Days of Praise

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February 9, 2024
An Early Christian Hymn
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Some scholars have concluded that the four verses following our text were set to music and sung by the early Christian church. The hymn constitutes a praise of Christ for His nature and work. Let us look at it, with insights from the Greek not always apparent in the English.

Stanza One: His character. “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (v. 22). The words “no, neither, found” imply a careful scrutiny, with no sin or guile (i.e., craftiness) found. Total perfection.

Stanza Two: His life. “Who, when he was reviled [i.e., a bitter, heart-rending wound], reviled not again; when he [continually] suffered, he threatened not [even though He had great resources at His disposal]; but [continually] committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (v. 23).

Stanza Three: His sacrifice. “Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree [carried up the cross and offered Himself as on an altar], that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes [literally, one bleeding stripe. Christ was so brutalized by His tormentors that He was simply one big wound] ye were healed” (v. 24). Our healing is past tense, at the point of salvation. It does not refer primarily to physical healing, for in this context, and in Isaiah 53, from which the hymn is quoted, spiritual healing is stressed.

Stanza Four: His mission. “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned [have been turned back] unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (v. 25).

He has done it all! He lived a sinless life and died as a worthy sacrifice, just so He could turn us back into His blessed fold. JDM

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February 16, 2024
Job’s Whirlwind
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind.” (Job 38:1)

What form would the Lord take if He were to speak with us? The Lord spoke to Abraham and others in the appearance of a man. “And [Abraham] lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him” (Genesis 18:2). At the end of their conversation, “the LORD went his way” (Genesis 18:33).

God appeared as an angel to Hagar, Sarah’s servant and Abraham’s concubine. “The angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly” (Genesis 16:10). Hagar did not react with the fear that others did when accosted by angels appearing in bright glory, such as the shepherds “keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). And the Lord looked quite different to Moses when He “appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush” (Exodus 3:2).

But God spoke to Job from within a whirlwind. Perhaps storm clouds had approached as Job’s cadre conversed. Job stated, “He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them” (Job 26:8). Moments later, Elihu said, “Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou” (Job 35:5). Whether natural or supernatural, the whirlwind arrived, and God granted Job the direct discourse he had longed for (Job 23:3-5).

Whichever mode God chooses to reveal Himself, it is always the right one. Nowadays, any literate person to whom the gospels are available shouldn’t lament over God’s silence like Job did. God ultimately chose to reveal Himself through His Son and “even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:5).

Praise our Maker, who reaches out to us. BDT

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February 21, 2024
The Lord and Inspiration
“And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying...” (Leviticus 1:1)

This introductory verse to what many erroneously consider a dry and difficult book of the Bible actually introduces a remarkable phenomenon. All the rest of the chapter consists of a direct quotation from the Lord Himself. In fact, most of the rest of the book also consists solely of the direct words of God, except for an occasional interjection of a statement that God was still speaking. In all, 717 of the 832 verses in Leviticus (that is 86%) consist of the very words of God, directly quoted. This is more than any other book of the Bible, except for the books of the prophets, some of which also consist almost entirely of verbatim statements from God. The same situation is found in lesser but still substantial degrees in other historical books, not to mention the extensive quotations from the sermons and discourses of Christ in the four gospels.

While it is true that the Holy Spirit used many different means by which to convey the Scriptures (all of which are verbally inspired and fully inerrant) to writing, it is also true that on many occasions what amounts to the “dictation” method was used by Him. Evangelicals have often been intimidated by the scientists’ ridicule of this “mechanical theory” of inspiration, but they should not be. God is well able to use whatever means He chooses to reveal His word to men, and we should simply take Him at His word!

