December 12 -- "Dedicating to the Lord"

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 18

"Dedicating to the Lord"

After winning decisive victories against Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek, King David had stockpiled a large collection of the plunders of war. These included all sorts of articles of gold, of silver, and of bronze. It was customary in those days for the kings of victor nations to keep these spoils of war as a means of accumulating wealth for himself. Having a great stockpile of these items represented the grandness of the king’s majesty. As the collection grew, so did the king’s notoriety and renown among his citizens and neighboring nations.

None of these customs mattered to King David. He wasn’t interested in building his own wealth and fame. What mattered to him was building the fame of Yahweh. So, David took the articles of gold, silver, and bronze and dedicated them to the Lord. The Hebrew word “dedicated” in verse 11 means to set apart; to consecrate; to devote as holy. David literally separated these items from his own “bank account” and deposited them in the Lord’s “account.” By doing so, David was choosing to benefit his King and Lord rather than selfishly benefitting himself.

Dedicating something to the Lord means surrendering your personal control and use of an item (or person) and handing over control and use to God. For the follower of Christ, this often means giving up something of great worth and value. We must sacrifice what is dear to us. Perhaps, like David, it involves giving God control of our wealth and fame. Or, perhaps dedicating our homes and workplaces to Him. Or, as we see many times in the Bible, dedicating our children unto the Lord. Ultimately, we are told to “present our bodies to God as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). This is the action by which we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

It is important to note that dedicating something to the Lord is a voluntary act on your part. God never forces you to surrender anything or anyone to Him. Because of God’s great mercy, we are compelled to offer ourselves to Him as a way of worship – to offer our bodies to God for service. Every Christian should have a time in their life when they take this important step of presenting their body to God.

What is God calling you to hand over to Him today? Is it your bank account? Or your job? Or your relationship? Or your newborn child? Or your body in service to Him? Whatever it is, God will honor your gift and return blessings to you in “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38). The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the Greatest Giver in the universe, and He won't let you outgive Him.

December 11 -- "Unusual Kindness"

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 9 

"Unusual Kindness"

Under Israeli law, the ownership of property passed from generation to generation and, thus, was always retained within the family. However, Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, never received his inheritance. He had been taken away and hidden as a young child to protect him from the attacks on Saul’s family. As a result, his whereabouts were unknown and, lacking a proper heir, his property reverted to ownership by the king.  One of David’s first acts as king was to right this wrong. In verse 7, David said, “I will restore to all the land of Saul your father.” This was one of the many acts of justice, equity and unusual kindness performed by king David.

But David took things much further. Instead of just stopping with the restoration of Mephibosheth’s land, he showed him “great kindness” and invited him to “eat at my table always.” To be invited to eat a meal with the king was considered one of the greatest honors and blessings anyone could receive. But to eat at the king’s table “always” was an honor-of-all-honors. David remembered his close friend Jonathan and the covenant he had made with him before his death – to never cut off his lovingkindness to Jonathan’s descendants. So David not only spared the life of Jonathan’s sole surviving son, but treated him like royalty by giving him free access to the king’s palace. David, by his actions, demonstrated both justice and kindness.

I’m pretty sure Mephibosheth’s initial response to David’s kindness was something like this: “Wait! What?!? Did I hear that right? I must be dreaming or something! There’s no way I deserve such kindness. I thought I was going to be punished and die, but now look what the king has done!”  David’s treatment of Mephibosheth is one of the greatest illustrations of grace in the Old Testament. By law, David owed Saul's family nothing. In fact, it was customary that the previous king’s descendants be punished by death. But David knew that God wanted him to show kindness to everyone, even those who didn’t deserve it.

This is an example to us of what it means to be the recipient of God’s grace and kindness. Our Creator owed us nothing. In fact, we were sentenced to death for all of eternity, undeserving of any kindness or blessings from Him whatsoever. But then He says to us, “I will restore to you the life you have lost and you shall eat at My table always.” Such undeserved kindness. That’s what grace is all about. We have been shown kindness by King Jesus for our Heavenly Father’s sake. Because that’s just who Jesus is! And that’s who our Heavenly Father is!

Our response should be, “Wait! What?!? Did I hear that right? I must be dreaming or something! There’s no way I deserve such kindness. I thought I was going to be punished and die, but now look what the King has done!”

December 10 -- "Justice and Equity"

Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 8

"Justice and Equity"

According to the Bible, all government authority "comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God” (Romans 13:1). This means that it is God who has ordained the institution of government and that the role and purpose of government is mandated by Him.

The essential role and purpose of government is to exercise equity and justice amongst its citizens. Based on the truth that every human being has dignity and value, justice means to give each person that which is due with fairness to all. This justice can be expressed negatively or positively. Negatively, government is to punish evil. Positively, it is to promote good.

