Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

May 27th Reconciling God’s Sovereignty with Free Will

Today’s Reading – Ezra 1 – 2 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Romans 9 – 12; Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 27)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Ephesians 4:32

Read the “0527 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from this morning’s passage – “A Fresh Start,“ and “It’s All According to God’s Plan”

“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.” (Ezra 1:1-6)

The Book of Ezra details the return of some of the people of God from their captivity in the land of Persia. You will recall that the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had conquered and destroyed the city of Jerusalem and had taken the people of Judah captive somewhere around 586 BC. The Babylonians were then overtaken by the Medes and Persians and during the reign of King Cyrus, the people were permitted to return to Jerusalem. Ezra 2 records the specific number of people who returned (approximately 50,000) along with some genealogical information.

What caught my attention from this passage is the contrast that seems to exist between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will. Note the highlighted words in the passage above. For example, we see that the return of the people of God was a fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy, and that the Lord had “stirred up” and “charged” Cyrus. We also see that the people who participated had their spirit’s stirred by God. But we also see that these folks who returned into the land had “willingly” offered their “freewill offerings.”

From this passage we can clearly see that God was doing something and that He was moving in the hearts of both His people and this Persian King. Consider the following verses:

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1)

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

However, could we also say that these people who were part of this movement of God were also operating according to their own free will. Do you think that there were any there who really did not want to go? Do you think that King Cyrus really hated the people of God and desired to keep them locked up in Persia, but God forced him to do His bidding? I don’t think so. God was certainly moving and working and influencing in order to accomplish His will, but He was also using willing participants.

The story about Pharaoh from the Book of Exodus is similar to this one, but only in reverse. There we see the king of the land bent on holding the people of God back and persecuting them. He refused to let the people go. The scripture tells us fifteen times that Pharaoh’s heart was “hardened.” The interesting thing is that some of those times it was God who hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and other times it was Pharaoh who hardened his own heart. The bottom line is this: Pharaoh’s will was already made up. He had determined already that he would not let the people go (see Exodus 5:2). Do you really think that Pharaoh was just about to start a new Sunday School ministry for the Hebrew slaves, but then was instead forced by God to make things harder for Israel? No – he was a willing participant in Israel’s misery, and he was completely unwilling to release the people of God out of Egyptian bondage.

How can we reconcile these two concepts – man’s free will and God’s sovereignty? I must confess that I cannot completely wrap my head around all that would be included in this discussion, but I am pretty sure that God’s sovereign plan is accomplished while allowing man to make choices. Man certainly chose to sin against God. Could God force His will upon man? He could, but does He? I am not so sure about that. Does God work in man, influencing man’s decisions? I believe He does, but I do not think that man is a mere robot preprogrammed to do whatever God desires. Neither is he a puppet whose strings are controlled from Heaven. God is certainly sovereign and accomplishes His plan for the ages just as He determined before the beginning of the world, but He will not remove man’s free will in the process. Man is free to accept or reject God’s grace, and he is free to obey or disobey God’s commands. He (and the people around him) will also suffer the consequences of his choices, but he does have a choice. Joshua said, “choose you this day,” and in Revelation, the Spirit of God invites “whosoever will.” These are expressions of choice. I do not always choose wisely, but I cannot blame God for the choices I make or the consequences of those choices.

May 25th If God Be For Us

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 32 – 33 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Romans 1 – 4; Psalm 119; Proverbs 25)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Matthew 6:33

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Grace of God”

Read the “0525 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying, 7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” (2 Chronicles 32:6-8)

There is a tremendous truth contained in the passages listed above, beginning with the story of Hezekiah found in today’s reading. The southern kingdom of Judah was under siege from the great and powerful Assyrians during the reign of Judah’s King Hezekiah. But when this great army with a far superior military might threatened the people of God, Hezekiah demonstrated both great leadership as well as great faith.

Notice first that he calmed the people. In verse six, the Scriptures tell us that Hezekiah spake comfortably to the people. He did not make the situation worse by panicking. He kept calm under a tremendous amount of pressure and His strength served to strengthen the people. Notice also that his strength was based upon his great faith. He knew that God was going to help them. He trusted that the Lord would deliver the people of God from the Assyrians. How did he know that? Well, he knew God, but according to 2 Kings 19, he was also assured by God through Isaiah that Jerusalem would be spared:

“14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. 17 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, 18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only. 20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. … 32 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. 34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.” (2 Kings 19:14-20, 32-34)

Elisha demonstrated the same calmness under pressure that Hezekiah did. When he was under attack, he assured his servant that God would fight for them.

