"Disdaining God" February 28 Readings: Numbers 11-12, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 30, Proverbs 7:10-12

Today's Readings - Numbers 11-12, Mark 6:1-29, Psalm 30, Proverbs 7:10-12

Devotional - Disdaining God

The people of Israel sank to many depths through their years of existence, turning away from God to idols, debasing themselves in so many ways. But there were few times that God was as angry with Israel as he was in the beginning verses of Numbers 11. In verse 1, he actually trained his fiery wrath on his own people as he had centuries before against Sodom and Gomorrah. And later, in verse 10, he was again very angry.

And what was their sin this time? It was not idolatry. It was not adultery. It was not debauchery or drunkenness. None of those things. It was something much more common, even universal.

They were complaining! Griping. Murmuring.

And God found this complaining as such an insult that he rained fire down on the camp. Why was God so angry? Because Israel was disdaining the blessings God gave. God fed the People and gave them water by his hand of power and grace. And they whined about it. They were complaining about God's manna.

God has poured out his manna on my life as well, except that my manna is not some kind of grain that looked like bdellium (whatever that is) and coriander seed that was shaped into cakes for food. My manna is a better kind of Bread - the Bread of Life himself - Jesus Christ my Lord. God has given us every blessing in Christ. In fact, Christ is our blessing!

God sent his Son to die on the cross for my sins, then raised him to provide me with new life. He sent his Spirit to indwell me that I might be made like Christ. He justified me in Christ, redeemed me by Christ's blood, sealed me for the day of redemption and is making me fit for glory.

When this is true, how can I find anything on earth to complain about? If I have heavenly manna, the Bread of Life, given from God's hand of love, how can I complain about my sufferings and injuries here on earth. Yes, they are significant, but Jesus is greater than any of them. He is all in all.

I am thankful that God does not send fire from heaven on me every time I complain about his manna. I'd be mighty toasty if he did. But it does not excuse my complaining, my whining. I need to remember what Christ did for me and who I am in him before I ever utter a word of complaint.

Father, forgive me for my complaining ways, in spite of your great mercy and grace, in spite of all your gifts. You rain manna down on me and I complain about every little annoyance of life. May you cleanse me in the blood of Christ and help me to remember your goodness whenever I am tempted to whine about life. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?


Do you have a true heart of gratitude to God for all he has done for you or have you griped and complained as Israel did at what God provided to you?

"A Fool Revealed" February 27 Readings: Numbers 8-10, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 29:8-11, Proverbs 7:6-9

Today's Readings - Numbers 8-10, Mark 5:21-43, Psalm 29:8-11, Proverbs 7:6-9

Devotional - A Fool Revealed

Proverbs 7 demonstrates how Solomon gathered the principles of wisdom he recorded in the book. It was a simple process - observation, evaluation, expression. He would observe something going on around him and evaluate it, drawing an important life principle from it. Look at that ant, how hard he works. Look at that sluggard, how all his stuff falls apart. He would then take those principles and state them in a pithy, memorable way.

In Proverbs 7:6-8 Solomon saw a young man behaving in a foolish way. There are four evidences of his folly.

⁶ For at the window of my house
    I have looked out through my lattice,
⁷ and I have seen among the simple,
    I have perceived among the youths,
    a young man lacking sense,
⁸ passing along the street near her corner,
    taking the road to her house
⁹ in the twilight, in the evening,
    at the time of night and darkness.

He was the wrong kind of young man. He lacked understanding - that inner sense of right and wrong that develops when one listens to God's Word and obeys it. He lacked the moral compass that God's Word gives to those who immerse themselves in it.

He also had the wrong kind of friends. He was hanging out with other young men in the same moral quandary he was in. Bad company corrupts good character, according to 1 Corinthians 15. Think of what it does to a young man who lacks character. A young man of low character hanging out with other men of low character is in deep trouble.

He was hanging out in the wrong kind of places. Verse 8 says he was near "her corner" - the woman of low moral character who would eventually lead him astray.

At the risk of sounding like an old fogey, he was also in the wrong place at the wrong time. When he should have been home sleeping, studying or doing something productive, he was out with his buddies getting in trouble.

Solomon observed all of this, evaluated it with his wisdom principles and spent the rest of the chapter expressing both the trouble this young man would find himself in as this woman seduced him and brought shame and trouble on him and the course of correction others should take to avoid the destruction he was bringing on himself.

A key lesson here is for us to immerse ourselves in the Word so that we build that inner guidance system governed by the Holy Spirit to keep us on the right path. But perhaps even more important is that we must avoid people and places of temptation. Wise folks do not simply fight temptation, they avoid it. An alcoholic should stay out of bars. A shopaholic ought perhaps to avoid the mall. And those of us who want to break the hold of sin in our lives ought to avoid situations in which we will find temptation welling up.

Father, I thank you for the Holy Spirit who uses this precious Word to build that inner moral guidance system within me. May I immerse myself in the Word daily. Give me strength not only to resist temptation, but also the wisdom to avoid it by wisdom. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Are you regularly immersing yourself in the word of God so that you will not be easily led astray by the voice of folly?

"Free!" February 26 Readings: Numbers 5-7, Mark 5:1–20, Psalm 29:1–7, Proverbs 7:1-5

Today's Readings - Numbers 5-7, Mark 5:1–20, Psalm 29:1–7, Proverbs 7:1-5

Devotional - Free!

The story of the man with many demons is one of the 5 stories we have told in the Essing villages of Southern Senegal, and it is one I've told often because it asserts Jesus' power over demons.

"This is a true story from God's word. There was a many who had many demons inside him."

The man lived a life that no one envied. Demons had so taken control of his life that he could not live around others or function in his life. He lived in the Gerasene region and was helpless against these dark forces that caused him live among tombs and behave bizarrely. The demons gave him the unnatural strength to break chains that were meant to control him. He could not live in the village but roamed the cemetery screaming and in torment, hopeless and helpless.

Sometimes I feel that way about my own struggles with sin. No, I am not possessed by demons - I cannot use that excuse - but the power of the flesh is strong. I struggle to gain self-control and discipline my body. When I am offended or injured, anger wells up and the desire to strike back can be overwhelming. It seems I fall to the same sins, the same struggles, over and over again. The chains of sin are strong. 

