealthy and successful. In today’s reading, the Psalmist expresses deep distress. Instead of peacefully sleeping through the night, he groans and stretches out his hands to heaven in desperation (vv. 2–3). He laments to God: “You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak” (v. 4). Most disturbing was the fact that his situation made him question God’s faithfulness. He wondered if God would keep His covenant promises and be true to His nature as compassionate and gracious (vv. 7–9). These troubling doubts increased his anxiety. Imagine, if a sheep started questioning the shepherd’s care and trustworthiness! The Psalmist then paused and encouraged himself to remember who God is and what He had done (vv. 11–12). He reflected on God’s stunning deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. He reminded himself that God is powerful and cares about His people. Verses 16–18 remind us of the disciple’s observations about Jesus: “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matt. 8:27). This powerful, mighty God is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. Note the comparison of God’s people to a “flock” in verse 20. >> Sheep need a shepherd to protect, lead, and calm them. We need that too! When doubts creep in, remember what God has done for you. Best of all, God showed His love by sending Jesus to save us from sin. He made a way for us to be in fellowship with Him. “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Ps. 23:1).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What animal is mentioned most often in the Bible? If you guessed “sheep,” you are right! Sheep were an important part of the economy of ancient Israel. It is no surprise that many biblical characters spent at least some of their life as shepherds, including Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Moses, David, and Amos. Shepherding in Israel was different than it is today. There were no fenced-in fields. Instead, shepherds had to be with their sheep to protect them from predators, lead them to good pasture, shelter them from the weather, and tend to their injuries. Shepherds became symbols of good leadership. Like shepherds, good leaders are compassionate, caring, and protective of those under their care. In today’s reading, God denounces the so-called shepherds of Israel. The priests and leaders of Israel had failed. They had extorted their people and did not care for them (vv. 2–4). They have not tended the sick and weak or sought the lost. They did not lead with compassion but with harsh brutality (v. 4). God declares that He will personally shepherd His people (v. 11). He will seek the lost, heal the sick, provide, and protect His people (vv. 11–14). This type of leadership is personal, sacrificial, and loving. He protects the weak from the oppression of the strong (vv. 20–21). In verses 23–24, God says He will shepherd His people through “my servant David.” Ezekiel is writing during the exile, long after David. The promise is that there will be a coming Davidic ruler who will be the ultimate Good Shepherd. This promise is fulfilled by the Lord Jesus. Jesus declared, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). >> As followers of Jesus, we have a Shepherd who cares for us, guides us, protects us, and loves us. What a gift this is! Perhaps it is time to return to your image journal and paint an image of a Shepherd caring for the sheep.

What animal is mentioned most often in the Bible? If you guessed “sheep,” you are right! Sheep were an important part of the economy of ancient Israel. It is no surprise that many biblical characters spent at least some of their life as shepherds, including Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Moses, David, and Amos. Shepherding in Israel was different than it is today. There were no fenced-in fields. Instead, shepherds had to be with their sheep to protect them from predators, lead them to good pasture, shelter them from the weather, and tend to their injuries. Shepherds became symbols of good leadership. Like shepherds, good leaders are compassionate, caring, and protective of those under their care. In today’s reading, God denounces the so-called shepherds of Israel. The priests and leaders of Israel had failed. They had extorted their people and did not care for them (vv. 2–4). They have not tended the sick and weak or sought the lost. They did not lead with compassion but with harsh brutality (v. 4). God declares that He will personally shepherd His people (v. 11). He will seek the lost, heal the sick, provide, and protect His people (vv. 11–14). This type of leadership is personal, sacrificial, and loving. He protects the weak from the oppression of the strong (vv. 20–21). In verses 23–24, God says He will shepherd His people through “my servant David.” Ezekiel is writing during the exile, long after David. The promise is that there will be a coming Davidic ruler who will be the ultimate Good Shepherd. This promise is fulfilled by the Lord Jesus. Jesus declared, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). >> As followers of Jesus, we have a Shepherd who cares for us, guides us, protects us, and loves us. What a gift this is! Perhaps it is time to return to your image journal and paint an image of a Shepherd caring for the sheep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The largest bear species in the world is the polar bear. Male polar bears can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and stand up to 9 feet 10 inches tall! While ancient Israel did not have any polar bears, they did have a respect and fear of a bear’s power. There is a proverb in the book of Amos where the prophet says, “It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear” (5:19). That is similar to our proverb “Out of the frying pan and into the fire.” In Hosea 13, God pronounces a judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel. Israel had engaged in idol worship and even offered human sacrifices, something God detested. They had done this although God had delivered them from slavery to Egypt and warned them to “acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me” (v. 4). They forgot their dependence on God and became proud. Because of their rebellion, God declares that He will come as a judge. He uses three animal metaphors to describe His anger toward Israel. He will be like a lion, a leopard, and climactically like a “bear robbed of her cubs” (v. 8). No one wants to get between a bear and its cubs! The image is clear, fierce judgment is coming. Part of God’s judgment is to give Israel what they wanted, the kind of leadership they asked for (v. 10). God knows this will only lead to ruin. God is heartbroken over the sin of His people. This passage reminds us of the seriousness of sin. God is not to be trifled with. He desires our allegiance. >> In modern culture, we tend to focus on God as love. We see Him as our friend. But it’s good to remember that we serve a powerful, almighty God who will judge and punish sin. Understanding this attribute of God makes us even more thankful for our salvation.

The largest bear species in the world is the polar bear. Male polar bears can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and stand up to 9 feet 10 inches tall! While ancient Israel did not have any polar bears, they did have a respect and fear of a bear’s power. There is a proverb in the book of Amos where the prophet says, “It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear” (5:19). That is similar to our proverb “Out of the frying pan and into the fire.” In Hosea 13, God pronounces a judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel. Israel had engaged in idol worship and even offered human sacrifices, something God detested. They had done this although God had delivered them from slavery to Egypt and warned them to “acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me” (v. 4). They forgot their dependence on God and became proud. Because of their rebellion, God declares that He will come as a judge. He uses three animal metaphors to describe His anger toward Israel. He will be like a lion, a leopard, and climactically like a “bear robbed of her cubs” (v. 8). No one wants to get between a bear and its cubs! The image is clear, fierce judgment is coming. Part of God’s judgment is to give Israel what they wanted, the kind of leadership they asked for (v. 10). God knows this will only lead to ruin. God is heartbroken over the sin of His people. This passage reminds us of the seriousness of sin. God is not to be trifled with. He desires our allegiance. >> In modern culture, we tend to focus on God as love. We see Him as our friend. But it’s good to remember that we serve a powerful, almighty God who will judge and punish sin. Understanding this attribute of God makes us even more thankful for our salvation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A baby bird is entirely dependent on its parents for survival. The tiny creature lacks the ability to procure food or defend itself, even against the least agile predators. For safety a baby bird relies on its parents. In the face of danger, many bird species will shield their young by covering them with their wings, safeguarding them from predators or inclement weather. Today’s reading abounds with protective metaphors for God. God is a “shelter,” “refuge,” and “fortress” (vv. 1–2). One of the most poignant metaphors compares God to a bird sheltering its offspring under its wings. For a baby bird, there is no safer place on earth than under the wing of the parent. The Bible frequently states that we live in a world filled with threats. This psalm lists pestilence, plagues, and the threat of foreign armies as just a few examples (vv. 6–8). These threats can easily become the focus of our lives. We worry about losing our job, our health, or our relationships. The truth is that sometimes we do lose those things. The world is not a safe place. Yet, this psalm reminds us of another reality. These threats are not beyond God’s protective care or supervision. How are we to understand the lavish promises in this psalm? The psalmist declares that “no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent” (v. 10). Yet we may wonder why our daily experience proves otherwise. Many of the most godly people in the Bible faced persecution and suffering. These promises are best understood when referring to God’s ultimate defeat of evil at the return of Christ. While sitting in a prison cell, Paul wrote, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18). >> Are you facing difficulties? No matter how threatening life can be on earth, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. His is a wing under which you can always find shelter.

A baby bird is entirely dependent on its parents for survival. The tiny creature lacks the ability to procure food or defend itself, even against the least agile predators. For safety a baby bird relies on its parents. In the face of danger, many bird species will shield their young by covering them with their wings, safeguarding them from predators or inclement weather. Today’s reading abounds with protective metaphors for God. God is a “shelter,” “refuge,” and “fortress” (vv. 1–2). One of the most poignant metaphors compares God to a bird sheltering its offspring under its wings. For a baby bird, there is no safer place on earth than under the wing of the parent. The Bible frequently states that we live in a world filled with threats. This psalm lists pestilence, plagues, and the threat of foreign armies as just a few examples (vv. 6–8). These threats can easily become the focus of our lives. We worry about losing our job, our health, or our relationships. The truth is that sometimes we do lose those things. The world is not a safe place. Yet, this psalm reminds us of another reality. These threats are not beyond God’s protective care or supervision. How are we to understand the lavish promises in this psalm? The psalmist declares that “no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent” (v. 10). Yet we may wonder why our daily experience proves otherwise. Many of the most godly people in the Bible faced persecution and suffering. These promises are best understood when referring to God’s ultimate defeat of evil at the return of Christ. While sitting in a prison cell, Paul wrote, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18). >> Are you facing difficulties? No matter how threatening life can be on earth, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. His is a wing under which you can always find shelter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin once proposed that a turkey should represent the United States on our national seal? Most Americans are probably grateful that instead, in 1782, the bald eagle was selected to adorn the Great Seal. The eagle has been a symbol of power and strength from ancient times. In Exodus 19, we read about another nation, Israel, that arrived at Mount Sinai. In this important passage, God summarizes the covenant relationship into which He was inviting Israel to enter with Him. He reminds Israel what He had done: “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings” (v. 4). Here God compares His actions in the Exodus story to an eagle, symbolizing the speed and power of His deliverance. God makes an important point about why He delivered Israel. He did it not only to save Israel from slavery but also to bring them to Himself (v. 4). He desired to be in a close relationship with them. When we think about our salvation, it is important to remember the same truth. God delivered us not only to save us from sin and judgment but also to bring us into a relationship with Him (1 Cor. 1:9). In the remainder of the passage, God outlines His purpose for calling Israel. He called Israel to be His special people so they would be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (v. 6). They were not to ignore the rest of the world but represent God to them. They could do this through example, witness, and by keeping and proclaiming God’s Word. >> We are grateful that our God has brought salvation for His people. As those who hope in Him, we can claim this promise: “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31).

Did you know that Benjamin Franklin once proposed that a turkey should represent the United States on our national seal? Most Americans are probably grateful that instead, in 1782, the bald eagle was selected to adorn the Great Seal. The eagle has been a symbol of power and strength from ancient times. In Exodus 19, we read about another nation, Israel, that arrived at Mount Sinai. In this important passage, God summarizes the covenant relationship into which He was inviting Israel to enter with Him. He reminds Israel what He had done: “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings” (v. 4). Here God compares His actions in the Exodus story to an eagle, symbolizing the speed and power of His deliverance. God makes an important point about why He delivered Israel. He did it not only to save Israel from slavery but also to bring them to Himself (v. 4). He desired to be in a close relationship with them. When we think about our salvation, it is important to remember the same truth. God delivered us not only to save us from sin and judgment but also to bring us into a relationship with Him (1 Cor. 1:9). In the remainder of the passage, God outlines His purpose for calling Israel. He called Israel to be His special people so they would be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (v. 6). They were not to ignore the rest of the world but represent God to them. They could do this through example, witness, and by keeping and proclaiming God’s Word. >> We are grateful that our God has brought salvation for His people. As those who hope in Him, we can claim this promise: “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:31).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So far in our study, we have reflected on objects that are used as metaphors for God. God has been compared to light, a refuge, water, a rock, fire, a shield, and a strong tower. Today and for the next few days we will examine passages that compare God to an animal. In Isaiah 31, the prophet was addressing a nation in crisis. The fierce Assyrian army had threatened Judah’s existence. Judah looked to Egypt for an ally, thinking that if they could associate with another powerful nation, they could save themselves. God warns Judah not to be like those who “trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD” (v. 1). Our God is a greater ally than any human army (v. 3). To drive this point home, God paints a vivid image. Imagine a lion crouched over and defending its prey. Even if a group of shepherds tried to scare the lion away, it is not going anywhere (v. 4). That is how fiercely God will protect Judah. The image of a lion evokes great power and irresistible strength. We have a bike path by our house with a particular spot where red-winged blackbirds nest. In the spring, when we walk by that area, we are often bombarded by protective blackbird mothers. That is similar to another animal image God uses for Himself here: “Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem” (v. 5). >> Because God is fiercely powerful and protective of His children, we have no reason to fear. While we may not have an army breathing down our neck, we still worry about things such as the economy, job loss, or cultural change. Take comfort that God is the same today as He was in the past. He shelters and protects His own.

So far in our study, we have reflected on objects that are used as metaphors for God. God has been compared to light, a refuge, water, a rock, fire, a shield, and a strong tower. Today and for the next few days we will examine passages that compare God to an animal. In Isaiah 31, the prophet was addressing a nation in crisis. The fierce Assyrian army had threatened Judah’s existence. Judah looked to Egypt for an ally, thinking that if they could associate with another powerful nation, they could save themselves. God warns Judah not to be like those who “trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the LORD” (v. 1). Our God is a greater ally than any human army (v. 3). To drive this point home, God paints a vivid image. Imagine a lion crouched over and defending its prey. Even if a group of shepherds tried to scare the lion away, it is not going anywhere (v. 4). That is how fiercely God will protect Judah. The image of a lion evokes great power and irresistible strength. We have a bike path by our house with a particular spot where red-winged blackbirds nest. In the spring, when we walk by that area, we are often bombarded by protective blackbird mothers. That is similar to another animal image God uses for Himself here: “Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem” (v. 5). >> Because God is fiercely powerful and protective of His children, we have no reason to fear. While we may not have an army breathing down our neck, we still worry about things such as the economy, job loss, or cultural change. Take comfort that God is the same today as He was in the past. He shelters and protects His own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever heard of someone who lives in an “ivory tower”? That kind of image is often used to describe someone who is out of touch with reality. While they might be highly educated, they lack first-hand life experience. The word “tower” occurs 50 times in the Bible, but never in that sense. The tower in the Bible refers to a military fortress. Cities had towers built into the corners of the wall as defensive fortifications. They also had a tower in the middle of the city as a final stronghold if the enemy was able to breech the outer wall. If you lived in a city in ancient Israel, these towers would be a daily visual reminder of a place of safety and security. In today’s reading there are two proverbs that are intentionally paired with one another in verses 10–11. These two verses paint a contrasting picture between the righteous and the wealthy. Where do they turn for safety and security? For the righteous, “the name of the LORD is a fortified tower” (v. 10). They find their security and trust in God. When difficulties come, they know exactly where to go. They do not hesitate or wander between this tower and that one. Instead, they “run to it [the LORD] and are safe” (v. 10). By contrast, the strong tower of the rich is often their wealth (v. 11). They “imagine it a wall too high to scale” (v. 11). The word “imagine” is the key one. They think their wealth will save them but it is no match for the kind of strong tower that the Lord provides. Not every wealthy person trusts in their riches instead of God. But trusting in wealth is a special challenge for those who have much (Matt. 19:23–24). >> Take a few minutes and reflect on the image of God as a tower. Where do you run to for safety and security? When challenges come in life, do you run to the Lord?

Have you ever heard of someone who lives in an “ivory tower”? That kind of image is often used to describe someone who is out of touch with reality. While they might be highly educated, they lack first-hand life experience. The word “tower” occurs 50 times in the Bible, but never in that sense. The tower in the Bible refers to a military fortress. Cities had towers built into the corners of the wall as defensive fortifications. They also had a tower in the middle of the city as a final stronghold if the enemy was able to breech the outer wall. If you lived in a city in ancient Israel, these towers would be a daily visual reminder of a place of safety and security. In today’s reading there are two proverbs that are intentionally paired with one another in verses 10–11. These two verses paint a contrasting picture between the righteous and the wealthy. Where do they turn for safety and security? For the righteous, “the name of the LORD is a fortified tower” (v. 10). They find their security and trust in God. When difficulties come, they know exactly where to go. They do not hesitate or wander between this tower and that one. Instead, they “run to it [the LORD] and are safe” (v. 10). By contrast, the strong tower of the rich is often their wealth (v. 11). They “imagine it a wall too high to scale” (v. 11). The word “imagine” is the key one. They think their wealth will save them but it is no match for the kind of strong tower that the Lord provides. Not every wealthy person trusts in their riches instead of God. But trusting in wealth is a special challenge for those who have much (Matt. 19:23–24). >> Take a few minutes and reflect on the image of God as a tower. Where do you run to for safety and security? When challenges come in life, do you run to the Lord?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you think of a shield, what comes to mind? Superheroes? Knights of the Round Table? In Genesis 15, God describes Himself as “a shield.” Abram had just rescued his nephew Lot along with the other residents of Sodom and Gomorrah from a group of marauding kings (Gen. 14:1–24). This was a stunning military achievement for a man who was not an experienced warrior. Clearly, God had been at work. Yet, the victory put Abram in a vulnerable position. He had made enemies. Remember that he was not living among his own people and could not count on the support of those around him. God appeared to Abram in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (v. 1). A shield was designed to protect a soldier from arrows or spear thrusts. God told Abram that he had no cause for worry. He would protect him. Abram’s response is surprising. He asks God how he can trust His promise since he was still childless (vv. 2–3). Remember, God had promised that Abram’s offspring would become a great nation (Gen. 12:1–3). Years had gone by, yet Sarah and Abram still did not have any children. Abram wondered if God was able to keep this new promise if He had not followed through on the first one. God asked Abram to come outside and look at the stars. Imagine being in the wilderness with no ambient light. God proclaimed, “So shall your offspring be” (v. 5). God was reminding Abram that He has created the stars. Could not the One who spoke the universe into existence be trusted to keep His word today? Abram believed God (v. 6). >> God is your shield. He protects and defends you as well. Just like Abram, we are called to trust in God and His Word. We can be grateful that the Creator of the universe is active on our behalf today.

When you think of a shield, what comes to mind? Superheroes? Knights of the Round Table? In Genesis 15, God describes Himself as “a shield.” Abram had just rescued his nephew Lot along with the other residents of Sodom and Gomorrah from a group of marauding kings (Gen. 14:1–24). This was a stunning military achievement for a man who was not an experienced warrior. Clearly, God had been at work. Yet, the victory put Abram in a vulnerable position. He had made enemies. Remember that he was not living among his own people and could not count on the support of those around him. God appeared to Abram in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (v. 1). A shield was designed to protect a soldier from arrows or spear thrusts. God told Abram that he had no cause for worry. He would protect him. Abram’s response is surprising. He asks God how he can trust His promise since he was still childless (vv. 2–3). Remember, God had promised that Abram’s offspring would become a great nation (Gen. 12:1–3). Years had gone by, yet Sarah and Abram still did not have any children. Abram wondered if God was able to keep this new promise if He had not followed through on the first one. God asked Abram to come outside and look at the stars. Imagine being in the wilderness with no ambient light. God proclaimed, “So shall your offspring be” (v. 5). God was reminding Abram that He has created the stars. Could not the One who spoke the universe into existence be trusted to keep His word today? Abram believed God (v. 6). >> God is your shield. He protects and defends you as well. Just like Abram, we are called to trust in God and His Word. We can be grateful that the Creator of the universe is active on our behalf today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you imagine a world without fire? Fire provides us with light in the dark and warmth in the cold. Fire enables us to cook food, refine metals, and power a car. Yet, fire is also dangerous. It can destroy homes and cities. The ancient Greek culture highlighted the importance of fire by naming it as one of the four basic elements along with water, air, and earth. In the Old Testament, God’s appearances are often described as fire. God appeared to Abraham as a torch of fire (Gen. 15:17). He appeared to Moses in the burning bush and as a fire on Mount Sinai (Ex. 3:2; 19:18). Fire symbolizes God’s holiness and purity. Fire is also used to portray God’s anger. The prophet Nahum asks, “Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him” (Nah. 1:6). In today’s reading, Moses reminds Israel that God did not appear to them in the form of any image or shape. Instead, God spoke to them “out of the fire” (v. 15). Fire is flickering and immaterial (the opposite of solid). The choice of fire was meant to teach Israel that they should not make an image of God in the form of any created thing (vv. 16–19). Their worship of God should not be inspired by an object. Instead, they should remember what God had done for them. How He had redeemed them from Egypt (v. 20). Their focus should be on God’s words and deeds. >> We may be tempted to worship a god created by our own imagination. John Calvin remarked that the human heart is “a perpetual factory of idols.” Yet, God made Himself known to us in Scripture. He desires our full and undivided worship. If we turn to false gods, we risk being the object of God’s anger. As Moses reminds us, “the LORD your God is a consuming fire” (v. 24).

Can you imagine a world without fire? Fire provides us with light in the dark and warmth in the cold. Fire enables us to cook food, refine metals, and power a car. Yet, fire is also dangerous. It can destroy homes and cities. The ancient Greek culture highlighted the importance of fire by naming it as one of the four basic elements along with water, air, and earth. In the Old Testament, God’s appearances are often described as fire. God appeared to Abraham as a torch of fire (Gen. 15:17). He appeared to Moses in the burning bush and as a fire on Mount Sinai (Ex. 3:2; 19:18). Fire symbolizes God’s holiness and purity. Fire is also used to portray God’s anger. The prophet Nahum asks, “Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him” (Nah. 1:6). In today’s reading, Moses reminds Israel that God did not appear to them in the form of any image or shape. Instead, God spoke to them “out of the fire” (v. 15). Fire is flickering and immaterial (the opposite of solid). The choice of fire was meant to teach Israel that they should not make an image of God in the form of any created thing (vv. 16–19). Their worship of God should not be inspired by an object. Instead, they should remember what God had done for them. How He had redeemed them from Egypt (v. 20). Their focus should be on God’s words and deeds. >> We may be tempted to worship a god created by our own imagination. John Calvin remarked that the human heart is “a perpetual factory of idols.” Yet, God made Himself known to us in Scripture. He desires our full and undivided worship. If we turn to false gods, we risk being the object of God’s anger. As Moses reminds us, “the LORD your God is a consuming fire” (v. 24).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking back on his life, David must have been amazed at all the trials he had endured and how much he had accomplished. He began his journey as a humble shepherd, went on to face the giant Goliath, served in Saul’s court, became a fugitive living in the wilderness, worked as a hired soldier for the Philistines, and ultimately ascended to the throne of Israel. In 2 Samuel 22, David reflects on a time when God delivered him from Saul. Although he may have composed this poem shortly after the event, it is included at this point in the book to provide a fitting summary of David’s relationship with God. In the central image of this poem, David describes God as a rock. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge” (v. 2). “For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?” (v. 32). In a world before the invention of powerful drills or explosives, a rock was the ultimate picture of stability and strength. If you were wandering in the desert, a rock would be a welcome sight. It would provide needed shade and shelter from the sun. Throughout the trials of David’s life, God had been his rock. God was his source of safety and security. No matter what he was going through, he could call upon the Lord knowing that God would hear and provide (v. 7). When it seemed like the world was crashing down around him, he could count on God (v. 8). >> God is your rock too! Solid. Strong. Certain. We can cling to Him when everything else seems uncertain, knowing that He will never let us down. God met our deepest need through the death and resurrection of Jesus for our sin. We can declare with David, “The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!” (v. 47).

Looking back on his life, David must have been amazed at all the trials he had endured and how much he had accomplished. He began his journey as a humble shepherd, went on to face the giant Goliath, served in Saul’s court, became a fugitive living in the wilderness, worked as a hired soldier for the Philistines, and ultimately ascended to the throne of Israel. In 2 Samuel 22, David reflects on a time when God delivered him from Saul. Although he may have composed this poem shortly after the event, it is included at this point in the book to provide a fitting summary of David’s relationship with God. In the central image of this poem, David describes God as a rock. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge” (v. 2). “For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?” (v. 32). In a world before the invention of powerful drills or explosives, a rock was the ultimate picture of stability and strength. If you were wandering in the desert, a rock would be a welcome sight. It would provide needed shade and shelter from the sun. Throughout the trials of David’s life, God had been his rock. God was his source of safety and security. No matter what he was going through, he could call upon the Lord knowing that God would hear and provide (v. 7). When it seemed like the world was crashing down around him, he could count on God (v. 8). >> God is your rock too! Solid. Strong. Certain. We can cling to Him when everything else seems uncertain, knowing that He will never let us down. God met our deepest need through the death and resurrection of Jesus for our sin. We can declare with David, “The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!” (v. 47).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Water is one of our most basic needs. Without it, our bodies quickly break down. Yet, it is very easy to take it for granted. When I get home from work, my wife has never asked me, “Did you get enough water to drink today?” It just doesn’t seem that important. However, if I did not have easy access to water, it would quickly become an obsession. Psalm 42 opens with one of the most memorable images in the Psalter. The Psalmist’s longing for God is compared to a deer in the wilderness panting for water. The reason why the psalmist longs for God so desperately is that God seems absent. When things are going well, it is easy to take God for granted. But that is not the case here. The psalmist laments, “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (v. 3). This taunt of his enemies pierces his soul because he wonders about the same thing: Where has God gone? Why has God forgotten me? (v. 9). Yet even amid his sorrow and sense of abandonment, he knows God is with him. He tells himself, “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me” (v. 8). He preaches to himself, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God” (v. 11). He ultimately knows that God cares for him as his Savior and protector (v. 11). He also knows that he needs God as desperately as a man dying of thirst needs water. >> God is the foundational source of our life. While we may sometimes take God for granted, without His constant care we would not survive. Like the Psalmist, we thirst for God. Even in times of fear or sorrow, we can completely trust in God’s love, care, and provision.

Water is one of our most basic needs. Without it, our bodies quickly break down. Yet, it is very easy to take it for granted. When I get home from work, my wife has never asked me, “Did you get enough water to drink today?” It just doesn’t seem that important. However, if I did not have easy access to water, it would quickly become an obsession. Psalm 42 opens with one of the most memorable images in the Psalter. The Psalmist’s longing for God is compared to a deer in the wilderness panting for water. The reason why the psalmist longs for God so desperately is that God seems absent. When things are going well, it is easy to take God for granted. But that is not the case here. The psalmist laments, “My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (v. 3). This taunt of his enemies pierces his soul because he wonders about the same thing: Where has God gone? Why has God forgotten me? (v. 9). Yet even amid his sorrow and sense of abandonment, he knows God is with him. He tells himself, “By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me” (v. 8). He preaches to himself, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God” (v. 11). He ultimately knows that God cares for him as his Savior and protector (v. 11). He also knows that he needs God as desperately as a man dying of thirst needs water. >> God is the foundational source of our life. While we may sometimes take God for granted, without His constant care we would not survive. Like the Psalmist, we thirst for God. Even in times of fear or sorrow, we can completely trust in God’s love, care, and provision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all remember childhood games where there was a “safe” place. If you got to it, you could not be tagged or pursued. As adults we look to many things for security. When facing difficulty, we turn to our family, our friends, or even the comfort of our home. In today’s reading, David was in a challenging situation. Traps had been set for him (v. 4). He was sorrowful and downcast with grief (vv. 9–10). Not only did his enemies oppose him, but he had become the object of malicious gossip (vv. 11–12). In this crisis, David describes the Lord as his refuge. God is his ultimate safe place. David knows he cannot trust in his own ability, military might, or even the strength of his fortifications. Instead, he asks God to be “my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me” (v. 2). He trusts in God’s faithfulness and acknowledges that “my times are in your hands” (v. 15). He knows God ultimately wants what is best for him (v 19). Over and over in the Psalms, God is described as a refuge. This does not mean that dangers and trials will not come our way. But during these perils, we can turn to God as “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Jesus demonstrated this trust on Good Friday. With His dying breath, He proclaimed to the Father, using the words of this psalm, “Into your hands I commit my spirit” (v. 5; Luke 23:46). God the Father was His refuge. While Jesus would endure the pain of the crucifixion, He would be vindicated in His resurrection. >> Do you think of God as your refuge? He is your safe place when trials come! The psalms proclaim that God is our refuge and strength both for now and for eternity. If you can draw, try to portray a refuge, a hiding place of safety and comfort.

We all remember childhood games where there was a “safe” place. If you got to it, you could not be tagged or pursued. As adults we look to many things for security. When facing difficulty, we turn to our family, our friends, or even the comfort of our home. In today’s reading, David was in a challenging situation. Traps had been set for him (v. 4). He was sorrowful and downcast with grief (vv. 9–10). Not only did his enemies oppose him, but he had become the object of malicious gossip (vv. 11–12). In this crisis, David describes the Lord as his refuge. God is his ultimate safe place. David knows he cannot trust in his own ability, military might, or even the strength of his fortifications. Instead, he asks God to be “my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me” (v. 2). He trusts in God’s faithfulness and acknowledges that “my times are in your hands” (v. 15). He knows God ultimately wants what is best for him (v 19). Over and over in the Psalms, God is described as a refuge. This does not mean that dangers and trials will not come our way. But during these perils, we can turn to God as “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Jesus demonstrated this trust on Good Friday. With His dying breath, He proclaimed to the Father, using the words of this psalm, “Into your hands I commit my spirit” (v. 5; Luke 23:46). God the Father was His refuge. While Jesus would endure the pain of the crucifixion, He would be vindicated in His resurrection. >> Do you think of God as your refuge? He is your safe place when trials come! The psalms proclaim that God is our refuge and strength both for now and for eternity. If you can draw, try to portray a refuge, a hiding place of safety and comfort.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that the Bible begins and ends with references to light? Light was the first thing God created (Gen. 1:3). In Revelation 22:5, we learn that when we are reunited with Jesus all traces of darkness will finally be gone: “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.” In the Bible, light is a representation of God’s presence and glory (2 Chron. 5:13–14; Ex. 34:29). Light stands for goodness and holiness as opposed to evil (John 3:20). Light is truth as opposed to the darkness of falsehood (Ps. 19:8; 119:105). Light is a symbol of God’s favor and blessing (Prov. 4:18; Num. 6:24–26). Today’s passage, Isaiah 60:1–22, looks forward to the redemption of Israel: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you” (v. 1). During the millennial kingdom, Israel will recognize the Messiah and the nations will stream to Zion to know the Lord (v. 3). In this time, God is described as light, “the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end” (v. 20). The hope that Isaiah 60 describes is for Israel and the nations to be in the “everlasting light” of the Lord (v. 20). This means they will be in the very presence of God and fully experience His glory. At that time, evil will be abolished and defeated (v. 21). Throughout this passage and elsewhere through Scripture, light is used as a symbol of God’s blessing and favor. We look forward to this time when God’s everlasting light will abolish darkness for good! >> Can you imagine living in God’s presence away from the effects of sin? Can you imagine a world where truth wins? No more darkness. No more sorrow! One day all people will submit to the Lord Jesus. That is our future hope.

Did you know that the Bible begins and ends with references to light? Light was the first thing God created (Gen. 1:3). In Revelation 22:5, we learn that when we are reunited with Jesus all traces of darkness will finally be gone: “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.” In the Bible, light is a representation of God’s presence and glory (2 Chron. 5:13–14; Ex. 34:29). Light stands for goodness and holiness as opposed to evil (John 3:20). Light is truth as opposed to the darkness of falsehood (Ps. 19:8; 119:105). Light is a symbol of God’s favor and blessing (Prov. 4:18; Num. 6:24–26). Today’s passage, Isaiah 60:1–22, looks forward to the redemption of Israel: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you” (v. 1). During the millennial kingdom, Israel will recognize the Messiah and the nations will stream to Zion to know the Lord (v. 3). In this time, God is described as light, “the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end” (v. 20). The hope that Isaiah 60 describes is for Israel and the nations to be in the “everlasting light” of the Lord (v. 20). This means they will be in the very presence of God and fully experience His glory. At that time, evil will be abolished and defeated (v. 21). Throughout this passage and elsewhere through Scripture, light is used as a symbol of God’s blessing and favor. We look forward to this time when God’s everlasting light will abolish darkness for good! >> Can you imagine living in God’s presence away from the effects of sin? Can you imagine a world where truth wins? No more darkness. No more sorrow! One day all people will submit to the Lord Jesus. That is our future hope.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The LORD is my shepherd.” Psalm 23 contains one of the most famous images of God in the Bible. In the original language, the phrase is only two words long. Yet, it would take a whole book to fully unpack its depth of meaning. This month, we will look at the way God reveals His character to us through images. In the Old Testament, God is described as a light, a shield, a rock, an eagle, a potter, a craftsman, an artist, a warrior, and a king, to name just a few. The images of God in the Bible are not meant to be exact or perfect representations. When the Bible compares God to a shepherd, it helps us more fully understand who He is. For example, shepherds in ancient Israel were often servants or hired hands. This does not mean that God is a hired hand. But Psalm 23 shows us how God is like a shepherd. He provides for us: “I lack nothing” (v. 1). What a powerful statement! He guides our way and cares for our needs: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (v. 2). God protects, loves, and cares for His people. In the same way, we are a lot like sheep. We trust our Shepherd and are blessed when we follow Him. A theologian explains how the Bible’s use of metaphor helps ignite our understanding: “Metaphor consists in bringing two sets of ideas close together, close enough for a spark to jump, but not too close, so that the spark, in jumping, illuminates for a moment the whole area around, changing perceptions as it does so.” We hope that this study will draw you closer to God and deepen your understanding of who He is. >> Since we are studying images, why not start a picture journal? Whether you are artistic or just love to doodle, try to capture images that teach you something about God using paint, colored pencils, or even crayons.

“The LORD is my shepherd.” Psalm 23 contains one of the most famous images of God in the Bible. In the original language, the phrase is only two words long. Yet, it would take a whole book to fully unpack its depth of meaning. This month, we will look at the way God reveals His character to us through images. In the Old Testament, God is described as a light, a shield, a rock, an eagle, a potter, a craftsman, an artist, a warrior, and a king, to name just a few. The The images of God in the Bible are not mean to be exact or perfect representations. When the Bible compares God to a shepherd, it helps us more fully understand who He is. For example, shepherds in ancient Israel were often servants or hired hands. This does not mean that God is a hired hand. But Psalm 23 shows us how God is like a shepherd. He provides for us: “I lack nothing” (v. 1). What a powerful statement! He guides our way and cares for our needs: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters” (v. 2). God protects, loves, and cares for His people. In the same way, we are a lot like sheep. We trust our Shepherd and are blessed when we follow Him. A theologian explains how the Bible’s use of metaphor helps ignite our understanding: “Metaphor consists in bringing two sets of ideas close together, close enough for a spark to jump, but not too close, so that the spark, in jumping, illuminates for a moment the whole area around, changing perceptions as it does so.” We hope that this study will draw you closer to God and deepen your understanding of who He is. >> Since we are studying images, why not start a picture journal? Whether you are artistic or just love to doodle, try to capture images that teach you something about God using paint, colored pencils, or even crayons.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salvation is by grace. We cannot earn it. The gift we have received from Christ is so great that we could never pay it back. And although we cannot repay this debt, we still owe something to Jesus. As the old song says, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.” As we close our study of Paul’s letters from prison, we are reminded of all that we owe to Jesus. Many of the Christian duties Paul emphasized in his prison letters, especially in those sections that describe the nature of the Christian life, come together in the apostle’s appeal to Philemon. Philemon owes a debt of gratitude to Paul (v. 19). Onesimus, who had broken the law by running away, owes it to Philemon to return to him but in a humble spirit (v. 11; see also Eph. 6:5-6; Col. 3:22). Philemon, in turn, has an obligation to recognize that he and Onesimus are equals in Christ. Now that he belongs to Christ, Onesimus is “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave.” He should be even dearer to Philemon than he is to Paul “as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord” (v.16). Paul’s request calls for sacrifice on both parts. Onesimus sacrifices his pride by returning to his old master. Philemon will lose a servant if he sends Onesimus back to Paul. Commentators are divided on whether Paul expects Philemon to free Onesimus. Elsewhere, however, Paul warns Christians not to become enslaved and urges those who already are slaves to obtain their freedom if possible (1 Cor. 7:21–23). Paul tells Philemon to charge any wrong that Onesimus has done or debt he has incurred to Paul’s account (v. 18). If there is shared loss, there is also love. Love for one another, and ultimately for Christ. >> As we conclude these studies of Paul’s letters from prison, what are your takeaways? What have you learned about the Christian life? How has Paul encouraged you to become more faithful to Jesus?

