God Promises Protection “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” —Hebrews 13:5, NKJV Never doubt that you are in the midst of a battle—a spiritual battle with Satan, who will do everything he can to discourage and defeat you. Never underestimate his determination or misunderstand his intentions. God wants to teach us how to defend ourselves against sin and Satan. Satan, the ultimate bully, attacks us at our weakest points and wants to defeat us so that we will not be effective for God. God offers spiritual “training” to build us up inside in much the same way that physical exercise can build us up on the outside. He has also provided all the resources we need to defend ourselves and keep Satan at bay. These include the Bible, prayer, faith, righteous living, and the Holy Spirit within us. But, like physical training, we must be diligent in their application. God has not promised to shield us from trouble, but He has promised to protect us in the midst of trouble. Most of all, never forget that because of Christ’s death and resurrection, Satan is already a defeated foe—and someday the war will be over. Hope for Today Satan loves to be underestimated. He would love for believers to view him as a harmless cartoon character. Scripture paints a very different picture. We must be on guard for the enemy who seeks to devour.
Alone “He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him.” Mark 3:13 NASB It was an important time in Jesus’ ministry. Multitudes followed Him. Many were healed. Others were delivered from unclean spirits. In this busy time, Jesus was conscious of His need for solitude. After this, He selected a special group to be His primary disciples. These were matters that required discernment and clarity. Here, for the first time in Mark’s Gospel, we see Jesus going to a mountain, where He could make important decisions. Jesus would return to the mountains on many occasions. We see how these mountains were special places where He could be alone with the Father. It was on a high mountain that Jesus was transfigured (Matthew 17:2). And it was on the Mount of Olives where Jesus delivered an important message just before His ascension. Jesus also used mountains as analogies to convey spiritual truths. Illustrating the principle of faith, Jesus said that if you speak to a mountain, believing and without doubt that it will move, “It will be granted [you]” (Mark 11:23). Mountains can be symbolic places for the followers of Jesus. These represent places of pilgrimage, places dedicated to prayer and study, and places where we can be more sensitive to God’s presence. Look for opportunities to spend time with God, freed from distractions. Pray, study, seek His help for the decisions you must make, and spend time alone with Him. Reflection Question: How can you make room in your schedule for time with your Father?
Crucified With Christ “Be imitators of God as dear children.” —Ephesians 5:1, NKJV The story is told of a man who glanced at the obituary column in his local newspaper. To his surprise he saw his own name, indicating that he had just died. At first he laughed about it. But soon the telephone began to ring. Stunned friends and acquaintances called to inquire and to offer their sympathy. Finally, in irritation, he called the newspaper editor and angrily reported that even though he had been reported dead in the obituary column, he was very much alive. The editor was apologetic and embarrassed. Then in a flash of inspiration, he said, “Don’t worry, sir, I’ll make it all right; tomorrow I’ll put your name in the births column.” This may sound like merely a humorous incident, but it is also a spiritual parable. Not until we have allowed our old selves to be nailed to the Cross and to die can our new selves be born again and emerge to grow up into the likeness of Christ. The Bible is marvelously true: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. . . . Therefore be imitators of God as dear children” (Ephesians 2:1; 5:1). Hope for Today As children of God, we can both obey His commands and copy His behavior, knowing we have been raised to imitate our heavenly Father.
Simple Truth “I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. But I fear that somehow your pure and simple devotion to Christ will be corrupted.” 2 Corinthians 11:2–3 NLT Although he lived long ago, William of Ockham developed a principle that still is effective. An influential religious leader and scholar in fourteenth-century England, he is most remembered for Ockham’s razor theory, a principle stating that it is pointless to do with more what can be done with less. This principle has been applied as a reminder of the benefits of simple solutions. For example, William would argue that when two theories might work, the simpler one should be preferred. This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. Paul taught the Corinthians that there are forces in the world that seek to complicate our lives. People (and Satan) can seek to disrupt our faith, confuse us, and distract us with clever-sounding ideas. For example, Paul noted how Eve had been given everything she needed for success. She just needed to obey God. Instead, she was deceived by the serpent, who confused her with suggestions that led her to stray from God’s truth. Seek to stay on guard against temptations that might lead you away from “your pure and simple devotion to Christ.” Spend time reading God’s Word and learning to recognize His truth. Don’t be deceived by false doctrines, complicated teachings, or people who might try to deceive you. Trust your life to Jesus, obey God’s Word, and seek to serve Him with your life. It is that simple. Reflection Question: How do you tend to complicate the Christian life?
Am the Truth “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” —John 8:32, NKJV Many today say there is no such thing as absolute truth. From philosophers to pop musicians, the word goes out that “truth” is only what you want it to be, and what is “true” for you isn’t necessarily “true” for anyone else. But Jesus Christ is absolute truth. Dozens of times He declares, “I tell you the truth.” In one of His boldest and most uncompromising statements He affirmed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The writer of the gospel of John stated, “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). James said that God “chose to give us birth through the word of truth” (James 1:18, NIV). Do not be misled by the moral and spiritual relativity of our age. God has revealed His truth to us—in His written Word, the Bible, and in the living Word, Jesus Christ. And because Jesus is absolute truth, you can depend on Him absolutely! Hope for Today There have been those who have attempted to rewrite history books. Scientific theories have been proven false. Scripture has stood the test of time; there is comfort in knowing that generations have turned to the same truths found within its pages.