But the demoniac was not left to wander in the tombs forever.  One day Jesus came by and it was no accident.  The demoniac ran up to Jesus, fell down on his face and called out to Jesus for help.  Jesus did what chains could not do; he broke the hold of evil inside the man. 

It is comforting to know that the same Christ who broke the hold of those demons that day lives in me today and he has lost none of his power.  Jesus empowers me day by day to walk in self-control.  The dark desires of my heart that lead me to do what I know is wrong, what is harmful, what leads me to regret and despair – those desires are under the dominion of the King of kings.  He has broken the hold of sin over me and given me his Spirit to empower me.  The chains are gone, I've been set free.

Once he was freed from his chains, the former demoniac wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus had a different plan for his life.  In Mark 5:19, Jesus told him,

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 

His job now was to return to his friends and family and tell them exactly how his life had changed.  He was to testify that Jesus had made him a new man. What a shame that so often we refuse to admit our weakness and sin. The testimony of the Christian is not that we are such wonderful and sinless people, but that we have a Savior who has done great things for us. 

Yes, Lord, do that work in me. Break the hold of sin by your righteous power. Thank you for not only my redemption, but by the Spirit's power to purify, heal and restore my soul. May I be a living, breathing, and VOCAL testimony of the great things you have done for me.  

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you ever feel powerless against temptation, against your sin?
Remember that is only a feeling. Jesus is more powerful than any sin or temptation.
Also, remember the importance of telling others the great things that Jesus has done for you.

"My Strength and Shield" February 25 Readings: Numbers 1-4, Mark 4:21–41, Psalm 28:4–9, Proverbs 6:34-35

Today's Readings - Numbers 1-4, Mark 4:21–41, Psalm 28:4–9, Proverbs 6:34-35

Devotional - My Strength and Shield

Two things come to mind when you consider the life of David, the Psalmist. First, from the moment he was accosted by and anointed by Samuel to be the King of Israel, his life was difficult. Later he was the cause of some of his own problems when he sinned with Bathsheba, but early on he was the victim of the jealousy and evil of an increasingly unstable man, King Saul. Saul pursued him, harassed him, lied about him, and repeatedly tried to kill him. David spent time hiding out in caves and living in exile because of Saul's envy and hatred.

But the most notable thing about David was that he took his pain to God. That is what the Psalms are all about. A friend of mine recently observed that it didn't matter how David felt or what was going on in his life, he sang praises to God no matter what. My friend is right. When David was happy he went to God. When David was angry he went to God. When people betrayed him he took it to God. When enemies threatened him he called on God for help.

And God helped him. Every time. In Psalm 28:7-8, David spells out some of the help he received from the hand of The Lord.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to him.

The Lord is the strength of his people;
    he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

When I am weak and I struggle to see how I can make it through another day, the Lord is my strength. 

When enemies attack me as they did David, I am not alone. Yahweh is my shield and I am protected!

When I trust in God and depend on him I know that whatever help I truly need I will receive. I many not get all that I want but I will have all that I need. 

When life is confusing, overwhelming, stressful or discouraging, I know that there is a stronghold to which I can run, a place of peace and calm, a refuge from life's storms. That refuge is not a place, but a person. Yahweh is my strength and my stronghold. 

David knew that life would not always be easy, but he knew that whatever came he could trust in God and he would be helped!

Thank you, Lord, that whenever I trust in you, I find help. You are my strength, you are my protection. You are my refuge. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Are you hurting?
Remember that Jesus is the One to whom you can turn for help and support in your moment of need.

"Blessings and Curses" February 24 Readings: Leviticus 26-27, Mark 4:1–20, Psalm 28:1–3, Proverbs 6:32-33

Today's Readings - Leviticus 26-27, Mark 4:1–20, Psalm 28:1–3, Proverbs 6:32-33

Devotional - Blessings and Curses 

There is little doubt what Leviticus 26 meant to the Israelites; it is about as plain as it gets. God called his people to put him first and to honor him with their lives (verses 1-2). He then set forth a series of blessings that would come to the nation if they walked as God commanded (3-13). They would see prosperity as their crops produced abundantly and they would be protected from harm. The power of God would work through them and their enemies would flee before them. Best of all, God promised his presence and power to dwell among them. He would be their God and they would be his people. All they had to do was to obey.

But, in verse 14, things turn dark. As God would bless his obedient people, he would also discipline them for their disobedience (14-39). First, he would remove all the blessings he had promised for obedience. If that did not bring them to repentance, he would multiply their suffering, over and over again. As God once had brought ten plagues on Egypt he would bring repeated and escalating disaster on his people in retribution for their sins.

But God is still a gracious God. His discipline is always designed to restore and rebuild the nation he loved and had chosen as his own. No matter how far down the path of sin they went, God promised them he would renew his grace and goodness to them whenever they would repent (40-45).

Unfortunately, this passage became a sad prophecy of the future of Israel. They followed the path of sin far more than they walked in the ways of God. God was amazingly faithful whenever Israel was obedient, but those times were rare. They experienced much more of God's discipline than his blessing.

The hard part is how to apply these scriptures in our lives today. Many would say that because of the death of Christ and our acceptance in him, principles such as this no longer apply. God does not bring discipline on wayward believers anymore but only responds with grace. That is a misunderstanding of God's Word. Things have changed in the New Testament era, but more than one passage reminds us that God still disciplines us for being wayward children.

Israel's blessings were physical and temporal. Our blessings are often spiritual and eternal. But the fact is that today, as in the days of the Old Testament, God pours out blessings on our lives when we walk in obedience to him and he disciplines us in love when we disobey.

Our relationship with God is based on the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, not on our own works. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. But our daily experience of the blessings of Christ does depend on our walk of faith. Too many Christians walk in sin and ignorance of the ways of God, yet still expect God to give them everything they need or want.

Faith brings us into an eternal relationship with God. But obedience is the key to the daily experience of all the goodness of God.