Salvation is by grace. We cannot earn it. The gift we have received from Christ is so great that we could never pay it back. And although we cannot repay this debt, we still owe something to Jesus. As the old song says, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.” As we close our study of Paul’s letters from prison, we are reminded of all that we owe to Jesus. Many of the Christian duties Paul emphasized in his prison letters, especially in those sections that describe the nature of the Christian life, come together in the apostle’s appeal to Philemon. Philemon owes a debt of gratitude to Paul (v. 19). Onesimus, who had broken the law by running away, owes it to Philemon to return to him but in a humble spirit (v. 11; see also Eph. 6:5-6; Col. 3:22). Philemon, in turn, has an obligation to recognize that he and Onesimus are equals in Christ. Now that he belongs to Christ, Onesimus is “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave.” He should be even dearer to Philemon than he is to Paul “as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord” (v.16). Paul’s request calls for sacrifice on both parts. Onesimus sacrifices his pride by returning to his old master. Philemon will lose a servant if he sends Onesimus back to Paul. Commentators are divided on whether Paul expects Philemon to free Onesimus. Elsewhere, however, Paul warns Christians not to become enslaved and urges those who already are slaves to obtain their freedom if possible (1 Cor. 7:21–23). Paul tells Philemon to charge any wrong that Onesimus has done or debt he has incurred to Paul’s account (v. 18). If there is shared loss, there is also love. Love for one another, and ultimately for Christ. >> As we conclude these studies of Paul’s letters from prison, what are your takeaways? What have you learned about the Christian life? How has Paul encouraged you to become more faithful to Jesus?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frederick Douglass wrote, “I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” Onesimus tried to obtain his freedom in the same way. He ran away from Philemon’s household and somehow ran into Paul, “the prisoner of Christ Jesus.” Paul doesn’t say how he and Onesimus became acquainted. What the apostle does reveal is that he had been instrumental in his conversion. In verse 10, Paul explains that Onesimus “became my son while I was in chains.” It is possible that Paul already knew Onesimus before. In verse 6, he describes Philemon as a partner in the faith. In addition to being one of those who supported Paul financially, Philemon had also come to faith under Paul’s preaching (see v. 19). But Paul wrote this personal letter to inform Philemon that Onesimus had become a Christian and was now “a dear brother” (v. 16). Indirectly, Paul was asking Philemon to welcome Onesimus back and then return him to the apostle (vv. 8, 12–13). More than a help, Onesimus had become like a son to Paul (v. 10). When he describes Onesimus as “useful” in verse 11, he is making a pun based on his name, which means “helpful” or “profitable.” It may bother us that Paul did not tell Philemon directly that it was his moral obligation to grant Onesimus freedom. Indeed, Paul never speaks of the morality of slavery. Nor does he flex his apostolic muscles, although he gives a gentle reminder of his authority when he speaks of his request as something that Philemon “ought” to do (v. 8). Paul’s gentle tone is a testimony to his confidence in Philemon and to the transforming power of the gospel. Although a prisoner, Paul was used by God to introduce Onesimus to the freedom of Christ. >> We are all slaves and prisoners when it comes to sin. But Jesus promised, “...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Frederick Douglass wrote, “I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” Onesimus tried to obtain his freedom in the same way. He ran away from Philemon’s household and somehow ran into Paul, “the prisoner of Christ Jesus.” Paul doesn’t say how he and Onesimus became acquainted. What the apostle does reveal is that he had been instrumental in his conversion. In verse 10, Paul explains that Onesimus “became my son while I was in chains.” It is possible that Paul already knew Onesimus before. In verse 6, he describes Philemon as a partner in the faith. In addition to being one of those who supported Paul financially, Philemon had also come to faith under Paul’s preaching (see v. 19). But Paul wrote this personal letter to inform Philemon that Onesimus had become a Christian and was now “a dear brother” (v. 16). Indirectly, Paul was asking Philemon to welcome Onesimus back and then return him to the apostle (vv. 8, 12–13). More than a help, Onesimus had become like a son to Paul (v. 10). When he describes Onesimus as “useful” in verse 11, he is making a pun based on his name, which means “helpful” or “profitable.” It may bother us that Paul did not tell Philemon directly that it was his moral obligation to grant Onesimus freedom. Indeed, Paul never speaks of the morality of slavery. Nor does he flex his apostolic muscles, although he gives a gentle reminder of his authority when he speaks of his request as something that Philemon “ought” to do (v. 8). Paul’s gentle tone is a testimony to his confidence in Philemon and to the transforming power of the gospel. Although a prisoner, Paul was used by God to introduce Onesimus to the freedom of Christ. >> We are all slaves and prisoners when it comes to sin. But Jesus promised, “...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frederick Douglass wrote, “I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” Onesimus tried to obtain his freedom in the same way. He ran away from Philemon’s household and somehow ran into Paul, “the prisoner of Christ Jesus.” Paul doesn’t say how he and Onesimus became acquainted. What the apostle does reveal is that he had been instrumental in his conversion. In verse 10, Paul explains that Onesimus “became my son while I was in chains.” It is possible that Paul already knew Onesimus before. In verse 6, he describes Philemon as a partner in the faith. In addition to being one of those who supported Paul financially, Philemon had also come to faith under Paul’s preaching (see v. 19). But Paul wrote this personal letter to inform Philemon that Onesimus had become a Christian and was now “a dear brother” (v. 16). Indirectly, Paul was asking Philemon to welcome Onesimus back and then return him to the apostle (vv. 8, 12–13). More than a help, Onesimus had become like a son to Paul (v. 10). When he describes Onesimus as “useful” in verse 11, he is making a pun based on his name, which means “helpful” or “profitable.” It may bother us that Paul did not tell Philemon directly that it was his moral obligation to grant Onesimus freedom. Indeed, Paul never speaks of the morality of slavery. Nor does he flex his apostolic muscles, although he gives a gentle reminder of his authority when he speaks of his request as something that Philemon “ought” to do (v. 8). Paul’s gentle tone is a testimony to his confidence in Philemon and to the transforming power of the gospel. Although a prisoner, Paul was used by God to introduce Onesimus to the freedom of Christ. >> We are all slaves and prisoners when it comes to sin. But Jesus promised, “...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been in a workplace where everyone got along perfectly all the time? What about a family? Or a sports team? Living in community with harmony does not come automatically. It’s a learned skill. That’s true in the Christian life. It is no accident that God designed the church to function as a body (see Col. 3:15). As he closes this letter, Paul sends personal greetings to several people in the Colossian church. He also mentions members of his ministry team. Tychicus and Onesimus probably brought this letter to Colosse (vv. 7–9). Onesimus is an individual we will learn about in the next two days since he is the subject of Paul’s letter to Philemon. Paul also mentions names that we may recognize from other letters. The apostle conveys the greetings of Aristarchus alongside those of Mark and Barnabas. During Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas had a falling out because of Mark (Acts 15:36–40). By the time this letter was written, they had reconciled (2 Tim. 4:11). In verse 14 Paul writes, “Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.” We know Luke as the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts. Demas, however, had a scandalous reputation. Several years after Colossians was written, love for this world motivated Demas to desert Paul (2 Tim. 4:10). Archippus, mentioned in verse 17, will also show up in Paul’s letter to Philemon. Here the tone seems to be one of reproof. “Complete the ministry,” Paul says, implying that Paul fears he might not. Paul clearly realized that not all members of the church would get along all the time. Even so, he urges believers toward the unity we have in Christ. >> Christian living is a team sport. Not everyone on the team plays well. Nor do they always play well together. No matter how much we do for Jesus, we never outgrow our need for grace, patience, and forgiveness.

Have you ever been in a workplace where everyone got along perfectly all the time? What about a family? Or a sports team? Living in community with harmony does not come automatically. It’s a learned skill. That’s true in the Christian life. It is no accident that God designed the church to function as a body (see Col. 3:15). As he closes this letter, Paul sends personal greetings to several people in the Colossian church. He also mentions members of his ministry team. Tychicus and Onesimus probably brought this letter to Colosse (vv. 7–9). Onesimus is an individual we will learn about in the next two days since he is the subject of Paul’s letter to Philemon. Paul also mentions names that we may recognize from other letters. The apostle conveys the greetings of Aristarchus alongside those of Mark and Barnabas. During Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas had a falling out because of Mark (Acts 15:36–40). By the time this letter was written, they had reconciled (2 Tim. 4:11). In verse 14 Paul writes, “Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.” We know Luke as the author of the third Gospel and the book of Acts. Demas, however, had a scandalous reputation. Several years after Colossians was written, love for this world motivated Demas to desert Paul (2 Tim. 4:10). Archippus, mentioned in verse 17, will also show up in Paul’s letter to Philemon. Here the tone seems to be one of reproof. “Complete the ministry,” Paul says, implying that Paul fears he might not. Paul clearly realized that not all members of the church would get along all the time. Even so, he urges believers toward the unity we have in Christ. >> Christian living is a team sport. Not everyone on the team plays well. Nor do they always play well together. No matter how much we do for Jesus, we never outgrow our need for grace, patience, and forgiveness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most sermons begin with a prayer. Sometimes we are tempted to treat it as a formality, like playing the national anthem before the game. Paul saw prayer as far more. For him, it was a source of help and power. Sometimes when we pray, we say we are having our “devotions.” But in verse 2, Paul urges the Colossians to “devote” themselves to prayer. The Greek expresses the idea of being busily engaged with something. Prayer is not a formality but an occupation. Furthermore, it is a demanding occupation. It requires the disposition of someone who is on guard and keeping watch. Prayer also requires a particular kind of expectation. Not the disposition of someone who makes demands but a grateful and trusting spirit that believes that God will answer in a way best suited to our needs. Paul asked the Colossians to pray that God would “open a door for our message” (v. 3). This is a striking request given his circumstance. We might have expected him, as a prisoner, to ask for his freedom or maybe for justice. Instead, he asks for an opportunity to make Christ known. Paul’s request reflects not only his sense of mission but also his conviction that success in preaching is dependent upon God. In addition to opportunity, Paul asked for clarity: “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should” (v. 4). The skill that is required to preach is also a work of God. Most opportunities to proclaim Christ happen outside the assembly of believers. That’s why Paul urges the Colossians to season their ordinary conversations with grace and salt (v. 6). Grace does not mean elegant speech but the message of grace. Salt alludes to Jesus’ command that His disciples be “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). >> You do not need to be a pastor to proclaim the grace of Christ. As you pray today, ask God to give you the opportunity, clarity, and courage to tell someone about Jesus.

Most sermons begin with a prayer. Sometimes we are tempted to treat it as a formality, like playing the national anthem before the game. Paul saw prayer as far more. For him, it was a source of help and power. Sometimes when we pray, we say we are having our “devotions.” But in verse 2, Paul urges the Colossians to “devote” themselves to prayer. The Greek expresses the idea of being busily engaged with something. Prayer is not a formality but an occupation. Furthermore, it is a demanding occupation. It requires the disposition of someone who is on guard and keeping watch. Prayer also requires a particular kind of expectation. Not the disposition of someone who makes demands but a grateful and trusting spirit that believes that God will answer in a way best suited to our needs. Paul asked the Colossians to pray that God would “open a door for our message” (v. 3). This is a striking request given his circumstance. We might have expected him, as a prisoner, to ask for his freedom or maybe for justice. Instead, he asks for an opportunity to make Christ known. Paul’s request reflects not only his sense of mission but also his conviction that success in preaching is dependent upon God. In addition to opportunity, Paul asked for clarity: “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should” (v. 4). The skill that is required to preach is also a work of God. Most opportunities to proclaim Christ happen outside the assembly of believers. That’s why Paul urges the Colossians to season their ordinary conversations with grace and salt (v. 6). Grace does not mean elegant speech but the message of grace. Salt alludes to Jesus’ command that His disciples be “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). >> You do not need to be a pastor to proclaim the grace of Christ. As you pray today, ask God to give you the opportunity, clarity, and courage to tell someone about Jesus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Christians, we are a part of two families. The first is made up of those people to whom we are related by birth or have joined through marriage. We gather for holidays and birthdays. Sometimes we share physical features. For believers, our other family is the church, the family of God. Sometimes these two groups overlap. Paul speaks to both in Colossians 3:12–21. The church’s basic rule is love and the recognition that all Christians are bound together in Him (v. 12). The church is not a perfect community. Participation often requires patience and forgiveness from those who are part of it (v. 13). Paul describes the church as a worshiping community, constituted by the Word of God (v. 16). Those who make up the church are “members of one body” who speak and act “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (vv. 15, 17). This is a community whose only boundary is Christ Himself. It is not limited by ethnicity, gender, economic status, or nationality (see also v. 11). What Paul describes in verses 18–25 is more accurately a household than a family. The fact that Paul includes slaves is significant because it introduces a cultural element into the idea. God established the family as a divine institution in Creation. The New Testament household Paul describes has the family at its core. But the apostle also includes slaves, a social structure God did not establish. He urges slaves to remember that God accepts their sincere service as being offered to Him (v. 22). Christians live in a fallen world that has been shaped by God and has also been altered by sin. We are bound to live by the Word of God while in it. >> Even though our social systems are sometimes broken, it does not exempt us from the responsibility of living Christianly within them. Are you a member of a less than ideal family? Seek God’s wisdom, then trust and obey.

As Christians, we are a part of two families. The first is made up of those people to whom we are related by birth or have joined through marriage. We gather for holidays and birthdays. Sometimes we share physical features. For believers, our other family is the church, the family of God. Sometimes these two groups overlap. Paul speaks to both in Colossians 3:12–21. The church’s basic rule is love and the recognition that all Christians are bound together in Him (v. 12). The church is not a perfect community. Participation often requires patience and forgiveness from those who are part of it (v. 13). Paul describes the church as a worshiping community, constituted by the Word of God (v. 16). Those who make up the church are “members of one body” who speak and act “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (vv. 15, 17). This is a community whose only boundary is Christ Himself. It is not limited by ethnicity, gender, economic status, or nationality (see also v. 11). What Paul describes in verses 18–25 is more accurately a household than a family. The fact that Paul includes slaves is significant because it introduces a cultural element into the idea. God established the family as a divine institution in Creation. The New Testament household Paul describes has the family at its core. But the apostle also includes slaves, a social structure God did not establish. He urges slaves to remember that God accepts their sincere service as being offered to Him (v. 22). Christians live in a fallen world that has been shaped by God and has also been altered by sin. We are bound to live by the Word of God while in it. >> Even though our social systems are sometimes broken, it does not exempt us from the responsibility of living Christianly within them. Are you a member of a less than ideal family? Seek God’s wisdom, then trust and obey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The other day during a conversation with one of my grown sons, I noticed a familiar facial expression and gesture. It was a bit like looking in a mirror. How did he learn it? Was it DNA or imitation? Perhaps it was a little of both. Living the Christian life is similar in one respect. There is a place for imitating Christ, but it is ultimately grounded in something much deeper. Christian living involves three important actions that are noted in Colossians 3: seeking, being, and doing. In verse 1, Paul urges us to “set your heart on things above.” The Greek word means to “seek.” It is referring to our aspiration and pursuit, but it is not “pie in the sky.” This seeking is only possible because the Christian has been united with Christ in His death and resurrection (vv. 1, 3). Being and seeking lead to doing. The Christian seeks the things above by living in the power of the cross. We put to death “whatever belongs to your earthly nature” by saying no to those sinful impulses that were part of our former life (v. 5). Our earthly nature, as Paul describes these sinful impulses, continues to assert itself even after we have been saved. Paul describes it almost as if it were an alien force. It may stir within us, but it is not who we are in Christ. Paul calls the Colossians (and us) to cast off the vestiges of the old self and walk in the new self (vv. 7–10). The change in life that Paul envisions for the Christian is not instantaneous. We are “being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (v. 10). The Greek verb is in the present tense. Our new life in Christ is a continuous and transforming experience. >> Christians do not walk a certain way so that we can obtain new life. That life is already yours if you are in Christ! Now, what we need to do, is walk in it.

The other day during a conversation with one of my grown sons, I noticed a familiar facial expression and gesture. It was a bit like looking in a mirror. How did he learn it? Was it DNA or imitation? Perhaps it was a little of both. Living the Christian life is similar in one respect. There is a place for imitating Christ, but it is ultimately grounded in something much deeper. Christian living involves three important actions that are noted in Colossians 3: seeking, being, and doing. In verse 1, Paul urges us to “set your heart on things above.” The Greek word means to “seek.” It is referring to our aspiration and pursuit, but it is not “pie in the sky.” This seeking is only possible because the Christian has been united with Christ in His death and resurrection (vv. 1, 3). Being and seeking lead to doing. The Christian seeks the things above by living in the power of the cross. We put to death “whatever belongs to your earthly nature” by saying no to those sinful impulses that were part of our former life (v. 5). Our earthly nature, as Paul describes these sinful impulses, continues to assert itself even after we have been saved. Paul describes it almost as if it were an alien force. It may stir within us, but it is not who we are in Christ. Paul calls the Colossians (and us) to cast off the vestiges of the old self and walk in the new self (vv. 7–10). The change in life that Paul envisions for the Christian is not instantaneous. We are “being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (v. 10). The Greek verb is in the present tense. Our new life in Christ is a continuous and transforming experience. >> Christians do not walk a certain way so that we can obtain new life. That life is already yours if you are in Christ! Now, what we need to do, is walk in it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pastor and author Kent Hughes observes that legalism reduces the message of the gospel. He explains that it “enshrines spirituality as a series of wooden laws” and calls it godliness. “Being in Christ is a relationship,” he explains, “and like all relationships, it deserves disciplined maintenance, but never legalistic reductionism.” This kind of false teaching had crept into the Colossian church. Based on Paul’s rebuke in verses 16 and 21, they had begun to observe particular days as sacred and certain foods as religiously clean or unclean. It is unclear whether Paul had in mind legalists who wanted Christians to follow the law of Moses or the kind of rigid rule-following associated with some forms of mystery religions. Perhaps he had both in view. His statement (v. 17) that dietary rules and the observance of special days are only a shadow of the reality found in Christ sounds much like the argument made in the book of Hebrews. His warning about the false worship of angels (v. 18) may refer to Gnostic ideas about spiritual intermediaries or certain magical practices involving angels. Legalism does not work! Legalism will not help us control the flesh. Instead, it promotes spiritual pride. A Christian who falls into this way of thinking has forgotten the power of the cross. Christ’s victory over sin is the only thing that can truly keep us from “sensual indulgence” (v. 23). The rituals and observances of the Mosaic law were fulfilled with the coming of Christ. The rules and regulations of this type of religion have no lasting value and are “destined to perish with use” (v. 22). Without the power of the cross, the harshest discipline is merely a show. >> Sometimes we may be tempted to reduce the message of the gospel to a list of “dos and don’ts.” Be careful not to let someone else’s judgment about such matters control your practice. Instead, rely on the grace of God in Christ to make you righteous.

Pastor and author Kent Hughes observes that legalism reduces the message of the gospel. He explains that it “enshrines spirituality as a series of wooden laws” and calls it godliness. “Being in Christ is a relationship,” he explains, “and like all relationships, it deserves disciplined maintenance, but never legalistic reductionism.” This kind of false teaching had crept into the Colossian church. Based on Paul’s rebuke in verses 16 and 21, they had begun to observe particular days as sacred and certain foods as religiously clean or unclean. It is unclear whether Paul had in mind legalists who wanted Christians to follow the law of Moses or the kind of rigid rule-following associated with some forms of mystery religions. Perhaps he had both in view. His statement (v. 17) that dietary rules and the observance of special days are only a shadow of the reality found in Christ sounds much like the argument made in the book of Hebrews. His warning about the false worship of angels (v. 18) may refer to Gnostic ideas about spiritual intermediaries or certain magical practices involving angels. Legalism does not work! Legalism will not help us control the flesh. Instead, it promotes spiritual pride. A Christian who falls into this way of thinking has forgotten the power of the cross. Christ’s victory over sin is the only thing that can truly keep us from “sensual indulgence” (v. 23). The rituals and observances of the Mosaic law were fulfilled with the coming of Christ. The rules and regulations of this type of religion have no lasting value and are “destined to perish with use” (v. 22). Without the power of the cross, the harshest discipline is merely a show. >> Sometimes we may be tempted to reduce the message of the gospel to a list of “dos and don’ts.” Be careful not to let someone else’s judgment about such matters control your practice. Instead, rely on the grace of God in Christ to make you righteous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second-century church leader Irenaeus famously said, “Life in man is the glory of God; the life of man is the vision of God.” In Colossians 2, Paul is also talking about life and our vision of God. Christian living, he points out, is the life of Christ at work in us. Our knowledge of God comes through Christ (v. 3). When we accept Him as Lord, we are empowered to live under His rule (v. 6). Instead of being taken in by fine-sounding arguments, “human tradition,” or speculating about “elemental spiritual forces” (v. 8), we look to Christ to understand what God is like (v. 9). The themes Paul emphasizes in verses 9–12 counter some of the false teachings that the Colossians faced at the time. It appears that false teachers in Colosse were denying that Christ was truly human. They speculated about a vast hierarchy of spiritual powers and authorities and taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation. In contrast, the gospel teaches that Jesus is enough. We are complete in Him (v. 10). More than this, we are united with Christ in such a way that His death becomes ours. This union with Christ in His death is the spiritual reality that Old Testament circumcision symbolized (v. 11). Believers, who are united with Christ in His resurrection and by it, have been made “alive with Christ” (vv. 13–14). By dying on our behalf, Jesus paid the debt. By rising from the dead, Jesus triumphed over evil (v. 15). This is just the basic gospel. Yet it is a message of immense spiritual power. Those who know Christ are alive in Christ. The glory of God is the believer truly alive in Christ. >> Can you say that you are alive in Christ? The key is to come to Him in faith. Recognize that He died and rose for you. Trust in Him today, and His victory will be yours. For more information on what it means to be a Christian, go to moodybible.org/ knowing-christ.

The second-century church leader Irenaeus famously said, “Life in man is the glory of God; the life of man is the vision of God.” In Colossians 2, Paul is also talking about life and our vision of God. Christian living, he points out, is the life of Christ at work in us. Our knowledge of God comes through Christ (v. 3). When we accept Him as Lord, we are empowered to live under His rule (v. 6). Instead of being taken in by fine-sounding arguments, “human tradition,” or speculating about “elemental spiritual forces” (v. 8), we look to Christ to understand what God is like (v. 9). The themes Paul emphasizes in verses 9–12 counter some of the false teachings that the Colossians faced at the time. It appears that false teachers in Colosse were denying that Christ was truly human. They speculated about a vast hierarchy of spiritual powers and authorities and taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation. In contrast, the gospel teaches that Jesus is enough. We are complete in Him (v. 10). More than this, we are united with Christ in such a way that His death becomes ours. This union with Christ in His death is the spiritual reality that Old Testament circumcision symbolized (v. 11). Believers, who are united with Christ in His resurrection and by it, have been made “alive with Christ” (vv. 13–14). By dying on our behalf, Jesus paid the debt. By rising from the dead, Jesus triumphed over evil (v. 15). This is just the basic gospel. Yet it is a message of immense spiritual power. Those who know Christ are alive in Christ. The glory of God is the believer truly alive in Christ. >> Can you say that you are alive in Christ? The key is to come to Him in faith. Recognize that He died and rose for you. Trust in Him today, and His victory will be yours. For more information on what it means to be a Christian, go to moodybible.org/ knowing-christ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you ask the average person to describe what it means to be a Christian, they will probably identify a moral view, lifestyle choice, or even a political position. While Christianity does have implications for all these areas, that is not what it means to be a Christian. Today’s passage reveals that Jesus Christ is the essence of the Christian faith. The heart of the Christian message has to do with the nature of Christ and the reason He shed His blood on the cross. Paul describes Jesus as both “the image of the invisible God” and “the firstborn over all creation” (v. 15). Paul’s choice of words is deliberate, probably intended to counter aspects of the false teaching that had crept into the church in Colosse. By taking a human nature, Jesus brings the image of the invisible God to light. The fact that Paul calls him the “firstborn” does not mean that Jesus was the first created being; it means that He is superior to creation. Jesus existed as God before He was born in Bethlehem. Indeed, He existed as God before anything was created (v. 17). As Creator, Jesus upholds all creation. Paul goes on to say that Jesus died “to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (v. 20). By “all things,” he primarily means people who are alienated from God because of sin (v. 21). As Creator, Jesus is the glue that holds the universe together. But He is also the Redeemer who reconciles us to God by the death of His physical body (v. 22). Paul reminds the Colossians that this was the message that was preached to them. It is the bedrock of the Christian faith. >> With so many varying ideas about Christianity swirling about, we must remember the first principles of our faith. Christianity is about Jesus, the Creator who took on human nature to die for us.

If you ask the average person to describe what it means to be a Christian, they will probably identify a moral view, lifestyle choice, or even a political position. While Christianity does have implications for all these areas, that is not what it means to be a Christian. Today’s passage reveals that Jesus Christ is the essence of the Christian faith. The heart of the Christian message has to do with the nature of Christ and the reason He shed His blood on the cross. Paul describes Jesus as both “the image of the invisible God” and “the firstborn over all creation” (v. 15). Paul’s choice of words is deliberate, probably intended to counter aspects of the false teaching that had crept into the church in Colosse. By taking a human nature, Jesus brings the image of the invisible God to light. The fact that Paul calls him the “firstborn” does not mean that Jesus was the first created being; it means that He is superior to creation. Jesus existed as God before He was born in Bethlehem. Indeed, He existed as God before anything was created (v. 17). As Creator, Jesus upholds all creation. Paul goes on to say that Jesus died “to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (v. 20). By “all things,” he primarily means people who are alienated from God because of sin (v. 21). As Creator, Jesus is the glue that holds the universe together. But He is also the Redeemer who reconciles us to God by the death of His physical body (v. 22). Paul reminds the Colossians that this was the message that was preached to them. It is the bedrock of the Christian faith. >> With so many varying ideas about Christianity swirling about, we must remember the first principles of our faith. Christianity is about Jesus, the Creator who took on human nature to die for us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As I write these words, an impromptu prayer meeting that began after a chapel service at Asbury College in Kentucky had been going nonstop for more than a week. There have been many reports of blessing and a sense of the presence of the Lord. I doubt that the apostle Paul would have been surprised by this. In today’s reading, we get a snapshot of Paul’s lifestyle of prayer. Every time Colossians came to mind, he gave thanks for them (v. 3). Located in the Lycus valley near the city of Laodicea, Colosse, had fallen on hard times by Paul’s day. But of even greater concern was a form of teaching that had begun to creep into the church. Paul does not give many details in this letter. He is more interested in dwelling on the truth than in detailing all the false tenets of something he describes as a “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Paul’s prayers for the Colossians focused primarily on two things. The apostle prayed that the Holy Spirit would grant them wisdom and understanding to know how they should live. He also asked that God’s Spirit would strengthen them with power so that they would live out the truth as it was revealed to them (1:9–12). Paul did not pray for them to live this way in order to be redeemed. They were already saved. He prayed this way because redemption had already come to them through Christ. Jesus had already “qualified” them to “share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” (v. 12). >> This lifestyle is as possible for us as it was for the Colossians. God “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (v. 13). In Christ, we have redemption, which Paul defines further in verse 14 as “the forgiveness of sins.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As I write these words, an impromptu prayer meeting that began after a chapel service at Asbury College in Kentucky had been going nonstop for more than a week. There have been many reports of blessing and a sense of the presence of the Lord. I doubt that the apostle Paul would have been surprised by this. In today’s reading, we get a snapshot of Paul’s lifestyle of prayer. Every time Colossians came to mind, he gave thanks for them (v. 3). Located in the Lycus valley near the city of Laodicea, Colosse, had fallen on hard times by Paul’s day. But of even greater concern was a form of teaching that had begun to creep into the church. Paul does not give many details in this letter. He is more interested in dwelling on the truth than in detailing all the false tenets of something he describes as a “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8). Paul’s prayers for the Colossians focused primarily on two things. The apostle prayed that the Holy Spirit would grant them wisdom and understanding to know how they should live. He also asked that God’s Spirit would strengthen them with power so that they would live out the truth as it was revealed to them (1:9–12). Paul did not pray for them to live this way in order to be redeemed. They were already saved. He prayed this way because redemption had already come to them through Christ. Jesus had already “qualified” them to “share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” (v. 12). >> This lifestyle is as possible for us as it was for the Colossians. God “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (v. 13). In Christ, we have redemption, which Paul defines further in verse 14 as “the forgiveness of sins.”

A woman recently posted a video of her husband trying to mow their huge lawn with a small push-style lawnmower, an impossible task. But when she looked outside an hour later, she saw several neighbors, people they had not yet met, arriving with larger riding lawnmowers. She was deeply moved by their willingness to step in and help someone in need. We often turn to friends to lighten our cares. In verse 10, Paul describes his joy over the church’s “renewed” concern for him. Their support had lapsed due to a lack of “opportunity” rather than disinterest. Yet he takes pains to assure them that, as much as he appreciated their help, he was not dependent upon it (v. 11). God’s supply was the secret of Paul’s contentment. He does not mean a supply of things but a constant supply of strength (v. 13). God does not always give us what we want. He does provide all we need. This helpfulness from the church at Philippi was not something new for Paul. Despite their poverty, they had supported his work since the beginning of their church (v. 15). At one point, apart from Paul’s work as a tentmaker, their help appears to have been his primary source of financial support. The phrase “giving and receiving” (v. 15) was a standard formula for financial transactions where one person gives money to another. Unlike many false teachers, however, Paul was not for hire. He had no interest in making a profit off the church. He was more interested in the blessing the Philippian believers received through their giving than he was in the gifts themselves (v. 17). Paul used a worship model and not a business model to fund his ministry. He understood that Philippian generosity was a sacrifice offered to and accepted by God (v. 18). >> The apostle did not discourage them from giving because he was confident that God would supply their need just as He had provided for Paul’s needs (v. 19). He will do the same for you!

One day, not long after I had begun to follow Jesus, I walked out the door and met a friend coming up the street. He was on his way to my house. “I came to see you because someone told me you had lost your mind,” he said. Word had gotten around that I had become a Christian. But despite what my friend had heard, I had not lost my mind. Like the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable, I had finally come to my senses. The Christian life is a life of the soul, but it is also a life of the mind. We believe with the heart, but what is believed is truth. “The heart is always to be influenced through the understanding—the mind, then the heart, then the will,” Welsh minister Martyn Lloyd-Jones observed. Like Paul, the Philippian church was not perfect. As probably true for all churches, the members had personality conflicts and stresses that created problems for them. The solution was to think rightly. Consider the case of Euodia and Syntyche, two women Paul viewed with high regard and considered to be colleagues. He pled with them to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (v. 2). He recognized that they might need a mediator. In verse 3 he asks someone he trusts in the church to help them resolve their differences. Paul believed they could be brought together by their shared experience of Christ. While they may not agree on every point, they must learn how to unite in Christ. The other issue was the problem of anxiety. Philippi was not an easy place to be a Christian. In verses 4–7 Paul urged them to set their hope on the Lord’s return and to voice their concerns to the Lord. >> Much of the media that occupies our attention is the opposite of true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. How would following this advice affect your entertainment choices?

C. T. Studd was born to wealth and prestige on December 2, 1860. He distinguished himself as an athlete while a student at Eton. But when Studd was 24 years old, his brother became gravely ill. C. T. began to question the course of his life and decided that it came up wanting. “What is all the fame and flattery worth...when a man comes to face eternity?” he wondered. Studd determined to let it all go and devote himself to Christ. Paul made a similar choice. His achievements were not on the cricket field, as C. T. Studd’s were. Paul’s accomplishments were religious. He gives us his resume in verses 4–6, noting that if anyone had a reason to be confident in his own spiritual efforts, it was him. But an encounter with Jesus Christ changed everything. Paul suddenly realized that what he had been trusting in was not true righteousness but self-righteousness. Like Studd, he chose to let it go. Compared to the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, Paul felt his own attempts were mere “garbage” (v. 8). In verse 9, the apostle explains the difference between the two approaches. One was a “righteousness of my own that comes from the law,” and the other was “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Paul wanted the Philippians to know his story because they were tempted by preachers who distorted the gospel. These teachers claimed it was necessary to be circumcised and obey the law of Moses to be saved. The apostle disagrees with them (v. 2), calling them dogs, evildoers, and mutilators of the flesh (an allusion to the practice of circumcision). His strong language is a reminder that there is no common ground between these two approaches. >> Do you expect God to accept you because of your own efforts and religious practices? Let it all go. Turn to Christ and receive His righteousness as a gift through faith.

Can you have both fear and love? 1 John 4:18 observes, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Yet in Philippians 2, Paul urges his readers to work out their salvation “in fear and trembling.” What is the difference between these two kinds of fear? The difference is the fear of punishment. Paul does not urge the Philippians to work out their salvation for fear of losing it if they fail to perform well. Neither was Paul urging them to work for their salvation. He assures them, in verse 13, that God was already working in them “to will and to act.” Instead, he is talking about a salvation they have already begun to experience. New Testament scholar H. C. G. Moule describes this sort of fear as “a reverent and wakeful conscience in his holy presence.” To help them with this, Paul hoped to send his protégé Timothy soon to take stock of the situation and bring back a report (vv. 19 23). For now, he was sending them Epaphroditus who had been their connection to Paul. Epaphroditus was probably sent by the church with funds to help Paul’s ministry and to assist in other ways. In verse 25, the apostle calls him a messenger or minister sent to care for Paul’s needs. Paul also calls him a brother, co- worker, and fellow soldier. Working out our salvation is the process God uses to help us fully grasp the reality of a salvation that Jesus Christ has already accomplished for us. God works from within and sends His servants to help us as they work from the outside. >> The wrong kind of fear can be as crippling to spiritual growth as complacency. Don’t freeze up in fear. Instead, draw near to God with a reverent awareness of His presence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you have both fear and love? 1 John 4:18 observes, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Yet in Philippians 2, Paul urges his readers to work out their salvation “in fear and trembling.” What is the difference between these two kinds of fear? The difference is the fear of punishment. Paul does not urge the Philippians to work out their salvation for fear of losing it if they fail to perform well. Neither was Paul urging them to work for their salvation. He assures them, in verse 13, that God was already working in them “to will and to act.” Instead, he is talking about a salvation they have already begun to experience. New Testament scholar H. C. G. Moule describes this sort of fear as “a reverent and wakeful conscience in his holy presence.” To help them with this, Paul hoped to send his protégé Timothy soon to take stock of the situation and bring back a report (vv. 19 23). For now, he was sending them Epaphroditus who had been their connection to Paul. Epaphroditus was probably sent by the church with funds to help Paul’s ministry and to assist in other ways. In verse 25, the apostle calls him a messenger or minister sent to care for Paul’s needs. Paul also calls him a brother, co- worker, and fellow soldier. Working out our salvation is the process God uses to help us fully grasp the reality of a salvation that Jesus Christ has already accomplished for us. God works from within and sends His servants to help us as they work from the outside. >> The wrong kind of fear can be as crippling to spiritual growth as complacency. Don’t freeze up in fear. Instead, draw near to God with a reverent awareness of His presence.

Followers of Jesus initially called themselves “the Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22). When the gospel came to Antioch, some people began to refer to them as Christians (Acts 11:26). The label signified that they belonged to the group associated with Jesus Christ. Eventually, the believers adopted it themselves. Today, followers of Jesus still call themselves Christians. When we claim this title, we are doing more than identifying with a group or a church. We are identifying with Jesus. According to verse 5, it’s our way of thinking that produces a way of being. We are to have “the same mindset as Christ.” How do we do this? Paul identifies three characteristics. First, we should remember the love, fellowship, tenderness, and compassion we experienced from Christ (v. 1). Second, we acknowledge what Jesus has done both for and in us (vv. 6–11). We must understand the gospel and its implications. Third, we begin to have the mind of Christ when we follow Jesus into His way of life (vv. 2–4). The order is important here. We must know and experience Jesus before we can imitate Him. No doubt this is why Paul spends the bulk of these verses describing the nature of Christ’s work. At its heart, we see a series of actions where Christ “made himself nothing” (v. 7). Theologians have written volumes about this phrase. But Paul explains what he means by it in the verses that follow. Jesus made Himself nothing by taking on human nature and humbling Himself to the point of death on the cross (vv. 7–8). Because He did this, “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (v. 9). >> The path that Jesus took is also the path of the Christian’s life. We do not imitate Christ so that we can be saved but because we were saved by Jesus who “made Himself nothing.”

In the account of his conversion, Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis describes joy as “a pointer to something other and outer.” The joy Paul writes about in the first chapter of Philippians serves the same function. Given Paul’s circumstances, we may be surprised to read that he rejoices. Not only was he a prisoner, but others were using his confinement as an opportunity to get ahead. They seemed to view the gospel ministry as a competition. “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill,” Paul admits in verse 15. But with a remarkable generosity of spirit, the apostle resolved to rejoice that no matter the motive, Christ was being preached (v. 18). Paul’s imprisonment was a concern for his friends at Philippi. The apostle reassured them in two ways. First, he pointed out that what might seem like a setback was bringing attention to the gospel. How? Through Paul’s ministry to the palace guard in Rome and by the preaching of others (vv. 13–14). Second, Paul assured them that their prayers would make a difference. He expected their prayers, along with God’s provision of His Spirit, to “turn out for my deliverance” (v. 19). Note how Paul defines deliverance. For the apostle, it meant the courage to trust that Christ would be glorified by whatever happened to him (v. 20). Paul did not feel the need to decide what God should do, in part because he felt genuinely ambivalent. As Paul puts it: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v. 21). This is not fatalism but the hope of one who knows his future is secure in Christ and God will be glorified either way. >> Will you trust God to work through your difficult circumstances today? You don’t have to be happy about them or even enjoy them. You do need to trust that God knows what He is doing.

