Daily Devo 3/6/13 “Commitment To The Broken-hearted”

But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me" (Ruth 1:16-17).

These words were spoken by Ruth, the great grandmother of king David (Matthew 1:5-6). What a great lady she was. I wonder about the influence she may have had on David and him becoming “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).

Today these words are often used in weddings as part of the vows that grooms and bride make to each other. This is fitting because it shows the commitment that those who are truly in love should have for one another. It speaks of a beautiful dedication that one person has to love another unconditionally.

However, it is important to realize the context of these words. Earlier, Naomi and her husband had left Bethlehem in Judah and went to the land of Moab because of a great famine (Ruth 1:1). While there her 2 sons each marry women of Moab. One of these women was Ruth (Ruth 1:2-4). Ruth had recently lost her own husband who had died (Ruth 1:5). Her mother-in-law Naomi had lost not only her own husband, but both of her sons. The circumstances of life had greatly burdened Noami and she was severely depressed. She felt like “the hand of the Lord has gone out against me” (Ruth 1:13). After she returns with Ruth to her homeland, Naomi tells her people, “Do not call me Noami (i.e. meaning “Pleasant”); call me Mara (i.e. meaning “Bitter”), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20). To say the least, Naomi was very depressed about all that had happened to her. Her heart was broken.

When Ruth says the opening words above, she is not speaking to someone who is positive, encouraging, and fun to be around. She is speaking to someone who is downtrodden, bitter, and discouraging. I believe we can all understand Naomi’s feeling this way. This isn’t meant to condemn Naomi for feeling this way. I can certainly understand and empathize with her feelings. The point is: Ruth was choosing to love someone who wasn’t exactly the easiest person to love at that moment. Loving those who struggle with depression isn’t always easy, but it is what they need the most. They need to be loved for who they are. They need to know how much God loves them. Ruth is a great and powerful example of choosing to love someone who is fighting with severe depression.

Who do you know in your life who is battling with depression? Follow Ruth’s example and show this kind of love and commitment to them. Perhaps, you yourself are battling with depression or you are brokenhearted; May those around you show you this kind of love. Most of all, remember this is the kind of commitment God has for us in His love for us. Today, I will strive to love others with the kind of love and commitment Ruth showed Naomi and rejoice that nothing, even if I am struggling with being broken-hearted, can separate me from the love God has for me!

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39)

Daily Devo 3/5/13 “Doing What Is Right In Our Own Eyes”

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).

Throughout the book of Judges we see Israel departing further and further from God. At times, they repent and God provides a judge such as Gideon, Jephthah or Samson to deliver them. Shortly after being delivered each time, once again God’s people turn their back on Him and fall back into sin. By the time we get to the end of the book of Judges, there is no longer a desire on the part of the people of God to repent and turn back to God; instead, “…everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6).

In fact, the last few chapters of the book of Judges we see just how far away from God they had departed. A man Micah sets up an idol and has a Levite to serve as his priest (Judges 17:1-13). Then some from the tribe of Dan come and steal this image and take the Levite and have him serve as their priest because they conclude it is better for the Levite to serve as priest for a whole tribe than for just one person (Judges 18:1-31).

Then another Levite takes for himself a concubine and on his return trip home he comes to the city of Gibeon which was located within the tribe of Benjamin. While there some “perverted men” surround the house where he is lodging and want to “know him carnally”(Judges 19:22). Instead, they take his concubine and abuse her to the point of death (Judges 19:25-28). The Levite then takes the dead body of his concubine, divides it into 12 parts and sends these parts to the 12 tribes of Israel (Judges 19:29-30). This will lead to civil war and there will be a great slaughter of those of the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20:1-48).

Because almost the entire tribe of Benjamin is eliminated, the Israelites try to salvage the tribe by providing wives for the surviving Benjamites from one of the cities that did not go up to fight against the tribe of Benjamin, Jabesh-Gilead (located within the tribe of Gad). All of the inhabitants of this city were destroyed except for the young women who had not “known a man intimately (Judges 21:1-11). These young women were given to the surviving Benjamites (Judges 21:12-15). Because there were not enough of these young virgins for all the surviving Benjamites, the remain Benjamites were allowed to “catch a wife for himself” at one of the feast of the Lord at Shiloh and take her back to Benjamin (Judges 21:16-23). Israel had degenerated to the point of allowing their own daughters to be kidnapped.

