September 7, 2012

"For My Holy Name" (9/7)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ezekiel 35-37.

After punishing the people for their sins, God revealed to Ezekiel that He was going to restore them to their land. But it is important to notice why God was going to restore them.

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land”‘” (Ezekiel 36:22-24).

God wanted the people of Israel to clearly understand the reason why He was restoring them to their land. It was not because of them and what great works they had accomplished. Rather, it was because of God and His desire that His name not be profaned among the nations.
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September 2, 2012

"I Acted for the Sake of My Name" (9/2)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ezekiel 20-21.

In Ezekiel 20, the Lord presents a summary of the history between Him and the people of Israel.

“And say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “On the day when I chose Israel and swore to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am the Lord your God, on that day I swore to them, to bring them out from the land of Egypt into a land that I had selected for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all the lands. I said to them, ‘Cast away, each of you, the detestable things of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt, I am the Lord your God,’ But they rebelled against Me and were not willing to listen to Me; they did not cast away the detestable things of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath on them, to accomplish My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. So I took them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness“‘” (Ezekiel 20:5-10).

This pattern is repeated throughout the history of God’s people. It shows how God extends His grace to man.
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August 23, 2012

"The Lord Has Opened His Armory" (8/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Jeremiah 49-50.

“‘How the hammer of the whole earth has been cut off and broken! How Babylon has become an object of horror among the nations! I set a snare for you and you were also caught, O Babylon, while you  yourself were not aware; you have been found and also seized because you have engaged in conflict against the Lord.’

“The Lord has opened His armory and has brought forth the weapons of His indignation, for it is a work of the Lord God of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans. Come to her from the farthest border; open up her barns, pile her up like heaps and utterly destroy her, let nothing be left to her. Put all her young bulls to the sword; let them go down to the slaughter! Woe be upon them, for their day has come, the time of their punishment” (Jeremiah 50:23-27).

There are several important lessons we can learn from the prophecy against Babylon:
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August 9, 2012

“I Alone Am Left”

Elijah at Horeb

After contending with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and proving to the people the power of God, Elijah was forced to flee from the wrath of Jezebel. He then spoke to the Lord at Horeb about what was troubling him.

“Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away’” (1 Kings 19:9-10).

Elijah had just been a part of a decisive victory for the Lord over Baal on Mount Carmel. But despite this, he was in such a depressed state that he wished the Lord would take his life (1 Kings 19:4). He was focusing on the challenges, hardships, and persecution before him, while being convinced that there was no one else who was of like-mind striving to serve the Lord.

As Christians, we may also feel isolated from others and, as a result, face what seems to be a daunting task of enduring the hardships that will come for servants of God (2 Timothy 3:12) without aid, comfort, or encouragement from others. We may feel as though we are alone in standing for the truth while everyone around us seems to be compromising, apostatizing, or wholly apathetic about contending for the faith. During such times, it is important to remember a few points.
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August 9, 2012

"Let Him Who Boasts Boast of This" (8/9)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Jeremiah 7-9.

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Man often judges himself by his strength, his accomplishments, and his possessions. There is nothing inherently wrong with such things. In the passage above, the Lord does not condemn a man for having wisdom, might, or riches. Rather, He condemns a man for boasting in these things.
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July 31, 2012

Abraham Does Not Know Us (7/31)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 59-63.

We sometimes wonder who is paying attention to us. Will anyone notice what we are doing? Will our good deeds be seen and remembered by others? Maybe not, but the following passage provides some encouragement.

“For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Your name” (Isaiah 63:16).

Generally, people like to be noticed for the good that they do. To be recognized by a well-known man of faith may seem important for many Christians. But ultimately, it is not all that important.
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July 26, 2012

How God Regards the Nations (7/26)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 40-43.

It is common for people to feel a sense of pride about their country. Many also place a good deal of trust in their nation’s leaders and military forces to protect and preserve them. While this is fine to a point, it is important to remember how God regards the nations.

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding?

“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before Him, they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless” (Isaiah 40:12-17).

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