Day 3–Judges rule for God
Scripture reading for May 6: 2 Chronicles 19:4 -7“Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”
Part of our justice system of law enforcement is the court system. In our country, some judges are elected, some are appointed by those in authority, and some are nominated and approved by our government legislative branch. Each judge has a specific jurisdiction that they are assigned and they are to judge impartially according to the laws of the jurisdiction they oversee.
We see in the time of King Jehoshaphat, as this king led God’s people back to the Lord, one of the key factors was to establish judges who would judge justly. He appointed them city by city, assigning them their jurisdiction. As they were installed, he asked them to consider what they did and how they did it in the administration of justice. He reminded them that God was with them and that they did not judge for man, or themselves, or the king, but for God Himself. God would help them as they feared Him and were careful to justly and impartially pass judgment. Bribery was strictly forbidden as it was a means of partiality towards those with money or influence.
Oh how God’s simple instructions are needed in our system of justice today! As God appoints judges to positions of authority, He also is with those in judge’s positions. He knows how justice is being administered. He knows if the judge is impartial or is pedaling influence for money or favors. He sees the judge’s treatment of each person and promises to judge those who judge with partially or for bribes!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for watching over the justice system in each nation, city, and jurisdiction. Thank You for righteous judges who are impartial and treat all with dignity and respect. Remove those who are partial or accept bribes. Amen.
Day 2–Truth for Resisters
Scripture reading for May 5: Romans 13:2-5“Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrong-doer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”
Paul was under the authority of the Roman government as a citizen. He was also a devout Jew who was under God’s appointment as an apostle. God instructed him to write concerning authority and those resisting it. In general believers are not to resist authority established by God if what they ask us to do is reasonable under God’s law. We are not to break existing laws unless they force us to disobey God. Even then, resistance is to be courteous and respectful. (See Daniel 3:16-18)
Paul warned those doing wrong to be fearful of those in authority. He reminded them that those in authority ‘bear the sword’ and it wasn’t just for show. He also reminded them that they were ‘servants of God’ who carried out God’s wrath on wrong-doers. He emphasized that they must be subject to those in authority, not just to avoid God’s wrath, but so their conscience would not bring conviction and a personal reminder of God’s displeasure and their guilt.
Law enforcement is established by governments to protect and bless those doing right. It is to apprehend and punish those doing wrong. This is all a part of God’s ongoing purpose to bring peace and justice to society in order that they might find Him. All law enforcement serves at God’s pleasure and He watches over them to keep them doing right. If they do wrong, God knows how to correct the situation.
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful for those that You have provided to protect those who desire to do right and live a peaceful life. Help me to submit to them and pray that they would do their jobs with integrity and fairness, treating each person with respect and dignity. May You protect them from evil-doers. Amen.
Week 19–Day 1–God Establishes Authority
Scripture reading for May 4: Psalm 75:6-7 “For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God Who executes judgment, putting one down and lifting up another.” Romans 13:1-2 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
A clearly stated truth in Scripture concerns God’s supreme authority. God is over all authority and those holding any position of authority have their position because God placed them there. They are placed there to serve God’s purposes and enforce the laws of the land which also flow from God’s decrees. Those under authority are not to resist them or the laws they are to uphold in unapproved ways or they will incur wrath and judgment.
The psalmist said that promotion doesn’t come from any particular direction–east or west. It doesn’t come from the wilderness–something like the ‘wild west’ or from those untamed who appear to have their own authority. God uses various means to ‘lift up’ to positions of authority or to ‘put down’ another in authority when His purpose for that leader is finished. In our land, elections are one means that leave us with the idea that the common will of the people has placed someone in authority. God uses elections to fulfil His will, as He is sovereign over all authority. In dictatorships, God also places rulers in their place and even the wrath of man shall praise Him and serve His purposes in the end.