“15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:15-17)

David also taught his son Solomon:

“20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 28:20)

In the New Testament, Paul summed up this same assurance and peace that we can have inside the will of God this way:

“31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

We do not need to panic; we only need to be sure that we are doing what God wants us to be doing and then rest in the fact that He has our backs. There is great peace in being inside the will of God.

May 24th The Saturday Morning Post – Sanctify Yourselves

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 29 – 31 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 25 – 28; Psalms 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)

Read the “0524 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street, And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel. Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes. For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.” (2Chronicles 29:1-9)

Good morning. King Hezekiah wanted to do what was right in the sight of the LORD. He put God first and told the Levites and the priests to sanctify (make holy, purify) themselves and God’s house. Their fathers before them had turned their backs on God and His house. There was nothing happening at their church: the porch was boarded up, the lamps were extinguished…

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.” (Leviticus 24:1-2)

…they should have burned continually. There was no incense or offerings being burnt: no offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

Hezekiah’s orders: sanctify yourself, and the house of God. It took eight days to sanctify themselves, and eight days to sanctify God’s house…

“And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron. Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.” (2Chronicles 29:15-17)

The Levites and the priests sanctified the house of the LORD by removing all the uncleanness that they found in the temple…

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1Corinthians 6:19-20)

Being too close to the world can cause us not to put God first. Sometimes we need to examine ourselves: are the lamps still burning; is there a sweet smell making it’s way to the LORD? Sometimes it may be time for Spring cleaning. We need to carry out all the uncleanness and throw it into the brook and don’t even wave goodbye.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” (1Peter 3:15-17)

Here are three ways to sanctify yourself, and the first is the most important: are you saved?

“Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.” (Hebrews 13:12)

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:20-29)

We are all sinners in need of a Saviour. There is only one Saviour: Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to pay for our sins. If you call on Him to save you, He will, and His blood will sanctify you.

The second is through the Word of God. Jesus prayed…

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word…” (John 17:14-20)

And also in Ephesians chapter 5…

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Read your Bible daily allowing God to wash you by His Word. His truth that is contained in the Bible is the only truth we can stand on.

And thirdly is what you must do…

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2Timothy 2:15-21)

It doesn’t matter if a vessel is made of gold, silver, wood, or earth. It can be large or small; rich or poor; healthy or sickly; great or humble: there are vessels of honour and vessels of dishonour. Stay away from the ones who are not following the Word of God: the vessels of dishonour.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2Corinthians 6:14-18)

Be saved: sanctified through the blood of Jesus.

Be studying: sanctified by being washed in the Word.

Be separate: sanctified by keeping yourself from the vessels of dishonour.

Peace.

May 19th There is Always a Remnant Seeking the Lord

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 9 – 12 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 10 – 12; Psalms 91 – 95; Proverbs 19)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121

Read the “0519 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read a previous post from this passage – “Not Happy Anymore”

“13 And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. 14 For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the LORD: 15 And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made. 16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers. 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.” (2 Chronicles 11:13-17)

In today’s reading we see the wisdom and tremendous success of Solomon in chapter nine, which was even noticed by people from distanced lands such as the Queen of Sheba. Unfortunately, though Solomon started out very wisely, he chose to forsake the wisdom of God as he got older, and made a bunch of mistakes that affected the entire nation in a negative way. When Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, took over the kingdom, the people of Israel were a little disgruntled because of the oppressive burdens that were put upon them by Solomon. In chapter ten, Rehoboam has an opportunity to correct some of the abuses brought on by his father, but he instead listened to the unwise counsel of his young friends and make the situation worse. As a result, the northern tribes of Israel split off from the kingdom and created their own kingdom to the north. So, now there are two kingdoms, Israel in the north, and Judah, in the south.

The biggest problem caused by this rift was that the people from the north were separated from the Temple, which was located in the southern kingdom of Judah. The new king of Israel, Jeroboam, did everything in his power to keep the people from the north from traveling down south to worship the Lord. He was afraid that if they went to Jerusalem to worship that they would be tempted to reunite with the southern kingdom. He even set up two golden calves in the northern kingdom so that people could have something to worship. Unfortunately for him, many of the people living within his kingdom were never going to accept a false worship system; they were going to continue seeking and serving the Lord (v. 16).

The Levites who were not part of the tribe of Judah and lived throughout the northern kingdom, moved south to be near the Temple. And also many people, common people from every tribe who were not full-time ministers for the Lord, moved south as well. Some of them probably left family and friends of a lifetime because of their love and devotion to the Lord. This was not a time of great spiritual revival; it was a time of war and division, a period where many were forsaking God and His Word, but there were some that were still seeking Him. There will always be a remnant of people who will choose the Lord over every other thing or person in their lives.

