Category: Gospels
Stronghold for the oppressed!
Scripture reading for August 27th: Psalm 9:9-11 “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the Lord, Who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples His deeds!”
John 16:23-24 “In that day you will ask nothing of Me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My Name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in My Name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
There are many kinds of oppression in our fallen world. People are often oppressed because of prejudice against races or nationalities. They may be mocked and relegated to the lowest place in a country or people group. They may be taken advantage of or sold into slavery for labor or sexual pleasure. The psalmist declares a truth about His Lord concerning oppression and those in trouble: God is faithful! All who put their trust in Him and know His Name, calling on Him and seeking His help will never be forsaken or left to the enemy.
The Name of the Lord often declares His character and benefits. In the last devotion we found that God was our Shield, Glory, and the lifter of our heads. God is our Healer, providing remedy for disease as well as protection from disease. In the New Testament, Jesus encouraged His disciples to begin asking the Father directly in His Name for whatever they had need of and they would receive it. Our Lord Jesus is truly a ‘Stronghold’ in times of trouble or oppression. No weapon formed against us will prosper! Our God shall meet all our needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ Name, we take You at Your Word today and ask You to lift our oppression from sickness and disease. You Alone are our Stronghold in oppression. We will worship You and tell among the peoples Your amazing deeds of answering our prayers! Amen!
Blessed Sleep
Scripture reading for August 26: Psalm 3:3-6 “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head. I cried to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy hill. (Selah) I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
One of the common health issues of our time is sleeplessness. This malady can come from a number of causes from worry and fear to physical problems like sleep apnea and insomnia. God’s Word in Psalms addresses this issue of sleeplessness coming from fear. The psalmist knows and declares by faith that God is his Shield of protection. Even if thousands were arrayed against him, he could still lie down and sleep because God would sustain him. God would nourish his soul and bring him through the night with refreshing sleep. God would also be his Glory and the lifter of his head when burdened down by worry or fear. When the psalmist contemplated God’s glory, his focus was on the greatness and splendor of God and problems melted into the background.
Jesus gave an invitation to all who were weary and heavy with the cares of life. He invited them to come to Him and cast all their cares on Him. They were to take His yoke upon them and learn from Him. He was gentle and humble and through surrender to Him, they would find the rest that they so desperately needed. If you struggle with sleep issues or rest issues, finding yourself tired all the time, why not take Jesus at His Word?
Prayer: Father God, I come to You at Your Word that promises refreshing and sustaining sleep and rest from life’s burdens. Teach me Your humble and gentle way of living, trusting fully in God to meet all my needs. I will find true rest in You. Thank You Lord! Amen!
Living by God’s Word
Scripture reading for August 19: Job 23:10-12 “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.”
Matthew 4:4 “But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Job’s trial of extreme loss and then sickness approaching death was allowed by God to prove that Job served God for Who He was, not just for the benefits God gives those who trust Him. God knows everything about us, including the genuineness of our faith. We don’t have all the inside information of why God allows these tests, but they bring out of us amazing faith and confessions. Job confessed that God knew all about his walk of faith. Job was confident that when the test was over, he would come out like gold from the fire–free from impurities.
He had sought to walk closely with God and to keep His commandments. He stated that he treasured God’s Word more than his portion of food. This reminds us of Jesus’ confession when Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread after a forty day fast. Jesus stated that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) (Deuteronomy 8:3) Faith also comes by hearing God’s Word. (Romans 10:17) Job was revealing where his faith came from and how he knew his faith was genuine.
As we go through various trials, Peter tells us to rejoice in the testing of our faith. Faith is more precious than gold that is perishing as it is part of creation. Faith in God leads to eternal life and eternal joy–kept in heaven for us and soon revealed in Jesus’ return. “Come, Lord Jesus!” is the last prayer of the church recorded in Scripture! (Revelation 22:17, 20) Amen!
“I Know My Redeemer Lives”
Scripture reading for August 18: Job 19:25-27 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me.”
