… Rejoice always.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Trouble comes to us all, saved or unsaved. But people react differently.
We know that the same sun that bakes bricks melts butter. Adversity causes some people to become embittered and hardened, to become hateful toward God and man. Others it sweetens and softens and enriches.
The world finds it very, very strange that even in the midst of the most painful circumstances, there can be rejoicing. In fact, Paul tells us that we can be sorrowful and rejoice at the same time: "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10).
Regardless of the pain of the circumstances, there can be deep-seated joy. In the midst of an illness, at the very nadir of my experience, a time when I was in such pain that I absolutely did not know what to do and tears were coursing down my cheeks, I could honestly say to my wife, "I yet believe that God is good and will lift me up out of this."
What kind of problems have you had this past week? Did you face them like Paul, or like the world faces them? How do we deal with our problems? Faith comes from our realization that God is with us, whatever the problems we may face. When we face them, do we become better or do we become bitter?
Question to ponder:
Are you going through a difficult time? Can you find something to thank God for in the midst of your adversity?
Rejoice in All Circumstances
June 21, 2022 • 1 Thessalonians 5:16
The Second Mile
June 30, 2022 • Matthew 5:41
And whoever compels you to go a mile, go with him two. — Matthew 5:41 Centuries before Christ, Cyrus the Great was a mighty monarch of the Persian Empire, which stretched from one end to the other of the known inhabited world. He invented the first national postal system, probably because the decrees of the king of the Medes and the Persians were inviolable and could not be changed, so it was important that the people heard about it when the king made a decree. In the process of putting that huge postal service in place, Cyrus the Great issued a decree that the couriers could require any person to carry any burden on his person, his mule, his cart, a horse, in a ship or whatever, for one mile. After that, he could not impress or compel him any further. The Romans adopted this postal system, along with the custom of compelling a person to carry a burden for a mile. It was a very onerous thing for the Jews, who already detested the fact that they had to pay taxes to the despotic and tyrannical Roman conquerors. When Jesus said we should go a second mile, it was unthinkable to His Jewish hearers. It was unconscionable. Then they would have to walk two miles back—that's four miles. Does Jesus know what He is asking? Ah, yes, He knows. Jesus not only taught it by precept, he taught it by example. It is one of the most difficult things anyone will ever learn to do. It is the art of true Christian forgiveness carried through to the end. Question to ponder: How can you apply the second mile principle in your life today—showing kindness to someone who may not deserve it?
God and the Arts
June 29, 2022 • Psalm 27:4
One thing I have asked from the LORD … to see the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. — Psalm 27:4 Christianity has been a great patron of the arts—from paintings to music to the great cathedrals. Now there are those who have supposed that the second commandment against graven images forbids the use of visual arts altogether. However, God also gave all of the instructions for the building of the tabernacle, and in that tabernacle were all manner of visual arts. On the veil that separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies there were flowers and pomegranates and palm trees and many other things. Note what it says about the high priest's clothing: "And you shall make holy garments for your brother Aaron, for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2). God is a God of beauty. He changed the chaos into the cosmos—a thing of beauty. The very word means order and beauty. Cosmetology is the practice of beautifying the face. God is the great artist who beautifies His creation, giving us the magnificent sunsets He paints for us every evening. He gives us the glory of the budding flowers and the beautiful trees and plants that we all enjoy. God is not opposed to art. He is the Great Artist. What God forbade was idolatry, the worship of an idol or even of the true God through an idol. Question to ponder: What place does art play in your life in general and in your spiritual life particularly?
Available for God
June 28, 2022 • Deuteronomy 33:25
… according to your days, so shall be your strength. — Deuteronomy 33:25 What is the greatest ability we can have when it comes to serving God? Is it the ability to preach great sermons and lead thousands to Christ? Is it the ability to cross the ocean and serve in some great missionary enterprise? Is it the ability to stay home and rear children in the Christian faith? All of these things are important and have their place. I believe, however, that the greatest ability that the Christian needs is availability. Are you available to God? Are you available to Him today and each day to use you? When we make ourselves available to God, He equips us for every good work He wants us to do. He gives us the strength to accomplish that which He has set before us. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 NKJV). Someone recommended taking that verse and repeating and emphasizing separately each succeeding word. "I can do all things through Christ," not merely the apostles, or the martyrs or super saints, but "I can do all things through Christ." That is a promise to you. Do you believe it? "I can do all things … I can do all things." I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Question to ponder: If you knew you couldn't fail—because God was in it—what great thing would you attempt for His glory and others' good?