Your Heart “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV David seemed to lack the qualifications needed to be a king. Not even his father, Jesse, thought he was worthy of consideration. He was young and inexperienced. Yet, to God he was perfectly equipped and prepared. Why? Because God was looking at his heart. David could have been unsettled by his critics. But he was willing to trust God in every situation. He realized His principles always applied. At a time when others were timid or afraid, David had faith and was willing to trust God. Of all the people in the kingdom, David was most ready to be king. Others may have been intimidated by the giant Goliath, but David trusted God and knew that He would give him victory. David had learned key biblical principles when he was a shepherd. They worked whether he faced an army, a giant, or a wild animal. He simply applied what he learned and trusted God. The Bible reminds us of the importance of having the right attitude in the sight of God. This was central to David’s success. He was willing and humble. He trusted God and applied the insights he had been given. Most of all, God’s anointing was on him, and he was blessed and called by Him. Today, trust God to help you in every situation you face. Don’t be afraid or intimidated. Have faith and believe. Remember, God is looking at your heart. Reflection Question: Check your current heart attitude.
Peacemakers “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” —Matthew 5:9, NKJV To have peace with God and to have the peace of God in our hearts is not enough. This vertical relationship must have a horizontal outworking, or our faith is in vain. Jesus said that we were to love the Lord with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves. This dual love for God and others is like the positive and negative poles of a battery—unless both connections are made, we have no power. A personal faith is normally useless unless it has a social application. (A notable exception would seem to be the thief on the cross, who repented only moments before his death—and yet countless people have been touched over the centuries by his example of faith.) If we have peace with God and the peace of God, we will become peacemakers. We will not only strive to be at peace with our neighbors, but we will be leading them to discover the source of true peace in Christ. Is the peace of Christ in your life overflowing to others? Hope for Today What would it look like to have the peace of Christ in your life? Perhaps you would choose grace instead of the grudge you’ve been holding. Do an honest evaluation and seek peace in every area of your life.
The Grip of Sin “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:13–14 NKJV While reading these verses, St. Augustine had a life-changing experience. Born in northern Africa, Augustine learned about Christianity from his mother. But as a young man, he embraced other religions. Eventually he returned to Christianity, yet he continued to accept worldly standards, even living with a common-law wife. But concerned about sin, he studied Romans 13. He discovered that this passage led him to probe “the hidden depths of [his] soul.” He asked God to change his life and “a great storm broke within me, bringing with it a great deluge of tears.” He realized he was still enslaved by sin. God answered his prayers. “In an instant, it was as though the light of faith flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.” He found forgiveness, freedom, and cleansing and devoted the rest of his life to serving God and writing two of the most important books in Christian history Confessions and City of God. Augustine learned how firmly sin can grip our lives, even if we are Christians. The pleasures and attraction of sin can seem overwhelming. But sin has a price. We cannot know freedom while sin rules our hearts and minds. Today, realize that sin in any form can make you a slave. Ask God to reveal if any sins have taken hold of you, whether it is obvious or subtle, open or hidden. Let Jesus set you free. Reflection Question: Write a confession of specific sins.
A Thirst for Righteousness “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” —Matthew 5:6, NKJV God is the only source of true happiness, because He offers those intangibles that we mistakenly believe can be found on earth: contentment, security, peace, and hope for the future. None of these can be found in a job, a human relationship, money, power, or position. They are God’s alone to give. How hard it is for us to believe this, however! This is understandable if we haven’t given our lives to Christ; then, the Bible says, our spiritual “eyes” are still blinded, unable to see God’s truth until the Holy Spirit opens them. But it can happen to us as believers also—falling into the pattern of the world, vainly pursuing happiness in the same ways the world does. That is why the Lord Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, told where ultimate happiness lies: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” This is God’s promise—and it is true. Riches . . . or righteousness? Which will be your goal? Hope for Today It’s a hard lesson to learn: the world always delivers less than it promises. God, on the other hand, has never failed to keep His Word. Seek righteousness and discover the blessed life.
How Much Prayer? “One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.” Luke 6:12–13 NLT Jesus had an important decision to make: Who would be His apostles? He knew the candidates and had spent time with them. We might assume He had enough information to make His choices. But Jesus did not decide until He had prayed. He did not just pray a short prayer. He spent all night praying to God! And He prayed until He had the answer He needed. How many Christians make this kind of commitment to prayer? We may pray when we have decisions to make, but how intense is that prayer? How much do we pray? A few minutes? A few seconds? Right now, search your heart and think about the issues that you face. Are you basing your decision on your own experience and understanding, or the opinions of people around you? Have you truly sought God about these matters? He is ready to give you His wisdom and guide you to make the right choices. Call on Him and seek Him through dedicated prayer. The Bible reminds us to trust in the Lord and not depend on our own understanding. As we seek His will in all we do, we are to be confident that He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5–6). Seek God’s will and wisdom. Commit time to prayer. Seek God until you have the answers you need, however long it takes. He is ready to help you and give you His wisdom. Reflection Question: Do you need to allocate more time for prayer?