If you had asked Paul which of the New Testament churches was his favorite, he might probably have said: the church at Philippi. God directed the apostle by a vision to go to Macedonia after he tried to enter Bithynia (Acts 16:9). Philippi was a major city in the region. Still, at first, it must have seemed not promising. Paul began his evangelistic outreach in the synagogue. The Jewish community at Philippi was small; only a handful of women met by a river outside the city gate. But the Lord opened the heart of Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman from Thyatira, and her home became Paul’s base of operations (Acts 16:14–15). Luke does not say how long Paul and Silas stayed in Philippi, but their visit was long enough to be marked by conflict. They were arrested and beaten, with the jailer being the only other convert that Luke mentions in Acts 16. Despite these small beginnings, this church became an unwavering supporter of Paul’s ministry. They shared Paul’s faith and generously shared their finances despite their poverty (see also 2 Cor. 11:9). When Paul speaks of their “partnership,” in verse 5, he uses the word koinonia which means “sharing.” The apostle looked at this church as much more than a source of funding. Although he was the first to bring the gospel to them, he did not look down on them. Despite being an apostle, he saw them as peers in their experience of the grace of God through Christ (v. 7). Therefore, Paul prayed for them, giving thanks and asking God to cause their love and knowledge to grow. This letter is part of God’s answer to that prayer. >> The loving bond the Philippians shared with Paul has blessed the church in all ages. Can you partner with someone in the gospel? You don’t have to possess much to have a great impact.

When I began attending church regularly in the early 1970s, it was customary for people to dress up. Men wore suits and ties, and women wore dresses. Today, there doesn’t seem to be a dress code. Most of the people I see dress casually. It probably doesn’t matter to God what you wear to church. But He does care how you dress for spiritual battle. In today’s text, Paul finishes his letter to the Ephesians by describing the spiritual resources that enable a Christian to “stand against the devil’s schemes” (v. 11). Using the armor and weapons of a Roman soldier as his analogy, Paul shows his readers how to equip themselves for spiritual warfare. Paul explains that we battle against “powers of this dark world” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (v. 12). The struggle is earthly as well as heavenly. We can see the effects of these spiritual forces in our world, but their ultimate cause is not visible. How can we possibly fight against them? The spiritual armor that Paul describes in verses13–17 focuses on two kinds of weapons. Our defensive weapons include: the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, readiness which comes from the gospel of peace, and shield of faith. They point to the protection that the righteousness of Christ and the hope of the gospel provide. Our offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The method of engaging in spiritual warfare that the apostle outlines is simple. Instead of prescribing specific prayers, chants, or elaborate rituals, the apostle asks the Ephesians to “always keep on praying” (v. 18). He also asks them to pray for him so that he will fearlessly proclaim the gospel. The best way to protect ourselves spiritually is to know the gospel and be familiar with God’s Word. >> Do you know a pastor or missionary for whom you can pray? Ask God to help them declare the gospel fearlessly “as they should!”

Escaped slave, abolitionist, and statesmen Frederick Douglass observed, “Between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference—so wide that to receive the one as good, pure, and holy, is of necessity to reject the other as bad, corrupt, and wicked.” Modern readers of today’s passage are often troubled to see Paul include masters and slaves in his directions about how Christian families ought to operate. It is a fact, however, that in the New Testament era, slaves were considered a part of the household as much as children were. Obedience was expected of both (vv. 1, 6). As we read Paul’s directives, it is crucial to recognize that he is not endorsing the practice of slavery (see this month’s “Practical Theology” column). Rather, he is offering guidelines for Christians forced to live within that social structure. He does not tell them to unravel the practice but to be Christlike within its constraints. His directions to children, however, while essentially the same, are based on something else. They grow out of the commandment to “Honor your father and mother” (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16). Paul observes that this is the first of the ten commandments to include a promise. Family was a biblical institution grounded in Creation. Slavery was not. Yet followers of Jesus in Paul’s day were called to live Christianly within both. This does not mean they were obligated to accept either institution’s “bad, corrupt, and wicked” elements as part of God’s will. Elsewhere, Paul advises slaves to gain their freedom if they can (1 Cor. 7:21). He says that those who submit should take comfort in knowing that God sees their obedience as something rendered to Him. Those who expect obedience must keep in mind that they will one day answer to God. >> While our own experience may not fit this passage exactly, we all have people to whom we must submit. How can we do this in a way that will bring glory to Christ?

In a culture that prizes independence, submission is not a popular idea. Many modern readers bristle when they come to Ephesians 5:22, where Paul says wives should submit to their husbands. However, the command to submit is not just for wives. In this section of his letter, the apostle speaks of submission as a universal obligation and as an expression of reverence for Christ (v. 21). These guidelines are sometimes referred to as the Haustafel, a German word that means “household order.” The command of verse 21 serves as a heading for this section of this letter, which runs through Ephesians 6:9. Here Paul describes the roles of wives, husbands, children, fathers, enslaved people, and masters. Paul’s goal was to help his readers live Christianly within a social structure of his day. John Stott points out that Paul’s directives assume the dignity of womanhood, childhood, servanthood, and equality before God of all human beings. The apostle describes differences in the roles of husbands and wives, using Christ and the church as a pattern. The guiding principle is the rule of love. He commands husbands to love their wives “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (v. 25). Wives, in turn, respond to this love with voluntary submission. In its proper context, the call for wives to “submit to their husbands in everything” is not demeaning. Husbands are to act as servants to their wives in the same way that Jesus served the church (vv. 28–29). Rather than ascribing a difference in status between husbands and wives, Paul emphasizes mutuality. Both are dependent upon each other. Each serves the other. Husband and wife are equal in the eyes of Christ (1 Cor. 11:8–12). >> Jesus said, “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matt. 10:24). If He was not ashamed to take the role of a servant, we should not be reluctant to submit to one another in love.

According to Tertullian, the North African theologian who lived around 160–220 AD, the early church was known for its love. Paul says the same in today’s passage, where he gives several characteristics of those who follow God’s example as dearly loved children (v. 1). Above all else, Christians are known by their love, as we imitate Christ’s sacrificial life (v. 2). In verses 3–20, Paul spells out what this lifestyle should look like in greater detail. It is a life of moral purity. Those who belong to Christ should refrain from sexual immorality or any kind of impurity, not “even a hint” (v. 3). Not only are immoral acts to be shunned but also the thoughts and desires that fuel them. Followers of Christ must turn from greed. Greed is a particular mode of the more general sin of covetousness, a desire for anything that belongs to another (see Ex. 20:17; Deut. 5:21). Christian purity is reflected in our words as well as deeds. Instead of vulgar language and coarse joking, Christian speech should be marked by thanksgiving (v. 4). Followers of Christ should encourage one another to express themselves in worship (vv. 19–20). The apostle called the Ephesians to make a clear break from their former way of life because it is incompatible with the values of the kingdom of Christ (vv. 5–7). Their calling was not only to know the light but to be light (vv. 8–14). Living such a life does not come automatically. It requires both wisdom and power. The wisdom comes from understanding the Lord’s will (v. 17). The power to live a new life comes from the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (v. 18). >> Are you careful in the way you live? Pay attention, so that you do not slip into old ways of thinking, speaking, and acting that are unworthy of those who profess to belong to Jesus Christ.

Followers of Jesus were not always called Christians. The term Christian first appeared in Antioch (Acts 11:26). It is a Latinized form of the word Christ that indicates allegiance and suggests that it arose among the Gentiles. It may originally have been an insult (1 Peter 4:16). Before Jesus’ followers were called Christians, they were called “the Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:22). Why were followers of Christ called “the Way”? In Ephesians 4:20, Paul explains that Christianity is more than a set of doctrines. It is also a “way of life” that we must learn. Following Jesus begins with a change of thinking (vv. 17–19). Instead of following the pointless way of thinking of our former life, we are to “put off” the old self and “put on the new self” (vv. 22–24). What Paul describes requires more than adopting a new set of morals. The Christian life demands that we become new people. As verse 23 puts it, the Christian way is a path of renewal in which we are continuously being remade in the image of Christ. Our impulse to sin does not suddenly disappear when we trust in Christ. Nor do we automatically get along with everyone because we belong to Christ. Christians can still behave sinfully and selfishly. Consequently, verses 25–32 call those who follow the way to act out of the new self as they interact with their neighbors. Some of the directives Paul gives may surprise us: stop lying to one another, stop stealing, and get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and every form of malice. Christianity is not for the perfect but for those who are being perfected. The power to change comes from God through Christ. Our part is to cooperate with the work that God has begun. >> An old song says, “God’s still workin’ on me.” Where is God working in your life? Today, think about what you need to put off or away and what you need to put on.

In his beloved hymn, “Amazing Grace,” John Newton celebrates how God “saved a wretch like me.” The apostle Paul would have agreed. He said of himself, “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Cor. 15:9). Yet in the very next verse, Paul asserts, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect” (15:10). When Paul urged the Ephesians in verse 1 to live a life “worthy” of their calling, he was not contradicting himself. The worthiness he speaks of is not based on what we deserve but on what God has promised to do in us through Christ. The striking feature of the lifestyle he describes in verses 2–3 is that, instead of being a list of tasks, it is a catalog of character traits. A life worthy of the gospel is one in which God lives up to the promise of power described in the preceding chapter (see also Eph. 3:16–19). We live that power out in daily experience. Christ has made this possible for us by joining believers to one another through the Holy Spirit in the community (or “body”) that we call the church (vv. 4–6). He has also empowered individuals through His Spirit to strengthen the church through ministry. In other spiritual gift lists, Paul describes abilities or the power to perform tasks given to individuals, but in verses 11–13, the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors are themselves the gift. The last category Paul mentions in this list seems to be a combination of two abilities: shepherding and teaching. >> Take time to pray for those who preach or teach in your church. Write a note or send them a text to tell them how they have helped you. If you are able, describe a specific instance where God used their message.

William Willimon once observed, “We preachers so want to be heard that we are willing to make the gospel more accessible than it really is, to remove the scandal, the offense of the cross, to deceive people into thinking that it is possible to hear without conversion.” The truth revealed in the gospel is more than a matter of common sense. In this chapter, the apostle Paul describes it as a revelation that comes from God. Instead of using clever arguments to persuade his audience, Paul adopts a more radical strategy. He prays for them. Growing in our understanding of Christ is not simply a matter of collecting facts or articulating doctrinal positions. Paul prays that his audience will experience the power of the Holy Spirit in their “inner being” so that Christ will dwell in their hearts through faith (vv. 16–17). In other words, the starting place for understanding Christ is a relationship with Christ, facilitated through the Holy Spirit. Those who come to know Jesus do not earn Christ’s love. They are rooted in love like a tree is rooted in the soil. Their Christian life is built upon the foundation of knowing that Jesus Christ already loves them. Those who have this foundation can explore the full scope of His love. It is something they “grasp” but whose limits they will never exhaust. In verses 16 and 18, Paul clearly states that the power to grasp what Christ has done comes from God. He emphasizes the agent of this power (the Holy Spirit), the place where we experience it (the inner being), and its effect (the ability to grasp Christ’s love). The doxology in verses 20–21 celebrates God’s ability to do more than we ask or imagine. >> The power that Paul describes is the power at work in you today. In what area of life do you need to experience Christ’s power through the Holy Spirit?

I was nervous when I first told my mother I wanted to attend school to learn how to become a pastor. We were not a church-going family. But instead of being disappointed by the news, she was thrilled. “Oh, Johnny!” she beamed. “You would make a darling minister.” Darling is not the word Paul uses in Ephesians 3. In verse 7 he refers to himself as a “servant.” Although the Greek term Paul uses is one that is sometimes translated as “minister,” Paul seems to be using its more common sense, meaning someone who works or serves. Specifically, Paul sees himself as a servant of the gospel. In verse 2, Paul describes his ministry as an “administration of God’s grace.” The Greek word translated “administration” was often used to speak of a household manager or steward. Paul exercised a stewardship of grace by preaching the gospel. By making Christ known, he became an agent of grace to those who received his message. Paul was also a recipient of divine revelation. Specifically, this revelation was the news that “through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (v. 6). This was new information (v. 9). It had been hinted at in God’s promise that all the nations would be blessed through Abraham (Gen. 18:18). The new thing described in these verses is the church, through which, Paul also says, “the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (v. 10). What is the nature of this wisdom? It is that in Christ and through faith in Christ, “we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (v. 12). >> This confidence is the reason Paul does not want his readers to be discouraged about his imprisonment. He is more than willing to suffer so they would know the freedom and assurance that comes through the gospel.

In Paul’s day, non-Jews who visited the Temple of Jerusalem were confined to the outermost section known as the Court of the Gentiles. A fence separated the Court of the Gentiles from the inner courts. A warning on it read: “No man of another race is to enter within the fence and enclosure around the Temple. Whoever is caught will have only himself to thank for the death which follows.” Paul seems to be alluding to this boundary in verse 14 when he says that Jesus “has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” It was not only ethnic prejudice that kept Gentiles from entering but also the barrier of God’s law. Yet even those who had received the law needed to be reconciled to God (v. 16). The spiritual wall not only set Jews apart from Gentiles but ultimately separated everyone from God. Although the physical wall was still standing when the apostle wrote these words, the spiritual wall had been torn down by the death of Christ on the cross. By “setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations,” Jesus reconciled both groups to God. This made peace possible between Jews and Gentiles (v. 15). Because of what Christ has done, “both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (v. 18). The result is “one new humanity out of the two” where the distinctions between Jew and Gentile are no longer meaningful (v. 15). For the Ephesians, this meant that they were no longer outsiders to God’s promises. Through faith, they have been drawn into God’s great building project. This new structure is “a holy temple” with the teaching of the apostles and prophets as its foundation and Jesus Christ as its cornerstone (vv. 20–21). >> If you trust in Jesus Christ as your righteousness, you are inside the wall too! You are included in the promise of verse 22. If you do not trust in Him, the boundary still stands. Put your faith in Jesus today!

Ads and commercials for diet supplements and exercise equipment sometimes include “before” and “after” pictures of those who use the product. A famous ad from the 1920s for the training regimen developed by bodybuilder Charles Atlas boasted that it had enabled him to go from being a 97-pound weakling to “the world’s most perfectly developed person.” Paul paints an even more striking before-and-after picture of his readers in Ephesians 2:1–13. The “before” describes sinners as spiritually dead, but that does not mean they aren’t active. They follow “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (v. 2). This is Satan, who led humanity into sin. Satan is not a metaphor but an evil spiritual being with other evil spirits who serve him. Satan is a fallen angel (Luke 10:18). He was the first to tempt humanity, but he is not the only source of temptation we face. Because Adam sinned, we are both guilty of and inclined to sin. Everyone who is tempted is “dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed” (James 1:14). This sin problem affects “all of us” because we are sinners “by nature” who are “deserving of wrath” (v. 3). Yet Paul’s main point is not the sin of his readers but the radical change outlined in verses 4–6. This change was not brought about by personal willpower or a training regimen of spiritual exercises, but by God who was motivated by love and mercy. We are changed from spiritual death to life in Christ (v. 5). The fact that those who experienced this change were dead in sin makes it clear that the change did not come through their own efforts but had its origin in the grace of God. This is God’s handiwork. >> God’s gracious work produced a new community that joined Gentiles and Jewish believers in Christ. Both are united by “the blood of Christ” to form the new community we know as the church.

When I was a boy, I occasionally wrote letters to my grandmother who lived in another state. They were handwritten, brief, and usually began the same way: “How are you? I am fine.” Letter writing in Paul’s day also had an opening formula that generally included a greeting to identify the letter’s recipient and a blessing. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, this blessing takes the form of a prayer for spiritual enlightenment (vv. 17–18). This was not a prayer for salvation. Paul’s readers already possessed faith in Jesus Christ and a love for God’s people (v. 15). Instead, Paul prayed that the Ephesians would grow in their understanding. Specifically, he asked God to grant his readers enlightenment, using the vivid image of a heart with eyes wide open (v. 18). This kind of understanding is the work of the Holy Spirit, whom the apostle calls “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” (v. 17). The kind of understanding Paul requests goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge of certain truths. This kind of knowledge is experiential as well as intellectual. It is an understanding of a hope and a power that come from God (vv. 18–19). How much power are we talking about? According to verse 20 it is the same power that the Father exerted when He raised Jesus Christ from the dead! The spiritual power that is granted to us in the Christian life is enough to subdue all things to Christ (v. 22). We can’t help noticing the contrast between Paul’s circumstances and the kind of power he describes. Given his arrest and confinement, we might have expected the apostle to see himself as a victim. Instead, Paul describes total victory. >> You may not be able to grasp everything there is to know about Jesus Christ. But you can understand more. As we continue our study, ask God to open the eyes of your heart so you can know and experience the power of Christ.

People sometimes use the phrase “reality check” to mean recognizing the circumstances that hinder us from achieving an ambition or reaching a goal. But the reality check Paul describes in his letter to the Ephesians is different. The apostle writes about the true position of those who have trusted in Christ. Their reality is security and hope. If you consider the situation Paul was in, the apostle’s confident tone is especially striking. Although a prisoner, Paul’s did not describe his situation as the four walls holding him captive but as someone who had been blessed “in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (v. 3). Paul was much more than a prisoner. He was someone who had been chosen in Christ “before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless” (v. 4). He had been drawn into God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. This plan, which originated with God in eternity past, when finished, will “bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth” (v. 10). The terms “chosen” and “predestined” (v. 11) have been the focus of much discussion and disagreement among Christians. While the issues that surround the Bible’s teaching about election and predestination may seem complex, Paul’s main point (vv. 11–14) is fairly simple. It was God who saved us by uniting us to Jesus Christ through the promises of the gospel. The proof that we have been included in Christ is the presence of the Holy Spirit who is “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (v. 14). >> Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, your future is secure if you are in Christ. Security depends not on your situation but on God, who is bringing about your redemption. His plan has been unfolding since eternity past. Jesus is at its center, holiness is its aim, and praise will be the outcome.

People sometimes use the phrase “reality check” to mean recognizing the circumstances that hinder us from achieving an ambition or reaching a goal. But the reality check Paul describes in his letter to the Ephesians is different. The apostle writes about the true position of those who have trusted in Christ. Their reality is security and hope. If you consider the situation Paul was in, the apostle’s confident tone is especially striking. Although a prisoner, Paul’s did not describe his situation as the four walls holding him captive but as someone who had been blessed “in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (v. 3). Paul was much more than a prisoner. He was someone who had been chosen in Christ “before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless” (v. 4). He had been drawn into God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. This plan, which originated with God in eternity past, when finished, will “bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth” (v. 10). The terms “chosen” and “predestined” (v. 11) have been the focus of much discussion and disagreement among Christians. While the issues that surround the Bible’s teaching about election and predestination may seem complex, Paul’s main point (vv. 11–14) is fairly simple. It was God who saved us by uniting us to Jesus Christ through the promises of the gospel. The proof that we have been included in Christ is the presence of the Holy Spirit who is “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession” (v. 14). >> Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, your future is secure if you are in Christ. Security depends not on your situation but on God, who is bringing about your redemption. His plan has been unfolding since eternity past. Jesus is at its center, holiness is its aim, and praise will be the outcome.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Martin Luther King Jr. penned his Letter From a Birmingham City Jail in April 1963, he joined a long tradition of Christians who wrote letters and books while in jail, including John Bunyan, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and most notably, the apostle Paul. This month we will be studying Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, all letters the apostle wrote as a prisoner in Rome. At that time, people were sent to prison not as punishment, but to await trial and possible execution. When Paul wrote these letters, he was most likely serving a two-year “house arrest” (Acts 28:30). This meant he was able to live in a rented residence, though in chains and guarded. This was not Paul’s first arrest. Imprisonment was so much a part of Paul’s Christian experience that he included it on his resume. In 2 Corinthians 11:5 he began his defense by claiming that he was not inferior to those whom others may view as “super-apostles” or perhaps better translated as “eminent” or “chief apostles.” To support this assertion, Paul reluctantly listed some of his accomplishments (vv. 22–29), including his frequent imprisonment. We tend to look at a church’s size and budget as evidence of God at work. The apostle Paul recognized that God works through weakness. For this reason, Paul wrote, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (v. 30). You may be surprised to find that the letters we will be studying this month are some of Paul’s most joyful. Yet Paul wrote them while under house arrest in Rome. Instead of curtailing his ministry, this imprisonment allowed Paul to articulate some of the deepest theology in the New Testament. >> What appears to us to be a setback is often an open door. We do not need a large platform to make an impact on those around us. As we make ourselves available, God will work through us even in the most confining circumstances.

As a child in Sunday School and Good News Club, I sang: “The B-I-B-L-E, Yes that’s the book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!” Often it was my mother leading the song. She had a passion for teaching the Bible to the next generation. The end of the Book of Revelation tells us that the Bible is complete (vv. 18–19). We’re strictly warned not to add to it or take away from it. Technically, these verses refer to the Book of Revelation, but due to its placement as the last book in the canon, tradition often reads them as referring to Scripture as a whole. The Bible is complete in the sense that there will be no more Holy Spirit- inspired books added. This doesn’t mean God is silent. He speaks to us today through His Word, as well as through prayer and the Holy Spirit. Submitting to Scripture is a key mark of the true church. As we follow Christ through the ups and downs of our lives, we wait eagerly for His Second Coming. This is the heart behind the prayer “Maranatha,” or “Come, Lord Jesus” (v. 20). He is “the Root and the Offspring of David,” a Messianic title indicating kingship (v. 16; see Isa. 11:1–10). He’s also the “bright Morning Star,” an image signifying hope, light, and salvation (see Num. 24:17; 2 Peter 1:19). He invites all who will come to eternal life with Him. All those who are thirsty can “take the free gift of the water of life” (v. 17; see John 4:13–14). This is the gospel of Christ! >> Who do you know who needs to hear and believe in Jesus for salvation? Maybe you could gift them with a Bible or invite them to attend church or to study Today in the Word with you. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to share the gospel with them!

Books and movies often try to visualize the end of the world. Nuclear weapons are launched and destroy the planet. An epidemic wipes out life on Earth. Robots and artificial intelligence take over. People become virtual reality addicts. Zombies prowl. Space aliens conquer humanity. As fascinating as these scenarios are, there’s little hope to be found there. Today’s reading demonstrates how Christians see the end of the world—and it’s a Person! Jesus Christ, the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega (v. 17; see Rev. 19:11–16). When John saw Him in a vision, he fell at His feet in worship. Christ appeared as “someone like a son of man” (v. 13), a Messianic title from Daniel 7:13–14. His robe and golden sash identify Him as a priest or possibly a judge. His white hair indicates wisdom and dignity (v. 14). His “blazing” eyes see everything accurately, denoting both omni- science and justice. His “glowing” feet imply strength and stability; they will trample on His enemies (v. 15). His voice like “rushing waters” also suggests power (see Ezek. 1:24). The seven stars in His right hand are the angels of the seven churches (vv. 16, 20). The double-edged sword coming from His mouth symbolizes His word of judgment, and His shining face — His glory. The titles Christ announces in verse 17 are highly significant. “The First and the Last” shows not only that He’s eternal but that He’s also supreme over all. The “Living One” has conquered death and thereby guaranteed our resurrection. He holds “the keys of death and Hades,” meaning that He is in sovereign control of the eternal destiny of every one of us. These descriptions and titles set the stage for the letters to the seven churches, in which pertinent titles will reoccur in messages to specific churches. >> One way to pray in a fresh and meaningful manner is to use the alphabet. From A to Z, name an attribute of God and praise Him for it (Hint: A=Almighty, or Awesome).

In Cultivating a Love for God’s Word, Michael Kelley wrote: “Our hearts follow our investments. We desire that men, women, and children not just read the Bible, but also that they love the Bible. The problem is that you can’t manufacture love even in your own heart, much less in the hearts of the people of your church. That’s why this truth is so valuable because even though you can’t manufacture love, you can control your focus and priority. And our hearts will follow our investments.” In other words, if we want to grow a deeper love for Scripture, we should start by committing more time and energy to it. Our feelings and motivations will follow. The result? Genuine delight. A person who delights in God’s law meditates continually on it, seeks guidance from it, and obeys it consistently (vv. 1–2). Such a person is truly blessed, or happy. The righteous person is like a fruitful tree, deeply rooted and well-watered. Connected to the Source of life, it never withers (vv. 3–4). “Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God” (Ps. 92:12–15). “It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jer. 17:8). Fruit means benefits to both self and others. The wicked person, on the other hand, is like chaff blown away by the wind, unstable and useless. The results of these two paths of life are predictable (vv. 5–6). The wicked person won’t be able to stand before God on the day of judgment. Such a person will be destroyed. And the righteous person? God will faithfully watch over them all the days of their life. >> A flourishing tree is a powerful image of the grounded Christian life. If you feel inspired, consider drawing or painting a picture or writing a poem or song about this word picture as an artistic act of worship.

Jesus told a parable about a man who built his house on a foundation of rock. A storm came, but the house stood firm. Another man built his house on a foundation of sand. When a storm came, the house collapsed. The first house is a picture of a wise man who “hears these words of mine and puts them into practice.” The second is a picture of a foolish man who hears the words but fails to put them into practice (Matt. 7:24–27). While Bible reading and study are essential, they’re not enough. They must be accompanied by obedience (v. 7). The Israelites (for the second time) stood on the verge of entering the promised land. Joshua faced his first big leadership test. One may think the emphasis would be on preparing the nation for battle. Instead, the Lord stressed, “Be careful to obey.” Stay on the path—don’t turn aside to the right or to the left. In covenant terms, obedience leads to success. This is what they’d failed to do in the previous generation. To promote obedience, God also commanded Joshua to saturate his mind and heart with Scripture: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night” (v. 8). “On your lips” includes reading aloud and reciting. Whereas Eastern meditation often focuses on emptying the mind, godly meditation fills the mind with God’s Word. The exhortation is to “[b]e strong and courageous” (vv. 7, 9). “Strength” here is not a military one; it means to “hold on firmly.” We must believe that God will do what He said He will do. Such faith is strong and courageous, not fearful and discouraged, because we’re relying on God, not ourselves. “The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” >> The words “courage,” “discourage,” and “encourage” are all connected. How can we best encourage fellow believers or help them take courage? By reminding them that God never leaves us nor forsakes us (Josh. 1:5).

In most sports, a rule book is necessary to control and shape the game. Team members, from the coach to the player on the sideline, are expected not only to be familiar with the book but also to abide by these rules. When a player violates rules, a penalty hurts the entire team. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul exhorted them (and us) to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (v. 15). The imperative “let” reminds us that this is not something for us to do, but something to allow God to do. The “peace of Christ” is another name for the gospel (Rom. 5:1). Just as an umpire or referee controls the game by enforcing the rule book, everything we think, feel, say, and do should be governed by the gospel, both individually and collectively. Why? Because “as members of one body [we] were called to peace.” Second, the apostle exhorted us to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly” (v. 16). The “message of Christ” is ultimately the Word of God. To “dwell” is to live or make a home with. How can we let the Word make a home within us? By teaching and admonishing “one another...through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.” Third, Paul exhorted us to “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 17). This means that in everything we do we should seek God’s glory (see also 1 Cor. 10:31). The fourth and final exhortation of the passage is found in every verse: “Be thankful” (v. 15). “With gratitude in your hearts” (v. 16). “Giving thanks to God the Father” (v. 17). If we live like this, we’ll truly show that we’ve been made alive in Christ (Col. 3:1–14). >> If you are on God’s team, you need to familiarize yourself with His “rule book,” our guide, the Bible. How can you be an effective servant of the Lord if you don’t know what the Bible says?

Have you ever seen a Peanuts television special? While Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, Lucy, and the other kids speak clearly, the adult voices are limited to a trombone-like “wa-wa- wa.” Every word of the parents and teachers sounds like nonsense. Tragically, this is how the Israelites in today’s reading mocked the prophet Isaiah and his word from the Lord. Possibly drunk (v. 7), they said the prophet’s words sounded like nonsense, “wa-wa-wa” (vv. 9–10; see also Isa. 30:9–11). To whom did the prophet think he was speaking? Babies? The line translated “a rule for this, a rule for that” is probably, according to the NIV footnote, “meaningless sounds mimicking the prophet’s words.” Another source compares it to childish babbling or baby talk, thus connecting it to verse 9. Since the people of Israel wouldn’t listen, scorning the prophet’s warning as meaningless, God would speak to them in a foreign language, words they wouldn’t understand (v. 11). This is a reference to the coming Assyrian conquest. God had once said to Israel, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest” and “This is the place of repose” (v. 12). This reference evokes the nation’s past failure. At the border of Canaan, they had refused to trust God. Both at that time and in Isaiah’s day, God intended blessings for His people, but instead Israel incurred His judgment because of their disobedience. The word of the Lord would mock them in the same way they’d mocked Him (v. 13; see also Ps. 81:11–12). The result? They would fall. “They will be injured and snared and captured.” Pridefully, they thought their status as the “people of God” protected them, but they didn’t listen to God—a failure on their part. God had told them many times the consequences of their covenant unfaithfulness. >> When confronted with the truth of God’s Word, what is your attitude? No, really. How do you feel about it? Troubled? Guilty? Indifferent? Reflect on these questions in your journal or pray about this today.

When my family and I drive around the Great Lakes of the Midwestern U.S., we keep an eye for the picturesque lighthouses along the shores. These historic structures are not just for beauty, of course; they warn boats away from dangerous parts of the coastline. God’s Word acts as a kind of lighthouse, warning us to avoid sinful traps and temptations. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul points to Israel’s history, warning not to set “our hearts on evil things as they did” (v. 6). These sins of idolatry, immorality, testing the Lord, and grumbling, “happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us” (v. 11; see also Rom. 15:4). The people of Israel enjoyed God’s visible presence: ”under the cloud” refers to the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. They witnessed the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of water and manna. Spiritually, they had everything they needed. Yet an entire generation failed to enter the promised land and instead died in the wilderness. Why? Israel chose sin instead of obedience (vv. 6–9). They committed idolatry, as in the golden calf episode (Ex. 32). They were guilty of sexual immorality (Numbers 25). They tested the Lord (Numbers 21). They complained against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16). They were severely punished in each of these episodes, but they didn’t change their ways. We should learn from their experience (vv. 11–13). We, too, might make sinful choices. Instead, we should resist temptation, relying on God’s faithfulness. “He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear...he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” >> Do we take sin as seriously as God does? If it’s idolatry or immorality, probably yes. But what about grumbling or complaining? Let’s commit to not taking any sin lightly. Take time to confess your sins to God today.

Arthur Rorheim has helped millions of children memorize Scripture. Arthur was better known by his nickname, “Mr. Awana.” He co-founded Awana in 1950, and led the Bible-teaching organization for decades. “Awana” is an acronym meaning “Approved workmen are not ashamed,” a reference to 2 Timothy 2:15. The organization now operates in 100 countries and 30 languages! Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is devoted to putting God’s Word at the center of our lives. We’re considering its second section today. The question of verse 9—”How can a young person stay on the path of purity?”—signals that this is “wisdom literature,” which is often concerned with young people or the next generation. The answer, “By living according to your word,” is the bottom line, an answer that is elaborated in the following verses. The verbs alone teach remarkable lessons. What are we to do with God’s Word? Live according to it (v. 9). Ask God to keep us from straying from it (v. 10). Memorize it (v. 11). Ask God to teach it to us (v. 12). Recount or proclaim it (v. 13). Rejoice in following it (v. 14). Meditate on and consider or study it (v. 15). Delight in it (v. 16). These verbs involve both intellect and emotion, thought and action. What happens when we do these things? We stay on the path of purity (v. 9). We avoid sin (v. 11). Overall, a spirit of praise and worship permeates these verses! To “hide” or “store up” or “treasure” (these are all possible translations) God’s Word in our hearts is to memorize it (v. 11). This is not “rote memorization,” but rather deep and transformative learning. By committing God’s Word to memory, truly taking it to heart, we promote the process of understanding, valuing, and applying His truth. >> Even if you’re older, it is not too late to memorize the Bible. It’s an essential spiritual habit or discipline. Start small by memorizing today’s verse or (if you’re feeling ambitious) the entire eight-verse passage.

On a wall in our family room hangs a plaque with 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” As my wife and I prepared to return to the U.S. from Vietnam, where we served for many years, a good friend of ours, a Vietnamese pastor and church planter, gave us this plaque as a farewell present. It holds a special place of honor in our home. This plaque symbolizes our desire to put God’s Word at the center of family life. In Deuteronomy 6, we learn two significant truths. The first is that God is one (v. 4, called the “Shema”). As opposed to those in the ancient Near East who worshiped many gods, Christians worship only one true God. He alone is worthy of our worship. The second truth is also known as the greatest commandment: We are to love God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (v. 5). Such love includes wholehearted faith and uncompromising obedience. How can we live out these two truths? They should be on our hearts and thoughts. We should reflect or meditate on them in our inmost beings (v. 6). We should talk about them often, during all kinds of situations and activities, especially in our homes and with our children (v. 7). These truths and God’s commandments in general should be at the heart of our personal and family lives (vv. 8–9; see also Prov. 3:3). Many Jews take the imagery of verses 8 and 9 literally. They tie phylacteries to their foreheads and left arms and attach mezuzot to the doorframes of their houses. Phylacteries and mezuzot are small boxes with specific Scripture passages inside—including today’s reading. >> How do you keep God and His Word at the center of your life? Do you post Bible verses in places as reminders? Some people hang plaques, others use screen savers. Today there are many ways you can keep God and His Word at the forefront of your mind.

Whenever I can, I visit the world-famous Newberry Library in Chicago, a research library known for its collection of rare manuscripts. I’ll never forget a 2017 exhibition in which I viewed a copy of the very first Bible published in the Americas. It was not in English or any European language, but in a language spoken by Native American tribes. Called the Algonquian Bible, it was translated by Native American converts led by Puritan missionary pastor John Eliot. Down through the ages, God has preserved and spread His Word. This includes the Holy Spirit’s ministry of illumination. Jesus put it this way: The Holy Spirit “will guide you into all the truth” (v. 13). Jesus would send the Holy Spirit—also called the “Advocate,” the “Helper,” or the “Spirit of truth”— to believers after His ascension or return to heaven (v. 7). The Spirit would work on behalf of Christ and the gospel by, for example, convicting people of sin (vv. 8–11). People need to see themselves as sinners to know they need a Savior. Just as Jesus did only the will of the Father, the Spirit will speak only God’s words (v. 13) and give only what Christ gives Him (vv. 14–15). The Holy Spirit would help the disciples recall the words and actions of Jesus so they could perfectly record them in the Gospels. He would also help them write the other books of the New Testament, including “what is yet to come” (Revelation). In addition, the Spirit helps believers interpret and live out Scripture by opening our spiritual eyes. Illumination, then, is a work of the Holy Spirit which enables us to understand, interpret, and apply God’s Word. As we saw yesterday, there’s a dual responsibility in Bible study: God works and we work. >> Praying for the Spirit to open your eyes and heart should be a regular part of your Bible study and daily devotions. After all, asking for the Author’s help in reading His Book makes perfect sense!

A recent survey reported that 26 million Americans mostly or completely stopped reading the Bible during COVID. “Currently, only 10 percent of Americans report daily Bible reading.” Don’t let these grim statistics discourage you! Instead, resolve today to make it a priority to read and study God’s Word. In Acts 17, we meet a group of Christians known for their devoted study of God’s Word. This chapter takes place during Paul’s second missionary journey. After some trouble with jealous Jews and city officials, the believers in Thessalonica helped Paul and Silas slip away by night to Berea, a city about 50 miles away. As was their custom, they went to the local synagogue and found the Jews there to be of “more noble character.” Why? They were eager to study the Old Testament to see if the gospel message was true (v. 11). In fact, the Bereans “examined the Scriptures every day” and found that Christ was the fulfillment of the Old Testament. As a result, many Jews believed and many Greeks as well (v. 12; see also Rom. 1:16). To study God’s Word is in one sense a work of God. We must be illumined by the Holy Spirit. But at the same time, it’s a skill we grow in. As Paul wrote elsewhere to Timothy: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). The Thessalonian Jews traveled to Berea to make more trouble for the apostle and the gospel (vv. 13– 15). Since Paul was the main target, the Bereans sent him away to the city of Athens. >> Are you known as someone committed to the study of God’s Word? If you are, ask God to help you continue this practice. If you are not, consider how you can become more faithful in reading God’s Word. How can you become a better student of the Word?

Doreen Virtue was a best-selling author, who spent 20 years teaching New Age methods. But it was an encounter with God’s Word that transformed her life. “Reading the entire Bible changed everything,” Doreen said. “When I got to Deuteronomy 18:10–12, I encountered a list of sinful activities that included several I was practicing. I was broken, deeply shamed, and humbled. I dropped to my knees in shame and sorrow. ‘I’m so sorry, God!’ I kept wailing in repentance. ‘I didn’t know!’ On that very day I gave my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior.” God’s Word has the power to call people directly to salvation. In Acts 8, the Lord sent Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, to a roadside rendezvous with a eunuch who was the royal treasurer to the queen of Ethiopia. On his way home from Jerusalem, the eunuch was sitting in his chariot reading aloud from the book of Isaiah (v. 28). Philip approached him and asked if he understood what he was reading. When the eunuch admitted he didn’t know who the prophet was talking about, Philip did a Bible study with him, starting with Isaiah 53 (the passage in question) and shared the gospel (vv. 30–35). No doubt the eunuch had heard while in Jerusalem about the recent crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Rather dramatically, the eunuch immediately believed in the name of Christ and requested to be baptized (vv. 36–38). The Holy Spirit had clearly been working in this man’s heart. The Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53 was on his mind. God also used an obedient, prepared Philip to explain the Word and help it all come together. The eunuch felt a clear call to saving faith and responded with joyful obedience (see Isa. 56:3–8). >> Have you made the same choice as the Ethiopian eunuch? Going to church isn’t enough. Reading the Bible isn’t enough. We urge you to trust in Christ for salvation today!