Leviticus is a guidebook for the consecration and cleansing of God’s people—especially His priests. In the New Covenant, all believers are priests and therefore are expected to be consecrated and pure. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). HMM

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June 13, 2024 O How He Loves You and Me “That ye...may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19) The theme of the inspiring hymn “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” is the infinite love Christ displayed for us through His gracious life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection from the grave, followed by His present ministry on our behalf. O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore! How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore! How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own; How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne! His love cannot be earned but was freely extended to us. Even greater than that, it was given when we were sinners by choice and nature. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). His love for us never fails and never changes: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He was willing to die so that our death penalty would be paid and to adopt us into His family. Even now He rejoices over us. “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). He now oversees us from His place at the right hand of His Father, making intercession for us. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Such love is deep indeed. JDM

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June 18, 2024
Instructing in Meekness
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.” (2 Timothy 2:24-25)

In his second epistle to young Timothy, the imprisoned Paul admonished him to instruct those who oppose biblical doctrines, especially the gospel. But in verse 16, he said to “shun profane and vain babblings.” On one hand, Timothy was supposed to shun pointless arguments, but on the other, he was to humbly engage and instruct. How are believers supposed to know when to engage and when to disengage?

Paul gave answers in the intervening verses. We disengage when we see that the conversation is pointless. When we enter profane and vain babblings, arguing within their framework, then we “increase unto more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:16). “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes” (2:23).

We engage, however, with those who oppose God’s truth, hoping that “God peradventure will give them repentance” (2:25b). We ready ourselves “for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2:21). Once spiritually prepared, “the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all” (2:24). Paul is concerned not only that believers “rightly [divide] the word of truth” (2:15) but also with the believer’s demeanor and behavior. Why would someone’s arguments be persuasive if their statements aren’t backed by godly character (see 1 Peter 3:15-16)?

Believers are to be “apt [skilled] to teach…in meekness” (our text). Meekness does not mean weakness but power under control. In the context of a conversation, meekness isn’t focused on winning an argument so much as reaching the other person with God’s truth. So, we avoid foolish babblings with some but instruct others skillfully and with meekness. BDT

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June 19, 2024
Habitual Joy
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4)

Does godly thankfulness characterize your heart? Sometimes apathy or complaining will creep into the believer’s soul, causing a spiritual brain fog that robs him of the rich joy of being redeemed. Peter’s words “blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” highlight and honor Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He is the believer’s source of all hope and joy because it is through Jesus that we can be saved from our sin.

In expressing joy in his salvation and future inheritance, Peter describes God’s “abundant [Greek polus] mercy” that has forgiven believers so they may be “begotton” (anagennesas), meaning “to cause to be born again.” God’s mercy meets our misery, and His grace meets our guilt. Because we can do nothing to merit such a magnanimous gift (Ephesians 2:8-9), godly and joyful thankfulness should be the natural consequence of recognizing the extent of this mercy and grace.

Peter also rejoices in the gift of “lively hope” that is given by the physical resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:49). “Lively,” also translated as “liveth” or “living” elsewhere, is used five times in 1 Peter (1:3, 23; 2:4-5; 4:5-6) and emphasizes the spiritual life available to us through our living Savior. The resurrected Christ is the foundation of hope for the believer in the inheritance to come—an assurance based solely on the reality of a risen Christ!

Believers have joy “through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:11). Are you exulting in the joy of your salvation? CCM

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June 20, 2024
Jesus Christ, Lord over Creation
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Colossians 1:15-16)

Darwin’s theory of evolution challenged the biblical account that our Lord Jesus Christ created all things, speaking everything into existence (Hebrews 11:1-3). Many Christians responded by trying to fit evolution into the Bible. This is done despite the fact that theistic selectionism—which believes God used natural selection as the driving force behind creatures’ amazing complexity—isn’t found anywhere in Scripture. Or science, for that matter.

During times of intellectual conflict, the Christian community tends to only focus on salvific points of the Christian faith. People justify this approach by saying “secondary issues” such as biblical creation are controversial and shouldn’t be addressed for the sake of Christian unity and getting along with more people.

But today’s church is starving for doctrinal precision. Compromising biblical creation weakens the church, debilitating its witness and impact. Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones wrote about the “essential nature” of biblical creation that “these early chapters of Genesis, with their history, play a vital part in the whole doctrine of salvation.”¹

As Christians, we shouldn’t compromise or be silent about the doctrine of creation. We can stand with certainty on the authority and authenticity of God’s Word and duly honor Jesus as the Creator and Lord of all. CCM

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June 23, 2024
Saints and the Universe
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19)

This verse says that the creation itself—galaxies, the earth, and everything therein—expects “the manifestation of the sons of God.” What binds the future of the sons of God to the future of the universe?