The book of Judges ends with: “In those days there was no king in Israel, everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). This is a very fitting end that accurately describes Israel’s condition: Each was doing what he or she believed was right. They were not submitting to any kind of Divine guidance in their lives. They were not following God!

As I read this, it is easy not to get depressed because this shows in very graphic terms what happens when people turn their back on God. Paul described what happened to the Gentiles who turned their backs on God: “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen (Romans 1:24-25). When people turn their backs on seeking after God, they begin to act in very cruel ways. There is no set of values they seek to follow. Each does what is right in their own eyes!

However, instead of getting depressed about what happens to men when they depart from God, I can rejoice that God has given me the opportunity to know him. He has given me his word to enlighten me and show me how I should walk during my pilgrimage here upon this earth. God is my king and I will follow Him!

“With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!” (Psalm 119:10-11)

Daily Devo 3/4/13 “Incredibly Strong And Weak”

“Afterward it happened that he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, ‘Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver’” (Judges 16:4-5).

Because of the evil they had done, God had delivered Israel into the hands of the Philistines who oppressed them for 40 years (Judges 13:1). God will raises up Samson, who will be a Nazarite from birth, to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:2-25). Samson is mentioned as being a great man of faith (Hebrews 11:32), but he is also a man who struggled with his own weaknesses which eventually led to his demise, sexual temptations.

As the opening verse above indicates, Samson loved a Philistine woman named Delilah (Judges 16:4). Earlier, he had married a woman of the daughters of the Philistines (Judges 14:1-4). After his wife was given to another man and eventually killed by the Philistines (Judges 15:1-6), Samson goes to the Philistine city of Gaza and has sexual relations with a harlot at the time he was judging Israel (Judges 15:20; 16:1). He then enters a relationship with Delilah and she will entice Samson to reveal to him the secret of his strength (Judges 16:15-18). She has a man shave his head while he is sleeping. Samson’s strength leaves him as the Lord departs from him. The Philistines capture him and put out his eyes (Judges 16:19-21).

As I look at this account, it is easy to see that although Samson was physically incredibly strong, he was spiritually incredibly weak when it came to his ability to withstand sexual temptations. Because he did not control these sexual desires, but rather let these desires control him, time and time again we see him committing sexual sins (cf. James 1:14-15).

As I consider myself and how this applies to me, I need to be mindful of areas in my life where I am spiritually weak and be aware of inappropriate desires I may struggle with that I need to keep under control. I need to realize how the devil uses these desires to lead me astray. All of us struggle with inappropriate desires that lead to sin. Samson struggled with sexual desires. Delilah struggled with love of money. She was willing to hand Samson, a man who loved her (Judges 16:4) over to the Philistines for 1100 pieces of silver (Judges 16:5). The inappropriate desires you with which you struggle most are probably not exactly the same ones with which I struggle.

Even though he struggled with these desires and fell into sin, God was still able to use Samson to accomplish his purposes to deliver Israel from the Philistines (Judges 16:4). Even though Samson time and time again fell into sexual sin, he still displayed great faith in God (Hebrews 11:32), when at the end of his life he calls on God to give him strength one last time that he may push the pillars of the temple of the Philistines down causing its destruction, his death, and the death of 3000 Philistines (Judges 16:28-30). None of this excuses Samson’s sin. It just shows that God is able to use people who struggle with their weaknesses and display faith in Him to accomplish great things.

Today I will rejoice that God can use me even though I struggle with my own weaknesses. I will strive to guard against temptation, especially being mindful of my own inappropriate desires and how these lead to sin. I will seek the way of escape from temptation which God has provided!

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

Daily Devo 3/2/13 “Fighting Among Ourselves”

“Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, crossed over toward Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, ‘Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!’” (Judges 12:1)

Because of their sin, Israel had been oppressed by the Ammonites for 18 years (Judges 10:7-9). When God could no longer endure the misery that was happening to His people Israel (Judges 10:16), following their repentance God raised up another judge, Jephthah, to deliver Israel from the Ammonite oppression (Judges 10:10-11:28). Following a needless, hasty vow made by Jephthah in which offers to sacrifice whatever comes out of his house to meet him when he returns in peace to his home from fighting, God gives Jepthah victory over the people of Ammon (Judges 11:29-33).