These truths help all of us to stay humble before God and those He has appointed. Those appointed by Him also must answer to Him for their stewardship and treatment of both those breaking the law and those needing protection from law-breakers. They also are mindful that they serve at God’s pleasure as He has placed them there and will remove them at His discretion.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your just and righteous rulership over all creation. Thank You for reminding us all that You establish human authority and governments and systems of law and order. Help me to submit to You and Your will in my treatment of those in authority. As I exercise authority, may I fulfil Your will with Your heart. Amen.
Week 18-Video Responder Highlight–Author
Scripture reading for May 2: Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you 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.”
Chaplain John Morse offers insight on soul care for responders and believers.
Day 5–Grace not Worry!
Scripture reading for May 1: 1 Peter 5:5-7 “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility towards one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Living by faith is the key to a content and peaceful soul. Many in our world, even among responders, are filled with anxiety. We all face the pressures of life in this world and troubles that come upon the just and the unjust. “Time and chance happen to all” says Solomon. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) It’s how we respond to these troubles that is a key to our soul health. Jesus, our Example, was totally obedient to His Father and sought Him for every word to speak and every action to do. Everything was done to bring glory to God and fulfil His purpose of saving lost sinners and bringing them into a loving relationship.
Peter instructed believers to clothe themselves with humility towards one another. Jesus was completely humble and gentle, calling all to come and learn His way. (Matthew 11:28-30) Peter reminds us that God gives grace to the humble but He opposes the proud. Having God opposing you is not a place to choose for a healthy soul. We note that God invites us to cast all cares and burdens on Him and He will sustain us. He guarantees that He will exalt us at the proper time and help us stand firm. He truly cares for us!
This is good news for first responders who deal with other’s problems but still have our own personal concerns. When we cast our cares on God, we can let go of them completely. It’s like a shotput athlete throwing a 16 pound shot. If we cast it and hold onto it it will put our body and soul at risk. We must choose to let go and trust God to sustain us in peace and expectancy.
Prayer: Father God, I sometimes hold onto my cares and allow them to weigh me down as with a heavy load. Forgive me and teach me to cast those cares on You and live by faith in these amazing promises of Your unending care and unbreakable promises. Amen.
Day 4–Jesus Alone is Judge!
Scripture reading for April 30: Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” John 5:21-23 “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father Who sent Him.”
Another disease of our souls is pride and the judging of others. We all tend to view ourselves through comparison with others. We see the faults of others and the areas of their lives that are broken and judge them in one way or another. We elevate ourselves and fail to use sober judgment on our own faults. (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22)
Jesus, the One designated by the Father as Judge is the only One with the ability to know everything about a person, seen and unseen in the heart. We are instructed not to judge others and pronounce a guilty verdict or pass a sentence. We are guilty ourselves and our judgment is flawed because of sin within. Jesus warned His disciples that the judgment they pronounced on other would be reaped by them and the measure they used would be measured back to them. They were to honor the Father and the Son by leaving all judgment to Him Alone. This requires humility before God and Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the Righteous Judge because He alone took the penalty for sin upon Himself and paid the price of death on all sinner’s behalf. His blood atoned for our sins and all we can do is say ‘thank You’ and in response forgive others instead of holding judgment against them. One day we who are made righteous by Christ, along with the Apostle Paul, can expect the ‘Righteous Judge’ to award us the crown of righteousness. (2 Timothy 4:8)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Righteous Judge, I choose to leave all judgment with You. Help me to never act pridefully and judge someone as totally lost or as deserving eternal punishment. Help me to always use a measure of mercy like You have given to me and all who believe on You. Amen.
Day 3–Dealing with Offense
Scripture reading for April 29: Matthew 18:21 “Then Peter came up and said to Him (Jesus), “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
One of the most serious maladies of the soul is bitterness coming from unforgiveness. We are to guard our hearts because out of them flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23) When offenses come, (not if) we must handle them promptly and according to God’s example in Christ Jesus. A bitter root of unforgiveness in the heart will yield poisonous fruit coming from the inner man through the mouth and even the body in hurtful words and actions. We must choose to forgive by giving the offense to God and allowing Him to handle what is needed. Only God knows the heart of the person and can truly deal justly with the person and possibly lead them to repentance. When we forgive we exhibit the grace of God in Jesus Christ for all.