As David rose to power as Israel’s king, he understood his role as the “minister of God” (Romans 13:6). He recognized that, as king, he was to act as God’s agent of justice. Thus, he administered justice and equity to all his people. When he returned from defending Israel in war, he heard and tried civil and criminal cases. He did so impartially and gave sentence consistent with the laws of God. Whether high or low, strong or weak, rich or poor, black or white, David enacted God’s justice fairly to all without bias.

For any government to succeed in bringing justice and equity to its citizens, the leaders of that government must be submitted to God’s truth and His laws. There is no true justice apart from God. All human beings are infected with a corrupt nature and governments will tend to deteriorate into corruption unless God and His truth are revered and submitted to by the leaders. When ungodly leaders are in power, justice deteriorates. Immoral laws are passed. Corrupt behavior takes over. Man’s greed and lust for power begins to rule and justice deteriorates.

We cannot understand true justice apart from God. We cannot enforce justice and equity without faith in Him. David understood his role as God’s servant. He realized that the Lord must guide the affairs of nations for those nations to prosper and be an influence for good in our corrupt world.

Pray for godly leaders to rule at all levels of our government. Pray that we, as a nation, would be ruled by men and women like David who will administer justice and equity to all the people. When those in office won’t do it, then it is time for you to step out in faith and become the ruler you long to see.

December 9 -- "The Fountain of Life"

 Todays’ Reading: Psalm 36 & 39

"The Fountain of Life"

Have you ever heard of someone searching for the “fountain of youth”? It refers to a mysterious and hidden spring mentioned in folk tales as capable of making people young again. It is a mythical spring which allegedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters.  Today, with our modern scientific mindsets, we no longer believe in this secret fountain, but many people still believe that they can find some “secret sauce” that will have the power to restore health and vitality or to restore their youthful appearance. 

The Bible never mentions the “fountain of youth,” but it does refer repeatedly to the “fountain of life.” Like the fountain of youth, this fountain is also mysterious and hidden. But, unlike the fountain of youth, the fountain of life can be found by anyone and everyone who “drinks or bathes in its waters.” The fountain of life has the exclusive and exceptional ability to restore life to the dead and to revitalize the soul of the lifeless. It is not mythical but it is a real place of miraculous healing for the human spirit.  The prophet, Jeremiah referred to it as “the fountain of living waters.” (Jeremiah 2:13) So, where is this amazing “fountain of life”? It can be found in one place, and only one place. Psalm 36:9 tells us exactly where to find it – in God. “For with You is the fountain of life.”

Jesus would later refer to this fountain of life as “living water.” One day, while speaking to a woman, Jesus said, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10) On another occasion, Jesus cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38) The water that He speaks of is not to quench a physical thirst, but a spiritual thirst. It is not to restore physical health or youthful looks, it is to restore spiritual vitality to dry and empty souls.

People need this “living water” to give life to their spirits more than they need physical water to give life to their bodies. We are told that the “living water” Jesus offered is really the Holy Spirit. He is the Only One who will be able to satisfy the thirsty spirit.

One day, we will live in eternity with the One who is the Fountain of Life – “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17) The picture is of a place where God lives with His people and meets all of their needs. The abode of God and of the believer for all eternity is pictured as having a pure, clear river running through the heart of it; in other words, it is a place where no need will be left unmet. 

Are you thirsty today? Do you need the life of the Spirit to revitalize your spirit? Then come to Jesus, the fountain of living water. “Come. And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:17)

December 8 -- "Befitting Praise"

 Today’s Reading: Psalm 29 & 33

"Befitting Praise"

This Psalm was intended as a hymn of praise in order to celebrate the power, wisdom, and mercy of God.  The main point of this Psalm is that it is appropriate for righteous people to be praising God for His creative acts and providence.

Verse 1 has been translated in various ways: “Praise befits the upright.” (ESV); “It is fitting for the upright to praise him” (NIV); “Praise from the upright is beautiful.” (NKJV); “It is fitting for the pure to praise him.” (NLT); “Right-living people sound best when praising.” (MSG).

All of these translations give us the sense that praise from the upright is a beautiful and appropriate thing. Praise is becoming. We sometimes hear the word “becoming” used to describe another person’s appearance. “That jacket is very becoming on you.” “She's had her hair cut in a becoming new style.”  It is a word we use to describe something that fits right and looks remarkably attractive. The Psalmist here is exhorting us to praise God because it is becoming and right and remarkably attractive in the life of the upright.

Praise befits the upright. The Lord is worthy of people’s praise because of his faithfulness, seen in all his righteous works; because of his power, seen in creation and in his powerful word; and because of his sovereign control, seen in the history of world events. Above all, God is worthy of people’s praise because of the salvation he gives to those who fear him. He gives them life, protection and provision. For all these reasons, and thousands more, the upright person’s life should be dressed in praise.

