December 31 -- "Patiently Waiting"

 Today’s Reading: Psalms 26 & 40

"Patiently Waiting"

We often think of God being patient with us. But, are you patient with Him? With few exceptions, I believe that one of the most difficult things that we have to do in this life is to wait. For most of us, waiting is uncomfortable, or even frustrating. We live in a “right now” generation where we expect instant results. We barely tolerate waiting on God. We long for Him to answer our prayers, but often find ourselves waiting longer than we want. For many of us, it is easy to lose our patience. To be honest, sometimes waiting on the Lord can be like watching grass grow; when is it going to happen?

However, God has a greater purpose in our waiting. When we do it God’s way, there is great value in waiting on the Lord. God is truly desiring to work out patience in our lives. But what is our part in this?

The Lord wants us to wait PATIENTLY. Don’t rush the process. Rather, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4). There is a surrender that is involved in this, because we have to allow patience to have its proper place in our life, with the end result being that we will be brought to spiritual maturity. Waiting patiently helps us to grow.

The Lord wants us to wait EXPECTANTLY. “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains” (James 5:7). Expect God to work! But remember, He doesn’t always work in the specific way we are looking for, and He often doesn’t work on our timeline. Trust His timeline as you wait expectantly for His blessing.

The Lord wants us to wait STEADFASTLY. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58) There is a certain frame of heart, mind, and spirit that we should possess as we wait upon the Lord. We should remain resolute and firm. We should not allow anything to move us away from our expectation.

The Lord wants us to wait TRUSTINGLY. At times, we might feel unable to continue to wait patiently on God, but in fact, we have access to all the patience we need in Christ. We can trust the Spirit to give us the strength to bear our circumstances and enable us to use this time of waiting to grow in our intimacy with the Lord. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace… PATIENCE.” (Galatians 5:22) Trust the Holy Spirit to bring forth true patience in your soul as you wait upon Him.

“In His time.  In His time. He makes all things beautiful in His time.” (Linda Ball; Maranatha! Music) Wait patiently for Him and He will incline His ear to you and hear your cry… in His time.

December 30 -- "Dying in Another's Place"

 Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 18

"Dying in Another's Place"

David deeply loved his son, Absalom. His love for his son is considered one of the greatest examples of fatherly love in the Old Testament and one of the greatest examples of the grief that love can sometimes produce. David’s love for his rebellious son teaches all of us about God’s love for us when we, in our human sinfulness, rebel against Him.

Absalom was described as the “handsomest man in Israel” and was known for his luscious and thick head of hair. (2 Samuel 14) Other than being David’s son and growing up in the household of a father who was a “man after God’s heart,” not many positive things are recorded in Scripture about him. In fact, most of the Biblical record describes the evil things he did. He murdered his brother Amnon, committed fornication in public to torment his father, and rebelliously set up his own kingdom with the goal of overthrowing David as king.

In this final chapter of Absalom’s life, David sent out military troops to attack and defeat Absalom’s rebellious uprising. His command to his military leaders shows us the love and concern David still felt for his son: “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” David wanted the uprising to be put down, but out of love for his son, he ordered that Absalom not be harmed. David longed to be reconciled to the son he loved.

David’s care for his son is an example of our Heavenly Father’s love toward us. Although we are infected with a sinful nature, and commit sins that offend our Father deeply, and although we don’t deserve His love and forgiveness, He loves us and longs for us to be reconciled to Him. Romans 5:12 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  You may be far from God today. Perhaps you have offended Him by your rebellion and backsliding. But be certain of this – He still loves you and wants to restore you to a right relationship with Himself.

Tragically, despite David’s command to protect his son, Absalom was killed during the battle. When David learned of his son’s death, his heart breaks. You can feel the depth of his grief when he realizes that the son he loved so deeply is never coming back. David is so grieved that he actually wishes that he had died in Absalom’s place. 

Tragically, David could not die for Absalom’s sins. There is only One Man in history who could die for others’ sins – Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for the purpose of taking our sins upon Himself and opening the door to be reconciled to Him. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) 

Your Heavenly Father loves you so much that He sent Someone to die in your place! "I implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God!” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

December 29 -- "Contradictory Advice"

 Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 17

"Contradictory Advice"

What do you do when you receive advice from two people and their advice is inconsistent or even contradictory? This was the dilemma facing Absalom in today’s chapter. Who should I listen to? Whose advice is the best and most sound? On occasion, we are faced with the same dilemma. Who should you listen to? The answer is simple… get the Lord’s advice on the matter before making your decision. This is something Absalom failed to do.

Ahithophel had advised Absalom that he needed to do only one thing to make his throne secure, and that was kill David. If he did this swiftly, without war or unnecessary bloodshed, the people would soon be fully behind him. After getting a second opinion from Hushai, Absalom decided to reject Ahithophel’s counsel and proceed with a full military attack. This would turn out to be a gross mis-judgement on Absalom’s part as David’s military might would prove to be too much for him and his supporters.