I have been involved with the ministry of Today in the Word as an editor or writer almost continuously since 1993. That’s 30 years! These have been years of blessing, challenge, and transformation, as God’s Word has made and remade who I am. Even after all this time, I remain excited for each new study! God’s Word can do the same for you. Psalms 111 and 112 are a matched pair. They both follow an acrostic pattern. The first focuses on God; the second focuses on godly people, that is, people who “fear the Lord.” Godly people “find great delight in his commands” (v. 1). In other words, the Word of God instructs and empowers them in the way of godliness. This way includes righteousness or uprightness (vv. 2, 3, 4, 6, 9), grace and compassion (v. 4), generosity and justice (vv. 5, 9), and steadfast faith (vv. 6, 7, 8). There is a particular emphasis on generosity to the poor (vv. 4, 5, 9; see also 2 Cor. 9:6–15). Having received blessings, we want to bless others. As we walk in God’s way, we’re richly blessed, for example, with children (v. 2). The Lord might also bless us with material wealth (v. 3). Good things seem to happen for God’s people even in bad times (vv. 4–5). They stand firm in their convictions and are remembered with honor after they’re gone (vv. 6, 9). They’re not anxious when bad news or dark times come (v. 7). Instead, their faith in the Lord removes fear, makes them spiritually secure, and gives them victory over their enemies (v. 8). The psalm doesn’t say our life will be all sunshine and roses, but rather that, because the fear of the Lord is the center of the godly person’s life, He will bless them with Himself. >> One way you can bless others as you’ve been blessed is to pass on Today in the Word to a friend. That could be via the print version, radio, website, email, or the app.

When we move into a new house, my family and I pray through it room-by-room. We dedicate each room to the Lord, ask that we would be conscious of His presence, and invite Him to guard and provide for us. We want to remember that this is ultimately God’s house, not ours. The Word of God and prayer consecrate. The word “consecrate” means “to declare something to be holy” or “to set apart something as sacred” or “to commit something to divine purposes.” Everything God created is good even though sin can corrupt, or we can mishandle His good gifts (vv. 4–5). The Word of God and prayer are thus our best tools for receiving God’s blessings in the ways He intended. They help us make holy or dedicate to godly purposes things that we might otherwise misuse or abuse. The context for this principle is false teaching that said otherwise (vv. 1–3). Paul argued that false teaching ultimately comes from the demonic realm (see also Eph. 6:12). The false teachers he had in mind promoted forms of legalism on topics such as marriage and food. Since they were “hypocritical liars,” they didn’t even live consistently with their own teachings. They were probably gnostics—people who believed that the material world is evil. What’s wrong with that? God created the material world and repeatedly pronounced it “good” (Genesis 1). Marriage and food are thus gifts to be “received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth” (v. 3). In other words, rejection is as bad as indulgence. Consecration via the Word of God and prayer ensures that we enjoy God’s gifts for His glory, not ours, and that we always value the Giver above the gifts. >> How can you consecrate your life to God? Some of us pray before meals—perhaps too routinely. Today, try to freshen up this practice and receive the gift of food with heartfelt gratitude and even an attitude of worship.

According to the United Nations, there are 103 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, whether inside or outside their home nations. A total of 32.5 million are classified as refugees, fleeing war or persecution. Of these, 72 percent come from the five countries of Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and South Sudan. After decades of exile following the Babylonian conquest, the Jews were finally allowed to return home. In today’s passage, the public reading and teaching of the Scriptures kindled spiritual renewal among the returned exiles. The leaders, including Ezra and Nehemiah, showed the way (vv. 5–8). Preparations had been made: A day had been set, a reading platform built, and the Levites organized for teaching. When the Law was opened, the people stood as a sign of respect. When Ezra praised the Lord, they bowed facedown to the ground in worship. As they listened, they wept, showing—like King Josiah—godly sorrow and repentance. This This day, though, was a day for celebration not weeping (vv. 9–12). The people certainly had sins to repent of, and the broken remains of the city reminded them of past sins and God’s judgment. In Nehemiah 9, we read of their repentance. But that day, however, was a day for rejoicing. God had kept His promise and returned their people to the land after 70 years of exile! He commanded a real party (the Feast of Booths)— described as “holy to our Lord”—with food and drink and sharing for those who didn’t have enough. This is the context for the often-quoted verse, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (v. 10). Why were they joyful? “Because they now understood the words that had been made known to them” (v. 12). >> We often equate holiness with a somber mood, but the Bible speaks of “joy” in holiness! In our churches, we see this lived out through music and singing. In what other ways does holiness spark joy in us?

Did you know that reading books can help you live longer? A study done at Yale University found that those who read books “lived an average of almost two years longer than those who did not read at all.” They concluded: “People who report as little as a half hour a day of book reading had a significant survival advantage over those who did not read.” This being the case, we shouldn’t be surprised that reading God’s Word is even more life-giving—enough to revive an idolatrous nation in 2 Kings 22. We’re not sure how the Scriptures had gotten lost. We’re not even sure if what was lost was the entire Pentateuch or just part of Deuteronomy. But we do know that the rediscovery of God’s Word sparked a revival throughout Judah, led by King Josiah (v. 8; see 2 Kings 23). When he heard the lost Scriptures read aloud, the king responded with godly sorrow and repentance (vv. 11–13). He understood that the people had not kept the covenant and openly admitted the justice of God’s wrath at their disobedience. This response didn’t come out of nowhere. The spiritual ground had been prepared, as seen in the Temple renovations he’d ordered. In fact, the lost scrolls were found during that reconstruction process. In addition, Josiah had been raised and advised by righteous men such as Hilkiah the high priest. His heart was spiritually ready. The prophet Huldah offered both warning and comfort. Josiah hadn’t misunderstood: They’d indeed broken the covenant with their idolatry and unfaithfulness. Judgment would come, just as God’s Word promised (vv. 16–17). But due to the king’s humble response, she told him God would be merciful and it wouldn’t happen in his lifetime (vv. 19–20). >> Reading God’s Word can spark revival in us as well! Let God’s Word lead you to the regular spiritual habit of confession of sin. There’s no need to worry or feel ashamed, as God has already promised to forgive us (1 John 1:9).

A research study by Arizona Christian University found that only 37 percent of American pastors hold to a biblical worldview. Many do not hold biblical beliefs on issues such as salvation and human sexuality. For example, “at least a third of senior pastors in the United States believe one can earn a place in Heaven by simply being a good person.” A similar number see reincarnation as a real possibility. These pastors were found to spend little time in God’s Word. If we want to hold to sound doctrine, we must know the Bible. In today’s reading, the apostle Paul gave his friend and colleague Timothy, pastoring in Ephesus, a serious charge to “Preach the word” (vv. 1–2). God the Father and God the Son are called as witnesses to this charge. Timothy is to use the Word to correct, rebuke, and encourage. He should always be prepared “with great patience and careful instruction.” Great patience is required because most people don’t really want sound doctrine (vv. 3–4). Sometimes they won’t even tolerate it. Instead, they prefer to have their ears tickled. They follow false teachers who say what they want to hear (see 1 Kings 22:1 28). They turn away from the truth and toward lies and deceptions. Because of sin and Satan, people don’t naturally love truth. Even believers must cultivate love of truth as a godly habit. In the middle of this, we are to keep our heads (v. 5). This means we must stay awake, alert, calm, cool-headed, sober, clear-headed, and vigilant. Instead of being pushed or influenced in the wrong direction or seeking to please people or cater to their feelings, we’re to stand our ground on the Word and sound doctrine. Even if we endure hardship, which is inevitable, we’re to continue ministering and remain faithful. >> There is a lot of so-called Christian teaching readily available for us today. This calls for biblical discernment. Be sure to compare what you’re watching and hearing with Scripture so you can tell if it is truly from God.

In 2016, the American Bible Society celebrated its bicentennial—200 years of distributing Bibles around the world. Throughout its history, the organization has been committed to give away Bibles without notes or commentary, in the belief that anyone can read the Bible for themselves. God’s Word is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God. Metaphorically, this armor equips us for spiritual warfare (vv. 10 13). Each piece of the armor, including God’s Word, helps us stand against “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The goal is to stand firm—the final victory already belongs to Christ. Paul’s metaphor is quite colorful and vivid (vv. 14–17). Truth is a “belt” that holds together all the rest. Righteousness is a protective “breastplate” (see Isa. 59:17) and salvation is a protective “helmet.” The soldier’s shoes or boots are a readiness to stand on and proclaim the gospel of peace (Rom. 5:1). Faith is a “shield” that extinguishes the “flaming arrows” of Satan (see also 1 Peter 1:5). Finally, there is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (see also Rev. 1:16). When we put on our spiritual armor and go forth to battle, we are imitating and accompanied by God Himself. He is pictured as a Divine Warrior a number of times in Scripture, such as in Isaiah 42:13: “The LORD will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.” What does it mean to “put on” this armor? Note that we don’t manufacture any of it—it’s all from God. He helps us choose to make it part of our spiritual lives. Putting it on, then, involves making choices, forming habits, and cultivating virtues. >> Jesus Himself used Scripture to resist when tempted by the devil (Matt. 4:1–11). We, too, should use God’s Word as the “sword of the Spirit,” an effective strategy in our fight against temptation.

The modern hymn “O Church Arise,” calls to us: “O church, arise, and put your armor on; / Hear the call of Christ our captain. / For now the weak can say that they are strong / In the strength that God has given.“ It continues, “And with the sword that makes the wounded whole, / We will fight with faith and valor.” The “sword that makes the wounded whole” is God’s Word. In today’s verses, we learn that the Word is “alive,” “active,” and extremely sharp (v. 12). “Alive” means full of life or life-giving, which makes sense since the Author is eternal and the source of all life. “Active” means dynamic as God’s Word works to accomplish His purposes. “Sharpness” is a complex metaphor. God’s Word is described as a “double-edged sword.” This type of sword was short, more like a dagger. One commentator even compares it to a razor-sharp butcher’s knife, which explains how it can divide “soul and spirit, joints and marrow.” It was an emblem of judges and magistrates in the Roman Empire and thus symbolized truth and justice as well. Its piercing or penetrating qualities suggest truth and accuracy; “it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” If God’s Word has ever brought you under conviction of sin, then you understand this metaphor very well. The Word of God is like God Himself: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (v. 13). As one study Bible observes: The writer “associates the activity of the [W]ord with the activity of God, as though they are one and the same—which in a sense they are.” >> Today’s verses are worth committing to memory. If you haven’t already done so, we suggest you spend the next few days memorizing these two important verses.

What is more important: what we say or what we do? As the saying goes, “Our lives are the only sermon some people will ever hear.” And we’ve all felt at times like the person who commented, “I’d rather see a sermon than hear one.” That point is also made in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. The truths and consequences of God’s Word should be seen in our lives. Paul said the Corinthians themselves were proof of his apostleship. No false teacher could have brought about such gospel-affirming and God-glorifying results. The Corinthian church was like a letter of recommendation. I write many such letters to assist my students in obtaining jobs or ministry positions or entrance to graduate school. In Paul’s day, itinerant teachers used these kinds of letters for identification or authentication, in much the same way that Paul used his own handwriting at the end of a letter so that the recipients could be sure it really came from him (Gal. 6:11). Paul didn’t need to bring reference letters to the Corinthians because he already had a close relationship with them. They themselves were the “letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone” (v. 2). They could testify from their own experience about his apostolic ministry and his unselfish pursuit of God’s glory, especially compared to other traveling teachers who solicited money much more forcefully. By contrast, Paul was satisfied to see their transformed lives and the fruit they were bearing for the kingdom of God. Best of all, the Corinthians were a “letter from Christ” Himself (v. 3; see also Deut. 6:1–9). The tablets (paper) were human hearts. The (eternal) ink was the Holy Spirit. May God do the same with our lives! >> Did you know that you are a “letter” to the world? Or to put it another way, what you believe and value is on display to your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. What message are you sending?

Many people say they like and respect the Bible, but they don’t actually read it. More than half of respondents in a 2017 LifeWay survey said they had read little or none of it—at most, a few passages or stories. The good news is that 87 percent of Americans do have one or more Bibles in their homes. For God’s Word to bear fruit in our lives, we must not just own a copy, but read and study it regularly. Both Peter and Paul had read not only the Old Testament but also one another’s letters. Peter regarded Paul’s epistles as equivalent to the “other Scriptures” (v. 16). This suggests that the writers of the New Testament understood that the Holy Spirit was inspiring their writing. Alongside the Old Testament, it was also the Word of God— authoritative, true, and trustworthy. Jesus said the same about His own words (Matt. 24:35), and Peter the same about the eyewitness accounts of the apostles (see July 6). Peter was urging believers to “make every effort” to be found ready when Christ returns (v. 14). We should strive to live righteously and at peace with God. Instead of feeling impatient with the waiting, we should more deeply appreciate God’s patience (v. 15). He’s waiting for the full number to come to repentance and saving faith (2 Peter 3:9). Perhaps in case people had heard rumors of conflict (see Gal. 2:11–14), Peter assured his readers that he and Paul were in complete agreement about all this (v. 15). He credited Paul with God-given wisdom while also admitting that some things in his epistles are “hard to understand.” Even so, only “ignorant and unstable people” distort and misinterpret his teachings. They cannot win and will themselves reap destruction (v. 16). >> Consider your own commitment to knowing God’s Word. Have you read through the entire Bible? Do you make reading the Bible a regular practice? What steps can you take to help make this a healthy habit?

How can we talk about Jesus in the Old Testament? Which parts apply to Him? And how should we interpret some of the strange language and figures of speech? A very helpful reference is The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy, edited by Moody professor Michael Rydelnik and Edwin Blum. This book analyzes every OT passage that is considered Messianic! The fulfillment of Messianic prophecies proves that Scripture is one unified story. This would only be possible if the Bible was inspired by the God who is sovereign over history. Today’s reading from the Crucifixion narrative provides two specific examples. First, the Roman soldiers who crucified Christ divided His clothes among themselves (vv. 23–24). The seamless undergarment, however, was too valuable to be torn, so they cast lots for it. Their actions fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 22:18. Psalm 22 is the prayer of a righteous sufferer, written nearly one thousand years before Christ. This example shows that prophecy can be both thematic and specific. Thematically, Jesus is the perfect example of a righteous sufferer. He even quoted Psalm 22:1 while on the cross (Matt. 27:46). The details about casting lots for His garment cannot be accidental. Fulfilled prophecies like these strengthen our faith. Another example is Jesus’ words “I am thirsty” on the cross (vv. 28–30). They gave Him wine vinegar to drink, fulfilling Psalm 69:21 (see Ps. 22:15). Jesus said it, “so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” After receiving the drink, in total control of the situation, He said, “It is finished,” bowed His head, and gave up His spirit. Psalm 69 is also the prayer of a righteous sufferer. Psalms 69 and 22 are the most quoted psalms in the New Testament! Why not add both of these to today’s reading? >> Would you like to learn more about Messianic prophecy? We encourage you to invest in a good study Bible or get a copy of the Moody Handbook mentioned in today’s opening paragraph.

How does the Old Testament connect to the New Testament? In his famous sermon on the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter referred to prophecies by Joel and David (Acts 2). The Old Testament prophet Joel predicted the coming Day of the Lord, and Peter proclaimed that it had now arrived in the person of Christ. David believed God’s promise that one of his descendants would sit on his throne eternally. This too was fulfilled by Christ. Sadly, we too often think of the Old and New Testaments in opposite terms. We view the OT God as grim and wrathful; the NT God as loving and merciful. We see the OT as full of law; the NT as full of grace. Yet in truth they create one cohesive story. There is only “before” and “after” Christ, the hinge of history. This is why Peter used words like “salvation” and “grace” to frame the entire ministry of the Old Testament prophets (v. 10). They eagerly looked to the future to find out more specific details of the sufferings and glories of the coming Messiah (v. 11). We look back into the past, on the same events, through the apostles’ eyewitness accounts. Both the “before” and the “after” recorded in God’s Word are from the Holy Spirit (v. 12; see also 2 Peter 1:21). In fact, God revealed to the prophets that they were serving New Testament believers. Didn’t they have a message and an audience in their own historical context? Yes. However, they also had a message for us. God’s plan has always been for all nations and all of history, so it makes sense that the Word of God speaks within a specific time, while not being limited to any one time. >> Today, we wait for Christ’s Second Coming just as the OT prophets waited for His first coming. We have much to look forward to! How would the way you live change, if you knew that Jesus was returning today?

When I was in high school, my parents presented me with a Thompson Chain Reference Bible that I used as my main Bible for many years. By studying its extensive cross-references, I came to see the intricate interconnectedness of all Scripture. The Bible contains 66 books by many human authors, but it’s also one Book with one divine Author, built around one Story: redemption in Jesus Christ. That’s the story Jesus told to two of His followers: one named Cleopas, about whom we don’t know much, and the second unnamed. On a journey to Emmaus, they were discussing what had happened during Passion Week (vv. 14, 19–24). When Jesus joined them, they did not recognize Him (vv. 15–16). He rebuked them as “foolish” and “slow to believe” for their lack of understanding. They had failed to see what Scripture as a whole, and especially Messianic prophecy, had clearly foretold (vv. 25–26). Jesus explained the Old Testament Scriptures concerning Himself (v. 27). How amazing it would have been to listen in on that Bible lesson! Cleopas and his companion said it made their hearts burn within them (v. 32). If I could choose to be present for just one episode in the Gospels, excluding the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this might be the one. The two followers wanted to hear more, so they invited Him to dinner. Just as they began to eat, His identity was revealed, and He vanished. They turned around and hurried back to Jerusalem to report to the disciples. The Bible was penned by human authors from various cultures and historical eras, yet it has one Author. Many stories of faith and failure, yet it tells one Story—the gospel we’re commissioned to take to the world (Matt. 28:19–20)! >> One reason we study both the Old and New Testaments at Today in the Word is that all of God’s Word is inspired and useful (2 Tim. 3:16). As believers, we should study to become familiar with the entire Bible.

When a Mississippi church burned to the ground last August, firefighters were able to rescue a Bible that had sat on the pulpit every day for 178 years. One elder told a local TV station: “We are a Bible-believing church...the idea that essentially nothing in this church survived but the word of God—that’s not lost on us.” God’s Word cannot be defeated! Today’s Old Testament narrative is just one example of how God has preserved His Word through the ages. Jeremiah had received a prophetic word from the Lord, dictated it to his friend and scribe Baruch, and sought an audience to share it with King Jehoiakim of Judah. But the king was wicked and some godly court officials saw trouble coming. They urged Jeremiah and Baruch to hide and took the message to the king themselves. As the scroll was read to Jehoiakim, he cut it up piece by piece and fed it into the fire. This was a blatant act of pride, disrespect, and blasphemy. The very words of God were being read to him, and he responded with contempt. The writer could hardly believe that the king and his attendants showed no fear of the Lord (v. 24). They should have torn their clothes in grief and repentance. The godly friends of Jeremiah spoke up bravely, but to no avail (v. 25). The king ordered Jeremiah and Baruch arrested, but God protected them. God faithfully preserved His Word—not miraculously in this case, but by ordering Jeremiah and Baruch to write it again (vv. 28, 32). The words of judgment against Judah’s sin would certainly come true in any case. In addition, Jehoiakim would die a shameful death and his royal line would come to an end (vv. 29–31). >> Each generation must decide for themselves whether to obey God’s Word. When presented with similar words, King Josiah had publicly repented and brought revival to Judah. But how quickly things can change—Jehoiakim was his son (Jer. 36:1).

Some people say the Bible is filled with errors and should not be taken literally. Why should we trust the Bible? Is this merely a human-authored book or the actual Word of God? One reason we can trust the Bible is that many of the authors of the New Testament had seen Jesus for themselves. Before writing his Gospel, for example, Luke carefully investigated and interviewed eyewitnesses (Luke 1:1–4). The apostle Peter was another eyewitness (2 Peter 1:12–15). He didn’t teach “cleverly devised stories” (v. 16), but facts he had seen with his own eyes. Before he died, he wanted to share these truths with the church. Verse 15 might be a reference to the fact that Peter was a main source for the Gospel of Mark. Peter had been an eyewitness to Christ’s Transfiguration (vv. 16–18; Mark 9:1–10). He’d seen the glory of the incarnate Christ. He’d heard the voice of God declare, “This is my Son.” The “Majestic Glory” was the same divine glory that had filled the tabernacle and the temple at key moments in Israel’s history. Though he’d been ordered to keep silent until after the Resurrection, Peter was now able to testify freely. While God chose to work through human authors, He is the ultimate guarantee of Scripture’s truthfulness and reliability. Because God is the source, biblical prophecy and all of Scripture are “completely reliable” (vv. 19–21). Neither Peter nor the Old Testament prophets shared their own ideas. Their words didn’t originate in their own wills or imaginations. Rather, they “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (v. 21). The church does not rest on a human foundation. Our faith can stand firm on the Word of God! >> Because God’s Word is a light in a dark place, we’re to “pay attention to it” (v. 19). Some of us may struggle to stay focused and pay attention when reading the Bible. What ideas do you have for improving in this area?

I used to collect baseball cards, but I never owned any as valuable as the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card. One in mint condition sold last August for $12.6 million. At the time of its original purchase, this card would have come in a pack that cost only a nickel. Today it is the most valuable piece of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction. As valuable as that Mickey Mantle card may be, God’s Word far surpasses it. The Bible is beyond priceless! Psalm 19 first presents the “book” of nature, describing how creation declares God’s glory (vv. 1–6). In today’s reading, it turns its attention to the Book of God. Scripture’s qualities and virtues reflect God, its source (vv. 7–9). The Word of God is perfect. It refreshes the soul and restores life. It’s true, trustworthy, and reliable. It teaches those who study and obey it so that they learn, grow, and mature. It’s good and righteous and therefore we’re able to rejoice in the right things. The Word is radiant—truthful and life-giving—providing guidance and keeping us alert. It’s also pure and endures forever. As a result, the psalmist is well justified in proclaiming that Scripture is supremely valuable, desirable, and delightful (vv. 10–12). This is true objectively—it’s more precious than gold, and experientially—it’s sweeter than honey. If we stray, it warns us back to the right path (see July 25). If we follow and obey it, we’ll receive “great reward” (v. 11). This psalm naturally develops into a prayer for righteousness (vv. 12–14). God’s Word can convict us, prompting us to pray for forgiveness of hidden sins, as well as to repent of willful or habitual sins. May all that we think, say, and do be pleasing in God’s sight! >> Why not make verses 12–14 your own prayer today? It is not enough to admire the Bible from a distance, instead, allow the Word of God to invade and transform your life!

The Library of Congress recently digitized the Giant Bible of Mainz (Germany). Its pages measure 22.6 inches by 15.9 inches. This is an entirely handwritten Bible, completed in two volumes by a single scribe over a fifteen-month period in 1452–1453. If you go to the web page LOC.gov, you can view this historical treasure for yourself! Be aware, though, that you’ll only be able to read it if you know Latin. God’s Word is valuable and perfect in any format! Psalm 18 talks about God’s deliverance and His faithful character. As we see in verse 30, His “perfect” way and His “flawless” word are parallel and complementary truths. There is a sense, then, in which who God is and what He does are things that can also be ascribed to Scripture because it is the Word of God. Today’s reading provides a rich description in this regard. Who is God and what does He do? The Lord shields or gives refuge to His people (vv. 30, 35). He strengthens us and trains us for spiritual battle (vv. 32, 34). He gives us a smooth path and keeps it secure (vv. 32, 36). He helps us stand firm and even leap “like a deer” (v. 33). He sustains us each day (v. 35). He is our Rock (v. 31)—the foundation of our lives, the only solid place to stand in the shifting sands of this world. Since God’s way and words are “perfect” and “flawless,” they never fail. They are entirely true, reliable, and trustworthy, in the same sense that refined silver or gold are perfectly pure (Ps. 12:6). We can never go wrong following the Bible! >> Where are you today in your spiritual journey? Rejoicing? Grieving? Struggling? Confused? Take some time to reread Psalm 18. Rest in these truths! Know that whatever place you may be in your walk with God, you can trust entirely in God’s perfect way and in His perfect Word.

Do you believe the Bible is the literal Word of God? According to a recent Gallup poll, most people don’t! In fact, only 20 percent hold this belief, a number just half of what it was in 1980. Even among self-identified evangelicals, only 40 percent believe the Bible is God’s Word. A growing number feel the Bible is merely “a collection of ‘fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.’” Believing the Bible is the inspired Word of God is a core doctrine for followers of Christ. The Bible claims: “All Scripture is God breathed” or “inspired” (v. 16). God has the unique ability to give life, as when He breathed into Adam the breath of life (Gen. 2:7). Similarly, the psalmist wrote: “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth” (Ps. 33:6). Inspiration means that God, while working through human authors, was actively and directly involved in the writing of His Word. We call this “verbal plenary inspiration,” and it means that every word of Scripture is true (Titus 1:2). The purposes of inspiration are listed in today’s passage as teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (v. 16; see Rom. 15:4). Scripture is inspired, so “that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (v. 17). We don’t read the Bible just to appear more intelligent, but to allow God to work through us. Scripture reveals God to us, and when it comes to God, there is always more to learn. Studying the Bible transforms us. We grow and mature and become more like Christ (v. 15). Salvation means that God is taking sinners and turning us into saints! >> Today in the Word is published by Moody Bible Institute. We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. If you are interested in learning more about us, go to Moody’s web page where our doctrinal statement is posted (Article II). There you will find Moody’s specific positional statement about Scripture.

If you’re like me, you have trouble sticking to one-year Bible reading plans. I tend to get bogged down in mid-Leviticus or somewhere among the evil kings in the historical books. So, it is comforting to realize that the Word of God is not only a book but also a Person! The Gospel of John begins in an interesting and theologically deep way. John explains that Christ is the “Word” or “Logos” (v. 1). This Greek term can mean spoken language as well as unspoken (our reason). More deeply, it refers to “the principle which governs the universe.” God’s laws and decrees govern everything. This is seen most clearly in the creation account of Genesis 1, which John consciously echoes. Christ (“The Word”) is God the Son. He has been with God the Father since eternity past (v. 2). He participated in creation (v. 3; see also Col. 1:16). He is life; He is light; He is victorious (vv. 4–5). He is the source of spiritual life, just as He explained during His earthly ministry. He told a baffled Nicodemus that he needed to be born again, a spiritual rebirth (John 3:3–5). He told a grieving Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Jesus called Himself “the light,” which means knowledge and truth and, therefore, hope. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12; see also Ps. 27:1). Because Christ is the living Word of God, we can have complete confidence in the written Word of God. Our loving Savior stands behind the written Word as the perfect revelation of God to us. >> Did you know you can pray through God’s Word? Praying Scripture back to God is a very helpful spiritual habit. Simply read the passage aloud to Him. As you pray today’s passage, thank God for the profound, life-giving truths given to us in the person of Christ.

Almost everything we see in the world around us will eventually wear out and die. The grass fades. Flowers wilt. Stars burn out. Pens run out of ink. Cars break down. Technology becomes outdated. This is the way it is in a fallen world: everything must decay and die. The Bible says that even our “faithfulness” is like the grass of the field, that is, it too withers and dies (Isa. 40:6). The word “faithfulness” has also been translated as “beauty,” “goodness,” and “constancy.” The basic meaning of verse 6 is, as one translation explains: “Human beings and their faithfulness... are short-lived and unreliable, in stark contrast to the decrees and promises of the eternal God.” Scripture tells us that one thing stands in sharp contrast to the transitory nature of this world: “the word of our God endures forever” (Isa. 40:8). This month, we are studying the doctrine of Scripture; we will learn what the Bible teaches about God’s Word and how we can apply it to our lives. We hope you will join us as we learn about the perfect Word of God! Today’s reading in Isaiah is quoted in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 1:23–25. Here Peter connects the living and enduring Word of God to our imperishable salvation in Christ. God’s Word is not just eternal, as important as that is. It is also true and life-giving and reflects God’s faithfulness, power, and love (see Ps. 119:89–90). Jesus made the same claim for His own words: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt. 24:35). They are eternal, and they will be fulfilled or proved true. We can trust God’s Word absolutely. >> Have you ever started the year with a plan to read through the entire Bible? For most of us our well-intentioned plans are short-lived. Since it is July, midway through the year, why not make a new commitment to study the Bible each day for this entire month?

Leadership begins and ends with trust. Followers must be able to trust their leaders, and leaders must be able to trust their followers. One without the other is a lopsided relationship. Booker T. Washington said, “Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him.” Many people trusted the Apostle Paul as one of the prominent leaders of the early church. But his leadership was successful because he had people he could also trust. One of his most trusted companions was someone most people in the first century would not expect: a woman named Phoebe. In that culture, women had very little say or role in leadership. Not only was there no seat at the table for women, but society knew women as little more than servants. But Paul viewed women as children of God who could and should be trusted to bring Christianity to the next generations. In Romans 16, Paul mentions Phoebe who had been a tremendous help to the apostle. Because of her, the letter to the Romans safely arrived in their hands. The length of this letter alone would have been costly to produce, let alone for it to be delivered. Paul viewed Phoebe as the right person for the job. He couldn’t have predicted it at the time, but she delivered one of the most important letters in the history of humanity. Paul wrote that the Romans were to welcome her with open arms and in an honorable manner (v. 2a). Knowing she was a noblewoman who could be trusted, he told them to give her whatever she needed (v. 2b). She was a true gift to Paul, the Romans, and us. Like all Christian relationships, their bond was built on trust in Christ and trust in one another. >> As we conclude our study on unlikely leaders, consider how and where God might be calling you to lead! What leadership lesson has been challenging to you? How do you think God might be stretching you to grow as a godly leader?

It has been said that you are either in a trial, exiting out of a trial, or entering into a trial...you just aren’t aware of it yet. We can either whine and complain when trials come or learn to become the men and women God wants us to be. We aren’t the first ones in history to ever face trials. Trials are part of the DNA of the church. When you look at how the church began, it was flooded with trials, especially the early church in Jerusalem. Their pastor, James, the half-brother of Jesus, encouraged his congregation to look at trials not as torture but as an opportunity to learn and grow. James knew that trials are not an option for the Christian. They will come in all shapes and sizes (v. 2). Like a baseball pitcher, some come in like a rocketed fastball. You hardly see them coming, and they set you back on your heels. Others are curveballs where you expect one thing, but it turns out to be completely different. James uses the word “testing” to denote a positive event intended to make our faith authentic and genuine (v. 3). Our testing results in perseverance, or steadfastness. The Christian faith is not a sprint; it is a marathon. James wants his readers to run to spiritual maturity (v. 4). Sometimes Christians get distracted, thinking that Christianity’s goal is merely to learn more about the Bible. While knowing the Bible is extremely important, this knowledge alone does not equal spiritual maturity. A few verses later, James writes, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (v. 22). As a leader, are you willing to reflect on and learn from your trials? >> No one wants to go through trials. But, as James teaches, these trials can help us grow in spiritual maturity. If you are going through a difficult time, ask God for wisdom (v. 5) to grow in your faith and learn from this experience.

Jesus charged the disciples with making disciples throughout Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Still, they never imagined that would include reaching out to the Pharisees and religious elites. So, when word spread that Saul, a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) and persecutor of Christians, had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, it would certainly have been hard for them to believe it. After three years of learning about the teachings of Christ and how He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies (Gal. 1:18), Saul ventured to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and James, the Lord’s brother. However, upon arrival, the disciples did not welcome him. He tried to join the disciples, but they were skeptical and feared he would arrest them (v. 26). They were at an impasse, and no side was making any progress. Then an unlikely leader named Barnabas stepped in. Barnabas took the initiative to set up a meeting between Saul and the other disciples. He interceded for Saul, testified regarding what happened to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul “preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” (v. 27). Barnabas opened a door for Saul that changed his life as well as countless others. It is hard to imagine what Christianity would have looked like without the Apostle Paul. His letters shaped Western Civilization. His missionary journeys and his legacy of ministry laid the foundation for Christianity to spread worldwide. Possibly no one would have heard about Saul’s conversion or been impacted by his ministry if Barnabas had not interceded. This small act of opening a door for Saul led to the spread of Christianity as we know it today. >> Godly leaders use their position and power to pave the way for others. What doors can you open for others today? How can you help someone take the next step? One small act just may be the linchpin to unlock someone’s potential.

In the first century, it was illegal for family members to retrieve the crucified bodies of their loved ones. Dead bodies typically hung for days, if not weeks, so the message was clear: Do not mess with the Roman Empire! After some time, the Romans would pry the bodies off the cross, carry them in a wagon, cart them down to the Valley of Gehenna, and dump them into a rat-infested mass grave. The same would have happened to Jesus’ body if not for the boldness of two unlikely leaders, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. At some point, as the rest of the followers fled, Nicodemus and Joseph looked at Jesus’ body and reflected on the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah’s suffering (Isa. 53:5–6). They must have concluded that Jesus was indeed the Son of Man who took away the sins of the world (John 3:1–17). They decided that they couldn’t hide their faith in Him any longer. They mustered up the strength to go directly to Pilate and ask for the body (v. 38). John is very meticulous about how Nicodemus and Joseph prepared the body, wrapped it in cloths, and placed it in a tomb (vv. 39–42). Matthew and Mark tell us they sealed the tomb shut and went home. They probably had no expectation of ever seeing Jesus alive again. If the Romans threw Jesus’ body into the open grave known as Gehenna, and then He appeared a few days later, skeptics could have easily debunked the resurrection. People would have said Jesus was exhausted, not executed. But Nicodemus’s and Joseph’s faith, courage, and concern for the body of Jesus made it possible for first-century believers (and us!) to be confident that Jesus actually died and rose again. These unlikely leaders were bold in their faith. >> If people found out you were a Christian, would they be surprised? List three things that may prevent you from expressing your love for Christ. Stop hiding your faith and go public, despite the consequences.

Boston College runner Madeline Adams was just 200 feet away from finishing the ACC cross country championship race. Just as she was achieving her personal best time, she felt her body collapse due to exhaustion. Her rival Evie Tate from Clemson noticed Adams struggling to stand. In a display of extraordinary sportsmanship, Tate sacrificed her finishing position to put her arm under Adams. Louisville’s Rachel Pease saw both women stumbling, took Adams’s other arm, and assisted until all three competitors crossed the finish line. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the writers record how the Roman soldiers forced a man named Simon to help Jesus carry the crossbeam up to Golgotha. It is unclear why they chose Simon from the crowd. Perhaps he had demonstrated compassion or maybe he looked different. No matter the reason he was chosen for the task, Simon did what was asked and helped Jesus get to the ultimate finish line. This close encounter with our Savior changed him. Simon was born in northern Africa in the city of Cyrene. The Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue in Jerusalem, so it was likely that Simon was there to celebrate Passover. Simon eventually went home and shared his experience with his wife and sons, Alexander and Rufus (v. 21). The inclusion of their names suggests they were well known as early Christian leaders. While we don’t know the rest of Simon’s story, we do know that eventually, Rufus and his mom would meet up with Paul. This mother and son duo encouraged Paul in his faith and most likely shared Simon’s story of the time he helped to carry Jesus’ cross. Rufus’s mom became a surrogate mother to Paul, and Paul looked forward to reuniting with them in Rome (Rom. 16:13). >> How can you carry someone else’s burden today? Sometimes we fail to notice the needs directly around us. Today, look for opportunities to lighten someone else’s load. You may never know the ripple effect one small act of compassion can have.

Cheryl Bachelder, former CEO of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, was determined to turn around the struggling fast-food chain. The leadership team focused on improving the company’s relationship with their 340 franchise owners. By choosing to serve and even love these individuals, they saw dramatic results. Their change of behavior was spurred by one question: “Do you love the people you lead?” What does it mean to love the people you lead? Jesus shows us in John 13. Not a person present at the Passover meal would ever forget this demonstration of servant leadership. Since the men would recline at the table to eat, their feet would have been relatively close to the food. Foot washing was necessary, but typically assigned to a lowly servant. Imagine everyone’s surprise when Jesus took the initiative to do the dirty job. One of the first phases of the Passover meal was the ceremonial hand washing with a unique laver bowl and towel. Peter, like the others, needed clarification about what was happening. Rightfully so. Jesus was setting the example for them of loving others through service regardless of rank or position (vv. 15–16). Whenever we consider a task below us, we would do well to remember this example set by our Lord and Savior. Loving one another as Jesus loved ought to be the identifying mark of all Christian believers (v. 35). Everything else falls under the umbrella of this command. The love and service of unlikely Christian leaders toward one another make them stand out in pagan societies. >> Is there a task you struggle to do? What if you embrace this unsavory job as an opportunity to love like Jesus? For all leaders today, especially Christian leaders, our lives ought to influence our families, churches, and organizations through selfless love and sacrificial service. Just as Jesus loved us, we are called to love one another.

After receiving an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award, the late Fred Rogers asked the crowd, “Would you just take along with me10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are?” He concluded, “How pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they’ve made.” Rogers understood that transformational leaders leave a lasting impact on others. They inspire others to accomplish great things by listening, advising, cheering, and by example. Let’s read Luke 10:38–42 for a third time. Today, we focus on Jesus, a transformational leader. No one who encountered Jesus walked away unchanged. Even though He was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, He took the time to understand each person, responding to their individual needs with care and compassion. We are told that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5). During the visit described in Luke 10, Jesus noticed Martha’s stress as she cared for the details of hosting. He responded in a very personal way. By saying her name twice, He demonstrated that He knew her and cared about her. In the original Hebrew, it would have sounded like “My dear, dear Martha” (v. 41). Calmly and compassionately, He taught Martha about the most essential things in life. He did not disregard her service but pointed to something even better. As transformational leaders, we can follow the lead of Jesus by noticing the people in our lives. Getting to know them and walking alongside them on their faith journey is a mark of true leadership. >> Take some time today to think about the people who have influenced you and helped you become the person you are today. The people who come to mind might not have an official title, but their influence on your life is significant. If you have a moment, write a note of thanks to one of those individuals.