When Adam sinned, God cursed both mankind and the ground—the dirt from whence he came and the stuff of this universe (v. 20). However, just as we both suffer “slavery to corruption,” we have a common hope for deliverance (v. 21).

Prior verses in Romans 8 identify Christ-followers as “the children of God” (v. 16) who become “joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (v. 17). Christ already received His glorified body. While in that body, “he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9), and He “is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus is in heaven for now but promises to return! Upon Christ’s ascension, the angels said, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). After He returns with all His saints (Revelation 19), He will give His followers their own glorified bodies and will make a “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).

In this new universe God will “dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:3). So, “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22) as it and we together await our glorification. “Wherefore…hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). BDT

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July 20, 2024 Introducing God “And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.” (Jonah 1:9) How should believers introduce God to unbelievers? Scripture gives good examples, like the way Jonah defined his God to pagan idolaters onboard a storm-tossed ship. Jonah’s God, in magnificent and holy distinction from their gods, made the universe and all it contains. They soon observed that He is sovereign over all His creation, including the weather. Stopping the terrible storm required no effort from the Creator. They then “feared the LORD exceedingly” (Jonah 1:16). In that moment, the crew acknowledged what many idol-worshiping Israelites did not. Thus, Jeremiah had to reintroduce them to “the true God” by saying, “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens” (Jeremiah 10:10-11). In contrast, the living God “hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion” (v. 12). King David also encouraged God’s people to introduce God by crediting Him with creation. “Declare his glory among the heathen; his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens” (Psalm 96:3-5). And Paul famously introduced God as the Creator to pagan Gentiles in Acts 14:15 and 17:23-25. God introduces Himself to all who open to the first page of His Word as He who created the heavens and the earth. Do you know someone to whom you can introduce Jesus as Creator? BDT

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July 21, 2024
Supreme Joy in Sacrificial Service
“Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:17-18)

Paul’s entire letter is full of sincere expressions of great joy. In fact, joy is repeated seven times in Philippians, which is more than in any of his other epistles (1:4, 25; 2:2, 17, 18, 29; 4:1). In this context, the word rejoice (synchairo) means to “experience joy in conjunction with someone or something else” (Luke 15:6, 9; 1 Corinthians 13:6). Paul calls the Philippians and believers today to live out this joy.

How many of us really experience true joy as we live for Christ? Paul did. As a chained prisoner (Philippians 1:7, 12, 13; 2 Timothy 2:9), he was grateful to sacrificially serve his Lord and continued to tirelessly love all believers throughout the known world (Colossians 1:3, 9; 1 Thessalonians 3:10).

Sadly, the reason so many of us know so little about this kind of joy is because we are loathe to sacrificially serve God in little ways, much less in the ways Paul and his companions did (Philippians 1:1; 2:15, 19; 4:18). Let’s not forget the perfect example of joy and sacrifice modeled by the Creator and Savior of the universe, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-8).

Believer, what are you sacrificing in your loving service to Christ? What have you said “no” to in order to say “yes” to accomplishing God’s perfect will? Loving and serving God sacrificially will bring you true joy (Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 10:36). Such joy can only come through our Savior, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). CCM

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July 22, 2024
Whom Shall I Fear?
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

David had more than his share of opposition. His father and older brothers thought little of him. King Saul relentlessly pursued him. His generals oftentimes conspired against him. His own son tried to usurp his throne. If anyone had opportunity to trust God for deliverance, David did.

In this psalm—an anthem of trust—David reveals his special relationship with his God that buoyed him in times of trouble. As we read in our text, his Lord was his light, salvation, and strength, and so He is to us.

The Lord is my light. When we walk in His light, we do not stumble. Enemies are not able to hide in the dark and catch us by surprise. He vanquishes the darkness. “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me” (Micah 7:8; see also 1 John 1:5-7).

The Lord is my salvation. God delivers His children from physical and spiritual danger, including deliverance from the penalty of sin. “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake” (Psalm 79:9).

The Lord is the strength of my life. God is our defense, a place of refuge. “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psalm 18:2).

