Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 11; Nehemiah 12; Psalm 1; Acts 3
Scripture: Acts 3:6-8
6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Observation: I like what Peter said to the beggar. The beggar wanted cash. They didn't have any cash. But Peter didn't say, "Sorry, I gave at the office." He said, "I don't have cash, but what I do have I give to you."
Application: God does not need you and me to give something we do not possess. We just need to give what we have. Of course, that means we need to be in close contact with the Lord Jesus so that what we have isn't just our own paltry creations. But like He did with Peter and John, God can release a miracle if we will step out and offer. (I wonder how many miracles I have missed because I chickened out.)
Prayer: Lord, help us to be willing to use what we have for You. You don't ask us to come up with miracles on our own, or produce a satchel full of cash. I think You are simply looking for people who will let You work through them to bless others. I want to be one of those people. Help me, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Title: Real Belief - Real Sacrifice / Topic: Transformation
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 9; Nehemiah 10; Acts 2
Scripture: Nehemiah 10:29-39
28 "The rest of the people... 29 ...bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God...
30 "We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.
31 "...we will not buy... on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
32 "...to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings... and for all the duties of the house of our God....
35 "...for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.
36 "...we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks...
37 "... the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops... 39 ...contributions of grain, new wine and oil...
"We will not neglect the house of our God."
Observation: As the people rally to God in repentance, they make commitments to follow God in tangible ways. Note that there is a social component (not mingling with the non-Jewish peoples), and an economic component (giving to support the "house of the LORD"). Their belief was demonstrated to be real by real sacrifice. There was no room here for a "belief system" that did not translate into action. The final line of this passage "We will not neglect the house of our God," is the overall theme of their commitments. They recognized that to follow God would mean a practical giving to and paying attention to the house of God. That meant not only giving to it's support, but also a firm adherence to participating in the gatherings, festivals, celebrations, and other holy times.
Application: I am calling to everyone who reads this to evaluate his (or her) commitment level to "not neglect the house of our God" and compare it to what we read here. I believe that churches in America suffer from a thoroughgoing neglect of both their financial needs and their spiritual aspects. Far too many people find it easy to simply miss any (and many) gatherings and withhold tithes and offerings. As a result, not only does the church suffer, but the church's testimony to others is weak. What does it say to an unbelieving onlooker when the vast majority those who claim to believe in the church give such small support (in money and participation) that the church operates on a shoestring? Why should anyone give credence to a message that does not motivate even those who hold to it? We need a revival that shakes our lives so that our "belief system" isn't just a mental exercise but it is a life-altering force that determines our finances, social practices, and every other aspect of our lives.
Prayer: Lord, help us to live in Your ways fully and to break out of the casual "beliefism" that looks weak because it is weak. Help us to be truly saved in every area of our lives and to make our lives be an irrefutable demonstration of the factual truth of our salvation.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 10:29-39
28 "The rest of the people... 29 ...bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God...
30 "We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.
31 "...we will not buy... on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
32 "...to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings... and for all the duties of the house of our God....
35 "...for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.
36 "...we will bring the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, of our herds and of our flocks...
37 "... the first of our ground meal, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees and of our new wine and oil. And we will bring a tithe of our crops... 39 ...contributions of grain, new wine and oil...
"We will not neglect the house of our God."
Observation: As the people rally to God in repentance, they make commitments to follow God in tangible ways. Note that there is a social component (not mingling with the non-Jewish peoples), and an economic component (giving to support the "house of the LORD"). Their belief was demonstrated to be real by real sacrifice. There was no room here for a "belief system" that did not translate into action. The final line of this passage "We will not neglect the house of our God," is the overall theme of their commitments. They recognized that to follow God would mean a practical giving to and paying attention to the house of God. That meant not only giving to it's support, but also a firm adherence to participating in the gatherings, festivals, celebrations, and other holy times.
Application: I am calling to everyone who reads this to evaluate his (or her) commitment level to "not neglect the house of our God" and compare it to what we read here. I believe that churches in America suffer from a thoroughgoing neglect of both their financial needs and their spiritual aspects. Far too many people find it easy to simply miss any (and many) gatherings and withhold tithes and offerings. As a result, not only does the church suffer, but the church's testimony to others is weak. What does it say to an unbelieving onlooker when the vast majority those who claim to believe in the church give such small support (in money and participation) that the church operates on a shoestring? Why should anyone give credence to a message that does not motivate even those who hold to it? We need a revival that shakes our lives so that our "belief system" isn't just a mental exercise but it is a life-altering force that determines our finances, social practices, and every other aspect of our lives.