The phrase “servant leadership” was coined by Robert Greenleaf in the 1970s. While working at AT&T, Greenleaf recognized that individuals and organizations ought to be known as servants who lead instead of leaders who happen to serve. He said the best test to determine if one is a true servant leader is asking, “Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?” In Luke 10, Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha. Today, we turn our attention to Martha. It is easy to read this passage and shake our heads in disappointment at Martha who, rather than sitting and listening to Jesus, was bustling around preparing dinner. We may think, “Oh, Martha, Martha, Martha. You’re not focusing on what truly matters. Always trying to impress...” But before we criticize Martha for her Southern-Bethany hospitality, take a closer look at where Luke places this account. Notice that it comes directly after Jesus’ Good Samaritan parable of going above and beyond to help one’s neighbor. Is Luke simply playing mind games with his readers? No. Martha was fulfilling the lesson of the Good Samaritan (vv. 25–37). Like the Good Samaritan, she saw a need and was doing everything she could to meet it. The problem was that her efforts to make everything perfect outdid the need to serve, and the text says she was “distracted” (v. 40). Could she have simplified her preparations? Was her focus on the right thing? Servant leaders don’t serve just to complete a task. Instead, they serve, so that they and others will grow and become more like Christ. >> What part of servant leadership challenges you? Do you struggle to see the needs of others? Or, in serving, do you focus more on perfection than meeting the actual need? Challenge yourself to find a way to serve someone selflessly today.

Pick any year, and you can easily name a corporate scandal, whether Enron, the Volkswagen emissions, or, more recently, the corruption of the cryptocurrency FTX Trading company. It’s no wonder we find it difficult to trust leaders! By contrast, authentic leadership encourages leaders to be self-aware, transparent, and lead from the heart. For the next three days, we will read the same text considering three different types of leadership. First, we’ll understand what it means to lead with authenticity by learning from Mary. In Luke 10, Jesus visited the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It was rare for a rabbi to allow women to sit at his feet, but Jesus was different, and so was Mary. She soaked up Jesus’ teaching like a sponge and had a hunger for learning. Mary was confident in who she was but also aware of her surroundings. Authentic leaders are transparent; they allow others to see their emotions. Mary exhibited these qualities. After her brother Lazarus died and Jesus showed up late to the funeral, Mary openly and honestly let Jesus know how hurt she was. When He saw Mary’s authentic self, Jesus was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” and later wept (see also John 11:33–35). Mary was focused on the bigger picture. She did not get caught up in the details like her sister, Martha. In our text, Jesus tells Martha that Mary has “chosen what is better” (v. 42). Having an authentic relationship with the Lord is the most crucial part of one’s life. Mary was willing to share her emotions with others. Some may view Mary as lazy or overly dramatic, but she was a woman whom the Lord used to teach others about Himself and His kingdom. >> Being an authentic leader takes vulnerability. How can you be more transparent with the people in your life, especially those under your leadership? Explore ways to share what is in your heart with others.

For some of us, risk taking is part of our DNA. According to a groundbreaking new study, more than 100 genetic variants are linked with those who take risks. But even if we are the cautious type, being a godly leader may require us to step out of our comfort zone and into the arena. That was the case with the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15. Jesus had withdrawn to Tyre and Sidon, coastal towns on the Mediterranean, both in the Roman providence of Syria (v. 22). The Canaanites were native to the region where Joshua and his army had displaced them centuries earlier (Joshua 3). In essence, the Jews and Canaanites never played nicely together. Yet, word had spread that a miracle-working Jew was traveling through the region. The woman’s plea to Jesus to heal her daughter showed that she had some knowledge and respect of His history and power (v. 22). However, the disciples wanted nothing to do with her. They tried to brush her off. At first glance, Jesus seemed ready to dismiss her as well. Still, the woman became more insistent, crying: “Lord, help me!” (v. 25). Jesus’ response may seem harsh as He pointed out His specific mission to the Jewish people (v. 26). But she refused to give up. Her insistent response demonstrated her insight regarding the unique relationship between Yahweh and the Jewish people (v. 27). Was it her insistence, boldness, knowledge of the Jewish covenant, or respect for Jesus that made Him change His mind? We don’t know. But Jesus also saw a mother who loved her daughter and would go to great lengths to get the help she needed. Jesus expressed admiration for her faith and granted her request (v. 28). >> Are you a risk taker? Or are you more of a safety-first person? Regardless, if you truly believe you are who Jesus says you are, you will be empowered to take risks. Consider how God might be calling you to step out of your comfort zone.

In his book, Leading with a Limp, Dan Allender goes against the norm. He encourages leaders not to hide their weaknesses, but to use them! He recognizes that all leaders are broken, and God can use our brokenness to help others. Instead of protecting our image, Allender suggests that God can use imperfect yet authentic leaders to accomplish amazing things. But facing our imperfection is intimidating. Just ask the woman at the well. In John 4, we read that Jesus came to the town of Samaria. Tired, He sat down at a well around noontime, and a Samaritan woman came to draw water. At first glance, this woman had three strikes against her. For starters, being a woman didn’t give her much status. Being a Samaritan lowered her status even more. And drawing water at noon— all alone—was her third strike. In everyone’s eyes, she was deplorable. Except in the eyes of Jesus. To Him, she had value. Many scholars speculate that this woman had so many husbands because she enjoyed a promiscuous lifestyle. However, cultural context may suggest that because she was unable to conceive and produce an heir (vv. 16–18), one by one, her husbands would have shown her the door. But after her encounter with Jesus, she saw that despite her past, God loved her (vv. 21–26). After her interaction with the Messiah, she left both the well and her shame behind. This unlikely messenger returned to the people who had shunned her and convinced them to experience what she had witnessed (vv. 29–30). God used her imperfections to introduce others to God’s love: “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (v. 39). >> Celebrating your success is excellent, but you can grow more when learning from your mistakes. When was the last time you failed? What did you learn from that experience? Who in your life needs to learn that lesson, too?

Do you have a lot of followers on Facebook? Did your last post get dozens of likes? In our social media obsessed world, it is easy to become self-focused. Who among us doesn’t enjoy being the center of positive attention? But God desires leaders who are willing to step out of the spotlight. In John 3, we meet John the Baptist. He mainly lived on the outskirts of town in the wilderness. The evangelist would have been easy to spot with his camel’s hair clothing and leather belt. If he joined you for lunch, locusts with wild honey would be on the menu (Matt. 3:1–6). John didn’t have a people-pleasing mentality; he called people out on their sins. No one got a hall pass, not even King Herod (Mark 6). John’s mission was to shine the spotlight on Jesus. In John 3, John’s disciples were playing the comparison game. “That man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him” (v. 26). They urged John to do something. After all, he was losing followers. But John focused on the truth: “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him” (v. 28). His job was not to gain a name for himself, but to point people to Jesus. John’s motto in life was, “He must become greater; I must become less” (v. 30). This is a good example for us too. As we turn the spotlight on Jesus, He will become the focus, and the attention placed on us will decrease. God’s unlikely leaders are men and women who know the truth and would rather be off-stage than front and center. >> How can you turn the spotlight off yourself and instead turn people’s eyes to Jesus? Consider what and why you post on social media. Maybe today you could glorify God by highlighting another individual or organization that is doing His work.

As a professor, I am sometimes asked to introduce guest speakers in chapel and at conferences. I sometimes struggle with finding the right words to say, sorting through all the things I know about the person to phrase the perfect introduction. Imagine, for a moment, that you were asked to introduce Jesus. How would you describe Him? In John 1:14–18, the apostle John does just that. John knew Jesus as His friend, his esteemed leader, and also as the Messiah to the world. Here John describes Jesus as One whose life is marked by humility. The Son of God chose to dwell with us. Jesus knew that the people He came to serve would turn their backs on Him. Even so, He chose to come and dwell with us (v. 14). John and others saw “his glory” firsthand, how it radiated and reflected God the Father (v. 14). John describes Jesus as “full of grace and truth,” (v. 14). The word “full” is significant. Jesus didn’t display 50 percent grace and 50 percent truth, He fully embodied both qualities. In every situation and in every encounter, Jesus poured out these attributes. He spoke truthfully. He never sugar-coated sin and yet, He also extended grace. Grace is defined as the unmerited or undeserved favor of God toward humanity. Jesus embodied both truth and grace. His death on the cross was the ultimate example. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). While we have considered many examples of great leaders, our ultimate example will always be Jesus. What would it take for our lives to be characterized by grace and truth? >> What would they say if someone had a few moments to introduce you and your leadership style? What would you hope they would say? Now, what do you need to change, so your life can match their words?

We value leaders, but what about followers? It is a topic often overlooked, but followership is at the very heart of leadership. Imagine Harriet Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., or Winston Churchill without any followers. Their many faithful followers demonstrated their ability to lead well. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the ideal follower. When God surveyed all creation, He appointed Mary to look after His one and only Son. To say Mary was surprised at her meeting with Gabriel would be a huge understatement. It is certainly not every day that an angel of the Lord greets you with news that you will give birth to the Messiah. This announcement was the first for Gabriel too. This was the first and only time he would announce the birth of the Messiah. It took him several attempts to convince Mary that she was the one chosen to raise the Son of God (vv. 28, 30, 35). Gabriel told Mary that a miracle had come to Elizabeth, too (v. 36). Her older cousin was also pregnant. Luke places the stories of Mary and Elizabeth side by side, contrasting their remarkable and similar situations. Elizabeth had been trying to get pregnant, but she could not because of her old age. Young Mary had never been with a man. Yet, both became pregnant, and Elizabeth’s child, John, would prepare the way for Mary’s child, Jesus. Both women trusted God and followed Him faithfully because, as Gabriel said, “No word from God will ever fail” (v. 37). Mary’s final words to Gabriel demonstrated her commitment to being God’s follower: “I am the Lord’s servant” (v. 38). This teenage girl’s willingness to obey God amid impossible circumstances made her both a faithful follower and an unlikely leader. >> Sometimes, the best way to lead is by following. It sounds counterintuitive, but followers make the best leaders. What about you? Would God describe you as a loyal, humble, and courageous follower?

Peer pressure isn’t constrained to the halls of high school. It can find its way into the nooks and crevices of our work, friends, and culture. We give into peer pressure for many reasons. We may feel the need to be accepted. Or we would rather “go along” so we can “get along.” But the leaders whom God uses are those men and women who are willing to stand up for what they believe. Standing up for God is what three young men did when faced with not only peer pressure but the possibility of death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were far from home and enslaved by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. Showing tremendous courage, they refused orders to bow down and worship the king’s statue (v. 6). Nebuchadnezzar was so angered by their resistance that he ordered them to either worship him or be sentenced to death by fire (vv. 13–15). It was decision time. Instead of giving in to peer and political pressure, these unlikely leaders responded with boldness and courage. But what puts their response to Nebuchadnezzar on the list of all-time greatest comebacks: “The God we serve is able to deliver us...but even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (vv. 17–18). In response, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the heat to be turned up to scorching (v. 19). But God came to the boys’ rescue (v. 25). Many scholars believe that the fourth person in the fire was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. It can be challenging to do the right thing, especially in the face of peer pressure, but God uses leaders who can stand up when others so easily fall short. >> Choose an area in your life where you need to be bold regarding your commitment to Christ. Sure, it might cost you something or someone, but remember, God will be with you the whole time.

Evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody was passionate about pouring into the next generation. In Chicago, he gathered orphans to begin his first Sunday School. Then, after founding Bible training schools in New England and Chicago, Moody determined that even poor and less-privileged students should be able to learn about God and His Word. While he asked supporters for help, he also paid the tuition for needy students out of his own pocket. Godly leaders practice what they preach. While yesterday we read how David was chosen by God to be Israel’s king, today we witness the end of his reign. King David was about to hand over the blueprints for God’s Temple to his son Solomon (v. 1). In one last act of leadership, David again led by example. Instead of taxing his people or enslaving foreigners to build the Temple, David donated his personal treasures to the building fund (v. 3). This set off a chain reaction of giving. The leaders of each family began to give willingly (v.6). Then, with the whole assembly watching, David praised God. He exalted the Lord for His eternalness (v. 10), greatness and omnipotence (v. 11), provision, authority, and strength (v. 12). Verses 14–19 show the close relationship David had with God. He recognized that everything given was God’s to begin with (v. 16). He continued to lead with his heart, which means leading with integrity and honesty (v. 17). In the end, David recognized that God did not concern Himself with the amount that His people gave but rather with the manner in which it was given. Truly leading by example means more than just what people will see. People can tell when their leaders are being genuine and authentic. >> Integrity is not gauged by what you do or don’t do when others are watching but rather by how you act when no one is around. Lead by example, especially when others can’t see you, and watch it make a difference in your life and the lives of those you lead.

What makes a great leader? Many people choose leaders because they “look the part” or “had the most success.” However, according to the Scriptures, the mark of a great leader goes much deeper. God taught this lesson to His prophet Samuel when he was tasked with anointing the new leader of Israel. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem, to the home of Jesse, saying: “I have chosen one of his sons to be king” (v. 1). Samuel determined to find someone worthy of the challenge. He knew that King Saul was not the type to pack up his bags and go off quietly into the night. Saul had a colossal frame and an even more significant presence (1 Sam. 9:2). Once he arrived at Jesse’s home and met his seven sons, Samuel was impressed. He probably thought, “Surely among these young men is the perfect candidate to unseat King Saul” (vv. 8–10). However, as he evaluated each son, Samuel was not convinced. God taught Samuel not to look at the external appearance, because great leaders go deeper than what can be seen. “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (v. 7). But there was one more son, the youngest. Saul would anoint David as God’s chosen one, and “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully” upon him (v. 13). The LORD chose David to lead because He knew David would lead from the heart (v. 12). What does that mean? Leading from the heart means that the Lord’s purpose becomes your purpose. Though he would not lead a perfect life, David took responsibility for his actions and learned how to trust God with his whole heart. >> You may not feel like a leader, but God looks beyond your external traits or credentials. He is searching deeper than that; He is looking at your heart. Rest assured that if God chooses to use you, He will help you fulfill the role.

The Righteous Among the Nations was established to honor non-Jews who took great risks to save Jewish families during the Holocaust. Over half of these are women, known as “The Women of Valor.” Some hid people in their homes. Others helped them flee to safety. In the face of pure evil, they found the strength to lead. But World War II was certainly not the first time evil threatened the Jewish people. Around 479 B.C., King Xerxes decreed “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children —on a single day” (Esther 3:13). Who would step in to save God’s people? Esther was a young Jewish woman who had found favor with King Xerxes. Selected for her beauty, she joined the ranks as one of the king’s many wives (2:7–9). Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, found out that a decree had been sent to extinguish the Jews (3:13) and pleaded for his niece to do something (vv. 1–8). The young woman insisted it was out of her hand; she had very little power and very little opportunity to help (v. 11). Even more, a failed attempt on her part would risk the death penalty.  But Mordecai’s words of wisdom tugged at Esther’s heart. He insisted that her position in the royal palace was not a mistake. “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (v. 14). Esther’s position gave her a key opportunity to influence the king (vv. 12–14). Despite great personal risk, Esther found courage to act: “If I perish, I perish” (v. 16). God used her brave obedience to rescue His people. >> If situations don’t directly affect us, it can be easy to be indifferent or passive. Getting involved can seem too risky. But when we see brothers and sisters in Christ who are being mistreated, we cannot be silent. Like Esther, we should consider how God can use our position and our voice to help those in need.

Tragedy keeps a sloppy appointment book. There is no way to avoid it, and it is never welcome. But when difficult things happen to us, do we consider ourselves first or the needs of others? In the book of Ruth, we find three women facing extreme heartbreak. When Naomi had first been forced to leave her country due to famine, she was comforted that her husband and sons would care for her (vv. 1–2). Because her sons were married, she probably looked forward to being a grandmother (v. 3). But then anguish showed its nasty head. First, Naomi’s husband died (v. 3). Then, the two younger women, Ruth and Orpah lost their husbands: “Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband” (v. 5). As the famine ended, Naomi decided to return to Judah and encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their own mothers. But rather than agreeing to what was best for them, both women insisted on staying with their mother-in-law (v. 10). After further discussion, Orpah begrudgingly left Naomi (v. 14), but still Ruth remained (vv. 16–18). She said, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay” (v. 16). Ruth showed great empathy in putting Naomi’s needs above her own. In the same way, godly leaders value others and focus on understanding situations from another’s perspective. They take a sincere interest in the care and well-being of others and step in however needed. Ruth displayed empathetic leadership as she saw Naomi’s struggle and determined to help no matter the cost. She understood the needs of those around her and, by doing what she could to help, stepped into the bigger plan God had for her life. >> When you see others going through tough times, what do you consider first: your own needs or the needs of others? Ask yourself, “How would being in this person’s position make me feel?” Then ask how you can help.

When you’re up against an enemy, most people will agree there is strength in numbers. The more people on your side, the more likely you are to win. But in Judges 7, we learn that numbers are meaningless when God is involved. The Lord tasked Gideon with leading the Israelites into battle against the Midianites who had oppressed them for seven years (Judges 6:1). Their power was “oppressive” (6:2). In the valley, their warriors were as “thick as locusts”, and their camels like “the sand on the seashore” (7:12). The odds were clearly stacked against Gideon and his army. His army consisted of 32,000 soldiers. However, God knew that even with this many people, they would boast about their strength (vv. 2–3). So, Gideon eliminated 22,000 soldiers who were too fearful to fight. With 10,000 remaining, God decided there were still too many. Like a master gardener pruning shrubs, God continued to remove men from Gideon’s army. After drinking from the river, only the ones who kept alert by lapping the water from their hands were allowed to stay (vv. 5–8). This reduced the army to a measly 300. God wanted only the alert and courageous to fight for Him. Despite the small size of his army, Gideon received confirmation through a Midianite’s dream that the Lord was in control (vv. 13–15). That night, he gathered his men and concocted a plan that most likely baffled his seasoned warriors. Perhaps they thought it was a result of his inexperience, but they trusted him and God. Leadership can be frightening because you are taking people where they have never been before. Here we see God teach Gideon that our strength is not in numbers; our strength must come only from God. >> Despite what you might think, leaders often experience fear. What fears (failure, rejection, inadequacy, conflict, loneliness, etc.) are most likely to prevent you from facing a difficult situation? What does today’s reading teach us about fear?

The receptionist responded, “Are you crazy, lady?” and immediately hung up the phone. But that didn’t stop Judy Sheindlin. Three years later, in 1996, Sheindlin convinced CBS television producers to run a daytime reality court show starring her in the main role. For the next 25 years, Judge Judy became one of America’s most famous judges and personalities. In the Old Testament, judges were appointed to preside over disputes and to act as military leaders. In Judges chapter 4, we find God’s people crying out to the Lord for help (v. 3). God loved His people so much that instead of allowing them to drift into sin constantly, He had permitted them to be sold into slavery (vv. 1–2). It took them 20 years to come to their senses (v. 3). During this time of bondage, Deborah didn’t seek a leadership role or making a name for herself. She simply wanted to serve the Lord. The Hebrew word for leading (v. 4) means to judge, to govern, or to act as a decision-maker. The Israelites looked to Deborah for leadership, and she delivered: “She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided” (v. 5). When the time came to speak the truth, she didn’t shy away. She called for Barak, the army’s commander, to go into battle and free those enslaved (vv. 6–7). When he hesitated to proceed alone (v. 8), Deborah agreed to go with Barak (v. 11) and predicted that the glory of the battle would go to a woman, and not to Barak (Judges 4:17–21). >> Leaders rise to the challenge. And Christ followers can do that not because we are great but because God is on our side. Is there something you have been putting off doing? Whatever it is, ask God if this is His will, then stand tall and take the initiative.

The pandemic changed typical home life in both good and bad ways. Families were forced to work alongside each other, sharing more spaces and meals than before. Children observed their parents’ ability to problem-solve and trust God during challenging times. Time will only tell the spiritual impact that unexpected “time together” had on our families. In Joshua 24, we see the household of Joshua and his fellow Israelite families making a choice to serve God. After reminding the Israelites how God fulfilled His covenant by delivering them to the Promised Land (vv. 3–13), Joshua explained what they should do “now” (v. 14). First, he urged them to be faithful (v. 14). He commanded them to throw away any false idols they had carried from Egypt. Notice that he gave them a choice! “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (v. 15). Being God’s leader does not mean we can demand obedience from others. Instead of dictating to the Israelites to serve Yahweh, Joshua led through example. He boldly declared, “As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (v. 15). For Joshua, leadership started in his home. His most important mission field was his family. He first battled the enemy at the front door of his home. No false idols would seep into his household. They would serve the Lord. Joshua was not ashamed of his family’s allegiance to Yahweh. Others witnessed Joshua and his family’s commitment to serve the Lord. They responded to the example set before them by recalling the many miracles of God. They remembered the Lord’s coat of protection he placed on them throughout their entire journey (vv. 16 17). They followed Joshua’s leadership and committed to serving Yahweh (v. 18). >> Are you a leader in your home? You can influence your family through prayer, Scripture reading, daily devotions, spending time with your family members, writing letters or text messages to them. No matter what your role outside the home, what happens within is very important.

Do you remember learning about Alexander the Great? At a certain point in his world conquest, he and his leaders became concerned. Examining their maps, they realized they had come to the very edge on each side. How could they proceed when it was all unknown? The people of Israel faced a similar situation. Joshua had brought them to the banks of the Jordan River looking into the land God promised. But this was unchartered territory. However, on the other side of the Jordan was Rahab, an unlikely person whom God would use to assure the Israelites that their future was secure. Joshua sent spies in to survey the land. There they found a haven in the house of Rahab, a prostitute (v. 1). However, after their hideout was exposed, the king’s men were sent on a mission to capture and kill them. Sensing danger, Rahab used what little power and leverage she had and hid the spies on the roof of her house (vv. 4–7). Rahab risked her own safety, finding courage in the face of immediate danger and unavoidable consequences. Why? Because she was confident that God was on the other side of the Jordan. Because of what she did, Rahab’s name is included in Hebrew’s Hall of Faith (Heb. 11:31). After the threat passed, Rahab’s conversation with the spies revealed her true heart. She had heard how Yahweh promised the land that her people occupied, how He dried up the water of the Red Sea, and how He helped the Israelites destroy the kings east of the Jordan (vv. 9–10). With their futures unknown, both Rahab and the Israelites trusted the Lord with what awaited them on the other side (vv. 12–16). >> Does your future seem uncertain? Maybe the way ahead is cloudy for you, your family, or the people you lead. But even though you do not know what the future holds, you know the One who holds your future. Share your concerns with Him today.

Being selected to follow an outstanding leader can be difficult, if not downright impossible. How do you prevent comparisons? The book of Joshua begins with news that would have made headlines for weeks: “Moses my servant is dead” (v. 2). Without a doubt, it was the topic of conversation at every dinner table. But while Moses’ life may have been over, God’s commitment to the Israelites was not. Joshua most likely had a hunch that he would take up the mantle of leadership. But that did not mean he felt confident. Even Moses’ second- in-command suffered from impostor syndrome and wondered if he was the right person for the job. God continually reminded Joshua that he would not be alone (v. 5). Notice in Joshua 1, that three times God commands Joshua to be “strong and courageous” (vv. 6, 7, 9). God also assures victory: “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life” (v. 5). The Lord reminded Joshua that he should follow Moses’ example in trusting and obeying the Book of the Law (vv. 7–8). God commanded Joshua to meditate on the Torah day and night. Having God’s Word continually on his mind and lips would not guarantee that his life and leadership would be without struggle. But knowing God’s Word would give him strength and courage, helping Joshua overcome significant challenges. Leaders who replace legends sometimes fall into the trap of trying to prove themselves. But the answer doesn’t lie within us. Instead, God wants His appointed leaders to trust that if they are faithful to Him, He will continue to be faithful to them. He gives them courage to lead. >> One way to be a godly leader is to keep God’s Word always on your lips and your mind. Consider some of the daily verses from this month’s study to memorize. Commit to memorizing them so you can recall them when you face difficult moments.

In the most despicable and wicked manner, the Amalekites attacked the Israelites from the rear, focusing on attacking the women, children, and elderly (Deut. 25:17–18). The Israelites had never experienced a battle before. Yahweh fought the Egyptians for them. But in today’s text, the Lord was teaching the Israelites to rely on the Lord and take matters into their own hands. Moses tasked Joshua with recruiting men, and he then climbed to the top of the hill with his brother Aaron and his brother-in-law Hur. At the top of the hill, they could clearly see the battle, they were visible to their soldiers, but most importantly, they could pray (v. 10). The phrase, “as long as Moses held up his hands,” describes the Israelites’ posture of prayer (v. 11). If he kept praying, the Israelites kept winning. However, while a battle raged in the valley, a war also raged within Moses. Having a strong prayer life does not come naturally. Moses became physically weak after holding up his hands for hours, but Aaron and Hur supported him physically, emotionally, and spiritually (v. 12). In this passage, we see four unlikely leaders. Joshua had never fought in a battle, but he recruited men and led them into action (vv. 9–10). Aaron and Hur were true servant-leaders (v. 12). Their support of Moses resembles that of the athlete who carries their injured teammate across the finish line. And Moses led by lifting his hands and prayers to the Lord for victory over the Amalekites and saving his people. It is an excellent reminder that many years later, another unlikely Leader would climb to a hill for all to see, stretch out His hands, physically suffer for all humanity, cry out to the Father, and win the victory over sin and Satan. >> No matter where or how you lead, you haven’t gotten to it alone. There have been others who helped you on your journey. Today, pray for them and remind them that they played an important role in your life.

A well-known comedian observed that the number-one fear for most Americans is speaking in public, while the second fear is death, which means that at a funeral, people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy. There is some truth to this humor. Having the right words at the right time can be challenging. We fear offending others or embarrassing ourselves. We aren’t the only ones to be timid with our tongues. You may picture Moses as a courageous, Charlton Heston-type leader with a booming voice, leading the Israelites out of the oppressive stronghold of Pharaoh. But Exodus 4 gives us a different perspective. Moses was someone we wouldn’t initially expect to be a leader. Our text falls in the middle of his conversation with God. Moses was giving excuse after excuse, trying to get out of God’s command to go before Pharaoh. His final protest to the Lord points to his speech impediment, which he claimed would hinder God’s message (v. 10). The Lord gave Moses a quick theologically based biology lesson and concluded by saying, “Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (v. 12). This excuse set aside, Moses finally revealed why he didn’t want to go: he was terrified (v. 13). The main issue wasn’t his lack of ability but his lack of faith and unwillingness to try. God was angry not with Moses’ questions but with his resistance. However, the Lord did not give up on this unlikely leader. Instead, He offered help through Moses’ brother, Aaron (vv. 14–16). Yahweh taught Moses that being a leader could be intimidating, especially when you have to speak in front of others, but God would give His people the right words at the right time. >> Do you fear leading others because you fear to speak in public? The next time you have an important conversation, presentation, speech, or sermon, remember that while you are fearful, God will help you speak and teach you what to say.

For nearly ten years, lawyer Randy Schoenberg represented Austrian Maria Altmann in her quest to recover her family’s paintings that had been stolen by the Nazis during World War II. The exquisite paintings, valued at more than $325 million, were discovered in museums where they had been displayed for decades. Schoenberg persisted on Altmann’s behalf, appealing to many judges, including the U.S. Supreme Court, before winning her case. In Genesis 18, we find Abraham in a bargaining conversation with the Lord. Sodom and Gomorrah were the “Sin Cities” of the day. The mercy cries of the oppressed and powerless had reached the ears of the Lord (vv. 20– 21). God was on the verge of pouring out another round of destruction. But before God punished Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham courageously pled their case (v. 22). Even though the Scriptures do not explicitly mention Lot, Abraham’s nephew and his family was most likely on his mind, since they were still in Sodom. The premise of Abraham’s argument to the Lord was: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” (v. 23). Beginning with 50 and working his way down to ten, Abraham witnessed the Lord’s mercy and goodness in one hypothetical measurement at a time. Using the skills of an experienced arbitrator, he interceded for the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s intervention before God on behalf of the righteous may remind you of the way Jesus has intervened for us! Centuries later, Jesus would stand before the Father to intercede for our deliverance from death and destruction (Rom. 8:34). >> For whom can you intercede today? As a godly leader, you may be asked to stand up for the rights of another. And certainly, we can intercede for them through prayer. Using Abraham as a model, pray for those you know who are lost and need the Savior.

Do you ever yearn for adventure? For some this might mean a winding road trip and camping out under the stars. For others it means trying exotic foods or exploring a new city. Most of us find it exciting to go where we’ve never gone before. In Genesis 12, God told another one of His unlikely leaders to venture into the unknown. Even better, God promised that the entire world would be blessed one day through him and his journey. In Genesis 12, we read how God began a new relationship with humanity. The troubled days of Noah were over, and God wanted to restore the relationship, He once had with His creation before sin entered the world. The Lord chose Abram and took him on an unexpected journey that would demonstrate to the world that He is God. Yahweh commanded Abram to leave Harran, his people, and his extended family (v. 1). Leaving the known and entering the unknown would have been terrifying. Abram had no smart device to help him navigate the terrain. He couldn’t Google the best ways to stay out of danger on the trip. All he had (and all he needed) was a promise from the Lord Almighty. God promised to make Abram’s offspring into a great nation with a great name (v. 2). Abram was not venturing into the unknown to fulfill his craving to explore. Instead, he was obeying what the Lord commanded him to do. God promised that not only would Abram and his family be blessed (v. 2), but the entire world would be blessed through him (v. 3). Did you catch that? The promise God made to Abram was not just to him and his family, but to everyone, including you and me. >> What adventure might God be calling you to take? You can trust God that when He places a task on your heart, He will provide everything you need to accomplish it. God wants to use leaders like you to bless others.

Ask any farmer, and they will tell you the word they fear the most is drought. Without rain, their crops and livelihood are in peril. Farmers plant their crops with hope that rain will come soon. But a couple of seasons of drought, sprinkled with a period of doubt, is a combination even the most optimistic farmer never wants to face. When rain does come it is viewed as a blessing, restoring life to the withered land. In Genesis 6, we learn that humanity had reached an all-time low. Wickedness and evil were running wild. “The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (v. 5). He resolved to cross everything out and start over (v. 7). Scripture tells us that as God looked at the darkness of the world, He saw a flickering light of hope. One man found favor in His eyes: Noah (v. 8). Many biblical scholars assert that before the Flood, there had been decades of no rain except the occasional mist, fog, or morning dew. Because humans had never experienced rain, God’s command to build an ark would have seemed ludicrous. But Noah was righteous, “blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God” (v. 9). He did everything as God commanded (v. 22). Have you walked through times when the road before you seemed impossible? How would God work during those seasons of drought and doubt? God needs leaders who will follow Him even when everyone else turns away. >> If you have ever trusted God during difficult times, you may be precisely the type of leader God wants to use. Even if you are in a difficult season, God can still use you for His purposes. Leadership takes patience, waiting on others, and waiting on God.

What do you look for in a leader? For generations, God’s people hoped for a leader to take them into battle. They wanted a problem-solver, winner-take-all, charismatic leader. Instead, God gave someone they did not expect...His Son Jesus. In direct contrast to the characteristics of popular leaders then (and now), Jesus was known for humility. In Philippians 2, Paul focuses on the need for the Philippians to complete his joy by being united. Paul knew that if Christians were to live a worthy life (1:27–30), they had to turn from “selfish ambition or vain conceit” (2:3) and be unified through having the same mind, same love, and being one in spirit and purpose (v. 2). This is a leadership task easier said than done! Ask any coach, CEO, or mother about the challenges of getting everyone on the same page and united with one another. Paul’s solution was learned from Jesus: Lead through humility. We know that humility means considering others above ourselves (v. 4). But humility is easier to define than to do. Paul Paul points to the ultimate example of humility, the Lord Jesus Himself (vv. 5–11). Many scholars label these verses as the “Hymn of Christ.” Experts believe early Christians sang or recited these words during worship gatherings. The poem touches on Christ’s preexistence, incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. These verses are rich in theology, but we should not miss Paul’s purpose in penning these words. He wants the Philippians to be united, and the only way they will ever accomplish that is to model their lives after Jesus. As we examine the lives of unlikely leaders in Scripture, you will find that they all exhibit humility. As we put interests of others before ourselves, we too can be an influential leader for Christ. >> You may not realize it, but you are a leader. God wants you to be His representative as you unite the people you work with and live alongside them. Lead like Jesus through humility.

As we conclude our study of 1 Kings, you may wonder if anyone in a power position is ever worthy of the title. This book records a history filled with defeat and disappointment. There are bright spots indeed, but overall, this was a dark time in Israel’s history. The kingdom Saul founded and David expanded, declined under the leadership of David’s descendants and their rivals. Even the few righteous among them were not strong enough to turn the nation back to faithful worship. Where does that leave us? We must remember the promise God made to David: “Your throne will be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16). God’s commitment to an eternal throne for a descendant of David is established here as we watch Him work through the reigns of human and fallible leaders in 1 Kings. Recall when David challenged his son Solomon with these words: “If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.” (1 Kings 2:4). Against this backdrop of wickedness, compromise, and faithlessness, we see the steadfast commitment of God to His people and His promise. Even at the height of their sinfulness, God never abandoned them but worked to bring Israel back to Himself. When the people gave into false worship, God gave them leaders who would fail them so they would long for His righteous leadership and for a leader committed to righteousness. The prophet Jeremiah, who followed this period, recalled this promise and it encouraged him at a time when Jerusalem was about to be completely destroyed. “For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel” (Jer. 33:17). >> As believers, we know that Jesus, the Son of David, is the final fulfillment of God’s perfect plan. We don’t put our trust in earthly kings, but in the righteous Leader who laid down His life so we will enjoy fellowship in the kingdom of God forever.

Where we go for information reveals whom we trust. Children turn to their parents instinctively. Researchers consult the most reputable journals. Scientists use the best instruments. When Ahaziah was in trouble, his choice was to consult Baal. Why did the new king consider Baal to be the best source of information about his future? Today’s passage spans the gap between 1 and 2 Kings with the story of Ahaziah, Ahab’s son. His introductory biography informs us that he was wicked in the ways of his father and mother, and he also behaved like Jeroboam, the king who built the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. First Kings ends there, but Ahaziah’s story does not. The division here is probably not original. It is quite possible that these two books would have been written on one scroll in ancient times. So, if you keep reading into 2 Kings, you’ll see Ahaziah’s story continue. Here we discover that Ahaziah was seriously injured in a fall. His injury was significant enough that he feared for his life and sought divine counsel. Like so many before him, the king did not seek God, but instead the counsel of Baal! Even after all that had happened to Ahab, his father, Ahaziah had not learned his lesson. So God, in His mercy, took steps yet again, to show Israel the He is in control and worthy of their undivided worship. The angel of the Lord, spoke to Elijah and sent him to confront Ahaziah with an insightful question: “Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?” (2 Kings 1:3). The question is penetrating. >> Ahab’s decision to consult Baal implied that he thought of God as unreliable, or even worse, not God at all! What do your choices say about your view of God? Do they reveal Him to be totally trustworthy? Or do they suggest that your trust lies elsewhere?

When someone has an effective way with words, we say they have a silver tongue or are a slick talker. Both phrases could be used to describe King Ahab. In yesterday’s reading, the Israelite king persuaded his Judean ally Jehoshaphat to put on his royal robes and join him in battle, while Ahab disguised himself as an average soldier (22:30). The enemy mistakenly identified Jehoshaphat as Ahab and pursued him (22:32). This decision almost cost him his life! You might think that this near- death experience would cause the godly king to reevaluate his relationship with wicked kings. But Jehoshaphat continued to ally himself with those who hated the Lord. At that time the balance of power between the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah was tilted in the favor of the north. Israel possessed more territory, and under the leadership of Omri and Ahab had become more prosperous. This might explain why a righteous king like Jehoshaphat would make peace with Ahab (v. 44). He wanted the benefits that would come from this alliance. That alliance almost cost him his life. So, it may surprise us to read in today’s passage, that Jehoshaphat made the same mistake again, allying himself with Ahab’s wicked son, in a business venture. A plain reading of 1 Kings suggests that Jehoshaphat built ships, they were destroyed, and then he rejected Ahaziah’s offer. But comparing this story with the account in 2 Chronicles 20:35–37 suggests that Jehoshaphat accepts Ahaziah’s offer at first. Only after the ships were destroyed did he reject a second offer to try again, but with Ahaziah’s men aboard. Jehoshaphat’s craving for recognition led him into compromising alliances. >> While God’s people exist in this world, we are warned not to build close alliances with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14–15). Have you considered how your wants and desires lead you to compromise with those who are enemies of God? Are you putting yourself at risk?