Even in the face of seemingly overwhelming opposition, we have no need to fear. Our focus should be on the source of deliverance rather than on the problem. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). JDM

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July 25, 2024
All the People
“And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD commanded to Israel.” (Nehemiah 8:1)

That was an amazing congregation there in the street of Jerusalem that came together that day just to hear Ezra read the Bible and explain its teachings. Nehemiah’s previous chapter had just enumerated over 42,000 people who had returned from Babylon to rebuild the city.

Even if “all the people” is not meant to be understood literally but representatively, this was still a very large assemblage. It even included all but the smallest children (Nehemiah 8:2), and they all stood up (!) throughout the reading and exposition (Nehemiah 8:5-7), from morning to noon (Nehemiah 8:3).

Presumably all they had was the Pentateuch (tradition says that Ezra, who was doing the reading, eventually compiled the rest of the books with it into the Old Testament canon), but this was enough, and “all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law” (Nehemiah 8:9). Ezra not only read the actual words but also “gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8). He further explained that, although they had been guilty in breaking God’s laws, they had been redeemed, and God was fulfilling all His gracious promises in restoring them to their land. Thus, they had joy as well as grief over their sins.

So should it be today. That is, when God’s Word is simply read and explained, that should be enough to generate both sadness and repentance over sin and also true joy in salvation. Then, as it was to the returning Jewish exiles long ago, “the joy of the LORD” becomes our “strength” for true worship and obedience (Nehemiah 8:10). HMM

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July 26, 2024
No Vision
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18)

The “vision” mentioned in this familiar verse is more than just a noble goal; it means a literal revelation from God to His people. It was first used in the sad testimony of 1 Samuel 3:1: “And the word of the LORD was precious [that is, ‘rare and costly’] in those days; there was no open vision.” This was just before the capture of the Ark by the Philistines and the death of the inept prophet Eli.

The word used for “perish” here means “exposed and helpless,” and the glory soon departed from Israel once they had forsaken God’s leadership (1 Samuel 4:21). Our own nation was also founded on God’s written Word (the modern equivalent of the divine “vision”), but the Word has now been almost forgotten, at least in our schools and other public institutions as well as in the daily lives of most of our people. Consequently, “the people” are indeed largely exposed and helpless before the attacks of the wicked one. The terrible warning of Psalm 9:17 hangs over our nation: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

There is an encouraging exhortation to the believer, however, even if he lives in an apostate nation: “He that keepeth the law, happy is he.” To keep the law means not merely to obey God’s commands, but more precisely, to guard His Word! Even if all around us are neglecting or even ridiculing and seeking to destroy the Scriptures, we must defend and obey and proclaim their eternal truth and authority. Even if this should entail opposition and persecution, God assures us that here is the way of blessing and true happiness. “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7). The people who lose God’s Word will perish, but “happy is that people, whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 144:15). HMM

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July 27, 2024
The Transforming Light of Salvation
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

In this text, Paul points us to the creation account in Genesis, underscoring salvation’s transformation of a newly converted soul. Genesis 1:1 reads, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” And don’t forget the second verse: “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” At this point, God’s world was formless and lifeless. But God spoke light into this blank canvas of darkness! Paul understands light’s creation as an instantaneous and supernatural action, comparing the miraculous light of conversion to this. The sinner remains in darkness and is lost until God commands, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). And Jesus, the Light of the world (John 8:12), transforms the dark soul, flooding it with spiritual light “of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (our text).

Note the historical correlation between creation and salvation in Paul’s parallel. It suggests that if one’s salvation is a real event—and it is—then the creation of light by God’s word should be considered a historical event as well. The same God who created all things is the One who died to redeem us from our sins and provide life with Him when we accept His salvation.

Have you been transformed by the miraculous light of our Lord Jesus Christ? If so, know that “the LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). CCM

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July 28, 2024
Ordinary Matters
“Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Ordinary isn’t a quality most people aspire to. Are you discontent with the daily grind of routine? Are you unsatisfied with being a member of an ordinary church, having an ordinary family, having ordinary friends, and working an ordinary job? Is there an epic accomplishment that you’re seeking, just waiting for God to give His stamp of approval? It’s hard to not be swayed by the sirens of worldly success.