Father, may I walk daily in obedience to you that I might experience all the blessings of life!  Your goodness is beyond compare. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Are you making the choices that bring the blessing of God into your life, or are you incurring the discipline of your loving Heavenly Father by your disobedience?
Can you see circumstances in your life that are the natural or logical consequences of your own foolish or sinful choices?

"My Pardonable Sin" February 23 Readings: Leviticus 24-25, Mark 3:13–35, Psalm 27:5–14, Proverbs 6:30-31

Today's Readings - Leviticus 24-25, Mark 3:13–35, Psalm 27:5–14, Proverbs 6:30-31 

Devotional -  MyPardonable Sin

"Pastor, I think I may have committed an unpardonable sin." 

Pastors have heard that fear expressed repeatedly since, I suppose, the Scriptures were first written. This passage (Mark 3:22-30) articulates something fearful, something awful - a sin that cannot or will not be forgiven. 

"But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin." Mark 3:29 

As a lifelong (and professional caliber) sinner, that bothers me. What is this sin that stands above every other sin? What does it mean to blaspheme the Spirit? Have I committed that sin? Have you? Let's agree to this fact - if there is a sin that is eternal and can never be forgiven, it would benefit us to understand what it is and NEVER to commit it. Right? 

Theologians have argued about that sin forever, and will probably continue to do so. However, I think the answer to the question, "What is the unpardonable sin?" is found in the next verse. 

"Because they were saying he had an unclean spirit."

The unpardonable sin, in my understanding, was something that could only be committed during the earthly ministry of Jesus. If your heart was so hardened that you saw the pure and holy Christ, listened to his teachings and observed his miracles, and then you ascribed his power to the work of demons, your heart was gone beyond repair. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit was the sin of attributing Jesus' work to demons.

The fact is, dear reader, your sins can be forgiven. Paul called himself the worst of sinners, but he found grace in Jesus Christ. So will you. Whatever your sins, your wickedness of heart, your depravity of soul, your sexual vileness or materialistic wretchedness, you are not beyond the grace of Jesus Christ. If you come to him in repentance, you will find forgiveness.

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sins! You may have sinned a lot, but God's grace is greater than your sin. Come to God today in humility seeking repentance and you will find forgiveness.

Have no fear that you have committed an unpardonable sin.

Father, I have sinned against you more often than I wish to consider. But your grace is always stronger than my sin. No matter how serious my sin, your blood washes them away. Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Remember two things about your sin:

1. You cannot never out-sin the grace of God.
2. You should never try!

Are you resting in God's grace and striving for holiness?

"Take Time to Be Holy" February 22 Readings: Leviticus 22-23, Mark 3:1–12, Psalm 27:1–4, Proverbs 6:25-29

Today's Readings - Leviticus 22-23, Mark 3:1–12, Psalm 27:1–4, Proverbs 6:25-29

Devotional - Take Time to Be Holy 

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in him always, and feed on his word.
Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.

The old hymn makes a pretty good point, doesn't it? We live in the microwave age; a time when "instant" is too slow. We rush around from thing to thing, place to place, project to project. Have you known one of those taxi-driver moms who spends her life shuttling her children between sports and dance and other special projects? (Have you been one?) We are a go-go-go kind of people.

That leaves little time to seek and draw near to God. And, as the hymn above rightly points out, it takes time to be holy. It takes time to learn the Word of God. It takes time to pray. It takes time to build relationships and minister to the needy. It all takes time. And most of us are so rushed, so harried and harassed, that there is simply no time for the things of God. 

Evidently, while things may be more extreme in our day, it is not a new problem. In Leviticus 23, God established in the Law a series of special holy days and festivals that were meant to be observed by God's people. Of course, there was a Sabbath day every week of the year. There was the Passover on the 14th day of the first month (usually around our Easter time), followed by seven days of Unleavened Bread. Then there was what came to be known as the Feast of Pentecost 50 days later. The seventh month had a special day of rest on the 1st, followed by the Day of Atonement on the 10th and then the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles (or Feast of Booths) starting on the 15th. By the time that was over, most of the seventh month was taken up in Sabbaths, festivals, and feasts.

Think how many days that was. There were 52 Sabbaths. There was Passover, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement and the two 7-day Feasts (which both, of course, included a Sabbath). By my calculations, that is about 67 days of the year devoted to rest and worship. That's a lot of time, just less than 20% of the days of a year. 

But God knew that it takes time to be holy. It takes time apart from life's normal pursuits, pleasures, and passions to focus on the things of God. We must come apart and give ourselves to the pursuit of God's face. We do not have set feasts and festivals as Israel did. We live in the daily rest of Christ, granted us in grace. But we also need to be careful to take time to be holy every day. We ought to set aside days, even perhaps weeks of spiritual retreat and restoration. 

While we may not live under the strict festival structure of the Old Testament Law, we are foolish if we do not heed its purpose. We must regularly take time to be holy, to seek God, to repent of sin, to renew our zeal and to seek the power of God. 

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see

In the words of that song lies the secret of life. Take time to be holy. 

Oh, Lord, today was so busy, with good things, with important things, and with mundane things. The phone rang and the computer hummed. Forgive me that I did not take the time to be holy that I needed. May I do that every day, coming apart from the world and its pursuits to seek the kingdom of God and your righteousness. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Are you too busy for God, for the things that matter, for eternal things?
Are you investing in heavenly treasure or only in the things of this world?

"Friend of Sinners" February 21 Readings: Leviticus 20-21, Mark 2, Psalm 26:4–12, Proverbs 6:23-24

Today's Readings - Leviticus 20-21, Mark 2, Psalm 26:4–12, Proverbs 6:23-24

Devotional - Friend of Sinners

The Pharisees were inflated with (self-)righteous indignation at the shocking behavior of Jesus of Nazareth. They could not deny that he taught with an authority and power that they seemed to lack and that made them angry. And there was no denying the miracles that were happening in the crowds that followed him around. But his behavior was just unacceptable - clearly not the actions of a true man of God, they surmised.