It makes us cringe when we see someone dressed in inappropriate attire. Perhaps it is someone at a formal wedding wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt. Or someone in the workplace wearing revealing clothing. Or a soldier with his/her uniform wrinkled and messy. We recognize these situations as remarkably inappropriate. They are not befitting. They don’t fit the circumstance. In the same way, when a follower of Christ lives with a sour attitude, with complaining, or with a judgmental attitude, we take note of it as remarkably inappropriate. It is completely out of place when a Christian’s life is clothed with anything but praise. When the Christ-follower enters the room, others should sense a life of praise that is befitting someone whose life has been delivered from darkness and brought into God’s glorious light. Praise befits the upright. Praise from the upright is beautiful and remarkably becoming.

Is it time for you to change your “clothes?” Take off the garments of sadness, complaining, judgment, and dissatisfaction and get dressed in praise. After all, Jesus came to give us “a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)

December 7 -- "Blessed Forever"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 17

"Blessed Forever"

After receiving God’s promise that He was going to establish the throne of David and bring forth the eternal Messiah through his descendants, King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” David was truly humbled by God’s grace to him.  He was deeply blessed that Yahweh – the Lord of the Universe – would have it in His heart to do all these great things on his behalf.

In the prayer that follows, David expresses his deep feelings about God’s greatness, saying “There is none like you, O Lord, and there is no God besides you!” He is genuinely blown away that Yahweh has “made your people Israel to be your people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God.” Ultimately, David is astounded that Yahweh would choose him and his descendants to be the recipients of His grace. It is almost unbelievable. But David chooses to accept it by faith.

In verse 27, David expresses his faith in God’s promise by saying, “When you grant a blessing, O Lord, it is an eternal blessing!” In other words, “God said it. That settles it!” His faith-filled heart was able to take God’s words at face value and accept the blessing God was offering. The truth is that, whether or not David accepted it, it was still true because God said so!

You, as a follower of Christ, have been blessed with God’s loving grace. Like David, He says to you that you are blessed forever in Christ. In fact, “He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)  He chose you and decided to make you holy. He adopted you into His family. He has poured out His great grace upon you. He purchased your freedom and forgave your sins. He has showered his kindness on you, along with all wisdom and understanding. You are blessed forever in Christ.

What can we say to these things? Like David, we must accept them as truth. We are blessed forever because God said so. So, take these amazing blessings of God and live your life knowing that God said it, and that settles it. Sit before the Lord and say, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” Express your humble thanksgiving Yahweh – the Lord of the Universe – would have it in His heart to do all these great things on your behalf.

December 6 -- "A House For God's Name"

 Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 7

"A House For God's Name"

David loved the Lord so much that he wanted to build Him a house. It seemed inequitable to David that he should be living in a large and lovely palace while the worship of God still took place in a tattered old tent. A noble desire for sure. But the Lord had other plans. David would not build God’s house, but the Lord says He will raise up one of David’s descendants to build a house for His name.

This prophetic statement from the Lord has a dual-fulfillment. It speaks first of the physical construction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem – a prophecy that would be later fulfilled literally by “David’s descendant” - his son Solomon. But the building of the physical temple was not of immediate importance to the Lord. God was more concerned that David’s house be firmly established - referring not to his palace but to his dynasty. David would have a line of royal descendants who would rule for generation after generation in Israel. One of these (Solomon) would build God’s earthly house. And One, who would come later, would build God’s eternal house.

This prophecy goes much deeper than just the physical Temple. It has a future spiritual fulfillment. It speaks of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, whose kingdom would be established forever. The Lord had chosen the dynasty of David as the means of bringing the Messiah, the Savior into the world.

The word “forever,” shows very distinctly that this prophecy looks beyond the succession of the kings of the house of David, and embraces the throne of Christ. Years later, when an angel spoke to Mary (Luke 1:31-33), he told her that she would give birth to a Son who she was to name "Jesus."  “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” By these words, the angel declared that Jesus is the ultimate spiritual fulfillment of the Lord’s prophetic statement to David.

Jesus would not use wood and stone to build His Father’s house. The “building blocks” of the permanent temple are the souls and spirits of people. People who would come to a saving faith in Jesus and who would be placed within God’s eternal family by the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul asked, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” He goes on in verse 17 to say “For God’s temple is holy, and YOU are that temple.” The Apostle Peter said the same thing, “You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple.” (1 Peter 2:5)

What an amazing thought – that we are the building blocks of God’s Holy Temple. Think about that! Each of us has been ingeniously placed within the Body of Christ where we make up the holy “house” of Yahweh. We are the “dwelling place” where God’s presence resides for all of eternity.