But the Lord is pleased with the ordinary work of our hands. Ordinary doesn’t necessarily mean mediocre. In fact, Jesus lived His first 30 years in complete obscurity, faithful to His God, family, and friends, and increasing “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

God can and does bring His children to the fullness of Christ in the unexceptional things of life (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 4:13). We may not be famous or extraordinary, but it should be enough to know that God values and uses those living obedient and ordinary lives for His glory. “Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Our Lord challenges believers to transform the world by serving Him in both our critical and mundane roles. We need to hold ourselves close to Him in all the routines of life. A renewed appreciation for the ordinary life begins with loving our Lord Jesus Christ and expressing that love by obeying His commands found in Scripture. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). CCM

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July 29, 2024
The Self Life
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24)

This despondent cry follows Paul’s disturbing monologue on the inner strife between his two natures (Romans 7:13-24). Here the apostle describes the conflict that goes on in the life of every Christian until the self-life is completely subjugated and the will of Christ reigns supreme. The ascendancy of self is indicated in these verses by the fact that the personal pronouns “I,” “me,” and “my” are used no less than 35 times in verses 15-24 alone as Paul records his inner thoughts and feelings (e.g., “that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I”—v. 15). Such a testimony is pervaded with introspection, relating everything to self instead of to Christ. No wonder the conclusion is so miserable: “O wretched man that I am!”

Unfortunately, this is the status of most Christians whose interests are almost completely self-centered. Most Christian books and sermons are designed to appeal to such personal interests, and the explosive modern growth of Christian professional “counseling” likewise reflects the existence of multitudes of self-centered Christians.

But the happy and useful Christian is the one whose concerns and activities center around others and who earnestly seeks to follow and honor Christ and His Word. And this is exactly the conclusion to which the apostle Paul comes in his melancholy soliloquy. “Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” he cries. Immediately the answer comes: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25).

We do still have to battle the old nature, but in Christ we have both the incentive and power to “put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9) and to “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). HMM

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August 2, 2024 Jesus Christ Upon This Earth “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” (Job 19:25) Many decry the injustices of partisan political decisions, revealing our longing for a country with perfect government. Good news—Scripture promises just such a situation. The Lamb of God will reign on Earth one day. Abraham saw beyond God’s promises of earthly land (e.g., Genesis 15:18) and in faith “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). The Lord bids us to keep this future in mind as we pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). And the Bible specifies where God will place His capital. “Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem” (Zechariah 8:3). “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east” (Zechariah 14:4). “But I say to you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King” (Matthew 5:34-35). “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:2-3). May our disappointment with our governments’ flaws remind us to anticipate with joy the return of our King to the earth that is His. BDT

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August 3, 2024
The Heart Is Deceitful
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Just as in modern languages, ancient Hebrew used the term “heart” to mean the inward motivations that control a person’s words and deeds. According to the prophet Jeremiah, the spiritual heart is so innately wicked and deceptive that one cannot even understand his own heart—but God does!

One urgently needs a new heart, and God promises just that. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). “This is the covenant that I will make with them...saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts” (Hebrews 10:16).

The problem, of course, is heart attitude. In the third chapter of Hebrews, this is illustrated in terms of the attitudes of the children of Israel in the wilderness. First, their hearts had become hard hearts through their lack of gratitude, and three times the author warns us to “harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7). As a result, they soon acquired erring hearts. “They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways” (Hebrews 3:10). Finally, their hearts were evil hearts, and God would warn us through them. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

An evil heart is defined here, in effect, as an unbelieving heart. A heart that refuses to receive and believe the Word of God is a wicked heart, inevitably generating wicked ways and evil doings. But Christ will create a new heart for all who will believe on Him and confess Him as God and Savior. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness” (Romans 10:9-10). HMM

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August 11, 2024
The Four "I Wills" of Worship
“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” (Psalm 9:1-2)

Praising the great “I AM” is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The triumphs of the Redeemer ought to be the triumphs of the redeemed. These two verses shift the worshiper’s attention to the Giver of grace, whose “marvellous works” reflect His greatness. These four “I wills” demonstrate David’s desire to praise God with a sincere heart and emphasize his resolve to praise God publicly. Heartfelt gratitude and praise should always be on the lips of God’s redeemed.