Why, he healed that man who was paralyzed, ON THE SABBATH! How could he? God in heaven must have been shocked and offended when the day of rest was used to relieve a man of a lifetime of suffering. And he did not fast and follow all the ceremonies that tradition had demanded of the real religious leaders of Israel. Shameful! One day (they could hardly say this without wincing) Jesus and some of his disciples were walking through a field and broke off a few heads of grain in the process, on the Sabbath, again!

But the worst thing of all happened one night after Jesus called a (gasp) tax collector named Matthew (Levi in Mark 2) to be one of his disciples. That was a scandal in and of itself. But then, with no regard for what was right and wrong, Jesus went into Levi's house and shared a meal with some tax collectors and other sundry sinners (Mark 2:15-17). He shared a table and a conversation with men who were not respectable, not part of the inner religious circle of Israel - something no Pharisee would lower himself to do.

The Pharisees were horrified, but Jesus was unapologetic and undeterred.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus was on a mission from God. It was not to curry favor with the elite, the rich, or the self-righteous. It was to seek and to save that which was lost. And so Jesus went where the sinners were. He dined with them. He talked to them.

This is still a problem in the church today. Most of us do not sit in judgment as the Pharisees did (though it happens). But many of us lead sheltered lives, isolated from sinners. It has been said that God called us to put away sin, but not to put away sinners. If we are going to continue the mission of Jesus we must continue his methods. If we are going to be tools of God's work to seek and to save the lost then we must involve ourselves in their lives. We must befriend them and demonstrate the love of Jesus to them.

Father, may I be like Jesus. May I be holy and pure as he was, but may I also be a servant of the lost world as he was. As I avoid sin may I never avoid sinners. They are not the enemy of the gospel, but its goal. May that be a reality in my life.  

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you involve yourself in the lives of sinners who need Jesus the most, or isolate yourself and withhold the love of Christ?

"Because I AM" February 20 Readings: Leviticus 18-19, Mark 1:21–45, Psalm 26:1–3, Proverbs 6:20-22

Today's Readings - Leviticus 18-19, Mark 1:21–45, Psalm 26:1–3, Proverbs 6:20-22

Devotional - Because I AM

“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." Leviticus 19:2

This statement, repeated several times throughout the book, is the theme of Leviticus. It's not just about rules, but about holiness. It's not just about standards of sexual morality or honesty or laws for treating strangers or foreigners. It is about the holiness of God and what that demands of us. Because God is holy, we must live our lives a certain way. 

And it is about something even fundamentally deeper than that. Americans have adopted a self-directed principle for life. I live as I please. I do what I want. I decide what is best for me. Right and wrong is what I believe it to be. I am the center of my own universe. 

But the Bible allows for no such way of life. We do not exist on our own but were given life by God. We exist in the light of who he is. God's nature and character demand a response. I cannot simply live for myself, but I must realize that there is a God who rules over me, whose right it is to guide and direct me, who has the right to set the standards by which I will live. 

God's nature governs what is right and wrong for us. Why do we submit to God? Because God is the sovereign Ruler of the universe. His sovereignty requires our submission. Why are we to love one another? Because God is love and he has demonstrated his love powerfully and clearly through Christ. His love for us requires love from us. 

And why must we live our lives in holiness? Why must we reject the ways of the world and walk in obedience to God's ways? Because our God is holy. He is perfect and sinless, pure and righteous. Because he is who he is, we must live by different standards than the world around us. 

Be holy, because I am holy!  Everything we are, everything we do, everything we will become is rooted in who God is and what he has done for us in Christ.

Because God is, we no longer get to live our lives as we wish but must live in the light of who he is and what he has done for us. 

Father, help me to understand who you are so that I know who I am supposed to be. You are love, make me a man of love. You are sovereign, may I submit. And you are a holy God. May I live in and walk in the holiness you demand, which you provided for me in Christ. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

"What God Hates" February 19 Readings: Leviticus 16-17, Mark 1:1–20, Psalm 25:13–22, Proverbs 6:16-19

Today's Readings - Leviticus 16-17, Mark 1:1–20, Psalm 25:13–22, Proverbs 6:16-19

Devotional - What God Hates

There are six things that the Lord hates,

    seven that are an abomination to him: Proverbs 6:16

I'm sorry, I must have read that wrong. Surely the God of the Bible does not hate anything or anyone. How could a God of love also hate? It must not really mean what it says, right?

Reading about the real God of the Bible is so strange sometimes, because we have created an artificial God, one who always behaves like we want him to, who is tame, who stays within the boundaries we have set for him. But the God of the Bible cannot be confined in our cages. He is grand and powerful and multifaceted and awesome. 

Yes, God is love. He demonstrated his love in amazing ways when he sacrificed his Son for our sins. His love is boundless and governs all his dealings with us. We see that love daily. But his love does not rule out his wrath. They work together.

The fact is that there are things that our God of love hates. He loves us with an eternal love, but there are things that we do that he bitterly hates. There are actions which are so contrary to the nature and character of God that they arouse his ire. It is well for us to know what it is that offends God and avoid those actions. Seven such behaviors are spelled out in Proverbs 6:17-19. 

God is offended by arrogance. He is the God of glory and when we take glory to ourselves, it offends him. It angers him. We must not rob the glory of God by living self-centered, self-glorying lives. 

God is offended by dishonesty. He is the God of truth who cannot and will not lie. It is the Enemy who is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). We must not lie like the devil, but speak the truth of God in love at all times. 

God is offended by violence. A violent man hurts another to get what he wants. Of course, most of us do not use physical violence in that pursuit, but sometimes we may use verbal violence to hurt another. We ought never hurt others to get our way, lest God be angered. 

God is offended by those who plot evil. We are called to pursue the goodness of God and to advance the interests of the Kingdom in this world. We must not devote ourselves to manipulation and scheming in the pursuit of sinful things. 

God is offended by people who seek evil. The world is full of evil, of wicked things, and they hold such allure for us. Satan advertises well, making his vile ways look so appealing. We must seek first the Kingdom and its righteousness, not the evil of this world. 

God is offended by those who pervert justice to accomplish our own ends. A corrupt system that acquits the guilty and convicts the innocent is an offense to God. 

