GOD LOOMS LARGER

God Looms Larger

You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.

1 Samuel 17:45

READ 1 SAMUEL 17:41–50

Giles Kelmanson, a South African game ranger, described the incredible scene: two honey badgers battling a pride of six lions. Although outnumbered, the honey badgers refused to back down from ferocious predators ten times their size. The lions thought the kill would be simple, but video footage shows the badgers walking away with something like a swagger.

David and Goliath offer an even more improbable story. Young, inexperienced David confronted the fierce Philistine Goliath. Towering above his young combatant, Goliath possessed brute strength and unrivaled weaponry—bronze armor and a lethal, razor-edged javelin (1 Samuel 17:5-6). David, a fledgling shepherd, carried only a slingshot when he arrived at the battlefield with bread and cheeses for his brothers (vv. 17-18).

Goliath challenged Israel to engage in battle, but no one was willing to fight. King Saul and “all the Israelites were . . . terrified” (v. 11). Imagine the shock when David stepped into the fray. What gave him the courage none of Israel’s hardened warriors possessed? For most, Goliath dominated their vision. David, however, saw God. “The Lord will deliver [Goliath] into my hands,” he insisted (v. 46). While everyone else believed Goliath controlled the story, he believed God loomed larger. And, with a single stone to the giant’s forehead, David’s faith proved true.

We’re tempted to believe that “Goliath” (our troubles) directs the story. God is larger, however. He dominates the story of our lives.

By Winn Collier

REFLECT & PRAY

What concerns threaten to overwhelm you these days? How does God’s reality, the fact that He’s larger, transform your perspective?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The Philistines played a large part in Israelite history. Both Abraham and Isaac made treaties with Philistine kings (see Genesis 21 and 26). They oppressed the Israelites in the promised land and Samson delivered them (Judges 13-16). It was David’s defeat of Goliath (1 Samuel 17) that began the final delivery of Israel from Philistine oppression. J.R. Hudberg

FAITHFULNESS IN EVERYTHING

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

FAITHFULNESS IN EVERYTHING

READ:  Colossians 3:12-17

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name

of the Lord Jesus.  Colossians 3:17

In August 2007, a major bridge in Minneapolis collapsed into the Mississippi River, killing thirteen people.  In the weeks that followed, it was difficult for me not to think about that tragedy whenever crossing a bridge over a body of water.

Some time later, I was watching an episode of Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel.  Host Mike Rowe was talking to an industrial painter whose work he was trying to duplicate.  “There’s really no glory in what you do,” he said.  “No,” the painter agreed, “but it’s a job that needs to be done.”

You see, that man paints the inside of the Mackinac Bridge towers in Northern Michigan.  His unnoticed job is done to ensure that the steel of the magnificent suspended structure won’t rust from the inside out, compromising the integrity of the bridge.  Most of the twelve thousand people who cross the Straits of Mackinac each day aren’t even aware that they are depending on workers like this painter to faithfully do their jobs well.

God also sees our faithfulness in the things we do.  Though we may think our deeds-big and small-sometimes go unnoticed, they are being observed by the One who matters most.  Whatever our task today, let’s “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).    CHR

Whatever task you find to do,

Regardless if it’s big or small,

Perform it well, with all our might,

Because there’s One who sees it all. -Sper

Daily work takes on eternal value when it is done for God.

STARTING NOW

Starting Now

Love each other deeply.

1 Peter 4:8

READ 1 PETER 4:7–11

When my oldest sister’s biopsy revealed cancer in late February 2017, I remarked to friends, “I need to spend as much time with Carolyn as possible—starting now.” Some told me my feelings were an overreaction to the news. But she died within ten months. And even though I had spent hours with her, when we love someone there’s never enough time for our hearts to love enough.

The apostle Peter called Jesus’s followers in the early church to “love each other deeply” (1 Peter 4:8). They were suffering under persecution and needed the love of their brothers and sisters in their Christian community more than ever. Because God had poured His own love into their hearts, they would then want to love others in return. Their love would be expressed through praying, offering gracious hospitality, and gentle and truthful conversation—all in the strength God provided (vv. 9-11). Through His grace, God had gifted them to sacrificially serve each other for His good purposes. So that “in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (v. 11). This is God’s powerful plan that accomplishes His will through us.

We need others and they need us. Let’s use whatever time or resources we have received from God to love—starting now.