It turns out that, behind the scenes, God was protecting David and his throne. If Absalom had taken Ahithophel’s original advice, he would have defeated David and taken over the kingdom. But God had other plans. He sent Hushai to give Absalom contradictory advice, knowing full well that Absalom would choose the latter. For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel. Absalom failed to seek God’s counsel on the matter, and he trusted in his own wisdom to make the choice. Proverbs 18:26 tells us, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.” In this situation, Absalom acted according to his own human nature and his pride. A tragic mistake.

It is so important to obtain counsel from others before making important decisions. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” And again in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.” A wise person will listen to wise counsel. But always remember – in the end, it is God’s counsel that matters. Don’t just accept human advice, as sound as it may seem. Listen to the Holy Spirit who promises to “lead you into all truth.” (John 16:13)

A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others. So, listen to advice and accept instruction that you may gain wisdom. But, be careful that you don’t act on all the advice you receive without consulting your God. And, don’t lean on your own understanding, or your own feelings when considering the advice you’ve been given. It may seem right in your own eyes, but remember your heart is deceitful and can cloud your judgment. Listen to God and His still small voice speaking to your spirit. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25) God is all-knowing. He has perfect wisdom and is capable of understanding the impact of every single decision on every single thing.

December 28 -- "A Walking Bible"

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 16 

"A Walking Bible"

When Ahithophel spoke, people listened! In 2 Samuel 16, we see Ahithophel giving counsel to David’s son Absalom. The advice he gave was considered “as if one consulted the word of God.” Although his name, “Ahithophel” means “my brother of folly; foolish,” his counsel was considered wise. When he gave advice, others considered his words to be as if God Himself was the one who was speaking. Whether the people’s perceptions were accurate or not, his reputation is one we should all seek.

When we speak - when we give advice to others – our goal should be that the words we speak are words of God’s wisdom and not our own earthly advice. What a wonderful reputation to have - as one whose words are as if “one consulted the word of God.”  Is that what others think of your words?

It is a mistake to rely on worldly wisdom as Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 3:19, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” It may seem “wise” by worldly standards, but if your counsel is not firmly rooted in the word of God, it is sheer folly.

The amazing thing is that God promises to enable all of His children to speak His word with power and authority. As we absorb His word on a daily basis and the Holy Spirit imparts to us God’s wisdom, it has the effect of shaping our thoughts and words. When we then speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit, our words will be “as if one consulted the word of God.”  People should come to know you as someone who knows and speaks the word of God – a “walking Bible” so to speak.

God has chosen to use human messengers to deliver His divine truth. Whether you realize it or not, those around you who know you are a Christian will take the words you speak and the advice you give as though they were God’s advice. As William Toms rightly said, “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.”  This is a solemn responsibility!  May your life be so saturated in the word of God that His wisdom and His counsel oozes out of your life. May you be one whose counsel is as if one consulted the word of God. May God transform you into a “walking Bible.”

December 27 -- "Casting Your Burden on Him"

Today’s Reading: Psalms 28 & 55 

"Casting Your Burden on Him"

The Hebrew word translated “cast” in verse 22 means to throw, cast, hurl, or fling. The Jews used this word in association with throwing something away. The definition of “burden” is a heavy load to carry, a difficulty, trouble, heavy trial.  Here in Psalm 55, we are exhorted to hurl our burdens onto Him - to thrust them forcefully upon the Lord.

Does your life seem overwhelming and stressful lately? Do you feel weighed down by worries and frustrations to the point of exhaustion? Are your shoulders sagging under the weight of your heavy load? Then it is time to hurl those heavy weights off your shoulders and onto the shoulders of your Great Burden Bearer.  But how do you do that? How can we, as Christ followers, cast our burden on the Lord? The simple formula is Come, Take, Let Go.

First, you must COME to Jesus.  When you’re overwhelmed by burdens, Jesus invites you to come to Him. This may sound like a simple task, but I’ve found that bringing my burdens to Him is often not my first instinct. I wrongly think it is my responsibility to carry the weight. But Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) So, the first step to casting your burden on Him is simply to COME to Him. Don’t run the other way. And don’t think you are alone. He is here and He is waiting.

Second, TAKE His yoke. A yoke was a wooden device that was placed around the neck of oxen or cattle and connected to the plow or cart they pulled. Most yokes in Bible times were “dual-passenger.” This means that two animals would share the yoke and carry the load together. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) For a weary and tired animal under the stress of a heavy burden, sharing a yoke made the burden lighter and more easily carried. Jesus wants you to slip your head into His yoke. Together, the heavy weight will fall off your shoulders and He will carry the burden. TAKE His yoke and feel the strength of Him pulling the load.

Third, and most important, you must LET GO of your burden. So often we reach back ready to hurl our burdens upon Jesus. Our throwing arm goes forward, but we keep a grip on the item that is weighing us down. Don’t hold on!  Jesus calls us to cast  – hurl, throw, fling – our burdens on Him. Take your heavy load to Jesus, and lay it down. Then, DON’T pick it up again. Let go and let Him bear the burden. Place your burden in your hands and then chuck it upward toward Heaven with your hands wide open. LET GO and let God carry the load.

