Tag: phi2

Overcoming Opposition!

Today’s reading in Ezekiel reveals a coming worldwide opposition to God’s people. We also see their ultimate victory by divine and supernatural intervention. This opposition will grow so strong that God will intervene and destroy Israel’s enemies. “In this way, I will demonstrate my glory to the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power of my fist when I strike. (Ezekiel 39:21, NLT)

While much of today’s reading is yet for a future time, there is a similar spirit of opposition, or anti-Christ, that is alive and well even now against Christians. Why are Christians persecuted across the globe? Why is the name of Jesus Christ so offensive? Why do the wicked attack the church, the body of Christ? Why do the ungodly rage against righteousness, God, and His people? Because the god of this world, the Devil, is in a losing battle against God. Because sin and iniquity abound in the hearts of men. Because the Gospel is foolish and offensive to the unbelieving. 

Yet, despite this opposition, we have assured victory! …despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37, NLT) Additionally, there is coming a day when all shall confess that Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10–11). In light of these things, I am reminded of what Paul said: being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (Colossians 1:11–13, ESV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 38-39.

Light in a dark world!

Amidst the heaviness and darkness of Isaiah’s prophecies of judgment, we see a bright light—a familiar Messianic prophecy of great hope! Isaiah speaks of a coming light that will conquer darkness (Isaiah 9:2-5) and a future government unlike anything before it (Isaiah 9:6–7). What does the Bible say about this light?

In both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we see the prophecy of this light being fulfilled. Notice what Matthew says of Jesus. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, … The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (Matthew 4:13–16, KJV) According to this, the light Isaiah spoke of is a who, not a what. This light is Jesus! Notice what Jesus says of himself, … I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12, KJV)

The darkness of this world has not only been conquered by Jesus, but every believer carries this light in them, which shines through them, expelling darkness. Ye are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men… (Matthew 5:14–16, KJV) … among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:15, KJV) Of course, this world we live in is under the influence of the evil one and the darkness of sin. But what a thought—Christ in us powerfully expels this darkness around us! Let’s rejoice that light has come to us, and we have this ministry of bringing light to others in darkness!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Chronicles 27; Isaiah 9-12.

Continue!

Today’s reading starts on a positive note: a young king (Joash, or his variant spelling, Jehoash) comes to the throne in Judah and seeks after the Lord! He instructs the priests to repair the Temple. How shocking that the Temple is in disrepair! In addition, the Temple had been raided, and the valuable items used to worship the Lord were now used to worship Baal.

While Joash started out with good intentions, wickedness was revealed in his heart. Though he was spared death from a wicked queen as a child, hidden in the Temple and raised by priests, he eventually commanded the death of a prophet who prophesied against him for his wickedness. As a result, the people assassinated their king. Joash’s character and faith were so shallow that once any spiritual influence in his life was removed, he departed from seeking after God. But after Jehoiada’s death, the leaders of Judah came and bowed before King Joash and persuaded him to listen to their advice. They decided to abandon the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and they worshiped Asherah poles and idols instead! (2 Chronicles 24:17–18, NLT)

What a reminder! It is easy to start out well for God and end terribly, to have a fervor for God and lose it, to go along with faith, but it is not really our faith. I am reminded of Philippians 2:12-13, NLT. Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Continuing well takes work—it doesn’t come automatically!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24.

Jesus is King!

Psalm 110 is the most quoted and alluded-to psalm in the New Testament! A theme stood out when I came across it in my chronological reading this morning: Jesus is King!

The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1, ESV)

Kings have thrones and dominions. They rule. They have armies. They execute judgment. Jesus has such. He is enthroned at the right hand of God the Father, a place of honor. He is Sovereign over all that is. None can contest His rule. None can rival Him. He is King (Psalm 110:2–3, 6)! This reminds me of what Paul said in his epistle to the Philippians.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11, KJV)

The question that comes to mind is: Does my life reflect Jesus as Lord and King? Meaning, do I accept His lordship and live accordingly? A simple but effective and practical way to know the answer is found in 1 Corinthians.

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:20, NKJV)

Am I glorifying God in my body and spirit as I live life? That’s the question! I don’t belong to myself as a Christian; I belong to the King! I don’t live according to my rule as a Christian; I live according to His! In fact, according to the Bible, it is my delight to do so!

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (Romans 7:22, KJV)

To glorify God practically means to put God on display in our lives. Living according to the flesh does not put God on display. It displays a different kingdom. Walking according to the Spirit and in obedience to the Word of God puts God on display in our lives, glorifying Him!

Believer, is Jesus not worthy of being Lord in our lives? Did He not pay a great price to redeem us and call us His own? Is serving and glorifying Him not better than serving the flesh and the devil? Jesus is King! What a gracious King! What a worthy King!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Psalms 108-110.