Elijah discovered this very same principle. He thought that he was the only one that loved the Lord. God reminded him that there were many others, a remnant that loved God and were faithful to Him.

“18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18)

It has always been a great encouragement to me when people show up, seemingly “out of the blue,” because they believe that the Lord wants them to be part of our ministry. Sometimes this happens when we are going through a spiritual slump as a church. I remember years ago, a man showed up at the church and told me after the service that God brought him there. He is still there and has been a tremendous blessing to me personally and also to the church. God always gives us what and who we need.

May 18th It’s In Our Nature to Sin

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 6 – 8 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 7 – 9; Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0518 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read another post from today’s reading passage – “Hear Thou From Heaven and Forgive”

“(36) If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; (37) Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly; (38) If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: (39) Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.” (2 Chronicles 6:36-39)

In 2 Chronicles 6, we read Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the new Temple in Jerusalem. Over and over again, he intercedes on behalf of the people of Israel for things that he knows will happen in the future. He states very plainly that the nation will sin against God, and as a result of that sin consequences will come: famine, pestilence, enemies, captivity; all sorts of bad stuff. The wages of sin are never good. Solomon knew that the people would wander out of the will of God, but he also knew that God was gracious and forgiving, and because of His great love for people, would be willing to forgive their sin. In chapter seven, God gives His specific reply to the prayer requests that Solomon had made in chapter six:

“(12) And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. (13) If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; (14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:12-14)

Though the context of this passage is clearly for Israel, I do not think that we are too far off-base by making application for New Testament Christians. Our sinful, human nature is the same as theirs. Far too often we also find ourselves outside of the will of God just as they did, and the consequences of our sin can be devastating.  But, God is still very gracious and forgiving, and is willing to restore us and bless us also if we are willing to confess and repent. Thank God for His marvelous grace and mercy.

“(9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

May 17th The Saturday Morning Post – Others

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 1 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 4 – 6; Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)

Read the “0517 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?” (2Chronicles 1:6-10)

Good morning. If God came to you and asked you the same thing He asked Solomon, “Ask what I shall give thee.”, what would you ask for? Riches? A new car? A new house? Long life? What would you ask for? Remember, God created everything out of nothing: He is totally able to give you whatever it is you want. What would you ask God for?

When I was in college, I found it somewhat difficult. I was an electronics technician: I could use various pieces of test equipment, and troubleshoot down to the failed component on a circuit board. Of spiritual matters though, I was a novice. When the going got rough, I would ask the Lord to keep me going for the sake of others. The others, at that time, were Susan B., Al S., and our preacher, Phil Erickson. If I were to quit, what would happen to them? Would they quit too? “Lord, help me to keep going for their sakes.”, I would ask the Lord.

There may have been others watching me also. What affect would I have on them if I quit? The Lord kept me going for the sake of others, and He helped me cram 4 years of college into 5. Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom and knowledge for the sake of the people God had given him. Jesus came for the sake of others…

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

If Jesus, and Solomon, were concerned about others, shouldn’t you be also? We all should.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John3:16)

Peace!

May 16th The Pattern

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 28 – 29 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 1 – 3; Psalms 76 – 80; Proverbs 16)

Listen to today’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0516 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from today’s reading – “What a Promise,” “Preparing for the Next Generation,” and “We Thank Thee and Praise Thy Glorious Name.“

“11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat, 12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: … 18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.” (1 Chronicles 28:11-12, 18-19)

In today’s reading, we learn of David’s preparations for the Temple, which his son Solomon was going to have the privilege of building when he became the king after David was gone. Though the Temple is known as Solomon’s Temple, David made all the preparations and provided all the materials that Solomon would need to build it.

My thought for today’s reading surrounds the word, “pattern,” which appears four times in chapter 28. The word, pattern, refers to a type of blueprint that David provided for Solomon for all the different aspects of the building of the Temple. There was a pattern for the Temple itself, and then there were patterns for all the items that would be placed in and around the Temple. This is exactly the same way the word was used regarding the construction of the Tabernacle:

“9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. … 40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” (Exodus 25:9, 40)

“5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Hebrews 8:5)

David did not only provide construction patterns for Solomon, however; his life was also a pattern for Solomon. David’s life (for the most part) was an example of godliness and devotion to the Lord. He modeled in front of Solomon and his other children what a worshipper and servant of God should be.

This is the idea expressed by Paul in his letters to Timothy and Titus. Paul described himself as a pattern of long-suffering for others to emulate:

“16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Timothy 1:16)

And he exhorts us to be a pattern of good works:

“7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,” (Titus 2:7)

Parents especially need to be the right example or pattern in front of their children. Someone once said, “as a parent, you don’t get what you want, you get what you are.”