Prayer: Lord, help us to live in Your ways fully and to break out of the casual "beliefism" that looks weak because it is weak. Help us to be truly saved in every area of our lives and to make our lives be an irrefutable demonstration of the factual truth of our salvation.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Title: Love That Motivates / Topic: Conviction
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 7; Nehemiah 8; Acts 1
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12
1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Observation: I notice the great emotion of these people as they gather to be instructed in the word of God. They have just completed the monumental task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem against great opposition. This amazing feat has drawn them closer together and closer to God. Now they gather to hear the scrolls read and to be instructed. Note that they stand in reverence as the scrolls are opened, then they bow with faces to the ground. As the law is read to them (which takes many hours "from daybreak until noon"), they weep and mourn. Why? Because what they heard demonstrated God's loving ways toward them -- ways that they had not known -- ways that they and their parents and grandparents had not respected nor followed. Once they were calmed and comforted, they received the further explanation and instruction and the result is great joy and a weeklong celebration follows (see the rest of the chapter).
Application: I would like to see more deep emotion in myself and others in church. I wish that we could be moved to tears in the hearing of the word of God. A more common emotion in church is boredom born of apathy.
Prayer: Lord, help us to experience the deep pathos that these people felt. Lord, we are way too casual about the things of God -- Your word, Your will, Your ways -- and that needs to change. Help us to know You better -- to see You more clearly, love You more dearly, follow You more nearly -- day by day. Help us to truly give You our all.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12
1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
Observation: I notice the great emotion of these people as they gather to be instructed in the word of God. They have just completed the monumental task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem against great opposition. This amazing feat has drawn them closer together and closer to God. Now they gather to hear the scrolls read and to be instructed. Note that they stand in reverence as the scrolls are opened, then they bow with faces to the ground. As the law is read to them (which takes many hours "from daybreak until noon"), they weep and mourn. Why? Because what they heard demonstrated God's loving ways toward them -- ways that they had not known -- ways that they and their parents and grandparents had not respected nor followed. Once they were calmed and comforted, they received the further explanation and instruction and the result is great joy and a weeklong celebration follows (see the rest of the chapter).
Application: I would like to see more deep emotion in myself and others in church. I wish that we could be moved to tears in the hearing of the word of God. A more common emotion in church is boredom born of apathy.
Prayer: Lord, help us to experience the deep pathos that these people felt. Lord, we are way too casual about the things of God -- Your word, Your will, Your ways -- and that needs to change. Help us to know You better -- to see You more clearly, love You more dearly, follow You more nearly -- day by day. Help us to truly give You our all.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Title: Above Reproach / Topic: Integrity
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 5; Nehemiah 6; Psalm 146; Luke 24
Scripture: Nehemiah 5:14-16
14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
Observation: Nehemiah is a man of high character. He does not use his position to enrich himself at the expense of the people but voluntarily cuts his own benefits to help his people. His actions are contrasted by previous governors who gave themselves pay raises and oppressed the people with taxes to pay for it. Nehemiah also does not remain idle. No, he rolls up his sleeves and participates in the work that he is asking others to do. He is a man above reproach, conducting himself with humility and integrity.
Application: I value these things in leadership. I have always made it my goal to be a servant leader -- to take the example of leaders such as Nehemiah and Jesus Himself and be one who is willing to do any task, no matter how menial. I believe it is honorable to remain humble and approachable and it is something I strive to implement in my life. Like Nehemiah, I see others in spiritual leadership who do not seem to identify themselves as servants but seem to conduct themselves more as lords over the people they lead. I am not called to judge the leadership styles of others but I do believe that Jesus wants His leaders to be humble and approachable servant leaders whose lives are an offering to benefit those whom they lead.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be used of You to bless others. Help me to represent You well in my manner of leadership and my effectiveness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 5:14-16
14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
Observation: Nehemiah is a man of high character. He does not use his position to enrich himself at the expense of the people but voluntarily cuts his own benefits to help his people. His actions are contrasted by previous governors who gave themselves pay raises and oppressed the people with taxes to pay for it. Nehemiah also does not remain idle. No, he rolls up his sleeves and participates in the work that he is asking others to do. He is a man above reproach, conducting himself with humility and integrity.
