Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 13; 1 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 12:14 He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD.
Observation: This is a description of King Rehoboam, King of Judah. Although he was not as despicable as King Jeroboam, King over Israel, his reign over Judah brought judgment from God. This verse is interesting because is gets to the heart of the matter. And the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. King R did evil because his heart was "not set" on "seeking the Lord." He, at times, had good responses to God, as we read earlier in chapter 12. But because his heart was not firmly set on God, he allowed evil practices to persist in his kingdom. And the evil brought God's judgment.
Application: If I do not set my heart on seeking the Lord, my heart, and therefore my whole life, is divided. The Psalmist writes on this very subject: "My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. I hate double-minded men, but I love your law." (Psalm 119:112-113) The juxtaposition of these two things: a heart that is set on God and a double minded person clearly highlights the contrast between the two. I must be determined -- I must set my heart on God -- or my future will be in doubt. James, in his epistle, gives clear instructions on how to remedy this. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:7-10)
Prayer: Lord, this is how I want to conduct my life -- with a heart set on you -- seeking, hearing, following you. Keep any waver far from me. Bring to my attention any area in which I am in any way wobbly in this regard. I declare that I will serve you all of my days. Help me to stay on this solid path, dear Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Title: Still Standing / Topic: Spiritual Warfare
Today’s Reading: Song of Solomon 1; Song of Solomon 2; Song of Solomon 3; Song of Solomon 4; Ephesians 6
Scripture: Ephesians 6:12-13
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Observation: What important truth is communicated here! First of all, Paul assumes that we are engaged in a struggle. His purpose is to shed light on the nature of the struggle and the response we are to make, but the fact of this struggle is not in question.
Paul tells us that this struggle is not against people, but is a spiritual battle against invisible enemies arrayed against us. And the picture he paints is of a significant enemy force, with ranks and organization and effectiveness.
In verse 13, Paul instructs us what to do because of this battle and these fierce enemies. He tells us to "put on the full armor of God." First we have to do something... "put on" the armor. Second, we must have the right armor, the armor "of God." And third, we must be thorough, putting on "the full armor."
The verse continues with the phrase "so that when the day of evil comes..." Notice that it doesn't say "so that if the day of evil comes..." No, the day of evil will come -- it is certain. The only uncertainty is whether of not we will be prepared. If we have been diligent to "put on the full armor of God," we can stand, but only if we have "done everything." Notice this phrase, "when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." The outcome of successful spiritual warfare is simply to be still standing at the end.
Application: Sometimes, if you simply survive, you are the victor! The battles we face are fierce and our enemies are strong and determined. We can get confused and see people as our enemies (and for certain, people can be used by our enemies to come against us). But we must not simply fight against the people. No, it is imperative that we recognize the power behind these attacks -- it is an invisible spiritual power. We will not be victorious by contending with man alone. We will only be victorious as we take the action of putting of the armor that God has provided for us -- the whole armor -- and then standing our ground -- doing everything possible. And if we do it all, we can be still standing at the end.
Prayer: Lord help us. Lord help me. I am still standing but I am continually taking blows. And I have seen many fall at my right hand and at my left. Teach me how to fully put on your whole armor. And teach me how to go to war in the spiritual realm so that the enemies of my soul and of your call on my life do not overwhelm me. And, Father, give us aid and support in this warfare. You are my God. It is in you that I trust. Defend me -- sustain me, o Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Ephesians 6:12-13
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Observation: What important truth is communicated here! First of all, Paul assumes that we are engaged in a struggle. His purpose is to shed light on the nature of the struggle and the response we are to make, but the fact of this struggle is not in question.
Paul tells us that this struggle is not against people, but is a spiritual battle against invisible enemies arrayed against us. And the picture he paints is of a significant enemy force, with ranks and organization and effectiveness.
In verse 13, Paul instructs us what to do because of this battle and these fierce enemies. He tells us to "put on the full armor of God." First we have to do something... "put on" the armor. Second, we must have the right armor, the armor "of God." And third, we must be thorough, putting on "the full armor."
The verse continues with the phrase "so that when the day of evil comes..." Notice that it doesn't say "so that if the day of evil comes..." No, the day of evil will come -- it is certain. The only uncertainty is whether of not we will be prepared. If we have been diligent to "put on the full armor of God," we can stand, but only if we have "done everything." Notice this phrase, "when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." The outcome of successful spiritual warfare is simply to be still standing at the end.
Application: Sometimes, if you simply survive, you are the victor! The battles we face are fierce and our enemies are strong and determined. We can get confused and see people as our enemies (and for certain, people can be used by our enemies to come against us). But we must not simply fight against the people. No, it is imperative that we recognize the power behind these attacks -- it is an invisible spiritual power. We will not be victorious by contending with man alone. We will only be victorious as we take the action of putting of the armor that God has provided for us -- the whole armor -- and then standing our ground -- doing everything possible. And if we do it all, we can be still standing at the end.
Prayer: Lord help us. Lord help me. I am still standing but I am continually taking blows. And I have seen many fall at my right hand and at my left. Teach me how to fully put on your whole armor. And teach me how to go to war in the spiritual realm so that the enemies of my soul and of your call on my life do not overwhelm me. And, Father, give us aid and support in this warfare. You are my God. It is in you that I trust. Defend me -- sustain me, o Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)