Tag: joh15

Taking the Stand!

Weaponizing a judicial system to silence or eliminate someone is nothing new. We see it in Daniel’s day, just like our day. In our reading, we see an eighty-two-year-old Daniel thrown to the lions. Why is he being thrown to the lions? Not because he murdered anyone. Not because of corruption or treason. Not because of stealing. It is because he worships God! Notice what Daniel’s political opponents said of him. Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.” (Daniel 6:4–5, NLT) So the heathen weaponized the judicial system and threw a good man to the lions.

As I thought about Daniel’s life, this kind of drama wasn’t new to him. As someone high up in the political class for most of his life, Daniel survived four different kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Great. This was unheard of. Lots of heads usually rolled during regime changes, but not Daniel’s. He stood calm, firm, and secure amid a lot of swirling drama. When the law was passed making it illegal to pray to God, the Bible says, When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. (Daniel 6:10, ESV) Wow, talk about taking a stand! Talk about a foundation upon which he stood!

Times haven’t changed! Today’s world is full of evil people creating drama for the righteous (2 Thessalonians 3:1–2). It is not because Christians are dangerous people; it is because the heathen rage and imagine vain things against God (Psalm 2:1–2). And since we as Christians are not above our Master, we too will suffer persecution as Jesus did (John 15:20). However, like Daniel, we too can take a stand calmly, firmly, and securely regardless of the weaponization of the ungodly. No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17, ESV) So let us stand, and if need be, take the stand amid the rage of the ungodly and glorify our Father who is in Heaven! (Ephesians 6:13; Hebrews 12:1–3)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Daniel 4-6.

God Took It Seriously!

Today’s reading issues several messages of judgment against Israel and Judah’s neighbors and enemies. Their sin was seen in their reaction to the news of God chastening His people. Ammon cheered when they heard that the Temple was defiled, and she mocked and laughed, clapped, and danced as God’s people went into exile (Ezekiel 25:3, 6). Moab will be judged simply because she thought nothing special of God’s people (Ezekiel 25:8). Edom avenged themselves against Judah (Ezekiel 25:12). The people of Philistia held a long-standing and bitter contempt for Judah (Ezekiel 25:15). Tyre also rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem thinking it would enrich them (Ezekiel 26:2).

Israel’s enemies haven’t changed their tune over the millennia. Today, they still rejoice over any calamity that comes upon them. They constantly seek their destruction. They are full of bitter contempt. In addition, it is not just Israel that this world seeks to destroy, but Christianity as well. Yes, Satan and evil men who do not have faith (2 Thessalonians 3:2) seek to harm, cancel, persecute, and kill Christians. Of course, Jesus warned us of this…If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:19–20, ESV)

Ultimately, the real battle here is with the devil, and he is fighting against God. The devil has already lost this battle, but until he is locked away in hell for eternity, he roams about seeking whom he may devour. As Christians, we realize our enemy is him, not the flesh and blood he often works through to trouble us. Thus, I am reminded of some Scripture in Proverbs. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; (Proverbs 24:17–19, NKJV) Though we suffer persecution in this world, may we grieve the condition and the future of those that do such. And when they fall, when their calamity comes upon them suddenly, which it will, may we remember that but for the grace of God, there go I.

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 24-27.

The Rechabite Response! 

God has an object lesson for His people in today’s reading. God has Jeremiah invite the Rechabites to the Temple. When they arrive, Jeremiah invites them to drink some wine. The Rechabite response was exactly what the Lord wanted His people to see and hear!

Then I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, “Drink wine.” But they answered, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us… (Jeremiah 35:5–8, ESV)

An Object Lesson in Obedience

The Rechabites are Kenites, the people of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. In Judges 1:16 and 1 Chronicles 2:25, we find that they became allies with Israel and embraced the ways of the Lord. Over the many generations, these nomadic, tent-dwelling people have exhibited faithfulness, obedience, and soberness by honoring their forefather Jonadab and his command to his family. So, when Jeremiah offered them wine, and they refused in the presence of those at the Temple, this was the sermon that God wanted His people to see. He wanted them to see what obedience looks like, for they had forgotten.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go and say to the people in Judah and Jerusalem, ‘Come and learn a lesson about how to obey me. (Jeremiah 35:13, NLT)

The Importance of Obedience

If we remember back to a time in King Saul’s life, the first human king Israel had, we know how much God values obedience. 

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22, KJV)

Yet Judah and Jerusalem have refused to obey; notice the consequences. 

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. (Jeremiah 35:17, KJV)

The Blessing of Obedience

What a simple yet valuable object lesson. God is looking for obedience in our lives as believers. What is at the root of faithful obedience? What gives life and vitality to obedience? Notice the words of Jesus. If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15, KJV) Of course, Jesus is the ultimate object lesson! If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:10, KJV)

Let us love our God and obey His Word, that our joy may be full! These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11, KJV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 35-37.

God! Your Friend!

The last couple of chapters in my Bible reading have been astonishing. Israel has broken their covenant with God! While Moses was on the mount receiving the stone tablets from God, they worshiped a golden calf. Judgment followed. People died. Israel mourned. Moses pleaded with God. In the middle of all this, Exodus 33:11 stood out to me like a cool breeze on a hot day.

Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend… (Exodus 33:11, NLT)

God spoke to Moses like a friend! Yes, God is holy; He will not overlook sin. But He spoke to Moses as a friend in the Tent of Meeting! This tent was set up outside the camp where God and Moses often met. Doesn’t this remind us of a verse in the New Testament?

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15, ESV)

Wow! God desires friendship! Don’t think of Him as a formal, distant, far-off, scary God. Think of Him as one who wants to be friends with you! Yes, God- your friend!

So, what is one of the marks of a close friendship? Friends enjoy talking to each other. Deep communication! They enjoy being around each other! That’s what Moses had in the Tent of Meeting. That’s what Jesus had with His disciples. That’s what He wants with you!

Don’t be hesitant, enjoy a friendship with God. He wants to be your friend!