God is offended by those who stir up strife and dissension in the Body of Christ. There is a time to stand and be counted, even if others do not like it. But we must not be agents of division and dissension in the church by pursuing our own goals, our own egos and our own agendas. If we believe 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, causing dissension in the Body is one of the most serious sins we can commit. 

The good news is that Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of sinners, so that our sins might be put under the blood of Christ. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. But we are saved to walk in Christ and not in the ways of the world. By the power of the Spirit, we must abandon those things that offend God and walk in ways that honor and please him. 

Father, may I never presume on your grace by living in sin because you are so forgiving. May your forgiveness and love never be an excuse for my sin, but a motivation for me to live as you demand. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

"Who Cares about Mildew?" February 18 Readings: Leviticus 14-15, Matthew 28, Psalm 25:6–12, Proverbs 6:12-15

Today's Readings - Leviticus 14-15, Matthew 28, Psalm 25:6–12, Proverbs 6:12-15

Devotional - Who Cares about Mildew? 

Leviticus is the reason that we read the Bible the way we do! A lot of people start out to read through God's word and get stuck. If they survive the later chapters of Exodus with the myriad details of the Tabernacle they wilt reading the chapters in Leviticus about the sacrificial system of Israel or the dietary restrictions laid out. It's just not easy to slog through all of those details!

The strangest section of all may be our readings yesterday and today. We had extensive discourses on the identification and treatment of skin diseases and mildew. And now we go into explicit details on the proper responses to bodily discharges.

By the grace of God, we no longer live under these kinds of Mosaic laws, but they are not without their purpose. There are eternal principles that lie behind the individual laws of God that may seem strange to us. We need to understand those eternal principles even as we live in the light of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I'd like to look back over the last few chapters of Leviticus (starting in chapter 11 and continuing through today's readings) and make some key points that we ought to keep front and center in our minds and hearts. These are inspired scriptures and useful for our lives. It may take a little more work to glean the truth, but the truth we glean is God's truth and well worth it.

1) God's law is for the good of God's people.

There are some laws that were given simply to recognize the right of God as Lord over all. Some laws were designed to address pagan religious practices (the commands about tattoos come to mind here). But many of the laws that God gave were for their protection and blessing, even though sometimes they did not see it. Remember in a recent reading when Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. We need time to worship God, yes, but we also need rest time.

Many of the dietary laws in chapter 11, and the laws about cleansing from skin diseases, mildew, and bodily discharges had a very practical purpose - to help keep Israel healthy in addition to keeping them holy.

God's restrictions in our lives can seem harsh in our incomplete understanding, but we know that what God commands is, in reality, a great blessing.

2) God's people must live clean lives.

Among many peoples of the day, there did not exist the kind of standards that God gave Israel. They did not understand about germs and viruses and bacteria as we do today. So God called Israel to live by different standards. This is true in morality and in theology, but it is also true in such simple things as personal hygiene. The Israelites had to care about things no one else did. They were to keep themselves clean in ways the rest of the world did not understand or practice.

We understand now that this world has a lot of threats to our well-being, things that will make us sick if we allow them to invade our bodies.

We must understand that morally and spiritually this world, with its loyalty to the "god of this age" and its subservience to the Enemy's lies, is a cesspool of spiritual bacteria. We as Christians must be careful to live to please the Father, live to reflect the Son, live by the power of the Spirit, and live to avoid the spiritual sickness of this world.

This is not to advocate separation from sinners. God calls us to serve the lost as Jesus did. But we are called to love God and not this world.

3) God's people are holy to him.

The key principle behind all of these chapters is spelled out in Leviticus 11:44-47. "Be holy, because I am holy." God is set apart from this world. He created it, but he is also holy and perfect in his sovereignty over it. Those of us who are redeemed by Christ's death are called to live holy lives, as God is holy.

Defining holiness requires more space than I have here. But boiled to the bone, holiness is being set apart for the service of God. We belong to him, purchased by Jesus' blood. We are not of this world anymore and should not love it or serve it. We are born into an eternal family and should seek heavenly reward, should please the Father in heaven and live in devotion to him. Holiness is not living by a long list of rules, but it is living for the glory of God alone.

Leviticus 11-15 will never be a favorite text for preachers. But it ought to always be a reminder to us that holiness matters to God!

Father, may I be holy as you are holy.

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you live a life of holiness and devotion to God?

"The Darkest Day" February 17 Readings: Leviticus 12-13, Matthew 27:45–66, Psalm 25:1–5, Proverbs 6:9-11

Today's Readings - Leviticus 12-13, Matthew 27:45–66, Psalm 25:1–5, Proverbs 6:9-11

Devotional - The Darkest Day

The land was dark, a darkness that settled in and did not go away for hours on end. This was no ordinary darkness. It wasn't nighttime; it was noon, one, two, three. There was no eclipse or severe cloud cover. This was a divine darkness, the darkness of judgment. Jesus was on the Cross bearing the sins of the world and the wrath of God poured out on him darkened the world. At the climax of the eternal crisis, Jesus called out the opening words of Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  They gave him a sponge with sour wine, then he cried out with a loud voice (we know from John that he spoke the glorious words "It is finished") and then Jesus died.

Tragic. Awful. Brutal. The worst moment in human history as the Son of God dies under the hand of God's judgment. But it was also the turning point of time, the moment when sin died and hope began. The story doesn't completely turn around until the glorious moment three days later when Jesus rises from the dead, but there are immediate hints that this death is a turning point.

First, and perhaps most significantly, the curtain of the temple is torn in two - and the tear comes from top to bottom (Mt 27:51). The curtain symbolized the separation between God and man that our sin created. Only the high priest, once a year, could enter the holy of holies with the blood of the sacrifice to be in God's presence. The curtain prevented anyone else from enjoying God's glorious presence. Not anymore. Jesus died once for all and tore that thing down! From God's end! Our sin no longer separates us from the presence of God when we come to God through Christ.

Second, even though the resurrection had not happened yet, there was a little foreshadowing of what was to come as dead saints came to life and entered the city (Mt 27:52-53). That must have been quite a night of both celebration and fear!