Upon returning home from battle, Jepthah’s daughter is the first to come out of his house to meet him. Even though God did not expect him to do this, all indications are Jepthah followed through with keeping this vow which he had rashly made to God and sacrificed his daughter (Judges 11:34-40). This is just further proof of how far the Israelite nation had fallen from serving God. The leaders of the nation were less than ideal.

As the opening verse above indicates, instead of celebrating the victory God had given Israel over the Ammonites, one of the tribes of Israel, Ephraim, is upset because they were had not participated in this victory (Judges 12:1). They are so upset they threaten to burn Jepthah’s house down!

They showed no appreciation for the work Jephthah had done in leading the Israelite army to victory. They showed no compassion to this man who had just lost his daughter because of a foolish mistake he had made. They appeared to be only focused on themselves and their pride had been wounded because they did not get to share in the glory. They had done this before following the Israelite victory led by Gideon over Midianites(Judges 8:1).

Jephthah mentions that he had called upon them, but they had not come to help. So he went to battle against the Ammonites without them (Judges 12:2-3). As a result Jephthah and his men fight against the men of Ephraim in a civil war in which 42,000 men of Ephraim are killed (Judges 12:4-6).

How utterly senseless all of this was! As I consider this, I wonder how often God’s people today find themselves fighting over senseless things. Unfortunately, I have been part of a church recovering from a church split. Over the years, I have seen brethren leave the church because their feelings had been wounded or their pride had been hurt. I have also witnessed brethren leading rebellions within the church which could lead to a church split.

I appeal to my brethren that we need to remember who the enemy is. It is Satan and his allies. It is not our own brethren! We may disagree at times, but we are still brethren. With the exception of those who teach, we may even disagree on matters about which the Bible teaches. As fellow “disciples” or learners” we need to have patience with each other and give each other room to grow.

For example, the apostle Paul could work with a church in which the members had so many doctrinal misunderstandings such as the church at Corinth (e.g. doubts about the resurrection, misunderstanding about the use of spiritual gifts, etc.) and still call them brethren. This doesn’t mean we can’t challenge each other regarding “doctrinal issues” or rebuke false teachers. We should. Those who teach are held to a higher standard and must make sure they are teaching the truth (James 3:1). But, above all we must conduct ourselves in a spirit of love remembering they are our brethren!

Today, I rejoice in my brethren. They are fellow soldiers of the cross who are striving to serve Jesus and implement His Will in their lives. I will be considerate of them and give them room to grow as they, like me, mature in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:9-10).

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

Daily Devo 3/1/13 “O my Lord, how can I save Israel?”

“Then the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?’ So he said to Him, ‘O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house’ (Judges 6:14-15).

Once again because of Israel’s turning their backs on God, God allows Israel to be oppressed by their heathen neighbors, the Midianites (Judges 6:1-6). After sending a prophet to Israel informing them of their sin (Judges 6:7-10), the Angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and informs him that God is going to use him to deliver Israel from the heavy hand of the Midianites (Judges 6:11-14).

As the opening verses above indicate, Gideon reacts to this opportunity with great doubt. He looks at himself and sees by his own power he is completely unable to do such a task. He is from the weakest clan in his tribe of Manasseh and he is the least among those in his father’s house (Judges 6:15). How can he possibly save his people from the Midianites?

Like many of us, Gideon looked to himself for the power to accomplish this great task. He did not look up to God in faith. His faith in God at this point is very weak. God is going to work with Gideon to increase his faith in God. God does this by: (1) causing fire to come out of a rock that consumes a sacrifice Gideon had prepared on an altar (Judges 6:17-24); (2) challenging Gideon to prepare a 2nd sacrifice on an altar he will make after destroying his own father’s idolatrous altar (Judges 6:25-32); (3) causing a fleece of wool to be wet with the morning dew while the ground around it remained dry (Judges 6:36-38); the next day causing the fleece of wool to remain dry while the ground all around it was wet with the morning dew (Judges 6:39-40) and, then, having Gideon and his companion go down into the camp of the Midianites and overhear them saying the Israelites would defeat them in battle (Judges 7:8-15).

When I consider this, I am amazed at how God worked with Gideon to help grow his faith in God. Gideon’s faith would then be put to a great challenge as God would decrease the size of Gideon’s army down to only 300 men which He would have Gideon lead to defeat a massive army of Midianites (Judges 7:1-7, 16-25). Gideon’s faith in God is mentioned in “Faiths Hall of Fame” (Hebrews 11:32).