John 11:25-6 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Over two thousand years separate the faith confession of Job and the truth Jesus declared to Martha, the sister of Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. Job was in the midst of a trial of sickness that he felt could take his life. Satan had obtained permission to test his faith and God had agreed. Satan threw his worst attack on Job’s health and faith through accusations from his wife and friends as well. Job maintained his integrity and did not blame God or curse Him.
But God was at work behind the scenes as well. Job’s faith was maintained through revelation knowledge of the unseen world. God had revealed a Redeemer Who would one day stand upon the earth and be made visible to those of faith. Job had a revelation that even if he died and his flesh and skin was destroyed, yet he would behold this Redeemer for himself and his own eyes would see Him. The only way Job could know this was if God revealed it to him. This has been God’s mercy towards those who humbly seek Him and trust in Him.
Jesus Christ stood at Lazarus’ grave and declared that He was the resurrection and the life. He was that Redeemer, that whoever believed on Him would live, even if dead. Those that lived and believed would never die! What amazing revelation knowledge revealed by Jesus, Son of God! The real question for us all, “Do you believe this?”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great mercy in revealing Jesus Christ, Your Son, as the way to live forever and find assurance that even in death, we will be made alive in Him! With Job of old, ‘How my heart burns within me!’ Amen.
Unseen Accusations!
Scripture reading for August 12: Job 2:3-6 “And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse You to Your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life.”
We come to the ancient book of Job and the story of Job’s life and trust in God in the days before Abraham. The story reveals a conflict between God the Father and Satan, the fallen angel. This conflict was during a gathering of the ‘Sons of God’ and Satan came along with them. The ‘Sons of God’ is a term used to describe created heavenly beings who serve God and do His will. Satan was once part of that group until iniquity was found in him and he was removed from his position of authority under God. His name, Satan, (‘hassatan’ in Hebrew) means ‘adversary’ or ‘prosecutor’ or ‘accuser’ and is a title rather than a name. Although cast out of the heavenly angelic band, he was still given access to God’s throne on occasion.
In this passage, we find God speaking to Satan and bringing to his attention His servant Job a second time. God’s assessment of Job was that he stood alone among those on earth as blameless and upright and fearing God. Job had passed the first test of keeping steadfast faith in God as sovereign even after losing his flocks, servants and even his children and their families. Now Satan accused God of protecting Job’s health as he had of his wealth the first time. Satan’s accusation was that if Job’s life was threatened, he would curse God. God allowed Satan to take Job’s health, just not his life. God was confident that Job would remain true to Him.
As we learn from Scripture to trust God in all circumstances, we can learn from Job’s example and the unseen and unknown accusations behind the health circumstance. There are forces of evil trying to destroy us and our faith. But our Lord Jesus has power to sustain those committed to Him. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Humbly Seek His Face!
Scripture reading for August 10: 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 “Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.”
According to Jesus, in this world, we will have trouble. We are told to be of good cheer and live in peace, for He has overcome the world and it’s ultimate trouble, sin and death. (John 16:33) Time and chance happen to all people, including God’s people. Bad things happen, sickness strikes, and habits of the flesh bring consequences. But God made provision for His people in dealing with this trouble. They must come with a sacrifice to His house and humbly seek His face.
In the Old Covenant, God called His people who were experiencing troubles related to sin, either their own or that of the people of the world, to come to Him in prayer. He encouraged them to come humbly confessing sins and needs and seeking His face for forgiveness and healing. God gives grace to the humble but He opposes the proud and rebellious. This famous passage from 2 Chronicles 7:14 was God’s response to Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple. God promised to hear their humble prayers, confessions of sin, and to bring healing to them and their land. Sin affects people but also the land. Drought, famine, and pestilence are all related judgments of God that are consequences of sin. God is the only source of rain, multiplication of seeds sown, and deliverance from insects and pests.
Under the New Covenant, Jesus Christ has perfectly obeyed the Law of God and offered His own body and blood as the perfect and final sacrifice. He prayed “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Believers in Jesus can come with confidence before God’s throne and find grace and help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) What a Savior and Lord! Amen!
Priest and Ark!