As believers, we also need to be the right pattern of Christlikeness to the world around us. We may be the only Jesus they ever see; we may be the only Bible they ever read.

On Second Thought …

“12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.” (1 Chronicles 29:12-17)

Here is another thought from the passage, which will probably be developed into a future blog post. Notice in the verses above that David acknowledged that all the gifts that were given to provide the building materials for the Temple had ultimately come from God. The people were willingly and joyfully offering back to God the things that He had already given to them. We need to have that same attitude regarding giving. People sometimes think the church is just trying to squeeze or coerce people to give their money. The reality is that God wants to use us as a source of blessing to provide for the needs of the congregation, but we must also recognize that we only have to give what God has already given us. We are merely giving back!

May 14th Not Just a Little Country Church

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 23 – 25 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – John 19 – 20; Psalms 66 – 70; Proverbs 14)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 61:1 – 3

Read the “0514 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Hope of the Future.”

“(3) Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand. (4) Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges: (5) Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.” (1 Chronicles 23:3-5)

Here in chapters 23 – 25 of 1 Chronicles (and continuing into chapter 26), we see the final days of David before his death as he transfers the Kingdom of Israel over to his son Solomon. The particular discussion in these four chapters was the organizational structure of the Levites who would serve in what would eventually be the Temple in Jerusalem. The actual Temple would not be complete for a few years, but the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem (in a tent), while the remainder of the Tabernacle was still in Gibeon. 

Did you notice the number of people that were involved in the worship system of Israel? Sometimes when I picture in my mind the Old Testament Temple, I envision just a few people working within the house of God; but, notice that there were 38,000 full-time ministers employed in the service of the Lord. This was quite an elaborate operation, including ministers, scribes, administrators, financiers, custodians, maintenance and repairmen, musicians and singers, and security workers. All of these people and all of the various duties had to be organized, administrated, financed, and scheduled. I have a tough enough time trying to administrate a few part-time staff members and a small group of volunteers.

One thought that God challenged me with from this passage is that the work of God must be done orderly and efficiently, whether it is a small country church with a staff of a few volunteers, or a large organization with many full-time employees. My pastor in Texas used to say, “God’s church should be the best run organization in town.” He was right. All too often, churches are poorly administrated and maintained, which does not reflect the Lord well within the community. Administration is a very important aspect of the ministry within a local church. Administrators provide the structure so that the ministers will have what they need to efficiently do their job. When a church is small, the pastor is the chief administrator and also performs many of the other duties necessary for a church to function. However, as the church grows, people need to be spiritually matured and specifically trained to serve in all of the areas needed to effectively minister to the congregation and community. Every job is equally important.The guy who helps park cars is just as much a minister to the church as the one who teaches an adult Bible study. 

May 13th Fake News

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 19 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – John 17 – 18; Psalms 61 – 65; Proverbs 13)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17

Read the “0513 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from this passage – “The Place of Sacrifice“; and “Get Busy.“

“(2) And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. (3) But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?” (1 Chronicles 19:2-3)

In our passage today, we read about some “fake news” that initiated a war between Israel and the people of Ammon. Nahash, the king of Ammon who was a friend to David, had died. David wanted to send his condolences to Hanun, the deceased king’s son. David sent some ambassadors into the land of Ammon to pay David’s respects to Hanun. Unfortunately, Hanun’s counselors misinterpreted David’s intentions. They thought David sent the men into Ammon to spy out the land for a future conquest. This simply was not true – it was fake news. The Ammonites humiliated the servants of David and sent them back into Israel, naked and with their beards cut off. This “fake news” originating from some wicked men in Ammon ended up causing a war between Israel and Ammon, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of men. 

We are living in a day where we are literally bombarded with information, coming at us from every direction and perspective. Unfortunately, much of the news we are receiving is at best slanted, or, at worst, totally false. The catch phrase of the day is “fake news.” The official definition of the term would probably be any news that is not true. In today’s culture, though, “fake news” is probably any information that I don’t agree with or like. We see it on the news channels every day. Social media is also replete with “fake news.” People are duped every day into believing (and reposting) some of the most outrageous claims, without making any attempt to verify whether or not they are true. Some of these lies, or exaggerations, are silly and fairly harmless, but others can be very serious, and cause a great deal of damage.

Thoughts from the Passage 

1. An Act Motivated by Kindness (vs. 1 – 2)

David’s act was completely out of a pure motive. He was just trying to be kind to Hanun because his dad died. His dad was a friend to David. “A Jewish tradition tells us that Nahash, Hanun’s father, had shown kindness to David by sheltering one of his brothers, when the king of Moab treacherously massacred the rest of the family.”^[1]

2. Advice from Misguided Counselors (v. 3)

Hanun listened to bad advice. The Bible says, “in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety” (Proverbs 14:12), but you need to make sure those counselors are godly counselors. 