By Anne Cetas

REFLECT & PRAY

There is nothing small in the service of God. Francis de Sales

How have others loved you well? What have you received from God that you might use to serve someone today?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Peter’s letter is intriguing in part because of its intended audience. First Peter 1:1 says he was writing to “exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.” These were the five Roman provinces of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). This is interesting because Peter’s ministry was primarily to the Jews, and Paul was the apostle to the gentiles (Galatians 2:9). As such, much of Paul’s missionary activity took the gospel to the very places to which Peter now wrote. These same regions of Asia Minor had previously received a letter from Paul (Galatians 1:1-2). This shows that, although having distinct missions, Paul and Peter had a shared concern for the churches of Galatia, perhaps because the largely gentile congregations there had been infused with Jewish exiles who had fled Jerusalem—forming truly multi-ethnic churches.

To learn more about how geography affects our understanding of the Bible visit christianuniversity.org/NT110. Bill Crowder

IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER

READ:  Acts 18:9-11

Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:20

When Jesus sent His disciples out, He gave them this promise:  “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).  Literally, the word always means “all the days,” according to Greek scholars Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown.

Jesus didn’t simply say, “always,” but “all the days.”  That takes into account all our various activities, the good and bad circumstances surrounding us, the varied responsibilities we have through the course of our days, the storm clouds and the sunshine.

Our Lord is present with us no matter what each day brings.  It may be a day of joy or of sadness, of sickness or of health, of success or of failure.  No matter what happens to us today, our Lord is walking beside us, strengthening us, loving us, filling us with faith, hope, and love.  As He envelops us with quiet serenity and security, our foes, fears, afflictions, and doubts begin to recede.  We can bear up in any setting and circumstance because we know the Lord is at hand, just as He told Paul in Acts 18:10, “I am with you.”

Practice God’s presence, stopping in the midst of your busy day to say to yourself, “The Lord is here.” and pray that you will see Him who is invisible-and see Him everywhere.  DHR

God’s unseen presence comforts me,

I know He’s always near;

And when life’s storms besiege my soul,

He says, “My child, I’m here.” -DJD

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call

upon Him while He is near. -Isaiah 55:6

PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH

Practicing What We Preach

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.

1 John 2:9

READ 1 JOHN 2:7–11

Pastor and writer Eugene Peterson had the opportunity to hear a lecture by Swiss physician and highly respected pastoral counselor Paul Tournier. Peterson had read the doctor’s works, and admired his approach to healing. The lecture left a deep impression on Peterson. As he listened, he had the feeling that Tournier lived what he spoke and spoke what he lived. Peterson chose this word to describe his experience: “Congruence. It is the best word I can come up with.”

Congruence—it’s what some refer to as “practicing what you preach” or “walking your talk.” The apostle John stresses that if any of us “claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister,” then we’re “still in the darkness” (1 John 2:9). In essence, our lives and our words simply don’t match up. John goes further to say such people “do not know where they are going” (v. 11). The word he chose to describe how incongruence leaves us? Blind.

Living closely aligned to God by allowing the light of His Word to illuminate our paths keeps us from living blind. The result is a godly vision that gives clarity and focus to our days—our words and actions match up. When others observe this, the impression is not necessarily that of someone who knows everywhere they’re going, but of someone who clearly knows who they’re following.

By John Blase

REFLECT & PRAY

Jesus, I want my words and actions to match up. There are times I fall short, but my desire is to grow more consistent each day. Help me, please, so that everyone listening and watching my life will be drawn to You.

In what ways does the word congruence describe you? How can you grow to live a more consistent life?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Part of John’s purpose in 1 John is to address those who were stirring up controversy in the Christian community. The exact situation is uncertain, but John confronts it by urging the church to assess whether a person confesses the truth about Christ in both words and lifestyle (3:7-9). And the primary way to assess someone’s way of life is whether or not their life is filled with Christlike love (v. 10).

In the Bible “hatred” and “love” are not seen as primarily referring to an emotional reaction to someone or something, but to an attitude reflected in actions. John teaches that true love is sacrificial like Christ’s (vv. 16-18). Living with Christ’s love is possible because we live “in him” (2:5-6). Through the Spirit, Christ’s power and light shines in believers, filling them with His self-giving love (vv. 8-10). Monica Brands

GOD'S MYSTERIOUS PROMISE TO DAVID

GOD’S MYSTERIOUS PROMISE TO DAVID

https://mannsword.blogspot.com/2019/07/gods-mysterious-promise-to-david.html

For more great blogs as this one go to Daniel’s blog site at:  www.Mannsword.blogspot.com.

You’ve probably heard about the principle that “Scripture interprets Scripture.” This means that in order to interpret any single verse correctly, we need the rest of the Scriptures to shed light on it. Here is a simple example – “Thou shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13). However, if you try to interpret this verse alone without the commentary of the rest of the Bible, you might wrongly conclude that the Bible is teaching pacifism or is against capital punishment. However, an overall knowledge of the Scriptures provides us with a fuller picture, which includes the nuances and exceptions. We need these to correctly interpret “Thou shall not kill.”