In The Wizard of Oz, Toto draws back a curtain only to discover that the Great and Powerful Oz is just an ordinary man speaking into a microphone. In 1 Kings 22, we are given a look behind the curtain, to see God in action. Who is running the show in Israel? As we draw near to the end of 1 Kings, we might begin to wonder if God is going to resolve the difficulties facing His people. Does He have a plan? These are questions the faithful in Israel faced during the reign of Ahab. Today’s passage pulls the curtain back just a bit to give a view behind the scenes. The word from Micaiah, the prophet of the Lord, was not encouraging. While the prophets of Baal predicted Ahab’s victory, God’s prophet told of his death. Micaiah described a boardroom scene in heaven. At the head of the table, sat the Lord on His throne with one agenda item. “Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?” (v. 20). Or to put it another way, “How can we get Ahab to the battlefield so that he dies?” God would compel the false prophets to lie to Ahab. This is a fascinating scene. He was in total control of this situation. The message so rattled Ahab that he disguised himself as he rode out to the battlefield (v. 30). He hoped to thwart God’s plan, but his clever attempts failed. An archer fired his bow at “random” and the king died. Rest assured that even when you do not see His hand, God is at work. >> How often do we doubt that God is really working in the difficult situations in our world, our community, even our families? Today’s reading humbles us to recognize that we serve an all- powerful God who is working all things together for His purpose.

Psychologists have a term called “cognitive dissonance”—when what a person believes contradicts what they do. For example, a person may say they want to avoid debt, but then apply for a third credit card. The level of dissonance grows when belief and actions are far apart. Ahab’s heart had been trained by years of idol worship and the influence of his wife, Jezebel. Would he learn from his errors? Sadly, no. His behavior was deeply ingrained and manifested in the way he ran his kingdom. Three years after his confrontation with God, Ahab started another war, this time to retake the territory Israel had lost to the Syrians. His ally, Jehoshaphat of Judah, advised him to seek God’s counsel (v. 7). Instead, Ahab turned to false prophets. As you would expect, they predicted victory. Their main goal was to find favor with the king. While Ahab employed hundreds of false prophets, he also kept one true prophet of the Lord on staff! We need to pause here and consider this contradiction. Ahab must have suffered from great cognitive dissonance. On the one hand he worshiped Baal, on the other hand he kept a prophet of God alive. What could cause him to live in such a contradictory manner? Ahab wanted to have “his cake and eat it too.” The prophets of Baal told him what he wanted to hear, while the prophet of God told him the truth. He did not like that truth. Like a petulant child Ahab declared, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad” (v. 8). >> It is easy to be shocked by Ahab, but we can act the same way. We say we believe in God but live in disobedience. As a believer, allowing sin in our life conflicts our mind. Consider where you might be trying to have it both ways in your relationship with the Lord.

If you’ve ever held a pity party for yourself, you aren’t alone. It is easy to get so wrapped up in our own emotions and our own feelings. Even worse, we can let those emotions hurt others. In 1 Kings 21, we find King Ahab feeling very sorry for himself. After God rebuked Ahab for letting the enemy king go (see 1 Kings 20), Ahab returned to his palace in Jezreel. To console himself he tried to purchase a plot of land near his palace that belonged to Naboth. But Naboth wouldn’t sell it, saying: “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors” (v. 3). Ahab “lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat” (v. 4). His wife Jezebel took matters into her own hands. She reminded Ahab that he was king of Israel (v. 7) and promised to get the land for him. She did so by having Naboth killed (v. 9). Why didn’t Ahab just take that land? Although Ahab was king, Israelite kings were not permitted to reign the way other rulers did in the ancient Near East. In Deuteronomy 17:14–20, God declared that Israelite kings were subject to the Mosaic law just like everyone else. This meant they had to respect property rights. “You shall not steal” (Ex. 20:15) applied to them as well. Jezebel was not Israelite; she was Sidonian. Jezebel had no hesitations about violating God’s law. So, she had Naboth killed and stole his vineyard. Ahab did not stop her. The prophet Elijah delivered a strong rebuke from the Lord: “I am going to bring disaster on you” (v. 21). And then a curious thing happened. King Ahab repented. After such an ugly sin, it may surprise us that the Lord accepted Ahab’s repentance and delayed the punishment He promised. >> This shocking story teaches us about God. We see His power, His sovereignty, His knowledge, and His mercy. As wicked as Ahab was, his repentance was accepted by God. What do we need to repent of today?

Have you ever heard someone say, “You believe what you want, and I’ll believe what I want. We are both right”? As Christians, our belief that God is the one and only true God, directly contradicts the all-gods-are-equal philosophy. In 1 Kings 20, God’s people were battling the Syrians, a conflict that challenged not just political borders, but also the character of God. In the ancient world, gods were understood to control the borders of the country where they were worshiped. Each nation had its own deity, and while they acknowledged that other gods existed, local deities had homefield advantage, so to speak. This explains why after their loss in the first battle, the Syrians changed their strategy. They reasoned that because the Israelites lived in a mountainous region, their god gave them victory over the battle in the mountains. But their gods were worshiped in the plains, so if they battled there, they would claim victory (v. 23). This logic contradicted the theology of Israel. Through Moses, God revealed that He was god not just of the mountains, but of the entire world. Yahweh had no rival. Defeating Israel would not result from better strategy or battling on a different field. Israel would lose only if God gave them over to defeat. God said, “I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD” (v. 28). The previous victory proved that God had the power to defeat Israel’s enemies. This victory over Syria proved that God’s power was not limited to one region (v. 29). God’s power is everywhere! Ahab didn’t get the message. He immediately pardoned the Syrian king (v. 34). But the truth had been told. God’s people might long for a powerful righteous leader, but there was no need to long for a powerful, righteous god. They already knew Him. >> No matter how powerful the enemy, no matter what the circumstance, our God is victorious.

Who do you look to when you need help? When we were children, we thought our parents could always save the day. But as adults, we realize that our parents or our boss cannot solve every problem we encounter. Their power is limited. In 1 Kings 18, we saw a clear demonstration of God’s supremacy over Baal. Not only could God’s people look to Him for help, but He alone had the character and power to deliver them. Today’s story illustrates this again. While most of us would have given up on King Ahab, God extended mercy and delivered him from an enemy. Ben-Hadad, king of Aram (Syria), had attacked Israel, besieging Samaria (v. 1). His army was so powerful that he made outrageous demands of Ahab (vv. 2–5). He boasted: “Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine” (v. 3). During the panic that ensued, the Lord sent a prophet to Ahab with encouragement and instructions. His message: “Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hands today, and then you will know that I am the LORD” (v. 13). Although Ahab and the nation set their hearts against the God of Israel, God wouldn’t let them go. Instead, He continued to display His power to them in tangible way so that they would realize that He, not Baal, was in control. These physical displays of God’s power were meant to bolster Israel’s faith! In obedience, the Israelites launched a counterattack, and the Syrians were defeated. They would win the next battle as well, and, although Ahab failed to follow through on his victory, Gods glory was displayed for the nation. They knew that God was with them. Now, why wouldn’t they listen? >> We need this reminder in our own lives. The God we serve is the only One who has the ultimate power. When we are faced with impossible situations, our first thought should be to call on Him!

If you are discouraged, today’s Bible reading is one you need to hear. We meet up with God’s prophet Elijah after the victory on Mt. Carmel. What an incredible day it was! God showed up in power, and the false prophets were defeated. Then why was Elijah so discouraged? Anyone would expect that after God’s power was so clearly displayed, the people of Israel would have thrown Ahab and Jezebel out of the palace. Instead, Jezebel issued orders for the prophet’s assassination forcing Elijah to flee for his life (v. 3). When Elijah thought he was far enough away from his nemesis, he sat under a tree and lamented his existence (v. 4). His response is understandable. Who hasn’t been there? When faced with impossible circumstances, we ask, “Lord, I did what You wanted and I thought it would work out well, but the opposite happened. Why?!” Elijah was so discouraged he asked God to take his life (v. 4). But in the face of the prophet’s doubt, we see the patience of the Lord. God fed Elijah, and gave him time to rest, before telling him to keep moving. Forty days later God met him at a cave on Mt. Sinai. After allowing Elijah to vent his frustrations, God confronted him with the truth: I have a plan that you do not know about. God would anoint a new king in Syria, which meant God was at work beyond the borders of Israel. It meant Elijah would anoint Jehu as the next king over Israel, and Ahab would be dethroned. Finally, it meant anointing Elisha as his replacement, which meant God would not abandon Israel! If Elijah wondered who would be around to see all this, God reminded him that at least 7,000 people had not compromised themselves with Baal worship! >> Faced with the impossible, Elijah felt hopeless. He could only see things from his perspective. How might you be doing the same thing in your life? Do you need God’s perspective? Spend time in God’s presence today.

While we might not witness outright idol worship in modern society, we do see people put their faith in unusual sources. Superstition haunts the sporting world. An athlete might wear the same hat or even the same pair of socks, hoping to ensure a winning streak. But is this trust warranted? Today’s reading in 1 Kings 18 marks a high point of the book: a confrontation between God and His people. The confrontation is not between Elijah and Ahab, or even Elijah and the prophets of Baal, but between Yahweh and His people. Elijah is the focal point, but his message is from God. “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; if Baal is God, follow him,” the prophet asks (v. 21). The site is a mountain range east of Samaria, likely a high place for Baal worship. Here, Elijah threw down the challenge: You call for Baal and I’ll call upon Yahweh, whoever answers by fire is God! The prophets of Baal went first. After hours of praying, crying out, and ritual cutting, nothing. No fire, no voice, nothing. Elijah took his turn and after preparing an altar and sacrifice in the acceptable manner, he doused everything in water. Then he prayed. “Answer me, LORD, so these people may know that you, LORD, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again” (v. 37). In response, the fire of the Lord fell. The people were answered, and God’s power was clearly demonstrated. Even during this time of great suffering, God never abandoned His people. He used punishment to soften their hearts and appeared to them in indisputable ways. >> Today, we have front-row seats to the heart of a loving God drawing His people back to Himself. The confrontation was dramatic. The people acknowledged the authority of God—but would they continue to listen? How about us? Faced with the reality of God, are we ready to listen and to obey?

If someone threatened your life, what would you do? Some people would flee while others might give up. We all like to think that we would take a brave stand against the enemy. While the prophet Elijah may have thought he was the only follower of the Lord being pursued by wicked King Ahab, the truth was that there was someone else serving behind enemy lines, a man named Obadiah (vv. 3–4). Obadiah was a faithful Israelite who did not worship Baal but worked for Ahab and Jezebel! The text describes him as “palace administrator” so his job would have put him near the rulers (v. 3). He had a front row seat to their wicked policies. One of those policies involved killing God’s prophets (v. 4). Soon we will learn that Ahab and Jezebel replaced the prophets of Yahweh with their own state-sponsored prophets of Baal and Asherah. The purge involved the death of many faithful servants of God. At great risk to himself, Obadiah worked to save 100 of them by hiding them in caves (v. 4). The faithful prophet preserved their lives. What motivated Obadiah to stand against the tide when everyone else around him had fallen under the sway of Baal worship? What caused him to take such a risk and openly defy an order of the king? Obadiah said, “If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn’t find you, he will kill me” (v. 12). Yet, he obeyed because he worshipped the Lord. As powerful as Ahab and Jezebel might have been, Yahweh was more powerful. Obadiah’s fear of God enabled him to be fearless in the face of wickedness. >> Living in what many are calling a post-biblical culture may inspire fear or nervousness in us. We may be tempted to be quiet and keep our beliefs private. But God’s people are not called to cower in fear. How can your knowledge of God motivate you to stand up for righteousness?

There are many things in life that the modern world has learned to control. We can genetically modify crops. We are able stop disease. We can explore outer space. But we have yet to resurrect people from the dead! While it is true that we can sometimes resuscitate a dying person, after a certain point, even our highest medical skills fail. That That is what makes resurrection such an overwhelming display of God’s power. After demonstrating His ability to care for His own prophet Elijah, by miraculously providing food for him and a widow, God creates another opportunity to declare He has power over life and death, and not Baal. The son of the widow He just helped became ill and died suddenly. The woman interpreted this event as a punishment for some sin she had committed. Elijah took a different approach. Taking the child in his arms, he brought him before the Lord and asked for his life back (v. 21). Our modern minds struggle with this. Once death has come, we understand that there is no going back. There is nothing we can do! Yet in this Scripture passage we see that God’s power has not been exhausted. The Creator of the universe has total control over everyone and everything, including life and death. Elijah prays to God, knowing what He can do! The child comes back to life, and his mother declares, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is truth” (v. 24). Elijah’s credibility was established along with the power of God! This will be important as Elijah challenges God’s people to make a choice: Baal or Yahweh. >> Do you believe that God holds all power over life and death and everything in it? We may say that we hold this belief, but we often act as if outcomes are up to us. Today’s reading challenges us to place our most critical moments into the hands of the Creator of the universe.

In the 1930s, the Dust Bowl battered the southern plains of the United States. High winds and choking dust were sweeping across farmland from Texas to Nebraska for nearly six years, killing people and livestock and devastating crops. In 1 Kings 17, we read that a devastating drought had come to Israel. The prophet Elijah explains that this was ordered by God (v. 1). As a result of the idolatrous practices of Ahab and Jezebel, Israel had come to believe that Baal controlled the essential elements of life: the rain, the fertility of land, man and beast, life and death. They knew the one true God, yet they had abandoned Him. In response, God took steps to bring His people back to Himself. First, He raised up a prophet, Elijah, and second, He stopped the rain. Israel had seen prophets before, but stopping the rain was new. Yet it was a fulfillment of a threat God made in the covenant at Sinai (Deut. 11:16–17). The lack of rain demonstrated that God was in control of all things. They had been warned in love, now they would experience His discipline. But the Lord also provided a prophet to point the people back to Him. Elijah would call the people to repentance and faithfulness. God’s care for Elijah by providing water and bread is not only a miracle, but also points to His loving care (vv. 4–5). He saw the prophet’s condition and cared for him. In addition, we see the faith of the widow at Zarephath who would give the smallest bit she had in obedience to God. In return, she also witnessed a miracle—“there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family” (v. 15). >> God’s provision for Elijah and the widow, even in the midst of a drought, is a beautiful example of how He cares for us. God sees your need. He loves you. He will provide for you.

In his article, “Evolving Ideas of Sin,” Rich Barlow observes: “’Sin’ is in the eye of the beholder, and our society is richly multiperspectival: we don’t have a single definition of anything, ‘sin’ included.” What happens when we do not believe God defines right and wrong? We see the answer in the life of King Ahab. During his 22-year reign “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him” (v. 30). After marrying Jezebel, a Sidonian princess, Ahab formally sanctioned Baal worship in Israel. Jezebel was a Baal worshiper and Ahab supported her to the point of constructing a shrine for Baal and an Asherah pole (vv. 32–33). It is hard to ignore the impact of this moment on Israel’s history. The nation was teetering on a knife edge. None of its kings had been righteous—not a single one! Its history had been characterized by violence, chaos, and increasing theological drift. Now their king was partnering with his wife to draw Israel into worship of a rival deity. Baal was worshiped by the nations in the eastern Mediterranean, in particular the Canaanites and Phoenicians. They believed Baal controlled life, fertility, the weather, and more. They worshiped him in ceremonies and activities that were an affront to the God of Israel. This was one of the religions God commanded Israel to eradicate. They failed to do so during the days of the judges and now Baal worship was becoming a regular part of life. These were dark days indeed. It is no surprise that God would take extraordinary measures to bring His people back to him! >> We don’t talk a great deal about evil in our modern world. We tend to see things in shades of gray, rather than black and white. But God has clearly stated what is right and what is wrong. We should learn from Ahab’s example never to compromise when it comes to sin.

In 1846 Austen Henry Layard discovered the Black Obelisk which contained the earliest known depictions of a biblical figure. It depicts King Jehu, described as a son of Omri. The monument was carved by the Assyrians and found far from the land of Israel. Why would the name Omri be known beyond Israel’s borders? Omri was famous, but for all the wrong reasons. Omri became king during civil conflict which split Israel into “two factions” (v. 21). When the previous king was assassinated, half of the country followed Omri, while the other half followed Tibni. When Omri’s faction overtook his opponent, he became king over both divisions. During his reign, Israel’s power expanded beyond its borders. He established Samaria as the capital city until it was destroyed in 722 BC (v. 24). The country he left to his son was recognized as a military power. Yet for all his fame, Omri was wicked, and his 12-year reign was summarized in just eight verses. The judgment is that “he sinned more than all those before him” (v. 25). What did he do? He followed in the sins of Jeroboam (v. 26). Decades after Jeroboam built the golden calves at Bethel and Dan, they were still a temptation to the kings who followed him. Once again God’s people turned to “worthless idols” (v. 26). Though Omri was a stabilizing figure for Israel in many respects, his soul was rotten. He may have been renowned across the ancient Near East, but to God who put him on the throne, his reign was noted for its evil acts. >> What would you like to be known for? In our modern society, being known or influential is a highly prized characteristic. We spend a great deal of time trying to get people to notice and admire us. But it is important to remember that while people look on our outer reputation, God sees our heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

We would like to think that we learn from our mistakes. Unfortunately, we often repeat them again and again. In 1 Kings, we witness a generational chain of sin where no one seemed to learn from failures. In chapter 15, after the story of Asa, our attention is directed back to the Kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam’s son, Nadab, had risen to the throne, but he was wicked, following the practices of his father and leading Israel astray (v. 25). As a result, Baasha, from Issachar, assassinated him and his entire household. This was God’s judgment for erecting the golden calves (12:28). Baasha, who replaced Nadab, was wicked as well, and God condemned him for squandering the opportunity and leading like Jeroboam (15:33–34). The king led the people to sin (16:2). For this, Baasha’s entire line would be extinguished. This might seem especially harsh, but leaders have a critical role to play in the lives of their followers. Those who lead others to violate the first commandment are to be held accountable. But the problems didn’t stop there! Baasha’s son, Elah, would reign two years (v. 8) before he too was assassinated by Zimri who went on to destroy Baasha’s entire line. Eventually, Zimri was assassinated by Omri, after reigning for just seven days (v. 15). With Zimri dead, half of the nation followed Tibni while the rest followed Omri. Eventually, Tibni was killed and Omri was crowned king. He would rule for 12 years. What should we learn from this period of instability and chaos? First, we see the far-reaching consequence of Jeroboam’s sins. The decision to turn from the Lord led to complete chaos. But we must remember that while God was disciplining them, He had not abandoned them. >> Are you experiencing chaos? Ask God to reveal to you any sin that needs confessing. Once you are right with God, lean on His promised faithfulness and know that He is with you, even in times of confusion. We have a righteous leader in King Jesus.

Little children will sometimes reject help, insisting, “I can do this all by myself.” While a desire for independence can be admirable, it became a problem for King Asa. Asa had taken over for Abijah as King of Judah, and we may sigh with relief that he was a righteous ruler! His zeal to follow the Lord led to religious reform for the whole nation. He disciplined his own mother because she was worshiping an idol and reestablished Temple worship. While Asa did not eradicate every single high place, he never drifted into idolatry himself. So it is a bit of a surprise when we read that “there was war between Asa and Baasha all their days” (v. 16). War is usually a sign something is wrong. Baasha, king of the northern tribe of Israel, had invaded the southern territory, blocking the roads in and out of Jerusalem. King Asa had two options. One: Cry out to God and ask for help. Or two: Look for a political solution. Asa chose option 2. He used all the treasures from the Temple and his storehouses to buy a treaty with the wicked king of Syria. Syria would attack Baasha creating a two-front war and Baasha would be forced to leave Jerusalem alone. The plan worked! Or did it? In 2 Chronicles 16, we read that the Lord was not pleased with Asa’s decision. Why? Because he trusted in the strength of a foreign king rather than in God Himself (2 Chron. 16:7). By using his wealth to secure peace, Asa was not relying on God’s help. Paying off his enemy to defend him betrayed a lack of faith in God and a reliance on his own wealth (Deut. 17:14–20). >> Doing it ourselves isn’t always the best option. Sometimes we forget that the first place to turn to is God. Asa gave in to the temptation to trust himself and his riches. Where have you placed your trust for your security?

When someone says you take after your father (or your mother), it is usually a compliment. That was not the case for King Abijah. He gets just eight verses to describe his three- year reign over Judah in Jerusalem. He is characterized as a wicked king who followed his father Rehoboam’s example. As a result, he did not enjoy peace; he experienced war with the kingdom of Israel. While we might have expected God to punish Abijah, he is protected by David’s legacy. While Abijah and the nation were worthy of severe judgment for breaking the first and second commandments, God withheld extreme punishment because of David’s faithfulness! (v. 4). David wasn’t perfect; this chapter acknowledges that explicitly. But the writer describes him as not failing to “keep any of the LORD’s commands all the days of his life” (v. 5). Because of this wonderful legacy, even though David’s descendants were often wicked, God showed them mercy. In the northern kingdom, on the other hand, Jeroboam’s sin brought the immediate promise of exile (1 Kings 14:15). Why this special treatment for Judah? It was a result of God’s commitment to David as expressed in the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7). It is true that David left a wonderful legacy of obedience, but, more importantly, God made David a promise, “your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before me. Your throne will be established forever” (2 Sam. 7:16). God kept His promises, despite the sin of David’s successors. What did that commitment look like? When Abijah died, his son Asa inherited the throne, and he, like his great, great, great grandfather David, was a righteous king! Behold the mercy of the God. >> On this Mother’s Day, we give thanks for the important women in our lives. We thank God for mothers who have shown us the Lord’s love and guided us in His truth. May they feel especially loved and appreciated!

Parents will often discipline their children by temporarily taking away something they love. For example, a child might not be allowed to play a favorite video game or go to a friend’s house after school. The loss is intended to teach an important lesson. In 1 Kings 14, we see God’s discipline of a king and his kingdom. Under Rehoboam’s rule the nation followed in the footsteps of his father and violated the first commandment, worshiping other gods. It is important to note that this behavior characterized the nation, not just the king. Rehoboam set an example and his people followed. But they didn’t need to be led astray, they were already prepared to disobey. Punishment came quickly. Five years after Rehoboam took the throne, Shishak, king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem and raided the Temple. “He took everything” (1 Kings 14:26). It didn’t have to be this way. Rehoboam could have made a different choice. He responded poorly to the discipline of the Lord. The division of the kingdom was part of God’s plan, but he rejected it. Instead of letting the punishment turn him back to God, he allowed it to drive him further away. This is the first of many times that the Temple in Jerusalem would be raided, before it was finally destroyed in 586 BC. Why would God allow His “house” to be desecrated this way? Wouldn’t He want to defend His honor? Does this scene say anything about God’s character? Yes, it does! It says that He does not dwell in a house made with hands. Although a Temple was a source of national pride, it was entirely expendable if it prevented people from being faithful to God. The point of this discipline was to make the nation wake up from its idolatrous stupor. >> Sometimes things are removed from our lives, perhaps a job or a friendship. The loss jolts us out of complacency. What might God be teaching us through this loss? Perhaps it reminds us that our first allegiance is only to Him.

Jeroboam had been given a golden ticket! He had been chosen by God to lead the ten tribes of Israel. Confronted by a prophet in chapter 11, Jeroboam was informed that if he obeyed, God would be with him and build him a house like He did for David. What an amazing opportunity! Now, with the ten tribes under his control, Jeroboam’s heart would be tested. The test would not be war, famine, or crisis. Rather, it would be a test of faith. Would Jeroboam believe what God told him or would he give into fear and try to guarantee his future on his own? In chapter 12 we find Jeroboam pondering a question. What would happen if year after year the citizens of his country traveled to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem? He suspected that sooner, rather than later, he would be pushed off the throne as the kingdoms rejoined (v. 27). The ingredient Jeroboam failed to include in his recipe of doubt, was God’s promise! The kingdom was his. His to enjoy, or his to lose. All he had to do was obey. So, it is disappointing to see Jeroboam choose to protect his throne in a way that disobeyed God and led his people astray (vv. 28 30). Jeroboam decided to build two shrines in his kingdom, one at Dan at the northern border of his kingdom and one at Bethel near the southern border. Their purpose? To create an opportunity for Israelites to worship without going to Jerusalem. At these shrines Jeroboam installed idols, golden calves, and invited his people to worship. In his fear-driven effort to protect himself, he led his kingdom into the very sins that led to Solomon’s downfall. >> It seems sensible to do everything we can to protect our own interests. But we must be mindful that God is the only One who can guarantee our future. What are you afraid of that is causing you to secure your life in a way that dishonors God?

Whenever a new boss takes charge, they make changes. Some of those decisions are welcomed by their employees, others are met with disapproval. After King Solomon died, two men stepped into leader- ship. Solomon’s son and successor, Rehoboam, and his rival, Jeroboam. For Rehoboam, this was a chance to rise to the occasion of leadership and cultivate an identity apart from his father. Unlike David, Solomon seems to have made a clear plan for succession, there was no confusion as when David died. But Rehoboam had a different problem. Although Israel prospered under Solomon, the prosperity came at a cost. The people had experienced heavy taxation and a forced labor system. They yearned for relief (v. 4). They found a spokesperson for their cause in Jeroboam, the man who had fled to Egypt to hide from Solomon (v. 2). He led a delegation to make a request of the new king (Rehoboam). “Lighten the hard service...and we will serve you” (v. 4). Initially Rehoboam sought counsel from his father’s advisors who advised Rehoboam to speak gently to the people and agree with their request (v. 7). But the king rejected their advice and consulted a younger set of advisors, men he had known for years. They advised that he take a hard line: “My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier” (v. 11). Agreeing, Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people and watched as ten tribes sided with Jeroboam and formed their own kingdom. Here we see God’s sovereignty on display, even through the poor choice of their new leader. It is easy to wonder if Rehoboam could have avoided this situation if he had listened to older, wiser men. But we must not forget that this was the plan of God. He was at work even through these difficulties. >> Are you facing a difficult situation? Do not despair, rather consider how God might be guiding you through it. God is still on the throne. What might He be teaching you?

There are some very dramatic examples of God’s punishment for sin in the Bible. In Numbers, the ground opened and swallowed people whole (Num. 16:31–35). In Acts, Ananias and his wife Sapphira were judged for lying and fell down dead (Acts 5:5,10). But in Solomon’s case, God used a different type of discipline. God had already described what would await the disobedient king when he made a covenant with David. At that time, God warned that He would “punish him with a rod wielded by men” (2 Sam. 7:14). In this chapter we see what that means. God used war and the threat of rebellion to take away peace. Hadad, an Edomite who had suffered as a child under David, returned as a rival (v. 14). Another man named Rezon, settled in Damascus to set up a rival kingdom (v. 23). Finally, the Lord raised up Jeroboam, a talented young man who worked for Solomon. He was so gifted that Solomon put him in charge of a large construction project in Jerusalem (v. 28). But God intended to give ten of Israel’s twelve tribes to Jeroboam. God sent a prophet to give Jeroboam the message, but Solomon heard and tried to kill his new rival. Jeroboam escaped to Egypt, where Pharaoh, previously Solomon’s ally, protected him. Why would the Lord punish a king whom he previously blessed? The answer is found in verse 33: “[B]ecause they have forsaken me... and have not walked in obedience to me, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my decrees and laws as David, Solomon’s father, did” (1 Kings 11:33). The end of Solomon’s 40-year reign is summarized in verses 41–43. >> The punishment God inflicted for Solomon’s disobedience is a stern reminder of how He views sin. Spend some time in confession today. As believers on this side of the Cross, we are able to experience His forgiveness (1 John 1:9; Heb. 8:12).

Sometimes what seems like a small compromise can lead to devastating results. Maybe you’ve taken a short cut to home repair only to discover the resulting damage was far worse than if you’d fixed it the right way at the beginning. The same was true of Solomon. Considering the wisdom and wealth Solomon received from the Lord in the early years of his life, it is great disappointment that the king turned away from the Lord. How did this happen? The desertion comes through worshiping false gods. Solomon disobeyed the instructions God gave Israel about kingship. In Deuteronomy 17:14–21, God commanded that Israel’s kings were not to take many wives. We can assume non-Israelite wives were in view because the command comes with a reason. These wives would turn the king’s heart after foreign gods. As Israel’s leader, it was of utmost importance to remain faithful to Yahweh. For as the heart of the king goes, so goes the nation. Solomon brought wives into his home who worshiped foreign gods. Over time he allowed himself to be persuaded to worship those gods. He even built shrines to false gods on a hill opposite Jerusalem within sight of the Temple he built for Yahweh (vv. 7–8)! In an echo of the golden calf incident in Exodus when Israel worshiped an idol in full view of Yahweh on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 32), Solomon’s act of betrayal resulted in an extreme consequence—his kingdom would be turned over to an adversary. God raised up enemies, including Jeroboam, who upon Solomon’s death would gain control of a large portion of the kingdom. But the consequences would not only affect Solomon but also the lives of everyone he led. >> Today’s reading serves as a caution in our own walk with God. Are you making compromising choices? Stop and consider the effect this will have on your relationship with God and with others. Is the cost worth the compromise?

In today’s world, fame spreads at the speed of light. One viral video can bring a person instant fame. News is pushed to us as it happens. But in Solomon’s day, it took 20 years for Solomon’s reputation to catch the attention of the queen of Sheba! When the news reached her, she decided to journey to Jerusalem to see Solomon’s kingdom for herself (v. 2). She came with “hard questions” (v. 1), paying careful attention to the food, his servants, their clothes, even what he offered to God. When she saw it, the text tells us, “She was overwhelmed” (v. 5). Yet, the writer is careful to note that Solomon possessed his wisdom and wealth only because God had established him (vv. 9–10). Why include an account of this visit? The writer wants us to note that everything the Lord promised Solomon at Gibeon had come true (1 Kings 3:11–14). You will recall that God promised He would give Solomon what he asked for, wisdom. But He would also give him things he hadn’t asked for, but which kings often desired. He gave him wealth, prosperity, peace, success, etc. The rest of chapter 10 highlights that God was true to His word. Solomon had received everything he ever wanted and then some! Wealth flowed into the nation as ships returned from trading visits, spreading wealth to the point that “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (v. 23)! Even rulers of other nations had to acknowledge the greatness of Solomon, “the whole world sought audience with Solomon” (v. 24). This was a golden age in Israel and this visit was a testimony to the blessing of the Lord on a faithful ruler. >> How has the Lord blessed you? Everything we have is from Him! Consider how you can share the blessings God has given you with those around you. Even better, how can you use your resources to further the work of the gospel?

At times, the book of 1 Kings can be depressing. We watch from the sidelines as Israel disobeyed and rebelled against the God who loved them and provided for them. Our shoulders slump as we see God punish them with increasingly strong punishments. And, living in a day when judging is a bad word, how do we reconcile the love of God and the justice of God? Isn’t God being harsh, overbearing, and tyrannical? How can we love a god who behaves this way? In response to those concerns, it is important for us to remember that God warned Israel of the consequences of disobedience again and again. He wanted them to avoid sin. After he finished building the Temple, the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time (vv. 1–2). Solomon was not surprised when God warned him to stay the course, to follow the path, and to remain faithful to the covenant (vv. 4–5). He warned Solomon of punishment if the king or the people disobeyed. “I will cut off Israel from the land” (v. 7). “This Temple will become a heap of rubble” (v. 8). God wasn’t telling Solomon anything he didn’t already know. Again and again, God warned Israel not to sin and gave them clear instructions on what’s righteous and what’s sinful behavior. Israel’s God was never random, unpredictable, or given to changing the rules on a whim. The covenant He made with His people at Mt. Sinai clearly laid out the blessings and curses that awaited the people based on their behavior. These rules were not directed at making them God’s people. They already were His people. Rather, these were aimed at enticing them to enjoy fellowship with God! If they were faithful, they would enjoy His blessing. Unfaithfulness would bring judgment. >> We may not always experience the consequences that our choices deserve. When this happens, it isn’t a sign that God endorses our actions but a sign that He gives space to repent (Rom. 2:4).

Where does God live? If you knew, would you go visit Him? If He gave you an audience, what would you say? The Israelites understood that there is one God and that He is everywhere. But they also knew that when they worshiped God through sacrifice, they needed to do this at a location He chose. God told the nation He would choose a place and cause His name to dwell there (Deuteronomy 12). His name was a symbol for Himself. It was at this place that the people were to bring sacrifices and offerings. God forbade these practices to be carried out anywhere else. David, Solomon’s father, understood that place was in Jerusalem, and wanted to build a Temple there, but the task fell to Solomon. In 1 Kings 6, we read about the building of the Temple. When it was complete, Solomon’s prayer of dedication reflects what this “house of the Lord” signified. God is unique. He makes and keeps His promises. God rewards righteousness and listens to and answers prayers! Solomon knew God couldn’t be restricted to a building (v. 27). With amazement he expressed the implications of a God who cannot be contained. God has jurisdiction over every situation! When no one knows who is right or wrong, God hears and judges (vv. 31–32). When Israel loses in battle because God is punishing them, God hears their repentance (v. 34). When rain is withheld because of sin, God hears their request for forgiveness and restores blessing (v. 36). God hears Israelites and foreigners (vv. 42–43). The Temple Solomon built was a physical representation of the all-hearing God. It showed that anyone can speak to this God and gain an audience with Him. >> Jesus Christ echoed this theological truth when He told His disciples that He would be with them always (Matt. 28:20). He would be with them to help, to heal, and to hear. He is near; what will you say to Him today?

Have you ever been asked to judge a conflict that came down to one person’s word against the other? In moments like these, we long for someone to step in and provide justice. Someone who will declare, “This is right, and this is wrong!” In 1 Kings chapter 3, Solomon is asked to judge a court case so dramatic that it could have been ripped from today’s headlines. It involved two desperate mothers and two babies. One child accidentally died in the night, and now both women were claiming the living baby as her own. Who was telling the truth? Since no one could decide, the case was brought before the king. Earlier in 1 Kings chapter 3, God offered Solomon anything he wanted. The young king had asked God for the wisdom he needed to lead Israel. God agreed to give Solomon what he asked for and much more! Here we see Solomon’s wisdom put into action. In a surprise move, the king says, “Bring me a sword” (v. 24). What appears to be a cruel verdict is in fact a ruse. The king watched to see how each woman would respond. The true mother was “deeply moved out of love for her son” (v. 26). She offered to give the baby to the other, putting concern for the child above her desire to win. Solomon was able to rightly discern the real mother. Rather than punish both women, he took the time to consider who was right and who was wrong. Being a fair judge requires great wisdom, patience, discernment, and courage. It is no wonder that Solomon asked God for wisdom. Here we see that God delivered. >> Keep yearning for justice? Pray for your leaders, all of them, that God would give them the wisdom they need. Ask God to keep your eyes focused on our coming King who will “reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land” (Jer. 23:5).

With his kingship now established, Solomon had to figure out how to rule. Almost innocently, we are told that he made an alliance with Egypt and married Pharaoh’s daughter (v. 1). Alliances were made to bring nations together in peace, provide defense, and encourage trade. Yet, this was a decision that could bring dangerous consequences. Solomon had willingly attached himself to a foreign nation. And, although he appeared to be doing so from a position of strength, he brought into his house someone who did not worship the God of Israel. Israelites were specifically forbidden to marry Canaanites because they worshiped other gods (Ex. 34:16; Deut. 7:1–6; Josh. 23:11–13). Although this woman was an Egyptian, the choice was ominous. Did Solomon understand the long-term consequences of his choice? Was this an early sign that Solomon would not be a perfect leader? In verse 3 we are told that Solomon loved the Lord, “except” that he worshiped with sacrifices on the “high places” near Gibeon (v. 3). High places were open-air shrines, where Canaanites worshiped foreign gods. Israel was commanded to destroy all of them when they entered the Promised Land, but they failed to do so, and as a result some of them remained and had been repurposed to worship Yahweh. The Lord met Solomon there and made him an offer few of us would refuse. Ask for whatever you want and you can have it, the Lord said (v. 5). What would you ask for? Solomon’s request for wisdom reveals that he understood what it took to be a good leader. He understood that shepherding God’s people required more wisdom than he had. His actions already revealed that he would need all the wisdom he could get.  >> As wonderful as any leader might seem, they are all fallible. Pray for the leaders, in your church, workplace, and government. Pray that they would recognize God as the source of wisdom they desperately need.

Have you ever stepped into a new leadership role only to be met with unexpected opposition? Just because someone gives you a job and a title does not mean you will be welcomed with open arms. Immediately after the death of his father and his own appointment as king, Solomon faced similar management struggles. We have already seen that David struggled to deal decisively at times. He had failed to discipline his sons (1 Kings 1:6). He had sided with the rebel Absalom. He did not establish a clear plan of succession. Now David exhorts Solomon to prepare for battle. Instead of handling the matter himself, he left the problem for Solomon to settle. Joab, David’s general, was a powerful man who had murdered two men in times of peace (v. 5). Shimei, an enemy of David, had cursed him when he ran from a coup (v. 8). A third man, Adonijah, was Solomon’s half-brother and principal rival for the throne (vv. 13–25). The new king was forced to take drastic action to deal with each of these situations. Joab and Adonijah were killed quickly. Shimei’s death would come three years later after he disobeyed the king (v. 46). With his enemies defeated, Solomon regained control. The violence in these verses makes them difficult to read. Revenge was the order of the day. But we must remember that the stories of the Bible are not fairy tales. Battles were fought, men and women died. God had given Solomon the throne, but that did not mean he would be exempt from the challenges that came with possessing it. >> Are there challenges you face at work or at home that are distasteful to you? Rather than seeing them as a burden, what if you viewed them as God’s appointed work? Ask God for His wisdom as you engage in these difficult situations, that He will help you act in obedience to Him.