In the words of the old Maranatha song by Chuck Girard, “Lay your burden down, lay your burden down. Take your troubled soul, your tired mind and lay your burden down. Lay your burden down, get your feet on solid ground. Take your worries to the foot of the cross and lay your burden down.” He will do the rest, and He will give you rest.

December 26 -- "Like Silver Purified Seven Times"

 Today’s Reading: Psalms 4, 12, & 13

"Like Silver Purified Seven Times"

In Bible times, silver was usually used for decorative purposes such as jewelry and household ornaments. Before silver could be used for these purposes, it had to be extracted from the ore of other metals. Silver was usually obtained as a by-product of lead mining. The ore would be purified in a clay furnace using an extremely hot melting process.  In order to separate the silver from the lead, the rough ore would be heated above the temperature at which silver melts (1750°F).  When the liquid metal then cooled slowly, the silver solidified first and it floated as a crust above the liquid lead. This crust would be skimmed off and prepared for the next phase of purification.

The rough silver still contained some small particles of lead that still had to be removed to obtain “pure” silver.  To purify the rough silver further it was melted again in the melting pot on the fire. This second purifying process resulted in silver that was typically 99% pure. Although the silver still contained some miniscule particles of lead, it was considered ready for trade. In very rare cases, the silver would be purified a third time resulting in silver that was 99.99% pure.

Here in Psalm 12:6, we are told that the “words of the Lord” are so pure that they are like silver that has been refined and purified SEVEN times. David is emphasizing that God’s word is so pure, it is like silver which is flawless. Not 99.99% pure, or even 99.999999% pure, but completely flawless and without any imperfection whatsoever.

This doesn’t imply that God’s words once contained flaws or impurities which had to be removed. God’s word is, and has always been pure, without any contamination or imperfections whatsoever. They were pure when they were first issued and remain pure to this day. The God who is holy, and pure, and perfect has given us His words, which are also holy, pure, and perfect in every way. His word is pure but never purified.

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5)  By contrast, human wisdom is flawed. It contains imperfections. The words of the wisest men and women in history come nowhere near the flawless wisdom of God.  God’s word contains not even the tiniest particle of human wisdom. Because it is pure, it can be received with readiness of mind and trusted with the depths of the heart. Put your trust in God’s words. They are pure. They are peaceable. They are able to bring you true wisdom and transform your life. “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:8)

December 25 -- "The Lifter of My Head"

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 15 & Psalm 3 

"The Lifter of My Head"

Merry Christmas to you from ‘A Word from the Word.’ May the True Spirit of Christmas shine in your heart and light your path today and through the upcoming year.

In Psalm 3, we read the words of king David as he is fleeing from his son, Absalom. This Psalm starts out with a sense of foreboding as David is tempted by others to focus his attention on the deep problems he is facing. Can you feel his worry as he says, “Many are my foes”? Can you sense his despair as he says, “Many are rising against me”? Do you get the feeling that the world around him is telling him to give up hope as he writes, “Many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God”?

But the Psalm doesn’t end there! In verse 3, David soundly rejects the world’s advice and turns his eyes back onto the God he loves. He wisely realizes that his help and salvation come from the LORD in this situation just as it has in every other situation.

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me.”  The shield was a defensive weapon used by soldiers. It’s purpose was to cover and defend the body from the strikes of the enemy. David here acknowledges that God is his Defender and Protector. What a joy to know that our Lord will stand between us and our adversaries, taking the blows and keeping us safe. I am safe when the Lord wraps around me like a shield.

“You are… my glory.” The Hebrew word for “glory” means honor, splendor, dignity, reputation. It carries the idea of majesty and magnificence. David, here, acknowledges that whatever glory there may be that comes from his life, it is not because of his own magnificence or self-doing. The glory of David’s life, and our lives as followers of Christ, comes solely from the One who is Most Glorious. Knowing this takes a lot of pressure off of David and us. It means that, no matter what happens, no one can take away the glory of my life because it isn’t about me, it is about Him!

“You are… the lifter of my head.” When the voices of the world start to get to us, we can start feeling down and we are tempted to look inward at our own weaknesses and failures. When we look away from God, we can get discouraged or even depressed. When this happens, it can actually have an effect on our body posture. Often unknowingly, our shoulders can bend forward and hunched over, and our head takes a downward-looking posture. It is a sign that we are “weighed down” by our challenges and troubles. David here declares emphatically that, in these situations, the Lord is the lifter of his head. He is the One who can turn our downward posture back into an upward-looking, optimistic and faith-filled position. As He lifts the burden from our shoulders, our head turns back up and the joy of salvation once again fills our heart. The problems are still with us, but Someone Else is carrying the load and lifting our head!

May the Lord be your Shield, your Glory, and the Lifter of your head this Christmas Day!