Finally, there was a recognition of Jesus' nature from an unlikely source, a Roman centurion (Mt. 27:54). Having observed Jesus on the Cross for all of those hours, having seen the darkness fall, having experienced the earthquake and perhaps just being in the presence of one of the greatest moment in world history, the centurion and those with him remark, "Truly, this was the Son of God."

They took Jesus away and prepared him for burial and the Romans put a guard at the tomb, but nothing could stop what God was about to do. Jesus died for our sins and this world would never be the same. Sin has been defeated and the sting of death is removed. The curtain is gone and sinners like you and me can enter the presence of Almighty God.

The day may have been dark in Jerusalem, but in reality, it was the end of darkness for those who believe in Jesus Christ!

Father, I thank you for all that happened there that day. Jesus bore my sins and tore down the curtain that separated me from you and your glory. Thank you for your power and mercy and hope. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Medidate on the blessings that are yours today because of the darkest day, the day that man did the worst act of sin ever!

"I Am Barabbas" February 16 Readings: Leviticus 10-11, Matthew 27:15–44, Psalm 24, Proverbs 6:6-8

Today's Readings - Leviticus 10-11, Matthew 27:15–44, Psalm 24, Proverbs 6:6-8

Devotional - I Am Barabbas 

The story of the crucifixion of Christ is disgusting, sorrowful, enrapturing and transformational, all at once. But it is sometimes hard to find my place in the story. I've had my moments where I cowered as Peter did, afraid of the consequences of standing for my Lord. I'm not sure I've had a Judas moment, but there are times when my silence may have been a betrayal of sorts. The soldiers and the crowds disgust me, but I also must admit regarding the sin of my own heart that nothing is beyond the reach of my wickedness. One day, I will be like Christ because of the work God has done in my life, but today is not that die. 

So, who am I in the story of the Cross? There is one character most like me, one with whom I identify more than any other. 

I am Barabbas. 

No, I'm not a criminal or a political revolutionary or whatever it is that he was. But there are so many similarities - significant markers that identify me with this wicked man. 

1. I deserved to die. 

No one claimed Barabbas was innocent. He was not falsely accused or wrongly tried as Jesus was. He was not convicted on the basis of lies and false stories. Barabbas deserved the death that faced him. He did nothing to merit the favor he received. 

I am a sinner and I deserve death. As sinners go, perhaps I am not the most vicious or vile (unless you peel a few layers and look into my heart - please don't!). Raised in a Christian home where love abounded, I've not plumbed the depths of sin as some have. But I have no doubt. I am guilty before God. If I were to stand before God, my verdict would be guilty. And the wages of sin is death. 

Like Barabbas, I deserved death. 

2. Jesus took my place. 

The crowd, at the urging of the religious leaders, chose Barabbas over Jesus, so our Savior went to the cross. Barabbas went free. Jesus took his place.

When he hung on the cross, he was there in my place, dying for my sins. "I'm the one to blame, I caused all the pain." It was in place of me (and you) that Jesus bled and died.

3. I am now free. 

We have no idea what happened to Barabbas after Jesus took his place and he went free. Fictional portrayals have his life changing as a result of the grace he experienced. My hope is that this is true and one day I will him on the streets of gold. Perhaps, though, he went back to his life of crime and rebellion. But Barabbas was a free man because Jesus took his place.

I am a free man today because Jesus took my place and died for my sins. I am righteous because Jesus bore my sins.

When I read the story of Jesus's death, I know who I am. I am Barabbas, and by HIS stripes, I am healed.

Father, thank you for your grace. I did not deserve it, but you sent your Son to take my place and free me from my sins. My desire is to live the rest of my life in obedient thanks because of what you did for me!

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Face reality today, as you pray. We are not the heroes of the Bible story. We are the rebels, those who did evil and were saved by God's gracious love.
Take time today to consider this great work and give thanks.

"Acceptable Sacrifice" February 15 Readings: Leviticus 8-9, Matthew 27:1–14, Psalm 23, Proverbs 6:1-5

Today's Readings - Leviticus 8-9, Matthew 27:1–14, Psalm 23, Proverbs 6:1-5

Devotional - Acceptable Sacrifice 

The Law specified the intricate and complicated system of sacrifices. We've been reading through these over the last three days, and if you are honest, you might admit it's not the most riveting reading the Bible offers. But it is important. God gave these sacrifices to Moses in great detail. Then God set apart the priests to administer the sacrifices, consecrated them and put them to work. Under the leadership of Aaron, they performed the offerings just as God dictated. These sacrifices and priestly procedures were God-ordained for God-designed purposes.

Then, in Leviticus 9:23-24 an amazing thing happened.

Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown on the ground.

Moses and Aaron, having offered the sacrifices God demanded, entered the tent of meeting to commune with God. They came out and delivered the blessing of God on obedient Israel. That is when it happened - two wonderful events. First, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. God's presence and power were evident - in a tangible way. God was present among his people. But the second happening was even more glorious. Fire came out of heaven and consumed the sacrifice. The people, having seen this, shouted and fell down to the ground before God. 

Fire came and consumed the offering! God had accepted the sacrifice made. 

I've got some good news for you today. There was another sacrifice made on your behalf - not by Aaronic priests but by God the Father and by our Great High Priest himself. Jesus offered not a bull or a goat, but his own body as a sacrifice for our sins. And just as the fire signified the acceptance of Aaron's sacrifice, we know that God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus as the payment for our sins - all of them!  

It is finished, Jesus said. Payment in full was made and fully accepted by God. 

My sin, O the bliss of this glorious tho'tMy sin, not in part but the whole,Is nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul. 

Jesus paid it all.All to Him I owe. My sin left a crimson stain,He washed it white as snow. 

Today, give thanks. Give thanks that sacrifice for your sins has been made - once for all. Give thanks that God has accepted the sacrifice Jesus made and you are accepted in heaven because of Christ. As I worship today, I will not have to offer a series of sacrifices, but simply thank God that once for all his Son offered himself to pay for all the sins of all the world. Praise God!

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the Blood shed, for the forgiveness won, for the life received, for the future sealed, for the destiny settled. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Consider today both the cost of your salvation and the completion of it. Jesus paid it all - as steep as the price was. Give thanks and praise for forgiveness. Commit yourself to Christ and to purity in light of the work Christ did.

