June 1, 2012

What Is Lost Because of Sin

Satan tempts us to sin by highlighting its supposed benefits. The Scriptures acknowledge that there is a certain amount of pleasure that can be derived from sin. Yet Moses understood that such pleasure was “passing” and that the rewards for rejecting God could not compare with God’s rewards for the faithful (Hebrews 11:25-26). But Satan does not want us to look beyond what is immediately before us. He wants us to focus on the temporary pleasures we can gain from sin and ignore those things which we stand to lose because of sin.

What is it that we stand to lose because of sin? To answer this, let us consider what was lost in the beginning when sin was first introduced into the world.
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May 30, 2012

They Do No Unrighteousness (5/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 119:1-88.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, and its theme is the word of God. David begins this psalm by telling of how blessed are the ones who keep God’s word.

“How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.

“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.

“They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways” (Psalm 119:1-3)

The word of God guards us from sin. David acknowledges this a few verses later: “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). God gave us His word so that we could know the right way and follow it.
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May 29, 2012

The Lord Sees and Knows (5/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Kings 1-2; Psalm 37, 71, 94.

David begins Psalm 94 by asking God to take vengeance upon those who show their contempt for the Lord by abusing others.

“How long shall the wicked, O Lord, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour forth words, they speak arrogantly; all who do wickedness vaunt themselves. They crush Your people, O Lord, and afflict Your heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger and murder the orphans. They have said, ‘The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob pay heed’” (Psalm 94;3-7).

The oppressors that David describes believe they can mistreat others without penalty. As long as they have the ability to abuse others, they have no sense of morality that restrains them and no fear of God that would keep them from acting so wickedly. They believe that God will not see their actions; therefore, they are free to do as they please. However, David made it clear that this was not the case.
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May 24, 2012

“Keep Back Your Servant from Presumptuous Sins”

Psalm 19:13

The psalmist wrote, “Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression” (Psalm 19:13). Presumptuous sins are those that we commit deliberately, acting without regard to God’s will. The problem with these sins is that we are often fooled into thinking that our presumptuous actions are works with which the Lord will be pleased. In this article, we will consider some common excuses for presumptuous sins, the danger of presumptuous sins, and how we can guard against presumptuous sins.
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May 20, 2012

"They Oppose Me, Because I Follow What Is Good" (5/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 5, 38, 41-42.

“For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

“But my enemies are vigorous and strong, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. And those who repay evil for good, they oppose me, because I follow what is good. Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me!” (Psalm 38:18-21)

As David calls to the Lord for help, he states the reason why the wicked were opposed to him – he followed what was good (Psalm 38:20). Yet right before this, he acknowledged that he had committed iniquity (Psalm 38:18). What should this teach us?
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May 19, 2012

Destroying a City Over One Man (5/19)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 19-21.

Sheba, leader of a rebellion against David, was pursued and trapped by Joab in the city of Beth-maacah. In an effort to capture this man, Joab besieged the city and his men began attacking the wall in order to topple it (2 Samuel 20:14-15). As this was happening, a wise woman came out to reason with Joab in order to spare the city.

“‘I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?’ Joab replied, ‘Far be it, far be it from me that I should swallow up or destroy! Such is not the case. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against King David. Only hand him over, and I will depart from the city.’ And the woman said to Joab, ‘Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.’

“Then the woman wisely came to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, each to his tent. Joab also returned to the king in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 20:19-22).

There are some principles of justice found in this account:
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May 11, 2012

What Not to Do After Hurting Someone (5/11)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 20.

When the king of the Ammonites died, David sent some of his servants to Hanun, the son and successor of the deceased king, in order to comfort him and show him kindness. However, Hanun was convinced by his princes that David’s servants were there to spy out the city and overthrow it (2 Samuel 10:1-3).

“So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle as far as their hips, and sent them away. When they told it to David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly humiliated. And the king said, ‘Stay at Jericho until your beards grow, and them return’” (2 Samuel 10:4-5).

Hanun, based on false assumptions about David’s intentions, humiliated these men. Upon realizing this, he could have admitted wrongdoing and sought to make things right. But instead, he became defensive, causing the situation to escalate.
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