Peter was very impetuous. Following a prideful argument with several disciples about who was the greatest, Peter questioned Jesus about forgiving his brother who sinned against him. He asked how many times he was required by law to forgive. He generously offered seven times as a possibility. But Jesus simply astounded him with His answer of ‘seventy-seven’ times. Some versions say ‘seventy times seven’ which is more impossible to remember or count. That was Jesus’ point: don’t keep score, but show mercy!
Paul, writing to the Ephesians, instructed them to be kind to one another and tenderhearted. He understood Jesus’ character and example. It was goodness in God that opened the door for repentance. (Romans 2:4) When we forgive, we loose the person to experience God’s grace. We give a concrete example of Jesus’ grace for us.
Prayer: Father, as responders we sometimes become entangled in offenses like those we help. We need Your mercy and claim forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Form in us a tender heart and kindness towards those who offend us. Help us to forgive promptly and joyfully and pray for those offending. Amen.
Day 2–Refreshing Rest
Scripture reading for April 28: 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.” Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Proper rest is a key ingredient to functioning in your workplace with maximum efficiency and mental acuity. The psalmist stated plainly that he would lie down and sleep peacefully. The stated reason for this was that because he knew the Lord as his protector and peace, he could rest without fear of harm by any enemy. He did not have to entertain worry or fear in his mind about being caught off guard as he slept.
Jesus Christ called those who were burdened down with their fears and worries to come to Him. He promised them rest as they would exchange these heavy loads for His ‘yoke’. As a Jewish rabbi, the ‘yoke’ was the body of teaching and instruction of the teacher. Jesus was God the Father’s Word in human form. Jesus encouraged them that HIs yoke was easy and His burden was light. He would personally instruct them while present with them. When time came for Him to die on the cross and be raised from the dead and enter into glory through resurrection, He would send them Another Helper, the Gift of the Father. This Helper, the Holy Spirit, would empower them to live out His teaching and bring comfort and God’s presence to them always.
As responders, rest and good sleep is very important to our well-being. We would do well to heed Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and find not only sleep for the body, but rest for our souls. We can rest in what our Lord Jesus did to deliver us from fear of death and punishment for sins. We can rest in God’s presence with us always. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the invitation to find relief for our burdens, guilt, and weariness in our Lord Jesus. Teach me Your Word and ways that I might follow Jesus and enjoy peace and rest for my soul. Help me daily to rest and have refreshing sleep in peace with God and man. Amen.
Week 18–Day 1–Soul Care for Responders
Scripture reading for April 27: Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Responders invest daily in helping others who are sick, hurting, or in trouble or danger but they also need regular care of their own souls, minds and bodies. God is well aware of our needs and we are to ask Him for help. He does give us understanding of basic care in our need for daily rest, a balanced diet, and relationships that are mutually beneficial. But the writer of Proverbs provides some very clear and simple direction to find health and refreshment.
We are encouraged to trust the Lord and not just lean on our natural knowledge and understanding. Our understanding is limited and sometimes it is twisted or untrue. God asks us to acknowledge Him in all our ways. He wants to show us a straight path to the fulfilment of our needs and His plans. This requires us not to be wise in our own eyes. We can insist on our own way without respect for the Lord and His Word and end up in trouble or we can honor our Lord and ask Him for guidance and enable us to avoid evil and trouble. When we fear or honor our Lord, we find true healing for our bodies and minds and refreshment for our bones. When we commit our work to our Lord then He will direct and establish His plans in our plans. We begin to want what He wants!
Responders need healing and refreshing each day. When we choose to commit our way to the Lord and ask Him to direct us, we walk by faith through our day and each incident we are called to help with is not so stressful. We know God is with us and directing our path.
Prayer: Father God, help me to remember to commit my way to You each day and humbly acknowledge You and Your great wisdom and understanding that I desperately need. At the end of each day, I will honor You by casting all cares on You and trust You for needed rest and refreshing. Amen.
911 Video Highlight Week 17–Dane M.
Scripture reading for April 25: Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”