Scripture reading for August 7: 2 Chronicles 6:40-42 “Now, O my God, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer of this place. “And now arise, O Lord God, and go to the ark of Your might. Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let your saints rejoice in Your goodness. O Lord God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one! Remember Your steadfast love for David Your servant.”
This passage is taken from Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the temple he had built to house the ark of God. He had asked that God would always have His eyes and ears attentive to the prayers of His people as they prayed there before Him. Even when they had been taken captive and would pray towards that place, he asked God to pay attention and act. Solomon closed by inviting God to arise and dwell in the ark in the midst of His people. He asked that His priests would be clothed with salvation and that all the saints would rejoice in God’s amazing goodness and love that endures forever! Solomon asked for himself that God would not turn away His Face from him as his anointed one to lead His people.
This prayer was given by Solomon around one thousand years before Christ under the Old Covenant of Law. But today under the New Covenant, we have something much better. As believers in Jesus, we have been told to ask for anything in His Name and He would do it. (John 14:13-14) This is because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has anointed us as His priests. He has purchased our salvation through His final sacrifice. We can now rejoice in His goodness as His saints, set apart for His glory and purposes. We are now the ‘Holy of Holies’ where God’s presence dwells through the Holy Spirit. We do not need to go to a ‘temple’ or turn towards a location on earth. Not only do we have what we ask for, but eternal life and joy unspeakable are ours!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for opening heaven’s door through Jesus Christ for salvation, healing, and relationship with joy. Help me to ask You in faith for every need and wisdom to walk with You indwelling me. Amen.
Know What to Ask God For
Scripture reading for August 6: 2 Chronicles 1:9-11 “O Lord God, let Your Word to David my father be now fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of Yours, which is so great?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for a long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
God appeared to Solomon right after he was installed as king of Israel in place of his father David. He told him to ask Him for whatever he wanted the Lord to give him. Solomon could have asked for many physical things that would have given him pleasure and peace or a long life, but instead he asked God for wisdom and knowledge that would empower him to govern God’s numerous and great people. This prayer of faith pleased the Lord and He granted Solomon his request. In Solomon’s seeking God’s wisdom and will, God also added to him riches, honor and possessions. When we please the Lord and seek His kingdom and righteousness, everything we have need of and more will be added! (Matthew 6:33)
This passage also reminds us of a New Testament passage written by James, a half-brother of Jesus. James states “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5) As we are dealing with healing, often our greatest need is wisdom and knowledge of how to proceed and our part in walking with faith and patience. Jesus Christ is our greatest source of wisdom from God as well as our righteousness and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30) Even when we don’t know how to pray, the Father’s Gift, the Holy Spirit Who lives in us can help us to pray. We build up our faith by praying in the Holy Spirit! (Jude 20) Let’s learn to ask for what pleases God.
Toxic Worship?
Scripture reading for August 4: 1 Chronicles 13:8-11 “And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets. And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. . .and David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”
King David had given orders to bring the ark of God back to Jerusalem. The Levites had decided to use oxen and a new cart to carry the ark the last ten miles from Kiriath-jearim, just as the Philistines had done to get the ark out of their country because of tumors breaking out. The Levites had neglected to consult God’s Word about how the ark was to be treated. It was to be carried on the shoulders only by the priests set apart by designation and sacrifice.
King David was leading the procession and Uzzah, a priest, was guiding the ark when the oxen stumbled and the ark rocked. He reached out his hand and touched the ark to steady it and instantly died there before the Lord. Scripture records that the anger of the Lord at their disobedience precipitated this tragic event. King David became angry at what happened and also fearful of the Lord. He asked, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”
The ark of God was the earthly symbol of His presence with His people. God was holy and gave instructions to His people and the Levites on how to handle the ark and how to honor Him as holy. As believers under the new covenant, we also can learn from this story. We are now the dwelling place of God individually and collectively as we gather as the church. We must not dishonor God by our disrespect or casual treatment of His presence. We must worship God in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:23-24) God has provided His Holy Spirit to assist us in our worship, prayer and walk of holiness.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for sanctifying me by Jesus’ sacrifice of body and blood. Empower me to worship in spirit and truth. Amen.