Isn’t it satisfying when an ending brings clarity? The last minutes of a game inspire a great comeback. The final scenes of a movie explain the plot twist. In the same way, the last days of a life can provide a sense of purpose and reflection. Before David’s life and his rule ended, he gave the best advice he could to his young son Solomon who would sit on the throne after him. David reminded Solomon of the covenant God had made with him (2 Sam. 7:4). There God promised David an heir to the throne and said that the success of this descendant would depend upon his obedience to God’s commandments. David had followed God wholeheartedly, but certainly not perfectly. Mindful of his own life story, he exhorted Solomon to “be strong” (v. 2). Strength of conviction and character would be necessary to walk in obedience to God, to “keep his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies” (v. 3). These words summarize the content of the Law of God given to Moses (Ps. 119:1–8). David reminds his son to obey all that God had commanded. This, he says, will be the key to his success. Of course, obedience does not guarantee prosperity or a life of ease. Even when David obeyed, he had faced tremendous difficulty. For all of us, hard times are a part of life this side of eternity. Rather, the success David held out to Solomon, that Christ holds out to us, is a fellowship with God that sustains us through these difficulties. As God’s people, our innate desire to obey and please Him comes as a function of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We strive to obey God because of our relationship with Him. Which of us does not want to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant”? >> Just as Solomon needed God to sustain him through the challenges of leading Israel, we need Him to sustain us in the challenges we face. How do we maintain a close relationship with God? By obeying His commands.

Investors dislike uncertainty. Who wants to entrust their hard-earned money to an opportunity that is shrouded in mystery? We want clarity if we can get it. As the curtain rises on 1 Kings, we see a great deal of uncertainty about who will sit on the throne of David. Now an old man, King David was too fragile to keep himself warm. More importantly we discover that he had not set his house in order: no one knew who would be king after him. Nature abhors a vacuum and so does politics! David’s inaction created an opportunity for his son Adonijah to make a play for the throne. Nathan and Bathsheba caught wind of the plot and reminded the king of the promise he had made. Awakened to the crisis, David appointed Solomon as his successor. His kingdom, and we readers as well, gave a sigh of relief, for Solomon was loved of the Lord (2 Sam. 12:24–25). David had been a beloved ruler who set the human standard for kingship in Israel. Yet we must acknowledge that he was a flawed man. These flaws created problems for others. His inability to discipline his children, his murder of Uriah, his abuse of power with Bathsheba, and more, meant that his people could not count on even their best leader to provide perfect leadership. As good as David was, God’s people needed better. God had promised David that his kingdom would last forever (2 Samuel 7). More than just a long line of kings, this promise pointed to Jesus, the forever King who would “ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and righteousness” (Ps. 45:4). At the start of the New Testament, we note that the succession plan took a great step forward to Jesus Christ. >> While we are often disappointed and disillusioned by human-appointed leaders, one day our Forever King will sit on the throne. There will be no uncertainly then! We will be led by the best leader possible.

It is easy to take aspects of our modern world for granted. For example, we have refrigeration to store and preserve food and ready access to clean running water. Unless you’ve lived without these conveniences, you might not appreciate how wonderful they are. Many aspects of the book of Leviticus probably seem foreign and strange to Christians today. One of the reasons is that we have never participated in animal sacrifice or abided by Jewish dietary laws. Since Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament sacrificial system, we are no longer under it. But studying the law provides a richer understanding of God’s gift to us in Jesus. The writer of Hebrews rejoices in the comparison between the sacrifice of Jesus and the sacrificial system outlined in Leviticus. He notes that the sacrifices in Leviticus always pointed beyond themselves. As Hebrews teaches, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (v. 4). But Jesus, through His once-for- all sacrifice, cleansed us from sin and made us holy (v. 10). Instead of having a priest present offerings day after day, Jesus fully achieved our atonement for sin (v. 11). After His resurrection, He sat down at the right hand of God. His work was complete (v. 12). When we trust in Jesus’ death to atone for our sin, we receive forgiveness and are made holy (v. 14). Even more astounding, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us. God’s presence is now not screened behind the veil in the Holy of Holies. We have access to the Father! >> We hope this study of Leviticus helped you more fully understand and appreciate the salvation we have been given through Jesus. Studying the sacrificial system and the role of the priests reveals to us the wonder of what Jesus has done. A perfect God can only be in fellowship with holy people. Through Jesus, God made a way for us to become holy.

The book of 1 Samuel opens with the story of Hannah. Unable to have children, Hannah was suffering. In her “deep anguish,” she vowed to the Lord that if He gave her a son she would give him back to the Lord “for all the days of his life” (1 Sam. 1:9–11). Vows were common in ancient Israel. They often involved dedicating something to the Lord, whether a person, an animal, or real estate. Vows were also entirely voluntary. Nowhere in Scripture does God command the making of vows. However, if a person did vow, it was vital to fulfill it (Eccl. 5:5–6; Mal.1:13–14). Leviticus 27 outlines ways in which vows could be fulfilled. A person dedicated to the Lord could serve at the tabernacle or be redeemed through paying a price (vv. 1–7). The price was set by the age and gender. This was not an assessment of someone’s intrinsic worth. The Bible is clear that all, male and female, are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26–27). Rather, it was an assessment of a person’s value as a worker. Provision was made for the poor so they could make this kind of vow and could afford to fulfill it (v. 8). Rules also outlined different situations that could arise in the dedication of property or animals (vv. 9–28). The basic principle at work was that a person needed to be faithful to give what they vowed. Scripture recognizes the human tendency, after the excitement of the moment when a vow was made, to go back on it once the request is answered or the moment of crisis passes. Fulfilling a vow was a joyous occasion (Ps. 61:8; 65:1). It was a time when people could recount God’s faithfulness and celebrate in His presence (Ps. 66:13–15). >> Have you ever promised God something in a moment of desperate need? Did you fulfill your vow? Today’s reading is a reminder to take our vows seriously. When God does answer prayer, it is appropriate to celebrate through testifying about it to others.

In 2006, a team of landscape architects conducted a simple study on the impact of a fenced-in playground. They had a preschool teacher take her students to a playground without a fence. The children all huddled around the teacher and did not utilize the full playground space. They then took the same class to a fenced in playground and observed that the children felt freer to explore the entire space. Having a clear boundary led to a greater sense of freedom and security. Through Through the law, God provided Israel with clear expectations. They did not have to wonder what God required of them. This gave them a sense of security and freedom in their relationship with God. However, God’s instructions also came with consequences. Today’s reading outlines the blessings for Israel if they obeyed the covenant and curses if they did not. If Israel obeyed the covenant, they would be richly blessed. They would have abundant harvests and safety from their enemies (vv. 3–10). Their greatest blessing would be the presence of God in the midst of His people (vv. 11–12). If Israel disobeyed, the consequences were just as clear. They would be struck with disease, famine, and defeat by their enemies (vv. 14–17). Most grievously, they would be exiled from the land and from access to God’s presence at the tabernacle (vv. 33–35). However, even if they broke the covenant and experienced the full brunt of God’s judgment, He would not give up on them. The chapter ends on a note of hope. God would remember His covenant with Abraham (vv. 42–45). If the people repent, they would be restored (vv. 40–41). >> We worship a God who is both gracious and forgiving. God has given us clear rules to follow, but He has also provided a way for forgiveness and restoration. If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, we invite you to turn to Him today. In Him, you will find hope and a future.

According to a recent report, there are only 2,668 billionaires in the world. Together, these individuals have accumulated $12.7 trillion in wealth. And 86 of the people in this exclusive club are under the age of 40! Consider the tremendous wealth held by those 2,668 individuals in comparison to the rest of the world’s 7.837 billion people. This sharp division between the rich and the poor was not the ideal in ancient Israel. The Jubilee laws were designed to prevent the utter ruin of those who fell into debt. It also prevented individuals within Israel from accumulating large amounts of land perpetually. After every seventh sabbatical year, the year of Jubilee was proclaimed (vv. 8–9). During this year, all land that had been sold was to be returned to its original owner (v. 10). In addition, if any Israelite had to sell themselves into debt-slavery, they were released (vv. 40–41). Two reasons are given for this legislation. God proclaimed, “The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine” (v. 23). Returning land to the family that had originally been assigned the property when Israel entered the land would be a way to remind Israel of this truth. Similarly, God proclaimed that slaves could not be kept permanently because “the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt” (v. 55). Every Israeli had an equal status as a redeemed servant of God. Today’s reading reminds us of God’s heart for the poor. He wanted to ensure that at least once in a person’s life there was a chance for a new start. This legislation also served as a check against unbridled greed. >> One day all things will be made right. The year of Jubilee gave Israel a foretaste of that day. The Lord Jesus fulfilled aspects of the Jubilee legislation (Luke 4:18–19). He not only cared for the poor but also released them from the debt of sin before God (Luke 7:36–50).

My son has access to the hand tools at our house. He is free to use them for his own projects. However, he also needs to be responsible with their use. He must use them safely and not leave them outside after he is finished. I set these rules for him because they are my tools, and he is my son. Israel needed to be reminded regularly that their land was ultimately God’s. God had the authority to set the rules for its use. In today’s reading, God instructed Israel regarding their farming. They were to work the land for six years (v. 3). But in the seventh year, they were to let the land lie in rest (v. 4). They were not to sow crops or prune their vineyards. Just like people get a sabbath every seventh day, the land was to get a sabbath every seventh year. Whatever produce the land yielded during the sabbath year, it was to serve as food for everyone (vv. 6–7). Observing the sabbath year meant that people would not maximize the potential profit of their land. This practice taught Israel that God desired both hard work and trust in Him, since they would have to plan for this sabbath year and had no guarantee that the eighth year would yield a bountiful harvest. One of the reasons for Israel’s exile from the land was that they did not obey this law. During the exile, “the land enjoyed its sabbath rests” (2 Chron. 36:21). >> What a great reminder that everything we have ultimately is a gift from the Lord and belongs to Him. The goal of our life should not be to accumulate the maximum amount of wealth we possibly can, but to live in right relationship with God, others, and the world He created. Today is a good day to celebrate the truth that “The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it” (Ps. 24:1).

During his tumultuous presidency, Abraham Lincoln is reported to have said, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” In today’s reading, Moses encountered a situation where he was not sure what to do. Instead of making a quick decision, he waited, “until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them” (v. 12). This is a good reminder that the law in Israel was not given by Moses, but God. Moses knew he needed to wait for God’s guidance and leading. The specific situation had to do with a man who had an Egyptian father and Israelite mother (v. 10). This man got into a fight with an Israelite, during which he blasphemed and cursed the name of the Lord (v. 11). This was a serious offense. The Lord commanded that the man be put to death (v. 14). This specific situation led to a series of laws that have become famous, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” (v. 19). While this may seem harsh, it put a limit on how much retribution was allowed. Often this command was not applied literally. For example, if a slave lost an eye, he was given his freedom (Ex. 21:26). The point was that the punishment should be in proportion to the crime. The New Testament required that punishment be carried out by civil authorities (Acts 25:11; Rom. 13:4). In addition, Jesus called His followers to a higher standard. Instead of an “eye for an eye,” He declared, “do not resist an evil person...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:39, 44). >> If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is always good to spend time in prayer. Ask God for His guidance in your life. Ask Him to use the truth of His Word to speak into your situation.

One of the most frequent commands in Scripture is “Remember!” God knows we are prone to forget. In Scripture, forgetting is considered a moral failure (Deut. 4:23). God is not concerned with everyday forgetfulness like trying to remember where you put your car keys. Rather, He is concerned with deep relational forgetfulness, forgetting who He is and what He has done (Deut. 6:12). To help Israel remember, God instituted a calendar. Israel’s life would be punctuated by breaks in the year where people would stop their normal work. They would remember God’s deliverance from Egypt through the 10 plagues at Passover (Lev. 23:5). They would remember the haste in which they left Egypt in the Festival of Unleavened Bread (v. 6). They would remember God’s provision at harvest time in the Festivals of Firstfruits and Weeks (vv. 9–20). The first day of the seventh month was a holy day of rest and remembrance marked by the blowing of a ram’s horn (vv. 23–25). The Day of Atonement was a solemn day of fasting and mourning over sin while the priest atoned for the sin of the people (vv. 26–32). Finally, the Festival of Tabernacles commemorated the Lord’s provision after the Exodus (vv. 33–44). These events reminded Israel of who God is and helped pass on that knowledge to their children (v. 43). These festivals provide important background for many New Testament practices. The Last Supper was held on Passover (Matt. 26:17). The Holy Spirit descended upon the church at Pentecost (Acts 2). Paul describes Jesus as the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” pointing to the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20). When we celebrate communion, we remember what Christ has done and anticipate His second coming (1 Cor. 11:25–26). >> Why not make a remembering calendar of your own? In what ways has God shown His goodness to you and your loved ones? Maybe in addition to celebrating birthdays or anniversaries, we can also celebrate remembering!

We often like to tell people just how busy we are. “I’m so busy; I can hardly keep up!” As one author described the struggle, “I wanted to figure out why I was so busy, but I couldn’t find the time to do it.” One of the reasons we keep ourselves so busy is that we find a sense of value and worth in constantly being productive. One of the most distinctive elements of Israel’s faith was their practice of Sabbath. The command is rooted in Creation. Over six days God created the universe and on the seventh He rested (Gen. 2:2–3). It was important enough that God illustrated this command by example. Today’s reading reminded Israel of one of the purposes of Sabbath: it was to be a “day of sacred assembly” (Lev. 23:3). The community would come together in rest and fellowship with each other and with the Lord. Sabbath reminds us that life is not about being productive all the time. After all, God is the Lord of time. The practice of keeping the Sabbath puts a check on our ambition. It reminds us that we can take the time to rest in God’s presence because we trust Him to provide for us. It reminds us that it is not our work or frantic activity that makes us holy, but our relationship with God. Without this principle, work can become an idol or an oppressor. The Sabbath was to be for everyone; men and women, children, servants, foreigners residing in Israel, and even animals (Ex. 20:10). As members of the New Covenant, we are not required to observe Sabbath in the same way Israel did (Col. 2:16). However, having a pattern of work and rest is still authoritative for us. Jesus invites His followers to find their rest in Him (Matt. 11:28). >> Take a few moments to evaluate your own life and pattern of rest and work. Do you devote regular time to rest in the Lord? How can you set aside that time this week?

It is often tempting to cut corners. A high school student might read the CliffsNotes version of A Tale of Two Cities instead of slogging through the entire novel. A carpenter might not use all the safety features on his table saw because it is quicker to use it without them. In today’s reading, the Lord warns Israel against cutting corners in worship. For burnt offerings or offerings to fulfill a vow, the worshiper must present a male without defect from the cattle, sheep, or goats (vv. 19–20). For a fellowship offering, a male or female animal was acceptable, but it must be without blemish (v. 21). This was a problem in ancient Israel. The prophet Malachi admonished, “When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you?” (Mal. 1:8). In optional sacrifices like freewill offerings, some deformities were allowed (v. 23). Another way Israel might have tried to save money would be to offer a newborn animal that had not yet cost anything to feed or care for. Moses instructs that the animal must be at least a week old (v. 27). God is to be treated with reverence and respect. Offering only the best sacrifices reminded Israel of the holiness of God (v. 32). Today’s passage reminds us that Jesus was also the perfect sacrifice, “you were redeemed...with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18–19). In response, we offer ourselves to God as a “living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Rom. 12:1). >> What should be the focus of worship? It is not that we walk away feeling satisfied, or even worse, entertained. The most important part of worship is that it is acceptable and pleasing to God. Worship like that will be the most satisfying to us as well.

After Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and endowed with superpowers to become Spider-Man, his Uncle Ben gave him this memorable advice, “With great power comes great responsibility.” These words are similar to Jesus’ statement: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (Luke 12:48). Priests in Israel were given much. They represented the people before God in the tabernacle and could enter the Holy Place. But with special privileges came a higher standard for holiness. Today’s reading outlines three specific areas where priests had greater restrictions than the rest of Israel: mourning rituals, potential marriage partners, and physical defects. Priests could not make themselves ceremonially unclean in mourning for just anyone. They were allowed this practice only for close blood-relatives (vv. 1–4). The high priest had an even higher standard. He could not publicly mourn for anyone (vv. 10–12). This practice was in sharp contrast to other ancient cultures, such as Egypt, where the care of the dead was a primary concern of priests. These prohibitions may have helped Israel avoid falling into ancestor worship. Priests also were restricted in their potential spouses. Their spouse needed to represent the holiness of their role and so could not have been previously married or have been engaged in prostitution (v. 7). Just like sacrificial animals had to be physically whole, priests needed to be as well (vv. 16–21). They could not have physical deformities to serve in the tabernacle. Priests who did not measure up to this standard were still provided for financially along with their families (vv. 22–23). >> Praise the Lord that Jesus, our High Priest, perfectly lived up to the highest moral standards during His earthly ministry (Heb. 4:14–15). He continues to serve as our High Priest in the presence of the Father (Heb. 10:12–13). Even now He is sanctifying His people, His bride at the wedding supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7–8).

In one country I visited, driving was a terrifying experience. People did not pay attention to stoplights or lanes. Cars would veer into oncoming traffic to make a turn. For me, coming from the suburbs in the United States, it seemed chaotic. I asked a local, “Are there traffic laws?” He responded, “Oh, yes. We have laws, but no one ever enforces them.” Leviticus 18 and 19 presented us with laws covering many different aspects of life. A natural follow-up question is, “What happens if a law was broken?” Today’s reading outlines the consequences of disobedience. The modern reader might be surprised at how many infractions resulted in the death penalty. The death penalty was reserved for behaviors that fundamentally broke God’s covenant with Israel. Every case of the death penalty can be tied directly to one of the Ten Commandments. For example, sacrificing children to Molek broke the command against murder and against worshiping other gods (vv. 1–5). This was a serious infraction that put the whole community at risk of God’s judgment. Dishonoring one’s parents and adultery also required the death penalty (vv. 9–10). Israel did not require the death penalty as often as other ancient cultures. For example, it was not required for matters of property like theft. People were considered more important than objects. Even so, the reason for severe consequences was that Israel would be holy, set apart for God (v. 26). Israel was to act differently than the nations around them (v. 23). If they wanted to live in the land under God’s blessing, they needed to follow His covenant regulations (vv. 22–24). >> Since the church is not under the Mosaic covenant and is also not a political entity in the way Israel was, these consequences are no longer in force. However, they remind us that God takes sin seriously. It should also make us deeply grateful that Jesus bore the penalty for sin on our behalf (Gal. 3:13).

One day a teacher of the Law asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28). Jesus answered that the greatest commandment was: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (v. 30). But then He added a second, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 31). The reason Jesus gave two commands, not just one, is that they go together. You cannot really love God without loving your neighbor and vice versa. Today’s reading includes the second greatest commandment (Lev. 19:18). Not surprisingly, it is included in a section with a variety of commands, some of which address our relationship with God, while others address our relationship with other people. The laws relating to God deal with correct worship (vv. 26, 30). These include upholding the food laws and observing the Sabbaths (vv. 26, 30). These are easy enough to understand. Some of the laws were designed to remind Israel that they were a separate and holy people (v. 19). Some of the more bizarre laws relate to Israel remaining distinct from the cultures around them and not participating in pagan worship (vv. 27–31). Throughout these verses there is a concern to treat others well. Israel was to respect the elderly (v. 32), show hospitality to foreigners (v. 34), and be honest in their work (vv. 35–36). They should live this way because that is how God had treated them. He had also redeemed them from slavery in Egypt (v. 36). >> As followers of Jesus, we are not under the Mosaic Law. Yet, as Jesus affirmed, the principles behind the Law still reveal the character of God and are authoritative. In this passage, we get a glimpse of God’s love for His people and the world He created (vv. 23–24). We are called to be like Him (Lev. 19:2).

Efficiency and productivity are buzzwords you often hear in the business world. Sharp business owners ask, “How can we do what we do better? How can I leverage my resources to maximize profits and efficiency?” This attitude has led many to unbelievable success and is understandably valued in our society. In Leviticus 19, we read through a series of laws designed to provide Israel with practical examples of holiness in everyday life. One law commanded Israel to be inefficient in their work. At harvest time, Israelite farmers were instructed not to harvest the edges of their fields (v. 9). In a similar way, vineyard owners were not to go back over their vineyard a second time but instead to leave the remaining grapes (v. 10). In other words, Israel was called to not make the most out of their productive land. Why? This would allow the poor and the foreigner to harvest food (v. 10). God cares deeply about the poor and the vulnerable. Through this practice, God instituted a way in Israel for the poor to work for their own food. It was not a handout but a requirement to work, not a dependency on one individual’s charitable impulse but divine command. Israelite farmers were not giving charity, they were simply obeying the law. This law reminded Israel that the land was ultimately not theirs, but God’s. It encouraged them to show compassion for the poor and foreign resident and provide a way for them to integrate into society. This provision in the law enabled Ruth to provide food for herself and Naomi when they returned to the land of Israel without husbands or sons to sustain them (Ruth 2). >> Take time to think creatively about how you can help the poor and vulnerable, a subject close to God’s heart (Prov. 19:17). God warns us against greed, a perpetual temptation for believers (Luke 12:15; Eph. 4:19).

Larry Nassar held an important role as team doctor for USA Gymnastics. But in 2017, Nassar fell from grace when he was convicted of abusing hundreds of children and young women under his care. He is currently serving a 175-year prison sentence. One of the elements that make his actions so reprehensible is that he was in a trusted position of authority. In ancient Israel, male heads of households were in a position of authority and power. Back then, households were structured differently than they are today. It was not uncommon for four or more generations to live together in close proximity with members of one’s extended family. In a world before police officers or social workers, the head of house was responsible for the well-being of everyone in his family. With such big responsibility comes the potential for abuse. And today’s reading provides a series of prohibitions directed at a male head of household. Most of the commands clarify for the head of house who in his family is sexually off-limits—everyone but his wife. Family members needed to feel safe from abuse while living and working together. These commands are given twice in the chapter for emphasis; Israel was to be different from other nations (vv. 1–2, 30). God judged Canaan because of the abusive sexual practices and custom of child sacrifice (v. 21). God held the nations accountable for these practices, which included adultery and homosexuality (vv. 20–22). God created sexuality to be enjoyed in the right context: a committed marriage relationship. Outside of this context, it can be abusive and destructive. Part of what it means to be holy is to follow God’s direction in this area (Col. 3:5). >> God’s directions about sexuality were countercultural for Israel, as well as for us today. The book of Leviticus reminds us that God wants the best for us in every aspect of our lives. He has provided specific guidelines for sexuality and cares deeply about the abused and vulnerable.

Some people fear the sight of blood. They have to look away during their annual blood test and have a hard time helping bandage a wound. While blood can be frightening, it is also necessary. Every moment, blood pumps through our bodies, keeping us alive by supplying our body with oxygen and nutrients. In today’s reading, we have arrived at a major turning point in the book. Up to this point, the commands and teaching have been given to the priests. It instructed them on how to atone for sin and maintain purity in the tabernacle and the camp. Beginning in this chapter, Moses addresses all Israel (v. 1). This part of Leviticus teaches Israel how to maintain holiness in their everyday life. This chapter addresses two issues. The first issue was how to properly slaughter animals for food (vv. 3–7). If Israel desired to slaughter an animal to eat, they were required to bring it to the Tent of Meeting and offer it as a fellowship offering (v. 5). This ensured that the animal was slaughtered properly. It also reminded Israel that food was a gift from God and a part of regular worship. It would prevent Israel from being tempted to sacrifice to false gods away from the tabernacle (v. 7). The second issue was a prohibition against consuming blood of any kind (vv. 10–14). Blood represented the life of the animal. By refraining from consuming the blood, Israel showed respect for the sanctity of life (Gen. 9:4–6). Blood was also used in worship as a source of sanctification (Lev. 17:11). >> The word “blood” takes on even more meaning in the New Testament. We speak of Christ’s blood when we observe the Lord’s Supper. It is His blood that cleanses us from sin and makes us holy in God’s sight (1 Cor. 11:23–26). When we are “Washed by the Blood”, as the hymn proclaims, we are forever changed!

Starting with Adam and Eve, the central problem the Bible addresses is this: “How can a holy God dwell with a sinful people?” This almost led to the destruction of Israel after they sinned by creating and worshiping a Golden Calf (see Ex. 32–34). Today’s reading describes the Day of Atonement, the most theologically significant passage in Leviticus and perhaps in the entire Old Testament. It is important for every believer to understand the significance of this ceremony. After Aaron’s sons approached the Lord in the wrong way and were killed, God provided instructions for how Aaron could rightly enter the Holy of Holies to offer an atoning sacrifice for the nation (Lev. 16:1–2). Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, Aaron was to offer a sin offering for himself and for the nation (vv. 3–5). This was a holy and solemn affair. It was the only day of the year that the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies. After offering the appropriate sacrifices, Aaron would enter the Holy of Holies, burn incense before the Ark of the Covenant, and sprinkle blood on the cover of the Ark, often called the Mercy Seat (vv. 11–14). After performing this ritual, he was to take the scapegoat, lay his hands on its head, and confess the sins of Israel (v. 21). The goat was then to be led out of the camp into the wilderness, thus symbolically removing Israel’s sin from the camp (vv. 21–22). On that day, all Israel was to cease from work and mourn (v. 29). >> It was for our sin that Jesus died on the cross. His shed blood made the Day of Atonement ceremony no longer necessary. The curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn in two (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38) and all believers were given direct access to the Father. Jesus served as the ultimate scapegoat, taking upon Himself the sin of the world (1 Peter 2:24; Heb. 9:28).

The term “cancel culture” is often used today. Someone who says or does something another group does not like is “canceled,” ignored or disregarded. While our society has become pretty good at canceling people, we are not so skilled at welcoming into the community. In the book of Leviticus, we learn how a person was determined to be clean or unclean. The purpose again was to protect the holiness of the camp and the tabernacle. Some types of uncleanness were severe enough that people were required to live outside the camp (13:46). However, the laws did not leave those people without hope. There were also instructions on reintegrating people into the community (vv. 1–7). This ceremony had four elements: two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop (v. 4). The significance of this ceremony is not given and is a bit obscure to us today. However, the result is clear enough. After going through the ceremony, the whole community would know that this person was now considered clean. They would now be integrated back into the camp and could join in corporate worship. If you read further in chapter 15, you will see laws regarding bodily discharges for men and women. These occur in the regular course of life and could be handled without going to a priest. For these situations, people had to trust each other that they would not defile the sanctuary by entering it when they were not ceremonially clean. As believers, we have permanent access to worshiping God at any time because of the finished work of Christ (Heb. 13:12). God provided a temporary way for this to be accomplished in ancient Israel that pointed forward to Jesus who “suffered outside the gate” on our behalf! >> How and when can we welcome back those who have been “outside the camp” of our Christian community? This is a topic worthy of prayer and discussion as individuals and as a church body.

My father enjoyed quoting Leviticus 13:40: “A man who has lost his hair and is bald is clean.” Certainly, that verse is a comfort to many who have experienced male-pattern baldness. Today we continue to discuss what makes something clean or unclean. We have learned that it is not simply a moral category. Sin could make one unclean, but so could many other things. Cleanness represented wholeness or normalcy. Things that made one unclean were often associated with death or mortality. Things that were unclean were not to come in contact with what was holy. The unclean could not touch what was clean without contaminating it. The camp of Israel was considered holy. In it was the tabernacle where God met with His people. Part of a priests’ job was to protect the holiness of the camp and the tabernacle. In Leviticus 13, we read about various types of skin diseases that might render someone unclean. There is a clear pattern to this chapter. If a person had an anomaly on the skin, they were to come to a priest (v. 1). The priest would assess whether that person was clean or unclean (v. 3). If the situation was unclear, the priest would ask the person to come back after a week to reassess it (v. 4). Twenty-one different types of skin issues are covered. There are many instances in Scripture when God afflicted people with a skin disease as an act of His judgment (Num. 12:10–12). Some in Israel were tempted to believe that all skin diseases were a result of sin, which was clearly not necessarily the case (see Job 2:7). >> When Jesus touched someone with a skin disease, He did not become unclean. Instead, the unclean person because whole and healthy again (Matt. 8:1–4). Jesus came to redeem us from all aspects of the Fall, including disease. We look forward to the day when those kinds of afflictions will be no more (Rev. 21:4).

Have you seen those dishwasher magnets with two words on them: “Dirty” and “Clean”? They help us know when it’s okay to add dirty dishes to the racks and when it’s time to put clean dishes away. In Leviticus, we read many laws about what is considered clean or unclean. These categories may seem strange to us today. But it is important to realize that uncleanness did not necessarily equate with sinfulness. Many non-sinful aspects of life could make you unclean. Welcoming a child into the world was one such event. A woman was considered ceremonially unclean after giving birth (v. 1). She could not enter the sanctuary or participate in the normal duties of life until she was purified. There was nothing sinful about having children. In Scripture it is clearly considered a blessing (Ps. 127:3). But the loss of blood in childbirth rendered the woman unclean. Things associated with death, such as losing bodily fluids or touching a corpse, were nonmoral reasons why a person might be rendered unclean. A practical benefit was that it gave a new mother time to recover from labor before returning to normal life. Some may wonder why having a girl rendered the mother unclean for twice as long as a boy (vv. 1, 5). The length did not have anything to do with perceived value. Both male and female were created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). The sacrifice for both was also the same (vv. 6–8). Some think the shorter length for the male baby could be so the woman could participate in the ceremony related to circumcision (v. 3). When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph obeyed these regulations, including offering a sacrifice (Luke 2:22–24). As a poor family, they offered pigeons or doves instead of a lamb. >> Reading through these laws may make you wonder how anyone could ever achieve holiness. But we know that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are clean before God (John 15:3).

Keto. Paleo. Atkins. Vegan. Carnivore. Mediterranean. The sheer number of popular diets can be bewildering. We love food and, at the same time, we worry about what we eat. That makes diets a lucrative business. According to CNBC, in 2021 the diet industry was worth an estimated $71 billion. In Leviticus, God gave His people specific laws about food. Israel did not have to turn to diet books to discern what was acceptable to eat or not. It is important to note that Israel did not separate religion from the rest of their life. They understood that obedience to God involved not just worshiping at the sanctuary, but also everyday decisions of what to eat, what to wear, and how to treat people. Following dietary laws would have reminded Israelites a couple of times each day that they were God’s people. Observing these laws would help instill an attitude of obedience to God. It is important to remember that in places Leviticus was primarily a procedural manual. It does not always explain the rationale for various laws. Several explanations have been offered to explain the logic of the food laws: (1) Hygiene—unclean animals were often unhealthy and more prone to disease; (2) Morality—some animals acted in ways that served as examples of behavior to avoid or emulate; and (3) Holiness—Israel was to be separate from the nations around them. This last option finds the most biblical support. After presenting the food laws, God says, “Be holy, because I am holy” (v. 45). These laws would prevent God’s people from having close table fellowship with their Canaanite neighbors and maintain their distinctive Israelite identity. These laws became especially important during exile. >> Does your belief in God influence what you eat, what you wear, or how you spend your free time? While the New Testament makes clear that all foods have been declared clean (Mark 7:19), we are also called to stand out from the world because of our commitment to Christ (John 13:35).

In the midst of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln’s eleven-year-old son William succumbed to typhoid fever. Because of the crisis embroiling the nation, Lincoln did not have much time to stop and mourn. He carried his grief with him as he conducted his responsibilities as President. In ancient Israel, it was common to enter a period of formal mourning at the death of a loved one. The mourning ritual involved tearing your clothes and not caring for your hair or handling the dead body. Aaron and his sons had been consecrated for ministry to offer sacrifices on behalf of the nation. They had been in the midst of the worship associated with the dedication of the tabernacle when tragedy occurred. Moses reminded Aaron that despite the loss of two of his sons, he had to fulfill his role as high priest (vv. 6–7). Moses was not saying Aaron could not be sad or grieve. Rather as leaders, the priests had a job that they needed to complete. In verses 8–11, the Lord spoke to Aaron directly and commanded him and his sons not to drink any alcoholic beverage while on duty. One reason could be that alcohol was involved in Nadab and Abihu’s sin—although this is not stated directly. The Lord provided several reasons why priests should abstain while on duty. They needed to be able to think clearly to distinguish between the clean and unclean (v. 10). Part of their role was also to teach the Law of Moses to the people (v. 11). In Israel, it wasn’t just the priests or religious leaders who needed to know God’s word. All the people were to be trained in the knowledge of God’s commands. >> Today’s reading reminds us that Christian leaders are held to a higher standard. Jesus taught, that “from everyone who has been given much; much will be demanded” (Luke 12:48). Take a few moments today to pray for your pastor or other spiritual leaders whom God has placed in your life.

Is a fire always bad? According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire, forest fires serve some important roles. They clean the forest floor, provide wildland habitats for animals, and rid trees of dangerous diseases. While a fire may destroy, it also provides life for future generations. The fire described in Leviticus 10 is shocking. Everything had been going so well for Israel. The priests were consecrated for their ministry and God had accepted their sacrifice. That same day, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu offered incense in an “unauthorized fire”, and everything changed (v. 1). What did Nadab and Abihu do wrong? Well, just about everything. First, they were not the right people to offer incense in the Holy of Holies, that was the high priest’s job (v. 1). Second, they offered this incense at the wrong time. It was only on the Day of Atonement that the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies to burn incense (Lev. 16). Third, they offered the wrong kind of incense. The word translated “unauthorized” is more literally “strange” or “foreign” (v. 1). Nadab and Abihu could have been introducing a foreign or pagan ritual into the worship of the Lord. Because of their disobedience, “fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them” (v. 2). Instead of a fire that consumed the sacrifice, they were themselves consumed in judgment. Their essential problem was thinking they knew better. They didn’t take God or His word seriously (v. 3), they didn’t treat God as holy. God wanted to make sure that Israel knew they could approach Him only on His terms, according to His commands. >> On this Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate our risen Savior who has conquered death forever. This truth should impact our worship! The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’” (Heb. 12:28–29).

When my wife and I put our youngest daughter to bed, she likes things done in a certain order. First my wife will pray with her and say goodnight. Only then can I come in and do the same. For some reason, it just does not work if we change places. In today’s reading, the priests have gone through a seven-day ordination ceremony. On the eighth day, they are now ready to begin their ministry (v. 1). You will notice a great deal of precision in this book, this portion focuses on the order of the first sacrifices. Moses instructs Aaron and the priests to first sacrifice a sin offering and burnt offering for themselves (v. 2). Only then could they offer the sin and burnt offerings for the people (v. 7). The order of the sacrifices teaches an important principle: Leaders need to first take care of their own relationship with God before they can lead others (Acts 20:28). After the sacrifices for atonement were offered, the fellowship offering could be given (v. 18). To be in right relationship with God requires that our sin is atoned for. As we have seen throughout the book, these sacrifices pointed forward to the greater and permanent sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. The only reason anyone can be in right relationship with God is because He provided a way for us. God demonstrated His approval of this worship service through the appearance of His glory in the sight of all the people. Fire came out from the Most Holy Place and consumed the offering. When “the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people,” their reaction was immediate: they “shouted for joy and fell facedown” (vv. 23, 24). >> Leviticus reminds us that our sacrifices to God not only have to be offered they also have to be accepted. Praise God today that He accepted Jesus as the permanent and perfect sacrifice for our sin. This gives us reason to shout for joy and worship (v. 24)!

Some professions require people to wear a particular uniform. A police officer wears a badge and uniformed pants and shirt. If you see someone in a white coat with a stethoscope around their neck, most likely they are a doctor. Each uniform communicates that these people have been trained, equipped, and authorized to engage in their profession. In Leviticus chapters 1 to 7, the Lord outlined all the various sacrifices Israel was to offer in the tabernacle. In today’s reading, the focus shifts to the priests who would carry out these sacrifices and offerings. Aaron and his sons had been set apart by God to minister on behalf of Israel in the tabernacle (vv. 1–3). In front of the whole nation, Moses called Aaron and his sons forward, washed them, dressed them in their priestly garments, and anointed them with oil (vv. 5–13). Much attention is given to their clothing. You may notice that there is no mention of shoes or sandals. This is because the priests working in the tabernacle would not wear sandals since they were on holy ground (Ex. 3:2–5). To consecrate them as priests, Moses had to offer a sin offering to atone for their sin (Lev. 8:14–17). He then offered a ram for their ordination (vv. 22–29). One unusual part of this offering is that some of the blood of the sacrifice was put on the right ear, thumb, and big toe of the priests (vv. 23–24). This represents that they would be totally dedicated to God. They would hear His word with their ear and do it with their hands and feet. >> Today is Good Friday, and we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross. As believers, we have been consecrated by the blood of Jesus and anointed by God’s Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21–22). Jesus is our great High Priest and has appointed us to serve as a “royal priesthood” of believers (1 Peter 2:9). How will you serve Him today?