God Feels What We Feel “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.” —Lamentations 3:22, NKJV When I was a small boy, I thought of God as an old man with a long white beard. After all, hadn’t Michelangelo and other artists painted Him that way? Perhaps in my childish mind I thought He resembled an old man in other ways also—somewhat feeble and harmless, not quite in touch with me and my problems. Later, as I read the Bible, I realized that God is a spirit. He does not have a body, nor is He confined to one place (as a physical being would be). At the same time, He has the attributes of a person: He thinks, He speaks, He communicates, He loves, He becomes angry, He grieves. Because God is a person, He feels what we feel. No matter what we face, He understands what we are going through. He even understands our temptations, for Christ “has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet . . . without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV). And that is why you can bring anything—anything—to Him in prayer, confident that He will understand. Hope for Today Do you feel like no one understands your pain, comprehends your loss, or knows the temptations you battle? God sent His Son to earth, wrapped in human flesh, to identify with the suffering of human nature. Trust Him to help you overcome the battles you encounter.
Filled with Praises “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 John Wilbur Chapman spent much of his life as a pastor and evangelist, but he also wrote many hymns. One of his most inspired moments occurred when he described the praise in his heart because of what Jesus had done. He recalled how Heaven was filled with His praises and when “sin was as black as could be.” In that dark time, Jesus “came forth to be born of a virgin.” He dwelled among people and became our example. Chapman expressed the many ways Jesus changed his life: “Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me; buried He carried my sins far away; rising, He justified freely forever; one day He’s coming—Oh, glorious day!” Chapman recalled how Jesus was led up Calvary and nailed on the tree. Jesus bore our sins and became our Redeemer. “The grave could conceal Him no longer.” He arose, conquered death, and “now is ascended, my Lord evermore!” But Chapman knew that Jesus was coming again. “One day the trumpet will sound for His coming.” It will be a day when the skies shine with His glories. This will be a wonderful day. This same Jesus is yours. He died for your sins. He rose again, so you can have eternal life. And He’s coming again for you! Praise Him. Worship Him with your time, talents, and treasures. Commit your life to this wonderful Savior. He is worthy of all praise! Reflection Question: Describe how you feel about one day being in Heaven with Jesus.
The Day Is at Hand “Put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:12 I once read about a sundial on which was inscribed the cryptic message, “It is later than you think.” Travelers would often pause to meditate on the meaning of that phrase. Its author undoubtedly wanted to remind others of the shortness and uncertainty of life. We Christians have a sundial—the Word of God. From Genesis to Revelation it bears its warning: “It is later than you think.” Writing to the Christians of his day, Paul said, “It is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11–12, NASB). Learn to live each day as if it were your last. Someday it will be. Hope for Today Think about the last twenty-four hours. Did you love your neighbor well? Seek peace? Make disciples? Would you consider the hours well spent if they were your last before meeting Christ face to face?
Delighting “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.” Psalm 1:1–2 NLT Think about this truth: God has prepared unimaginable joys for us! For you! He wants to bless every part of your life, so you can have “overwhelming victory through Christ” (Romans 8:37). How do we experience these blessings? One clear way is by putting into practice insights from the first psalm. The starting point is being filled with God’s Word and putting it into practice. This pattern leads to a life that is fruitful and productive. We see how blessings flow into our lives with every need supplied in abundance. We can stay stable and strong when our roots run deep into the soil of God’s Word. The Bible pictures us as being “like trees planted along the riverbank” (v. 3). We don’t need to rush or worry for His nourishment by this constant stream that provides all we need. We can rest, be confident, and have His peace, knowing that we will prosper in everything we do. But these blessings can be blocked. How? If we join with mockers, listen to sinners, or follow the advice of the wicked. The ungodly are not stable but are like “the worthless chaff, scattered by the wind” (v. 4). They will be “condemned at the time of judgment” (v. 5). Today, believe God. Expect to receive His blessings. Stay rooted and grounded in Him. Always trust Him and delight in His Word. Avoid the path of the ungodly. Reflection Question: Where have you planted your roots?
A Glorious Grandstand “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight.” Hebrews 12:1 If the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10), then the angelic hosts are numbered among the spectators in the heavenly grandstands. They are included among those who are referred to as “so great a cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1); and they never miss any of the details of our earthly pilgrimage. Nor does our God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—overlook what goes on here. As the Bible says, “All things are . . . open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). In his book Though I Walk Through the Valley, Dr. Vance Havner told of an old preacher who worked into the night on a sermon for his small congregation. His wife inquired why he spent so much time on a message he would give to so few. To this the minister replied, “You forget, my dear, how large my audience will be!” Dr. Havner added, “Nothing is trivial here if heaven looks on. We shall play a better game if, ‘seeing we are encompassed,’ we remember who is in the grandstand!” ” Hope for Today Nothing about our lives is trivial when God Himself looks on. No activity is too mundane for the heavenly host to observe. How would you go about your daily tasks if you believed this to be true?