"A Tale of Four Men" February 14 Readings: Leviticus 4-7, Matthew 26:47–75, Psalm 22:28–31, Proverbs 5:22-23

Today's Readings - Leviticus 4-7, Matthew 26:47–75, Psalm 22:28–31, Proverbs 5:22-23

Devotional - A Tale of Four Men

Matthew 26:47-75 records the story of the night before Jesus' death. This was the turning point of history and the moment that all of God's work in this world had pointed to since the foundation of the world. As always, God used men to accomplish this work. In this story, four men - each one had a part in the outworking of God's plan. One did God's will. Three sinned against God.  

1. One man betrayed the plan of God. (47-50)

Well, he tried to at least! Judas was disappointed in Jesus as he started talking about laying down his life and dying. Judas was in it to get rich, to reach the top. He did not sign up to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus on this mission of self-sacrifice. There was no way he was going to follow Jesus on the way of the Cross! So, he cut his losses, sold Jesus for a few bucks and led the arresting party to find him. 

But one thing must be noted here. Judas betrayed Jesus, but his actions only furthered the cause. Jesus was meant to die and Judas' sin took him down the road to Calvary. Though he was culpable for his actions both in history and in eternity, God used even this man's evil to accomplish his purposes. 

2. One man tried to fight in the flesh. (51-54)

Peter was a Galilean fisherman and he had no business wielding a sword, but he did. He tried in his own power to do the heroic thing, to rescue Jesus. I wonder if Jesus smiled sadly, shaking his head? The disciples of Jesus usually make a mess of things when we try to serve him in our own power. He told Peter to put away the sword and let God's plan unfold. 

We cannot accomplish the work of God with our fleshly means. Paul told the Corinthians that their weapons were not worldly, but were spiritual and powerful. When Peter tried to fight the fight with the weapons of the flesh he failed miserably. But Jesus, in his grace, cleaned up Peter's mess and continued on the path to fulfilling God's eternal plan. 

3. One man obeyed God and submitted to his plan.  (57-68)

Of course, we know that he was more than a man; he was the Son of God, God incarnate, the promised Messiah of Israel. But Jesus yielded himself to the Father's plan and accepted what God brought his way. He did not defend himself or declare the injustice of it all. He took the cruelty and lies of sinful men to accomplish the work of God. 

4. One man cowered in fear. (69-75)

Of course, the second man and the fourth are the same man. Having blown it once, he now followed Jesus, perhaps hoping that there was some way he could undo the damage he had done earlier. Just a few hours earlier he had proclaimed his willingness to die with Jesus, but now he cowered in fear. If he claimed to be a follower of Christ his life might end as Jesus' was about to. So, instead of standing for Christ he trembled before man (and woman). It was a sad moment. We often criticize Peter as the coward of the bunch, but as best we can tell he was the only one who even had the courage to get this far. But his courage failed and he shrunk back in fear. 

But we must remember the end of that story. At the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus came to him and restored him. The coward became a courageous man of God. Failure is never final in the Kingdom of God. 

Four men. Four reactions to the plan and purpose of God. One betrayed Jesus and sought his own glory and good. Another tried to do the work of God in the power of the flesh - and caused only greater pain. Another (well, the same guy, just later) cowered because he feared what people could do to him. One served the purposes of God and he was the one who changed the world. 

Do not live your life for self - that is a betrayal of the Kingdom of God. Do not try to accomplish God's work in the flesh - that is futile. Do not be afraid of men and what they can do - fear God, not man. Let us be like our Savior, giving our lives over to the purposes of God - no matter what.

Lord, I give my life to your purposes. No selfish purpose, no fleshly strategies, no fear of man. By your help, I pray that commitment will be a reality.

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

It is likely that you have dabbled in each of these at times, but which marks your life most commonly?

• Do you cower in fear of others opinions, of the future, of the world, of the circumstances of life?
• Do you try to fight the fight of faith in the power of the flesh? 
• Have you betrayed the plan of God by seeking the things of the world? 
• Or are you following Jesus on the way of the cross?

"Our God Cares" February 13 Readings: Leviticus 1-3, Matthew 26:30–46, Psalm 22:21–27, Proverbs 5:15-21

Today's Readings - Leviticus 1-3, Matthew 26:30–46, Psalm 22:21–27, Proverbs 5:15-21      

Devotional - Our God Cares 

Life is up and it is down. Highs and lows. Good times and bad. Sometimes everything goes our way and happiness abounds and sometimes there is a spirit of heaviness that settles around us. 

Psalm 22 is a lament about suffering, written by David in response to the pain in his life. But it also has messianic dimensions - pointing toward Jesus Christ. In a deep time of suffering, the Psalmist reached toward heaven and he learned something important. Jesus himself used this Psalm in his time of greatest suffering when the full weight of sin fell upon him and he called out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" in verse 1. Few psalms better express the cry of the hurting heart better than Psalm 22. 

In Psalm 22:24 there is a promise made that is a great comfort to those whose hearts are broken or those who are in pain. 

For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He did not hide His face from him but listened when he cried to Him for help.

There are a lot of hurting people out there. I talk to pastors who are hurting, church members whose lives are devastated, and of course the lost and unchurched who live life without the hope of Christ. Suffering is not limited to one group or the other. There are people who read these posts who are sad and discouraged by life. Money. Marriages. Relationships. Loss and grief. Stress and pressure. Abuse. We'd like it if being a good Christian meant we were never sad, discouraged or depressed; if we never failed. You are not perfect, nor am I. And the sinful world can strike against any of us, no matter how spiritual we are. 

It helps to have friends and Christian family around us when we are experiencing pain. But we must never forget that there is One who "has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted." He does not hide his face from us, but instead his "listened when he cried to Him for help." He hears. He cares. His heart is moved by our pain and suffering. 

God cares about the torment we go through. We can turn to him for help and healing. 

Father in Heaven, I thank you that my suffering is not to small for you to care about. You are amazing. I turn to you for the help I need when I am hurting. A God who cares, a God who listens when I cry for help - that is good wonderful for words. 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Think today about the things or the people in life that have injured you deeply.
Remember that God cares about your hurt and will be your ever-present help in trouble.