When I was fresh out of college, I worked for a couple of years as a high school teacher. I noticed that students gravitated toward a particular teacher, Mr. S. One day I asked a student, “What do you like about him?” The student responded, “Oh, Mr. S., he gets us.” Mr. S. understood what students cared about, struggled with, and needed: he was a good teacher. One of the things that the book of Leviticus has taught so far is that God gets us. He entered a covenant relationship with Israel, which included laws regarding how Israel should act toward Him and toward each other. However, He also knew that Israel was not going to be able to live up to their commitments. God provided a way for them to atone for sin so they could remain in fellowship with Him. As the Psalmist put it, God “knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (Ps. 103:14). Today’s reading describes the guilt offering (see also Lev. 7:1–10) to atone for three kinds of sins. First, if someone had profaned sacred property (5:15), for example, eating food dedicated to a priest or withholding a tithe or some other violation against the sanctuary. Second, it was offered if they unintentionally broke one of the Lord’s commands (v. 17). Third, for defrauding or deceiving another Israelite and lying about it under oath (6:1–3). In each instance, the person would offer a ram as a sacrifice to atone for their sin. They also needed to make restitution for the wrong they had committed. For example, defrauding a neighbor required a return of the value plus 20 percent in addition to the sacrifice. >> Isaiah 53 describes Jesus as our guilt offering. His death made possible the full forgiveness and atonement of sin (v. 10). Have you trusted in Jesus so that you can be made right with God?

While driving down a two-lane road in rural northern Michigan, I looked in my rearview mirror only to see flashing red lights. When the police officer pulled me over, he asked if I knew why. I honestly did not. He informed me that the speed limit had lowered to 35 mph because the road was approaching a small town. Unfortunately, my ignorance did not get me off the hook. Today’s reading describes the sin offering (see also Lev. 6:24–30). This offering was provided for two different situations, for unintentional sins or for ceremonial uncleanness (5:2–4). These laws reflect several important spiritual principles. First, the more responsibility a person had, the greater the consequences of their sin for the community. This principle is reflected in the size of the required offering of a high priest or leader in the community compared with a common person. Leaders have a greater potential to lead others astray and so are held to a higher standard (James 3:1). Second, the whole nation could be guilty of unintentional sin (Lev. 4:13). This may be difficult for those of us in a culture influenced by Western individualism to understand. But it is possible for a group of people to sin corporately, for example, Israel’s covenant with Gibeon without consulting the Lord (Josh. 9:14). Third, everyone needed to have their sin atoned through sacrifice, not just the leaders. To make provision for this, God accepted smaller offerings from those who had less means (Lev. 5:11–13). It was never about the size of the offering, but what it represented. The ritual had three steps: laying one’s hands on the offering, which included confession of sin (4:29; 16:21); presentation of the sacrifice; and receiving forgiveness (4:31). >> The same pattern holds true today. We can be forgiven if we confess our sins (1 John 1:9). The sacrifices in Leviticus point forward to Jesus, the once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:14). Spend time in confession today.

The only time I eat turkey and pumpkin pie is at Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving is one of the few times a year when our extended family is together without much of an agenda other than enjoying each other’s company. It is also a time to stop and give thanks to God for His blessings over the past year. The fellowship offering was unique for ancient Israel (read also Lev. 7:11–34). It could be an offering from any animal from the herd or flock without defect (vv. 1, 6). It was also the only offering where only a portion of it was consumed on the altar or by the priest. Most of the offering was enjoyed as a meal by the worshiper (7:15). Meat was expensive and would not have been an everyday food in ancient Israel. So, presenting a fellowship offering was a time of joyful celebration as the whole family would enjoy a meal together. I can imagine how excited children would be when they found out they were going as a family to offer a fellowship offering. This offering was given as an expression of thanksgiving (7:12, 15), for the fulfillment of a vow, or as a spontaneous freewill offering (7:16). This offering was a way for people in Israel to have table fellowship with each other in the presence of God. The order of the sacrifices in Leviticus is also significant. The whole burnt offering was presented first. That offering was for atonement for sin. The whole burnt offering made the fellowship offering possible. Only when sin has been atoned for can we have fellowship with God. That is one of the reasons this offering is joyful. In the New Testament, Jesus’ death on the cross provided our once-for-all atonement for sin, so we can enjoy fellowship with God. >> Even though it is April, why not have a special meal of thanksgiving? Give thanks to God for what He has done. Celebrate His love and goodness together!

On my office desk, I keep some homemade bookmarks, a gift from my daughter. She took some things she had lying around the house and created this lovely present. Each bookmark is decorated with pictures and quotes like, “just one more chapter...” or “fell asleep here.” In Israel, anyone could offer a gift to God. Today’s reading describes the grain offering (v. 1; see also Lev. 6:14–23). The Bible teaches that grain, wheat, and other produce is a gift from God (Ps. 65:9–13). The grain offering was a way for people to take this produce, work it with their hands, and offer it back to God. The offering itself was quite simple, wheat prepared with olive oil and incense (v. 2). It was to be baked without yeast or honey (v. 11). Later in Scripture we see leaven used to symbolize the pervasive nature of sin (Matt. 16:6; 1 Cor. 5:6–7). This could be a reason why it is prohibited here. The prohibition on date/honey could be instituted because it was used in Canaanite worship. Not only was this offering a way anyone could give to God, but it also provided for the priests. After a token portion was burned on the altar, the rest of it went to help feed the priests who worked in the tabernacle (vv. 2–3). The priests were not given any land in Israel to grow their own crops, so they were dependent on the offerings of the people (Deut. 18:1–4). One other element in this offering was salt (v. 13). Salt was primarily used to preserve food in the ancient world. Because of this preservative quality, it became a symbol of the enduring nature of God’s covenant with His people (Num. 18:19). God was committed to a permanent relationship with His people in a “covenant of salt.” >> Today, consider what you can give to God. Maybe you can offer Him praise (Heb. 13:15–16) or support ministry efforts (Phil. 4:18). After all, everything we own is already His!

Have you ever noticed how many people are involved in planning a church service? From people in the sound booth, to musicians, to building maintenance and ushers. When leading people in worship, it is important to get the details right. We see this type of attention to detail in Leviticus as well. Today’s reading covers the most foundational sacrifice, the whole- burnt offering. Unlike other offerings where a portion of the offering would support the priests or be given back to the worshiper as part of a celebration meal, in the whole-burnt offering the entire animal was consumed on the altar (see also Lev. 6:8–13). Imagine being present at such an offering. The crowd of worshipers would press forward toward the tabernacle. You would hear the animals being led toward the altar. You would see the priest examine each animal to ensure it met the requirements (v. 3). The animal’s hide would be warm to the touch as you rested your hand on its head (v. 4). Then the smell of the offering being consumed would fill the room. This was an experience that includes all five senses. This was also a worship experience that involved everyone; the rich (v. 5), middle class (v. 10), and poor (v. 14). The size of the offering did not matter as much as the heart of the worshiper (Ps. 69:30–31). The purpose of this offering was to provide atonement or payment for sin (v. 4). By placing your hand on the animal’s head, you identified yourself with the animal. You were noting that this animal was taking your place so that your sin could be symbolically covered, and you could be in fellowship with a holy God. >> This ritual pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice for sin, Jesus Christ (Eph 5:2). Jesus covered our sin once and for all for those who trust in Him. Just as the whole burnt offering was completely given to the Lord, we too are to hold nothing back (Rom. 12:1).

In church, we like to talk about what we were saved from. We were saved from sin and God’s judgment. But we don’t often stop to ask, “What were we saved for?” What has God called us to? The Bible from beginning to end describes how we were created to be in relationship with God and dwell in His presence. The end of Exodus (40:34–38) describes the cloud which represented the glory of God, filling the tabernacle (v. 34). This cloud would lead Israel through their journey to the Promised Land (v. 36). But there was a problem. God is holy and pure and cannot dwell among sinful people. How then could He dwell with Israel? After Israel’s sin with the golden calf, God told Moses, “Go up to [the] land...but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people” (Ex. 33:3). But Moses would not accept that answer, and God agreed to continue to dwell with Israel (Ex. 33:12–16). However, for God to dwell among His people, He needed a way for their sin to be atoned and for His holiness to be protected. Israel would become like the burning bush, having the fire of God’s presence in their midst but not being consumed by it. The sacrifices and offerings outlined in great detail in Leviticus taught Israel about sin and God’s holiness. They would show them, and us, how precious it is to be in fellowship with God. The New Testament draws from the language and teaching of Leviticus. When we better understand the Old Testament view of sin and the requirements for sacrifice, we will better appreciate what Jesus achieved on the cross. >> What were you saved from? What are you saved for? As we begin this study of Leviticus, reflect on those two questions. It is our prayer that you will grow in your understanding of and relationship to our holy God.

One of my roles at Moody Bible Institute is to advise the student Literary Practicum Team. This group of ten students work together to produce two major publications. At the beginning of every year, I tell them that I am just as interested in their teamwork as I am in their creations. And, while there are always bumps along the way, it is always rewarding when they present the two books knowing they did together what not one of them could have done independently. In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul stressed the importance of unity in the body of Christ. While our reading centers on Philippians 4:1–9, I encourage you to read through the entire book if you have time. Paul raises the theme in 1:27–30. Believers should “[strive] together as one for the faith of the gospel.” Through harmony, they could face opposition without fear (1:28). What’s true in physics is true in the church: cohesion builds strength. Paul continued in chapter 2, reminding them that Christ alone was the source of unity (2:1). Paul instructed them to put aside their selfish motives and to value one another above themselves (2:3). With all this talk about unity, it might be surprising that Paul concludes the letter by mentioning two women who were in conflict: Euodia and Syntyche. He pleads with them to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2). Paul was gentle but clear. He acknowledged their work for the gospel cause. And he asked a third party to step in as mediator. Why should believers strive to live in unity? So the gospel can go forward and that “the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7) >> Are you in conflict with another believer? Do everything you can (even calling in a mediator) to resolve this disagreement, for the good of the gospel and to experience the peace that only God can give!

In December 1999, my husband and I honeymooned in Athens and took a day trip over to Corinth. We even drove up to the ruins of the Acrocorinth with ancient columns from the Temple of Aphrodite. Acts 18 recounts the transition from Paul’s second to third missionary journey. He left Athens and went to Corinth on his own, the final stop on his second itinerary. Ancient Corinth was strategically located, with an eastern and western port. It was the largest city of the Roman empire with 200,000 residents (20 times more than Athens). The main north-south roads converged here. It was a prosperous city and the worship center for Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Her temple was home to a thousand temple prostitutes, which provides context for the love chapter in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 13). When Paul arrived at Corinth, he was weak and fearful (1 Cor. 2:3). The work had been arduous. But he was quickly welcomed into the home of fellow-tentmakers, Priscilla and Aquila. Paul stayed with them, making tents during the week and preaching the gospel on the Sabbath in the synagogue to the Jews, and also to the Greeks. Paul’s focus shifted, however, when the Jews of Corinth became abusive. In response, Paul “shook out his clothes in protest” and turned his attention solely to the Gentiles—with surprising response. Crispus, the synagogue ruler believed, as did many Corinthians (v. 8). The ministry was so fruitful that Paul stayed in Corinth for almost two years. In that time, he had developed a deep and trusting relationship with Priscilla and Aquila, so much so that he took them along as he began his third missionary journey. The three sailed first to Ephesus, where Paul left the couple to serve as teachers and guardians of the gospel. >> Ministry isn’t meant to be done solo. We need partners in the mission who can strengthen us when we’re weak and share with us in the work.

Wherever we preach the gospel, we should not be surprised to encounter opposition—whether on the foreign mission field or in our own hometown. Jesus Himself faced hostility. And, as we see in the book of Acts, so did Paul. Today’s story sits side by side with the joyful conversion of Lydia and her household (vv. 11–15). The two narratives are opposite in every way. While Lydia was a woman of wealth and status, this young girl was a slave, controlled by an evil spirit and exploited by her owners. The spirit of divination enabled her to predict the future, a skill by which her owners earned much money. This spirit also recognized the divine source of Paul’s message, so that the girl followed Paul around town shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God” (v. 17). Ironically, she wasn’t wrong. Yet, while Lydia’s testimony resulted in her family’s conversion, this girl’s proclamation was only irritating. For three days, Paul tried to be patient, but this was not the sort of publicity that he wanted. So finally, on the third day, he called on Christ’s authority and ordered the spirit to leave. Her owners were furious, seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into court. The charge was “advocating customs not lawful for us Romans” (v. 21), a serious offense which required legal action. While Lydia had welcomed Paul’s team into her comfortable home, the magistrates ordered Paul and Silas to be stripped and severely beaten and thrown into a maximum-security prison cell without a trial (vv. 22–23). Humanly speaking, this was the direst of circumstances. But the rest of the story (vv. 25–40) reveals how God used it to display His glory and to reach even darker places with the gospel. >> Are you facing opposition? When you stand up for Jesus, do not be surprised to experience mockery, criticism, or even anger. Be faithful to the message, knowing that God is on your side!

People with the gift of hospitality know how to make others feel welcome, comfortable, and special. They create beautiful gathering spaces. They plan, prepare, and serve delicious food. But most of all, they know how to make people feel welcome and loved. Shortly after Timothy joined his missionary team, Paul received a vision of a man, begging him: “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (16:9). So, Paul took his team, and they went. Because Luke himself was on this trip, his detailed travel log is a firsthand account (v. 11). After a long journey across the Aegean Sea, they landed in the port of Neapolis and traveled ten miles inland to Philippi. On the Sabbath, the team went to the river to find a place for prayer. The term “place of prayer” typically referred to a synagogue, but no synagogue had been established, since it required ten men. Instead, the women would gather at the river to pray. One of the first converts was Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman and seller of purple cloth. Luke wrote of her conversion. “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message” (v. 14). While Paul faithfully shared the gospel, God was the true evangelist. Following Lydia’s lead, everyone in her household was baptized, perhaps even her employees. One person can influence a whole family! This happens multiple times in Acts—an entire household comes to Christ because of one initial conversion. Lydia then invited Paul’s team to stay at her home. She saw his visit as confirmation of her faith. Paul often established a homebase when he went to a new town, and Lydia’s house became that, so much so that he returned there with Silas after they came out of prison (v. 40). >> How can we become people known for hospitality? Perhaps it is by allowing people to stay in your home. Or maybe you can gift them with a meal. In what ways might God use your hospitality for the sake of the gospel?

What role do grandparents play in a child’s life? Often, they are known for spoiling their grandkids. But they can play a key role. Through prayer, words, and example, they can pass on their faith to the next generation. In In today’s reading, we meet Timothy whose faith was shaped by his mother and grandmother. Paul and Barnabas had just finished their first missionary journey, and the Jerusalem Council was convened (Acts 15). The discussion centered around circumcision and its connection to salvation. The decision was not to impose the law on Gentile believers. After the Council, while preparing to return to missionary travels, Paul and Barnabas differed in their strategy and agreed to part ways. Paul took Silas and headed to Syria and Cilicia. In Lystra, they met Timothy. Timothy’s mother Eunice was a Jewish believer, and his father was Greek. Paul wanted to add him to their team. There was, however, the matter of circumcision. Timothy was half-Jew, and the Jews in that area would have known that. It may have been a barrier to the gospel, so, despite the Council’s decision, Paul asked Timothy to be circumcised. The fact that Timothy agreed is further testimony to his character and heart of obedience. Timothy became a significant ministry partner for Paul. They worked closely together (Acts 18:5; 19:22). And the apostle sent Timothy on individual missions (1 Thess. 3:1–6). Paul even wrote two of his epistles directly to this “true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). In 2 Timothy 1:3–5, Paul opens his second letter by once again commending Timothy’s faith. He also acknowledges the key role that Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois played in his discipleship. Their sincere faith had become Timothy’s own. >> Grandparents and parents aren’t the only ones who can help pass down their faith to the next generation. Are you investing in people younger than yourself? What is one way you can strengthen their faith in Jesus?

Did you know that Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17? The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation provides ideas on how to make kindness the norm in society. If such an organization were present in Tabitha’s day, she might have been a founding member! We meet Tabitha, also called Dorcas in Greek, at the close of Acts 9. Peter was traveling, visiting “the Lord’s people” (v. 32). He served in a pastoral role for new believers and his healing ministry in Lydda and Joppa opened the gospel door to the Gentiles. When Peter arrived in Lydda, he met Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for years. We don’t know if he was a follower of Jesus, but Peter called on Christ’s power to heal the man. Immediately, Aeneas rose. God used that miracle to bring to the Lord “all those who lived in Lydda and Sharon” (v. 35). Healing often played an evangelistic role but happened also within the Christian community. In verse 36, we are told of Tabitha, who is identified as a “disciple,” known for her devotion to helping the poor. She was well loved. While Peter was still in Lydda, Tabitha died, and the disciples sent for him, believing he could help. When he arrived, Tabitha’s home was filled with widows. They were weeping and showing off the robes she had made for them. Tabitha’s body had already been prepared for burial. However, with authority, Peter followed the protocol Jesus had used with Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:21–43). He asked everyone to leave the room. He knelt and prayed. Then he said to the dead woman, “Tabitha, get up” (v. 40). She opened her eyes and sat up. Tabitha’s resurrection became huge news, and “many people believed in the Lord” (v. 42). >> Are you known for your kindness? As believers we are called to do good and to be kind. But unlike the world’s view, this is not random kindness. Rather, our kindness, as Christians, should always point people to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Are you a truth-teller? We all like to think of ourselves as honest, but sometimes it is difficult to speak truth to others, to ourselves, and even to God. Today’s reading provides a shocking caution against telling lies. In Acts 4:32–36, Luke painted an idyllic picture of believers living in unity. The early church shared everything. If anyone sold property, the apostles would collect and distribute the funds to people in need. Luke provided the example of Barnabas, who sold his field and donated the proceeds (v. 36). In Acts 5:1–11, Ananias and Sapphira wanted the same admiration Barnabas had enjoyed. They, too, sold a piece of property. However, instead of donating the entire amount, they kept part of the money for themselves. Ananias brought some of the money to the apostles. Immediately, the Holy Spirit revealed the deception to Peter who accused Ananias of allowing Satan to “fill” (“control” or “influence”) his heart (v. 3). Ananias not only lied to the apostles, he lied to God (v. 4). Ananias’s giving was not compulsory. God hadn’t demanded it; nor had the apostles. The land had been his to do with as he pleased. So had been the money. Ananias’s sin wasn’t keeping back funds; it was faking generosity. He had lied against God. In Ananias, we see the dangerous progression of sin. Envy led to pride; pride to greed; greed to lies. Instantaneously, Ananias died. The young men removed his body and buried it. Three hours later, Sapphira arrived, unaware of her husband’s death. Peter questioned her too. Foolishly, she lied as Ananias had done. She also died. Luke wrote that “great fear seized the whole church [ekklesia]” (v. 11). This fear was appropriate, a fear of displeasing the holy God. >> Sapphira’s story teaches us to take sin seriously. We must always seek to be honest before God and live a life that is open and truthful. Spend some time today in confession. What do you need to bring before God today?

Mary was not only the mother of Jesus, she was His disciple. In the book of Acts, Luke continues the story of Jesus. During Jesus’ 40 resurrected days on earth, He appeared to the apostles and gave them many “convincing proofs that He was alive” (v. 3). The accuracy of this evidence mattered to Luke. Jesus promised the apostles the gift of the Holy Spirit and instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for this baptism (vv. 4–5). Finally, He commissioned them as His witnesses and ascended “before their very eyes” into the clouds (v. 9). The apostles left the Mount of Olives and walked back to their upper room in Jerusalem. There, they could talk and pray away from the street- level crowds. Luke listed the men by name—the same disciples as in Luke 6:14–16, excepting Judas Iscariot. Luke also continued his practice of honoring women by acknowledging their presence, though not by name. As we have seen, faithful women served Jesus during His ministry and were with Him at His death. Certainly, it makes sense that they were present at the beginning of the Church. Mary is mentioned by name in verse 14, her only appearance in the book of Acts. It is a fitting finish to her biblical story. Luke presented her as a model of trust and obedience in his gospel record. She experienced the greatest joys and sorrows motherhood can bring. And through it all, she was a disciple of her own Son. Interestingly, Jesus’ brothers were also there. Their unbelief from six months prior (John 7:5) must have been reversed. Jesus appeared to James after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7). Perhaps that was the impetus for his (and other brothers’) belief. >> This group “all joined together constantly in prayer” (v. 14). Constantly means “resolutely, persistently, even obstinately.” A community is made strong by prayer. Do you have a prayer group? Maybe today is a good time to begin one.

Very early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and other women returned to the garden to complete the burial. On Friday, after Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had placed His body in a tomb. By Jewish custom, the body should be buried by sundown. As a devoted follower, Mary had been a first-hand witness of the crucifixion (Matt. 27:55–56). Her devotion ran deep as Jesus had cast seven demons from her (Luke 8:1–3). We can only imagine her dismay when she arrived at the tomb to find the stone rolled away. She ran to tell Peter and John who bolted to the garden. When they saw the burial clothes folded and purposely placed, John believed (v. 8). After the disciples left, Mary lingered, taking advantage of the solitude to grieve with tears. Eventually, she peered into the tomb and saw two angels where the body had been. When they asked her why she wept, she told them, “They have taken my Lord away” (v. 13). She turned and saw a man who had a question of His own: “Who is it you are looking for?” (v. 15). Perhaps it was still dark or her eyes were blinded by tears because she thought He was the gardener and had moved the body. “Tell me where you have put him, and I will get him” (v. 15). Then, Jesus uttered her name: “Mary.” Imagine the love in His tone! Full of joy and awe, she responded: “Rabboni” (v. 16). Jesus gave Mary an important mission—to go and tell the disciples: “I have seen the Lord!” That Jesus chose Mary for this assignment is astounding. Women were rarely trusted with significant work. They were not typically messengers. They couldn’t serve as legal witnesses. What made Mary credible? That she sought and served her Savior. >> Hebrews 11:6 says that God “rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Mary went to the tomb seeking Jesus, and He met her there, forever changing her life. Seek Jesus today as you read His Word and pray.

Mary is standing at the foot of the cross. We can only imagine how her mother’s heart suffered to see Jesus beaten severely and bleeding profusely. He was forced to carry His own crossbeam until Roman soldiers seized Simon of Cyrene and ordered him to help. The destination was “Calvary,” on a public roadway near Jerusalem. On either side of Jesus, a criminal was crucified. The inscription over His head, intended as mockery, read “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (v. 19). Written in three languages, the inadvertent testimony of truth would be read by thousands of Jews, passing by for the Passover. Matthew, Mark, and Luke each recorded that many women followed Jesus to the cross, mourning and wailing (Luke 23:27). John listed only a specific four: Mary His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene (v. 25). John noted his own presence as “the disciple whom He loved” (v. 26). Each Gospel writer documented certain final words of Jesus. But only John recounted this final act of familial love: When Jesus looked down and saw Mary’s sorrow, He said, “Woman [using the respectful address again], here is your son” (v. 26). Speaking to John, He said, “Here is your mother” (v. 27). Jesus’ brothers had abandoned Him (7:1–5). Joseph had likely died. Mary had supported Jesus throughout His ministry and to this traumatic end, but she was about to be left alone. Jesus was telling John to care for her as his own. “From that time on, [John] took her into his home” (v. 27). Knowing that all things had been accomplished and Scripture had been fulfilled, He requested a drink. When He received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” and gave up His spirit. >> As we encounter the cross through Mary’s eyes—the person who probably loved Him most—we can feel the pain He endured in palpable ways. We grieve, yet not without hope.

We perceive the world through the five senses that God has given us. And worship, as God ordained it in both the Old and New Testaments, was a multi-sensory experience. Consider the Lord’s Supper, baptism, sacrifices, and feasts. Maybe our modern worship services could benefit by giving us more to see and touch and even smell. The Passover was only two days away. Up to three million people may have come to Jerusalem for the festivities that year. The chief priests and scribes were nervous. They had witnessed Jesus’ popularity. They risked a riot if they made a public arrest. So, they doubled down on their plan to seize Jesus secretly. That afternoon Jesus left the crowd and retreated to Bethany, this time to the home of Simon the leper. When a prominent person visited a home, it was customary to leave the door ajar, so others could join the gathering. While Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman entered with a jar of very expensive perfume. She went to Jesus, broke the vial—demonstrating the totality of the gift—and poured it over His head. This was far beyond normal courtesy. Jesus would have been drenched. The sweet fragrance would have filled the room. It was a bold, extravagant, sensory- filled expression of love. Some people, possibly even the disciples, scolded (“snorted” or “roared”) the woman. They thought she wasted the perfume. It could have been sold and given to the poor. But Jesus defended her and called her act beautiful. He questioned their concerns. Devotion to Him must outweigh all material matters. He connected her act to His impending death, and He promised her a place of prominence in the gospel proclamation. >> This woman’s love for Jesus spilled over with an extravagant gesture. Many of us have spoiled the people we love with over-the-top gifts. Have we ever done the same for God? How can you give to God extravagantly?

In his epistle, James warns us about playing favorites. If a wealthy person comes to church with gold rings and fancy attire, we should not give that person preferential treatment over someone in shabby clothes. “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5). The message of the widow and her two mites is similar. God’s economy is drastically different from ours. At the beginning of Mark 11, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem to the people’s resounding praise. The next morning, when He returned to the Temple, He drove out the money changers because they had turned the house of worship into a den of thieves. At the end of His time in the Temple, Jesus sat across from the treasury in the Court of Women, where many rich people donated large sums of money. Their wealth was evident to all by the clang of their offering as it was thrown into the bell. Eventually, a poor widow shuffled by and dropped into the coffer two copper coins (lepta), the smallest Greek coins, worth 1/64th of a denarius. Each day, the Temple authorities gave this amount to the poor, so they could buy bread. This poor widow was giving her bread allowance back to God. When Jesus noticed her, He gathered His disciples. He praised the poor widow for giving “all she had to live on.” While the religious leaders probably preferred the large gifts, many were given out of abundance and self-sufficiency. The widow demonstrated radical trust in God to provide her daily bread. She gave out of devotion, dependency, and faith. >> What do we choose to give? How much do we give? This passage challenges us to check our own giving and our attitude toward wealth. Spend time thinking about your relationship to money. How can you give “all” to Jesus?

Do you long to be heard? From the moment we are born, we want someone to answer our cries and meet our needs. It’s a fundamental human desire that we see Jesus meet again and again. In John 11, Jesus clearly heard the desperate request of Martha and Mary. “Lord, the one you love is sick,” they cried. But even though Jesus heard (vv. 4, 6), He did not hurry. He lingered for two whole days, a terribly long time in a life-or-death situation. Jesus then revealed the motivation behind this delay: “It is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (v. 4). Jesus longed for that glory to lead people to belief (vv. 14–15). When Jesus finally arrived at their home, Mary and Martha both expressed their disappointment. They believed He was the Christ and could have prevented Lazarus’s death. They did not yet understand that He was able to reverse it. Jesus wanted to reveal more of Himself to them—His ultimate, eternal power over death. He told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” (v. 25). Clearly, Jesus empathized with their pain. He was deeply moved (v. 33), and He wept (v. 35). Then He ordered the stone to be rolled away from the tomb, and despite Martha’s concern about the odor, He prayed to His Father and called forth life. At its core, this is a love story. Jesus’ abiding affection for this family is declared repeatedly (vv. 3, 5, 36). And even though you and I don’t always get a Lazarus ending this side of heaven, we can always trust His love. >> This passage reveals so much about Jesus! He hears, even when He doesn’t hurry. He empathizes with our pain. His glory is on display if we have eyes to see. It should move us to belief. He loves us and longs to give us life.

Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter wore a red “A” for most of her adult life as penance for her sin of adultery. While Hester carried that public condemnation, her lover, the young minister Arthur Dimmesdale, suffered in secrecy and died in shame. In Deuteronomy 22, the law stated that unfaithful wives should lose their lives, but the method was not prescribed. (The Mishnah specified strangling.) When an engaged woman was unfaithful, the woman and the man should be stoned. Consequently, many Bible commentators conclude that the woman in John 8 was engaged. When the scribes and Pharisees arrived at the Temple, Jesus was teaching. They presented the woman caught in adultery, appealed to the law, and demanded a judgment. The case was fishy. Presumably, if they caught the woman, they also knew her partner. Where was he? Clearly, they were less concerned with justice and more interested in setting a snare for Jesus. Would He disregard the law and destroy His credibility? Or uphold the law and ruin His reputation of compassion? Forced to choose between justice and grace, what would Jesus do? He stooped and wrote in the dirt. We don’t know what He wrote, but when Jesus did speak, He referenced Deuteronomy 13:9 and 17:7, which says the accusers of a crime should throw the first stones. Jesus added that they should be without sin. The scribes and Pharisees were silenced. One by one, they shuffled away. When they were gone, Jesus called her “Woman,” the same respectful term He used for His mother in John 2. Then He released her from condemnation, absolved her sin, and set her free. >> The scribes and Pharisees reveal our own tendency to pass judgment and condemn. The woman shows our struggle with shame. Jesus shows us life-altering forgiveness and an opportunity for new life.

Often one of our children (ages 11 and 14) still complains that he or she is being treated differently. Someone had to do a chore that the other did not. One of them received more screen time or ice cream or rides in the front seat. Sadly, even grown-ups can play the comparison game. This brief scene in Bethany is recorded only by Luke. Jesus and His disciples had arrived in the Jerusalem area, and as He prepared His followers for what was to come, He delivered some intense training on key aspects of the faith. He was likely doing some such teaching at the home of Mary and Martha, sisters to Lazarus, when this conversation took place. Ironically, as He lectured on discipleship, the two sisters provided a perfect and living illustration. Martha worked intently on the preparations involved with hosting an important person like Jesus. She wanted to show Him the honor He was due. By contrast, Mary took the opportunity to sit at His feet and absorb His every word. When Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, she assumed He would affirm her critique and come to her aid. The original Greek wording indicates her confident expectation. Jesus’ response was gentle, but firm. “My dear, dear Martha.” He rebuked her—tenderly—for her trivial concerns and her unnecessary focus on comparison. Jesus did not criticize her work, only her expectation that Mary must join. Mary provided the flesh- and-blood example of devoted discipleship that Jesus was asking for. It was also significant that Jesus deemed a woman to be worthy of His teaching. In that first-century culture, women did not often receive an education. That Jesus publicly affirmed her= choice was no small compliment. >> It’s tempting for us, as well, to serve at the expense of being fed. We can unfairly evaluate the focus of others and compare them to ourselves. May we prioritize our own heart and soul nourishment, even over service.

In every country, every nation, and maybe even in your town, there are places most people avoid. The people who live in those communities don’t mingle with the rest of society. These places are often marked by crime and darkness. Yet many churches and ministries move into those areas to shine the light of the gospel. Not long after He fed the five thousand, Jesus withdrew to Gentile territory. He had been rejected by His own in Nazareth. His cousin John had been killed by Herod. The religious leaders were escalating their opposition. So, the plan was to go through the Gentile region, into Judea, and ultimately to Jerusalem. Near the infamous pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus and His disciples encountered a Canaanite woman. In the Old Testament, the Canaanites were the most wicked and despised of Israel’s enemies. Much of that cultural tension remained in Jesus’ day. Despite her reputation, the woman approached Jesus. She repeatedly called Him “Lord,” and begged Him for mercy (v. 22). Her daughter was demon possessed, and she was desperate. She showed her familiarity with Messianic prophesy by calling Jesus the “Son of David.” Just three miles away was the pagan temple to Eshmun, a god of healing. This woman was surely familiar with this place. Yet she chose to come to Jesus. When Jesus did not immediately acknowledge her request, His disciples assumed He would send her away. Instead, Jesus engaged her in banter during which He maintained His commitment to reach Israel (“lost sheep”). She told him that even the Gentiles (“dogs”) would be blessed by the Jewish Messiah (vv. 26–27). Her answer showed her faith. Jesus affirmed her belief and healed her daughter. >> Are there people or places you see as beyond the reach of the gospel? Ask God how He wants you or your church to serve them. No one is beyond His love or reach, and many are searching for the hope only He can bring!

In one week, all four members of our family became sick. As hard as I tried to keep all the balls in the air, several dropped. It’s humbling to realize how fragile and fallible we really are. It is hard to admit we have needs that we can’t meet ourselves. Self-sufficiency is a stubborn and sneaky (dare I say?) sin, a particularly problematic form of pride. Today’s passage is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. The story occurs at a ministry low point for Jesus. He had been rejected by His hometown (Matt. 13:53–58) and His cousin had been killed (14:1–12). The opposition against Him was escalating. Jesus withdrew by boat to a solitary place. The implication is that He needed some time to mourn, to attune His heart with His Father’s, and to gather the spiritual strength for His next phase of ministry. The only hiccup was that Jesus was still very popular. Crowds followed Him on shore and were waiting when He landed at a remote spot along the coast. Only Matthew explains that the estimate of 5,000 did not include the women and children who were also there, so the actual crowd may have been 10,000 or more (v. 21). Despite His own desire for solitude, Jesus moved among them with compassion and healed the sick. When evening was near, the disciples approached Jesus. The people were hungry, so the disciples recommended that He send them away into the nearby villages to purchase food (v. 15). Jesus, however, said the people should stay. He intended to feed them Himself. Taking their limited resources, He miraculously multiplied them into an abundance. Everyone ate and was satisfied, and they collected twelve baskets filled with leftovers. >> Our Savior knows our needs. He knows you are human, hungry, and helpless. Even so, He looks at you with love. Are you feeling empty today? Look to Jesus. He alone can satisfy your deepest needs.

In today’s world, the Christian commitment to holiness runs counter to cultural trends. Politicians, pastors, and others who speak up for biblical truth do so knowing that they will face public ridicule. But this is nothing new. In Matthew 14, two women played a very different role in the Gospel narrative. Jesus was nearing the end of His two-year ministry in Galilee, and news of His growing popularity had reached even the highest-level ruler—Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Herod had established his capital in Tiberias, eight miles down the coast from Capernaum, where Jesus had made His ministry base. We can be sure he kept an eye on Jesus’ activities. Herod came to a curious conclusion. “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead!” This seemingly came from superstition, rumor, and fear. Matthew takes this opportunity to explain what happened to John. Herod had likely taken John into custody a full year and a half prior to this account. Just as Jesus had begun challenging the religious leaders, John had publicly condemned Herod’s problematic and incestuous marriage. Herodias had been his brother’s wife and the daughter of his older half-brother. Herod arrested John in response. While imprisoned, John received reports about Jesus’ ministry from his own disciples (Matt.11:2–6). Jesus sent John a personal confirmation of His identity. Then, on Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias (Salome) danced at the party. Herod was so pleased that he promised her anything. Herodias, full of hatred toward John, seized the opportunity for revenge. Upon her mother’s prompting, Salome asked for John’s head on a platter. After John’s disciples buried his body, they went immediately to find Jesus and tell Him the news. >> Standing up for biblical truth will probably not make you popular. In fact, it can often come at a cost. Many will say they believe in Jesus, but fewer will risk much on His behalf.

One of my favorite writing professors always said, “Sometimes in order to tell one story well, you need to tell two.” Two stories, told side by side, create a deeper meaning than either could convey on its own. In Mark chapter 5, the stories of Jairus’s daughter and a hemorrhaging woman are told as a pair. We are meant to understand them together. But why? In many ways, Jairus and the bleeding woman were as different as could be. Jairus was a respected leader in the synagogue, educated, comfortable, a family man. The bleeding woman was destitute, unclean, and isolated. What they had in common, though, was their need for Jesus and their belief in His power. Both came to Him—humbly—with hope that He could heal. And Jesus gave them equal attention. In fact, Jesus interrupted His visit to Jairus’s dying daughter when the woman touched His hem. Instantly, she felt in her body that she was well and tried to slip away unnoticed. But Jesus sought her out and listened as she told Him (trembling) “the whole truth” (v. 33). Luke 8:47 adds that this was a public proclamation: “In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.” Then Jesus said: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (v. 34). The address “daughter” implied an intimate, provisional, loving relationship and a commitment to care. Jesus commended her faith. He offered her complete peace, freedom, and healing: social, emotional, spiritual. While Jesus was still speaking to the woman, He received word that Jairus’s daughter had died. But this provided Him an opportunity to raise her from the dead and display His power on another level. >> Are you in need of the healing work of Jesus? Maybe your ailment is physical, maybe it is emotional or spiritual. Bow humbly and hopefully at His feet. Bring your wounds to Jesus today. Touch His hem and believe.

As a college professor, I’ve witnessed many tearful “good-byes” between parents and their children. Most parents worry when sending their child, even one who is nearing adulthood, into the unknown. In today’s passage, we again meet Jesus’ mother Mary. As word about Jesus had spread across the region and His crowd of followers had grown, the response was not entirely favorable (Mark 3:2, 6). Religious authorities sent a delegation to discredit and defame Him. “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons” (v. 22). Jesus did not shy away from these confrontations. Just as He had answered the Pharisees’ questions in Mark chapter 2, He boldly addressed these accusers by challenging their logic. “How can Satan drive out Satan?” (v. 23). His parable pointed out the absurdity of their claim. Jesus’ mother and brothers heard of His growing influence and the escalating opposition. They were afraid and went to find Him and bring Him home. We don’t know the state of Mary’s heart. At least some of His family members thought Jesus was “out of His mind” (v. 21). Mary may have gone along because she was worried about her son. The brothers may have wanted to protect Jesus from danger, but they also may have feared that the controversy would affect their family. When they arrived at the scene, the crowd prevented them from reaching Jesus. They had to send their message like a game of telephone. But when Jesus learned of their presence, His response was shockingly countercultural. “Who are my mother and my brothers?” In a society where the family was the basis of social and economic life, Jesus asserted that the greater connection was a common dedication to God. >> Our earthly families are certainly a gift to us, but Jesus’ response encourages us to deepen our bonds within the family of God. What steps might you take to strengthen your connection with fellow believers?