As I consider this, I think how God has worked with me over the years to patiently help my faith grow in Him. Even as a Christian, there have been multiple times when facing a challenge, like Gideon, I have looked inwardly to my own weaknesses instead of looking up to God and placing my faith in His power. God has been patient with me and allowed me to continue in my study and growth of knowledge in His Word so that may faith in His power may grow (Romans 10:17). God has allowed me to go through challenges so that by these my faith in Him can grow (Romans 5:1-4; James 1:2-4). My faith in Him certainly isn’t perfect. I have not “arrived”. However, I do rejoice that may faith is growing.

From the beginning God told Gideon, “Go in this might of yours…” (Judges 6:14). Gideon interpreted this to mean, Gideon’s own might. The “might” God was talking about was not the “might” of Gideon, but the “might” of God. God is Almighty! It would be through God’s power, the Midianites would be defeated. “And the Lord said to him, ‘Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man’" (Judges 6:16).

Today, I will rejoice in the “might” of God to work in my life in the challenges I face. I will also rejoice in God’s incredible patience with me in working with me to help my faith in Him to grow!

“Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:17-18).

Daily Devo 2/28/13 “…Great Resolves Of Heart”

“And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As Issachar, so was Barak sent into the valley under his command; among the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves of heart. Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart” (Judges 5:15-16).

The book of Judges is a dark period for God’s people as they continually depart from Him and follow the gods of the people among whom they live (Judges 3:5-7). A cycle is seen throughout the book of Israel departing from the Lord to serve other gods-the Lord God delivering them into the hands of their enemies-Israel repenting and crying out to God for help-God raising up a judge to deliver them-and, then, Israel again departing from the Lord shortly after he delivers them.

The opening verses above are part of the “Song of Deborah” which Deborah and Barak sung on the day God had delivered them from Jabin king of Caanan and his army commander Sisera (Judges 4:6-5:1). Israel had been sold in the hand of Jabin because of their sin against the Lord and Jabin had harshly oppressed Israel (Judges 4:1-3). God raised up Deborah who used Barak and his army to deliver Israel and give them victory of their enemies (Judges 4:4-5).

This song praises such tribes of Israel as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naptali who came out to fought in this battle against Israel’s enemies (Judges 5:15, 18). But the song also has strong words of condemnation for such tribes as Dan, Asher, and Reuben who stayed at home and did not help their brethren in this battle (Judges 5:15-17). The Angel of the Lord was very upset at these tribes for their failure to support their brethren in time of need. Notice what He said: “Curse Meroz,… Curse its inhabitants bitterly, because they did not come to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty” (Judges 5:23).

Of the tribe of Reuben it is said, “there were great resolves of heart” and “great searchings of heart” (Judges 5:15-16). It appears those of the tribe of Reuben “thought” it might be a good idea for Israel to gather together to fight this battle, but their resolved ended with their “thoughts”. They did not put their “thoughts” into “action” and failed to go help in this conflict. Essentially they told their brethren, “Be warmed and filled” (James 2:15-16), but did not actually lift a finger to help them in this fight!

As Christians, we are part of the body of Christ, the church. Each of us has a role to play so that the body of Christ can function effectively in reaching a lost world for Christ and to encourage our brethren to continue in the faith (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Each of us needs to do “our share” to make the body function effectively (Ephesians 4:16). Am I doing my share or am I like Reuben standing on the sidelines with “great resolves of heart”? Have I discovered my particular ministry or way I can serve in the local church to help build up the body of Christ or am I like Reuben, stuck in the mud having “great searchings of heart”?

I am very thankful for my brethren who strive to serve God, fight God’s battles alongside me, and encourage me. They are doing their share and are an encouragement to me to keep up the faith. If you have not discovered your ministry, speak to one of your church leaders and say to them, “I want to serve. Here am I. Where can I be of help?” I am sure they will eagerly help you discover your ministry for the Lord. Today, I will rejoice that God has blessed me with fellow soldiers of the cross!

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’" (Isaiah 6:8).

Daily Devo 2/27/13 “…As For Me And My House We Will Serve The Lord”

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

Joshua pronounces these words in his final address to the children of Israel. As he says farewell to these people with whom he had conquered the Promised Land through God’s power, he challenges them to decide whom they are going to serve. Are they going to go back to the gods of their ancestors which lived beyond the Euphrates River? Would they begin following after the gods of the people among whose land they now dwelt? Joshua urges them to COMMIT THEMSELVES FULLY to serving Jehovah God because that was exactly what he was doing.