See 1 Kings 12:1 – 17 – Rehoboam listened to the wrong counselors. 

Be careful about judging things that you cannot see:

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

We cannot see people’s motives, and we cannot see inside of people’s hearts. We can only see their actions. There was nothing wrong with the actions of David and his men, but Hanun’s men misjudged their motivations.

Be careful about “imaginations.” 

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Sometimes our minds will tell us things that the facts do not support.

Illustration – I have been blessed by not really listening to all of the voices out there on social media and in the news feeds. I go on Facebook to broadcast our services and prayer meetings, but I haven’t been reading too much of what’s on there. As a result, I am a little less informed as many of you, but I am also a little less stressed out. 

3. Action of a Mistaken King (v. 4)

Because of Hanun’s lack of judgment, he now commits a foolish and antagonistic act.

4. An Aggravating of Matters by the Hiring of Confederates (vs. 5 – 6)

Hunan now makes a further miscalculation by hiring an army of other nations to come help him. 

5. David’s Answer – a Mighty Conquest (vs. 7 – 19)

Up until now, David has not done anything in retaliation, and probably would not have. But, when Hanun builds this army from other nations, David has to do something. 

Conclusion

Hanun listened to some “Fake News” and it resulted in the loss of his kingdom. Be careful that you don’t get caught up in all of the fake news that is going on around you.

Christians, we need to be very careful that we are not “sucked in” to believing all of these unsubstantiated stories that are flying around in the airwaves and on the world-wide web. And, we need to be especially mindful that we do not participate in the furthering of “fake news.” God’s people are supposed to be people of the Truth. If you absolutely feel compelled to share something with others, share the Bible with them. The Word of God is always true. 

Be careful who and what you listen to. Be careful what you say. Don’t be a source of fake news.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

^[1] F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, vol. 2 (Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, 1914–1918), 109.

May 12th Preparing for the Next Generation

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 16 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – John 15 – 16; Psalms 56 – 60; Proverbs 12)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51

Read the “0512 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from this passage – “Check With God First;” and “Taking Time to Rejoice.”

“Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:” (1 Chronicles 17:4)

The thought for this morning’s devotion was derived from the today’s reading as well as what is discussed in chapter twenty-two. It was David’s desire to build a permanent structure to house the Ark of the Covenant and all of the other items that were previously part of the worship of the Lord in the Tabernacle. David had already moved the ark into Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:1), but the rest of the Tabernacle was still at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39). God did not permit David to build Him a Temple, however (1 Chronicles 17:4), but that didn’t stop David from doing everything that He could in order to make sure his son Solomon and all of the others in that next generation would have everything that they needed in order for them to build a place to worship the Lord. Even though David would not personally experience and enjoy the final product, he worked tirelessly so that his children would.

There are three thoughts that I would like to consider regarding this passage:

1. David had a good attitude when God told him “No.”

“(16) And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? (17) And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God.” (1 Chronicles 17:16-17)

In fact, though David could not personally build God the house that he wanted to for the Lord, God tells David that He is going to build David a house. Not a physical place to live, but a lineage of children and grandchildren that were going to sit on the throne in Jerusalem forever. The Lord Jesus Himself would physically descend from David through His mother Mary (Luke 3), and legally through His earthly guardian Joseph (Matthew 1).

2. David continued to fight the Lord’s battles so that the next generation would not have to.

Chapter eighteen is all about David conquering the enemy nations that posed a threat to the peace and safety of Israel. And, as David won these victories, he collected the spoils of war: gold, silver, and more, which would be put in the treasury in Jerusalem and then could be used as building materials in the future Temple.

3. David continued to plan and prepare for the Temple.

We are not there yet in the reading, but if you skip ahead to chapter twenty-two, you will see that David got everything ready, including his son Solomon, so that when he passed off the scene, the Temple could be built.

David worked very hard so that the next generation could have what he would never have. I find that type of sacrifice is missing in our culture today. It seems that many today are just interested in taking what they can today, often at the expense of the next generation. Our government is continually multiplying our national debt, which will have to be paid back by our children and grandchildren. What a shame. We ought to be working to pay off that debt and then build up a surplus as David did so that the next generation could enjoy it and then also build upon it for their children.

How about you? What are you doing today that will make the world a better place for your children and grandchildren? Let’s strive to leave behind something that will help the future generations fulfill God’s will for their lives.