“I will praise” is a Christian’s natural response to who God is and what He’s done for him. He praises God’s great name when he meditates on His unchanging attributes (Psalm 18:49; 22:22; 35:18; 43:4; 71:14; 145:2; 146:2).

“I will tell” of all God’s marvelous works is captured in one Hebrew word (pele'), used especially in reference to God’s redemptive miracles (Psalm 22:22; 66:16; 106:7, 22; 118:17; 145:6; Hebrews 2:12). Secular writings describe such works figuratively as ones that “take your breath away.”

“I will be glad and rejoice” and “I will sing praises” to the Almighty are repeated many times in the Psalms (7:17; 9:2; 30:12; 31:7; 57:9; 59:17; 71:22, 23; 92:1; 101:1; 108:3; 138:1; 144:9). And “O thou most High [elyon]” depicts God as the exalted ruler of His creation, always vindicating His children and judging the wicked (Psalm 47:2).

The believer purely worships God when he praises, speaks, rejoices, and sings to the Most High. How great you are, our Lord, and greatly to be praised (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19)! CCM

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August 29, 2024
Life's Uncertainties
“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)

Many times along life’s way we face uncertainties, opposition, and even doubt. When we do, it is helpful to recognize that those who lived with Christ when He was here on Earth faced the same perplexities. His answers and assurances to them in John 14 are meant for us as well.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” He said (John 14:1)—an emphatic command that could be rendered “Don’t continue to be troubled.” The solution: “Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” We believe God can supply all the answers to our troubles. But Christ is God! He is the solution. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (14:6) and is the only solution, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Him].”

He is the way. “In my Father’s house are many mansions....I go to prepare a place for you. And...I will come again, and receive you unto myself” (14:2-3). Whatever else may befall us, our destiny is sure. His reputation is at stake, for He has promised a place in the Father’s house.

He is the truth. Peter had just been informed of his coming denial (13:38), that he would openly assert a lie. Jesus said He is “the truth.” “The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but of the Father that dwelleth in me” (14:10). Words and thoughts not in accordance with His are not “truth,” we can be sure of that.

He is the life. Speaking of His imminent death, Christ said, “Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards” (13:36), indicating their own eventual persecution and martyrdom. Yet their ultimate victory, as well as comfort (14:16-18), were assured.

How can those things be? “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,” Christ said, “that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (14:13). JDM

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August 30, 2024
The Believer's Judgment
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

There is a terrible day of judgment coming for those who reject Christ, but for those who do believe the gospel and trust the Lord Jesus for salvation, “there is therefore now no condemnation [i.e., judgment]” (Romans 8:1). Yet, our text tells us that judgment actually begins with those who obey the gospel! This apparent contradiction vanishes when one realizes that it is merely for the purpose of preparing those who are already saved to serve Him in eternity.

When a believer sins, he should judge and confess that sin. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31), and God will forgive (1 John 1:9). If he does not, however, the next phase of judgment is the chastening of God. “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32). The classic passage on the believer’s chastening (Hebrews 12:5-11) concludes with the assurance that its purpose is to yield “the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

But when such chastening fails to work, the next judgment may even be physical death. “There is sin unto death” (1 John 5:16). “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5).

Finally, all Christians must “appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10), where “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). There, some “shall suffer loss.” Nevertheless, each person at this judgment “shall be saved” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15). But, as our text continues, “if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18). HMM

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September 15, 2024
Praise the Savior, Ye Who Know Him
“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15)

We possess a special place in God’s heart. Many uplifting hymns have been written over the centuries that can lead us into a deeper love for and greater understanding of our Savior. One such hymn, “Praise the Savior, Ye Who Know Him,” introduces many important concepts and reasons to praise.

Praise the Savior, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him
All we are and have.

Those who know the Savior are bidden to join together in praising Him. As Christians, we don’t just know Him as Savior; He calls us His friends. He identifies His friends by their obedience to His loving commands: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). He proves His friendship through His own sacrifice: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (v. 13). How could we ever repay Him? We cannot.