"Glory Filled the Tabernacle" February 12 Readings: Exodus 39-40, Matthew 26:1–29, Psalm 22:14–20, Proverbs 5:7-14

Today's Readings - Exodus 39-40, Matthew 26:1–29, Psalm 22:14–20, Proverbs 5:7-14

Devotional - Glory Filled the Tabernacle

Glory!

It was a startling and wonderful moment, as the glory of God came down and so filled the tabernacle that Moses had completed that he could not even enter the tent. Imagine that, will you? The presence of God was so strong, the power of God so real, so palpable, that God's servant could not even go into the designated place of worship.

Wouldn't that be something?

We hear a lot today about revival. At its root, revival is simply the restoration of the glory of God among the people of God. When the Scriptures speak of glory, they mean the manifest presence of God. God is always here, always everywhere. But sometimes he makes himself known in such a way that his presence is unmistakable. It may be a fiery sense of conviction, or an overwhelming sense of joy, or a burden for ministry, or a deep personal or corporate prayer time, or a moment when the Word of God just comes alive in an unusual way, or perhaps one of those blessed and all too rare moments in a worship service at church when there is an unusual sense of God's presence. Glory. The manifest presence of God.

There have been few times in history when the presence of God came down, when the glory of God was displayed in the same way as it was in Exodus 40:34-35.

 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

But this did not happen in a vacuum. Revival, a mighty moving of God's Spirit that restores a people and changes a culture is a sovereign work of God that has happened all too rarely in history. But there are things that God's people can do to cultivate the nearness of God, the presence of God in their lives. The key is found in the verses that precede the one we just read, six words that appear repeatedly in the two chapters we read today. Look at Exodus 39:1, 5, 7, 21 26, 29, 31, 43, 40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, and verse 32. One more key is added in verse 33.

What are the six words that are repeated time and again in these verses? You've already figured it out, haven't you?

"...as the Lord had commanded Moses." 

Obedience. Moses did what God said. God gave him specific, detailed, and complete instructions on how to build the tabernacle, and Moses did things exactly, precisely and fully as God commanded. He didn't get creative or innovative. He didn't "do what he thought was best." He simply did what God told him to do. He obeyed God and the glory of God filled what he built.

That is the second key, the one mentioned in verse 33. "So Moses finished the work." He did what God told him to do and he left nothing undone. Obedience and perseverance in the work God gave are the keys to the blessing of God.

We may never experience the kind of dramatic glory that Moses and the Israelites did - perhaps we ought not even seek that. But we can seek the blessing of God on our lives daily and his active, powerful presence and we walk in obedience and as we persevere through hard times.

Father, help me to walk in obedience to you and to persevere in your ways even when things are tough. What I need, what we need at Southern Hills, what we all need, is your presence and power to rise up among us. Exalt yourself, O God! 

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Do you seek the Presence, power, and blessing of God without full obedience?
Examine your life - is it marked by the kind of obedience - radical and complete - that marked the response of Moses to God?

"God's Way is Best" February 11 Readings: Exodus 37-38, Matthew 25:31–46, Psalm 22:6–13, Proverbs 5:3-6

Today's Readings - Exodus 37-38, Matthew 25:31–46, Psalm 22:6–13, Proverbs 5:3-6

Devotional - God's Way is Best!

How strange the words of Proverbs 5 sound to the modern ear. It is seldom helpful to look back with longing to the "good old days" but "back in my day" we had at least one advantage. We were sinful and depraved, just as people are today, but pornography was not a norm in our lives. It was something on the fringes of society, something you had to hunt for, sneak around to find, and hide. Today, it is the norm, expected. We live in a permissive, immoral, "Fifty Shades of Grey" kind of world. It is all around us, in our faces, and all too often assaulting our minds and hearts.

God's Word presents a very different ethic concerning sexual behavior. Life is not just about what makes me happy, but what God says is right. We are to walk in obedience to the standard God set at creation and reconfirmed in the New Testament - "one man, one woman; pure before marriage, faithful after marriage; till death do us part!"  God calls us to reject sexual immorality and to avoid impurity of mind and heart. It is not an easy standard to maintain in this sex-saturated, sin-enslaved world. Since we have been purchased by Christ's blood, we belong to him and must use our bodies to honor him.

But Proverbs takes things to a different level. It does not simply contain admonitions to avoid immorality and impurity but asserts that God's way is the best way, not just in eternity but here in this world. The way of the adulteress in Proverbs 5 (representing the life of sexual immorality) leads to death and destruction. Immorality is not only contrary to God's will, but it is also contrary to self-interest. It is not the path to happiness and sexual fulfillment, but the path to emptiness and pain. Living in sexual immorality and impurity drags us down, saps us of joy in life, and leeches away our vitality.

For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,
    and her speech is smoother than oil,
but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
    sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death;
    her steps follow the path to Sheol;
she does not ponder the path of life;

    her ways wander, and she does not know it. (Proverbs 5:3-6)

Proverbs defines the consequences of our behavior, and it has much to say about our sexual morality. Solomon admitted to his sons that the path of adultery was appealing (her lips drip honey) but warned them that there were consequences to walking the path of immorality. Bitterness. Pain (from a two-edged sword). Death and Sheol. Departure from the ways of life. One cannot walk the way of God and path of blessing while also wandering the paths of impurity, adultery, and immorality. No matter how old-fashioned that sounds it is still God's truth today and always will be.

The moral constraints defined in Scripture do not restrict our enjoyment of life or cause us undue hardship. On the contrary, they enhance life and bring joy. We live in moral purity not only because God commands it, but because God's Word is always true, his will is always right and his way is always best.

There is no better way to live life than in obedience to God's commands.

Father, I live in an impure world which scorns your commands and your ways. But I choose to live life your way, by your commands, as your Spirit empowers me. Thank you Lord for leading me to the life that brings blessing and joy!

Think and Pray

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Are you living in the purity offered through Christ or in the sin and depravity of the world?
Remember, as you seek purity through Christ, that there is forgiveness and cleansing in the Blood of Christ.