December 14 -- "Dealing With Defeat"

Today’s Reading: Psalms 10, 60, 75, & 76 

"Dealing With Defeat"

It can be hard to come back from defeat. Being defeated can have a domino effect in our minds. As we become overly-focused on our failure, our hearts and minds can go from simply “licking our wounds” to deeper discouragement and, if left unchecked, can spiral into full blown depression and, in some cases, feeling abandoned by God. Experiencing defeat is never easy. It can make us feel like we don’t even want to try again.

Here in Psalm 60, King David and his troops had undergone a series of defeats at the hands of enemy armies. David was feeling dejected and abandoned by God. He begins to wonder if God is angry with him and has rejected him. As he goes through a list of how he feels about experiencing defeat, you can sense that coming back from this could be difficult for him. Some of his feelings include: You have rejected us; You have broken our defenses; You have been angry; You have made your people see hard things. David’s complaints express his feelings of anxiety and dejection. He is having a very hard time with defeat.

But David doesn’t stop there. Thankfully, as he expresses his sorrow at being defeated, he simultaneously reminds himself that God is not finished with him and Israel, and he will once again experience victory. Interspersed with his complaints, we find prayers of faith: Oh, restore us; May your beloved ones be delivered; Give salvation by your right hand; Oh, grant us help against the foe. David wisely took his defeat to God and left it at His feet. In spite of his feelings of defeat and discouragement, he knew in his heart-of-hearts that the Lord would never abandon him. You can sense his heart and mind coming around from a place of dark discouragement back to optimism and faith in God.

David concludes this Psalm with these faith-filled words, “With God we shall do valiantly, it is He who will tread down our foes.” He wisely turned his eyes off of his defeat, stopped licking his wounds, and once again began to trust fully in God and His promises. This provides for us an example to follow when we experience defeat in our lives. We must not let our minds travel to dark places and discouragement. We, like David, must turn our eyes off of our hard defeat and back onto our Mighty God.

Are you having a hard time after experiencing defeat in your Christian walk? Do like David and turn your eyes off of the failure – stop trying to analyze it. Remember that God is not finished with you and He will bring victory. Stay the course! Try again, dear follower of Christ. Try again! Trust in Him to tread down your foes.

December 13 -- "Who to Call in Your Day of Trouble"

Today’s Reading: Psalm 50 & 51

"Who to Call in Your Day of Trouble"

In today’s key verse, we are exhorted by God, Himself, to call upon Him when we are experiencing troubles in our lives.

“Call upon me in the day of trouble.” The first part of today’s verse is a command from God to call on Him when we are in trouble. We certainly shouldn’t pray only when trouble comes, but according to this command, we should definitely pray when we are in times of trouble or affliction. God commands it. Don’t rely on your own ingenuity or your own determination to deliver yourself. Call upon Him and watch Him work! Are you having trouble or trials today? Call upon Him!

“I will deliver you.” The second part is an amazing promise God makes to us. If we call on Him, He will deliver us. He gives no limits as to how often we can pray. He only gives us His promise to answer. He doesn’t specify how He will deliver us (and it may not always be in the way we wish for). Sometimes He delivers us “out of” our trouble, and sometimes He delivers us “in the midst of” trouble. But, whatever His method, His promise is always, “I will deliver you.”

“And you shall glorify Me.” The third part of this verse indicates the real reason for prayer in the grand overarching plan of heaven. Prayer is not so much the mechanism we use to get rescued, as it is a means of displaying God and His glory to the watching world. When God provides, we may be tempted to forget Him and think we have taken care of our problem ourselves. But when we pray and He answers, we must recognize His hand of provision and are careful to honor (glorify) Him. We rob God of honor and fail to glorify Him when we don’t recognize that He was the one who rescued and provided for us.

Do you want your life to glorify God? To bring Him fame and honor? To influence a lost world with His light? Then pray dear Christian. Tell Him your troubles. Tell Him your afflictions. Call upon Him and He will deliver you. And when He does, a watching world will hear of His glory and power and grace and forgiveness!

“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications.” (Psalm 116:1) The Lord wants to hear from us. He invites us to pray to Him without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He promises to hear us when we pray – “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14) “As for me, I call to God … and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17). 

 

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)