We can, however, praise Him for all that He is to us and has done for us. We have the privilege of declaring “with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell[ing] of all thy wondrous works” (Psalm 26:7), and “speak[ing] of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works” (Psalm 145:5). “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). JDM

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September 21, 2024
Melted Mountains
“For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.” (Deuteronomy 32:22)

Here in the Song of Moses we find a mention of the foundations of Earth’s mountains being set on fire. Micah picks up and expands on this theme, saying, “Hearken, O earth…the mountains shall be molten under him.…For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel” (Micah 1:2, 4-5). What does the Lord mean by describing such a terrifying scene?

If Earth’s mountains literally melt, then surely nothing would remain of this place. Such descriptions match others of judgment day. For example, Jesus said, “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world” (Matthew 13:40). But would the Lord burn up the whole world’s mountains merely for Israel’s sins?

Isaiah suggests an answer. He wrote, “Let the earth hear, and all that is therein.…For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations.…Their slain also shall be cast out; and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood” (Isaiah 34:1-3). Here the Lord melts mountains because of the wicked nations. God’s patience with both rebellious Jews and rebellious Gentiles will reach its limit.

“The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10), but the good news is that anyone can escape such judgment. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Jesus endured the heat of God’s wrath toward sinners so that anyone who trusts in Him can receive everlasting life. BDT

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September 22, 2024
In Christ, Believers Triumph
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

The word “triumph” is a military term for the parade-like celebration following a victory or successful campaign. It was the highest honor any Roman general and his troops could receive.

But there were prerequisites for receiving a triumph. The general had to be physically on the battlefield, and the military campaign must have furthered Rome’s worldwide reach. After meeting these requirements, the celebration could begin!

Imagine what this might have looked like. With mobs cheering and streets garlanded with flowers, the procession proudly marches to the capitol. Rome’s political leadership leads the way, and musicians and singers follow, heralding the coming entourage. Next, spoils are presented. The white bull comes for a sacrifice. The pagan priests then pass by, swinging censors with the sweet-smelling incense of victory. Walking with heads bowed, war captives are led before the screaming crowds. The exalted commanding general finally passes, clad in a purple tunic embroidered with gold and riding in a chariot drawn by four stately steeds. Even his relatives proudly parade after him. Finally, his soldiers march past, colored with the ribbons of victory and shouting in unison, “Triumph! Triumph! Triumph!”

Paul uses “triumph” again in Colossians 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is the conquering Commander. Believers will join His triumphal parade. No matter how hard life may be right now, believer, envision yourself proudly marching in the ranks of those who serve our sovereign Lord and reigning King. CCM

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October 20, 2024 Renewing of the Holy Spirit “...the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:5) The Holy Spirit’s eternal impacts on our lives (regeneration and renewal) are brought together in this text in a rather unique way. To begin with, the Greek words are unusual—“regeneration” being used only twice in the New Testament and “renewal” only five times in various forms. They come together only in this passage. “Regeneration” (paliggenesia) means to “birth again.” The connection to our salvation is well established and does not need much explanation here. “Renewal” (anakainosis) in its variations is a bit more difficult to describe—especially since there is the possible linguistic connection to the “washing” (bath) of regeneration. That is, the section could be translated “the Holy Spirit’s bath of regeneration and renewing”—thus equating the two terms. Most translations, however, treat the terms as separate actions or conditions for which the Holy Spirit is responsible. This fits best with the rest of the biblical data. Perhaps the most well-known passage focusing on renewal is Romans 12:1-2. In this precious reference, we are commanded to present (yield) our bodies as holy and acceptable living sacrifices. We are to refuse to be conformed to the world but to be transformed (metamorphoo = “permanent change”) by the renewing of our mind. The instrument by which the transformation comes about is the new mind (intellect)—a grace-gift imputed at salvation by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:16; Hebrews 10:16). This renewal takes place in the “inward man” (2 Corinthians 4:16), which “is renewed in knowledge” (Colossians 3:10) according to the image of the Creator. Thus, the renewal comes about intellectually, through the ministrations of the Holy Spirit, as we seek, study, store, and obey the magnificent Word of God. HMM III