Application: I value these things in leadership. I have always made it my goal to be a servant leader -- to take the example of leaders such as Nehemiah and Jesus Himself and be one who is willing to do any task, no matter how menial. I believe it is honorable to remain humble and approachable and it is something I strive to implement in my life. Like Nehemiah, I see others in spiritual leadership who do not seem to identify themselves as servants but seem to conduct themselves more as lords over the people they lead. I am not called to judge the leadership styles of others but I do believe that Jesus wants His leaders to be humble and approachable servant leaders whose lives are an offering to benefit those whom they lead.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be used of You to bless others. Help me to represent You well in my manner of leadership and my effectiveness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Title: The Encourager / Topic: Leadership
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 3; Nehemiah 4; Luke 23
Scripture: Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
Observation: What a great leader Nehemiah was. He stood up to the enemies who tried every strategy to stop the Jews from rebuilding. He answered their opposition with strong encouragement and personal commitment to the project. And here he gives a stirring speech of encouragement. "Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight...!" he says. He reminds them that they are not in this alone, but that the Lord is with them. And he also reminds them of what they are fighting for: their brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and homes. Following this speech, we see the Israelites increase their efforts to finish the wall -- and their efforts ultimately succeed.
Application: Leadership invests in the success of the task at hand. Nehemiah worked with the people. He tirelessly partnered with them and showed his courage by standing up to their enemies. And he used his voice to speak positive words of truth that stirred the hearts and emotions of the people. This is a great example of inspirational leadership that I can learn from.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be like Nehemiah -- a great leader who never let attacks or difficulties dissuade him from confidence in what he believed You had called him to accomplish. And give me words of encouragement for the people You have called me to lead. May we, in Your strength and power, accomplish all that You have called us to do.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Nehemiah 4:14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
Observation: What a great leader Nehemiah was. He stood up to the enemies who tried every strategy to stop the Jews from rebuilding. He answered their opposition with strong encouragement and personal commitment to the project. And here he gives a stirring speech of encouragement. "Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight...!" he says. He reminds them that they are not in this alone, but that the Lord is with them. And he also reminds them of what they are fighting for: their brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and homes. Following this speech, we see the Israelites increase their efforts to finish the wall -- and their efforts ultimately succeed.
Application: Leadership invests in the success of the task at hand. Nehemiah worked with the people. He tirelessly partnered with them and showed his courage by standing up to their enemies. And he used his voice to speak positive words of truth that stirred the hearts and emotions of the people. This is a great example of inspirational leadership that I can learn from.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be like Nehemiah -- a great leader who never let attacks or difficulties dissuade him from confidence in what he believed You had called him to accomplish. And give me words of encouragement for the people You have called me to lead. May we, in Your strength and power, accomplish all that You have called us to do.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Title: Three Short Thoughts / Topic: Inspiration
Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 1; Nehemiah 2; Psalm 133; Luke 22
Today I will be sharing three short thoughts on portions of today's reading that spoke to me.
#1 The Conflict Of The Ages
Scripture: Nehemiah 2:19-20
Nehemiah 2
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?"
20 I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."
Observation/Application: The conflict we see here between Nehemiah and the remnant of Israel on one side versus Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem over Jerusalem is the same fire which burns in the Promised Land today. The verbal attacks from Israel's enemies has a similar tone today of accusations of lawbreaking (stealing the land of the Palestinians), and rebellion against authority (breaking UN resolutions) as it did then. In verse 20 Nehemiah correctly states the truth that God's covenant for the possession of the land is only for the Jews (the descendants of Isaac) and not for the Arabs (the descendants of Ishmael). (See Genesis 17:19-21).
#2 Unity Brings Blessing
Scripture: Psalm 133:1, 3
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!...
3 For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Observation/Application: This beautiful scripture about unity among God's people has an important promise: God's blessing is given to His people through unity. If you want to get God's blessing, live in unity with your brothers!
#3 A Secret To Powerful Prayer
Scripture: Luke 22:41, 44-45
41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed...44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
Observation/Application: Note the emotional state of both Jesus and His disciples as they go to the garden to pray: Jesus is "in anguish" and the disciples have "sorrow." These seem quite similar to me as both are draining emotional responses to great distress or loss. However while the disciples reaction is to fall asleep, "exhausted from sorrow," Jesus "prayed more earnestly." This tells me of an intensity which Jesus used to focus His emotional weakness upon the strength of God the Father, while the disciples allowed their emotional weakness to drain them to the point of exhaustion. The point of this is that we must press hard into God when we are at our physical and emotional low points in order to have prevailing prayer.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for speaking to me through Your word. I thank You that Your mercies toward me are renewed every morning and that You have new things for me to learn and do every day. Help me to be alert and tuned in to you to pick up on what You have for me and to do it will all my heart, and mind, and strength.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today I will be sharing three short thoughts on portions of today's reading that spoke to me.