Some Bible teachings are more challenging. Let’s look at the Davidic Covenant, the promise that God had made to King David. David had been planning to build a temple for his God. However, God informed David, through the Prophet Nathan, that his offspring would build the temple”

∑       “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-16)

However, this prophecy is puzzling. It seems to point to the fact that David’s son Solomon would both build the Jerusalem Temple, which he did, and also an everlasting kingdom. Instead, we find that after the passing of Solomon, Israel had been divided in two. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed by Assyria, 721 BC and the Southern Kingdom was utterly destroyed by Babylonia in 586 BC, ending the reign of the Davidic Kings, seemingly contradicting God’s promise to David (see Psalm 89).

How do we resolve this paradox? By comparing Scripture with Scripture! While it might seem that God’s promise to David had been unconditional, David and Solomon didn’t understand it in this way. Instead, they understood that the promise depended upon the obedience of the Davidic Kings, especially Solomon’s obedience:

∑       [God] “said to me [David], ‘It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. I will establish his kingdom forever IF he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today’… And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but IF you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. (1 Chronicles 28:6-9; 1 Kings 2:4; Psalm 132:11)

King Solomon also understood that God’s promise about him and the future Davidic Kings depended upon their obedience:

∑       “Now therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father what you have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, IF only your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.’” (1 Kings 8:25)

However, the Davidic Kings were not obedient and the Kingdom of Judah was destroyed. Was this the end of God’s promise to David about his offspring establishing an everlasting kingdom? The archangel Gabriel assured Mary that God would fulfill His promise through her:

∑       He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:29-31)

Do the Hebrew Scriptures acknowledge that the promise to David also contained some unconditional aspects? Amos had even prophesied the destruction of the Davidic Kingdom of Judah but also its resurgence:

∑       “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the LORD who does this. (Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:16)

God’s promise to David remained in place. Isaiah prophesied about a coming Davidic King:

∑       “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7; 11)

In the wake of the devastation of Jerusalem and Judah, Jeremiah prophesied about a Messianic Branch from the lineage of David, proving that God’s promise to David would yet be fulfilled:

∑       “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD [“Yahweh”] is our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

Against all expectations, this divine Branch would become our gift of righteousness.

Long after the destruction of Judah, when it seemed that there was little possibility for the fulfillment of God’s promise to David, Zechariah prophesied about the coming of a Branch from the lineage of David, who would be the Source of forgiveness “of this land in a single day”:

∑       Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. (Zechariah 3:8-9)

The Branch of David would also be a Priest and King:

∑       And say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD. It is he who shall build the temple of the LORD and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’ (Zechariah 6:12-13; Psalm 110)

The Branch would also “build the temple of the Lord,” but which temple? The physical temple had just been completed under of oversight of the Prophet Zechariah. Perhaps, we are given a secret portrait of the incarnated Christ living among us in His Messianic Kingdom (Ezekiel 37:26-27, John 2:18-19)

TO CONCLUDE – Prophecy can be challenging. It can give us two perspectives separated by thousands of years (Genesis 12:1-3). It can present elements that depend upon our human obedience and others that do not. While the Davidic Kings had to be faithful, but were not, One Davidic King would, through His faithfulness, succeed in establishing an Everlasting Kingdom where the others could not. This is one reason why the Apostle Paul wrote:

∑       For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

THUNDERSTORM THOUGHTS

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

THUNDERSTORM THOUGHTS

READ:  Matthew 8:23-27

The God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:9

I laugh every time I hear the radio commercial that has a woman shouting to her friend in conversation.  She’s trying to talk above the sounds of the thunderstorm in her own head.  Ever since a storm damaged part of her home, that’s all she hears because her insurance company isn’t taking care of her claims.

I’ve heard thunderstorms in my head, and maybe you have too.  It happens when a tragedy occurs-to us, to someone close to us, or to someone we hear about in the news.  Our minds become a tempest of “what if” questions.  We focus on all the possible and outcomes.  Our fear, worry, and trust in God fluctuate as we wait, we pray, we grieve, and we wonder what the Lord will do.

It’s natural for us to be fearful in a storm (literal or figurative).  The disciples had Jesus right there in the boat with them, yet they were afraid (Matthew 8:23-27).  He used the calming of the storm as a lesson to show them who He was-a powerful God who also cares for them.

We wish that Jesus would always calm the storms of our life as He calmed the storm for the disciples that day.  But we can find moments of peace when we’re anchored to the truth that He’s in the boat with us and He cares.   AC

Fierce drives the storm, but wind and waves

Within His hand are held,

And trusting His omnipotence

My fears are sweetly quelled. -Brown

To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the stress 

of the storm.