#1 The Conflict Of The Ages
Scripture: Nehemiah 2:19-20
Nehemiah 2
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are you rebelling against the king?"
20 I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it."
Observation/Application: The conflict we see here between Nehemiah and the remnant of Israel on one side versus Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem over Jerusalem is the same fire which burns in the Promised Land today. The verbal attacks from Israel's enemies has a similar tone today of accusations of lawbreaking (stealing the land of the Palestinians), and rebellion against authority (breaking UN resolutions) as it did then. In verse 20 Nehemiah correctly states the truth that God's covenant for the possession of the land is only for the Jews (the descendants of Isaac) and not for the Arabs (the descendants of Ishmael). (See Genesis 17:19-21).
#2 Unity Brings Blessing
Scripture: Psalm 133:1, 3
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!...
3 For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Observation/Application: This beautiful scripture about unity among God's people has an important promise: God's blessing is given to His people through unity. If you want to get God's blessing, live in unity with your brothers!
#3 A Secret To Powerful Prayer
Scripture: Luke 22:41, 44-45
41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed...44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
Observation/Application: Note the emotional state of both Jesus and His disciples as they go to the garden to pray: Jesus is "in anguish" and the disciples have "sorrow." These seem quite similar to me as both are draining emotional responses to great distress or loss. However while the disciples reaction is to fall asleep, "exhausted from sorrow," Jesus "prayed more earnestly." This tells me of an intensity which Jesus used to focus His emotional weakness upon the strength of God the Father, while the disciples allowed their emotional weakness to drain them to the point of exhaustion. The point of this is that we must press hard into God when we are at our physical and emotional low points in order to have prevailing prayer.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for speaking to me through Your word. I thank You that Your mercies toward me are renewed every morning and that You have new things for me to learn and do every day. Help me to be alert and tuned in to you to pick up on what You have for me and to do it will all my heart, and mind, and strength.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Title: Dead, But OK! / Topic: Eternal Perspective
Today's Reading: Ezra 9; Ezra 10; Psalm 131; Luke 21
Scripture: Luke 21:16-18
16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
Observation: Wait a minute! Jesus tells them that some of them will be killed, then He says "But not a hair of your head will perish." What does He mean by "not a hair of your head will perish" if some of them will actually be killed? Obviously, He is talking about something other than physical injury or damage. It's like saying, "you'll be killed, but you won't be harmed." So what does Jesus mean? He is talking in eternal terms. Because His followers have their eternal destiny assured, whatever happens here doesn't shake that.
Application: This clearly tells me that I still have some re-calibrating to do. The idea of being killed but not harmed is definitely foreign to me. So I need to refocus on heaven, keeping my head up and my gaze on Him. And I must keep it in clear focus that as long as I am in the hands of the Almighty, nothing that anyone else can do to me, can really harm me in the ultimate sense.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord. It's good to be in Your hands and know that You have been preparing a place for me where You are. My destiny is secure and this world is not my home. Keep me strong in the knowledge that whatever happens, I will be with You for all eternity.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 21:16-18
16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
Observation: Wait a minute! Jesus tells them that some of them will be killed, then He says "But not a hair of your head will perish." What does He mean by "not a hair of your head will perish" if some of them will actually be killed? Obviously, He is talking about something other than physical injury or damage. It's like saying, "you'll be killed, but you won't be harmed." So what does Jesus mean? He is talking in eternal terms. Because His followers have their eternal destiny assured, whatever happens here doesn't shake that.
Application: This clearly tells me that I still have some re-calibrating to do. The idea of being killed but not harmed is definitely foreign to me. So I need to refocus on heaven, keeping my head up and my gaze on Him. And I must keep it in clear focus that as long as I am in the hands of the Almighty, nothing that anyone else can do to me, can really harm me in the ultimate sense.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord. It's good to be in Your hands and know that You have been preparing a place for me where You are. My destiny is secure and this world is not my home. Keep me strong in the knowledge that whatever happens, I will be with You for all eternity.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
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