It would be a tremendous challenge for those to whom Joshua was speaking to do this. With great eagerness we see the people’s response: “And the people said to Joshua, "The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!" (Joshua 24:24). However, saying this was so much easier than actually doing this. This generation remained faithful to the Lord and did serve Him (Joshua 24:31; Judges 2:7). However, future generations did not commit themselves fully to serving God. A few verses later we read, “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

As I read these words, I am reminded of the great challenge parents have raising their children. The apostle Paul challenged Christian fathers, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). This is such a great challenge for Christian parents today as there are so many “gods” of the land in which we live that can lead our hearts and the hearts of our children astray. So many things compete for our time and our children’s time that it is easy to let God get crowded out of our lives and we too can forget God!

I have great admiration for fellow Christian parents who have taken up Joshua challenge to lead their family in the ways of God. It takes tremendous spiritual strength and focus to do this in the midst of the ungodly society in which we live. May God’s blessings be upon you as you say along with me, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Today, I rejoice that God encourages me through such Christian parents as you!

“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).

Daily Devo 2/26/13 “Not a Word Failed…”

“So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass” (Joshua 21:43-45).

Joshua had just finished dividing up the conquered Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. Please notice what it says near the end of the above quoted passage: “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass” (Joshua 21:45). God had kept the promises He had made to Israel!

Have you ever been disappointed when someone made a promise to you and failed to keep it? I imagine we all have felt that. Because of the disappointment of unfulfilled promises made to them, many place little faith when a person makes a promise to them. Edmund Burke said, “Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing”. Samuel Butler added, “Oaths are but words, and words but wind.” There is an old German proverb which says, “Nothing weights lighter than a promise”. Many simply don’t trust the promises that are made to them.

However, God’s promises are not like man’s promises. God keeps His Promises. Not a word of His fails. God fulfilled His promises even in the midst of what many would consider impossible circumstances. God had promises Abraham that His descendants would inherit the land of Canaan (Gen 12:7). However, at the time Abraham was a 75 year old man with no children. Abraham might have thought, “How would God be able to keep this promise given to me a man as old as I am without any descendants?” Years later before this land promise is fulfilled, Abraham’s descendants are slaves in Egypt. Again, an Israelite might have thought, “I guess God is not going to keep the promises he made to our fathers?” But as the opening verse indicates, God kept His promises. Not a word failed.

Furthermore, God kept His promise to give Israel the Promised Land even in the midst of multiple failures on Israel’s part. After leaving Egypt, Israel sins by worshipping the golden calf (Exodus 32). Throughout their journey towards the Promised Land, they are constantly complaining against God. Eventually, their unbelief causes them to reject the good report of Joshua and Caleb about the Promised Land and to follow the evil report of the other 12 spies (Numbers 13-14). As a result, their punishment is to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Again, many of God’s people might have wondered, “Because of our failures, I guess God will not keep His promises.” However, God fulfilled his promises even in the midst of multiple failures on His people’s part.

When I consider all of these things, it awesome how God keeps the promises He makes to us. No wonder Peter said that God has “…given to us exceedingly great and precious promises…” (2 Peter 1:4). The Hebrew writer tells us, “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:17-18). We have a strong consolation in the promises God has made to us because we know He will keep the promises He makes to us.

David Nicholas said, “God’s promises are like the stars; the darker the night the brighter they shine”. Today, I will rejoice that God keeps the promises He makes to me!

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:3-4)

Daily Devo 2/25/13 “Claiming Our Inheritance”

“Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: ‘How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?’” (Joshua 18:3)

Through God’s power, Israel had finished conquering the land which God had given to them (Joshua 18:1). However, the remaining 7 tribes had not divided up the land and each claimed their individual tribal inheritances (Joshua 18:2). As the opening verse above indicates, Joshua expresses some frustration with the remaining tribes for their failure to go out and claim their inheritances so he instructs them to pick out 3 men from each tribe to go out and survey the land into 7 parts and then he will cast lots so each tribe can receive their inheritance (Joshua 18:5-6). The children of Israel do this and the remaining 7 tribes then receive their inheritances (Joshua 18:10-19:51).

As I think about this event, I wonder how often as Christians do we fail to “claim our inheritance”? For example, as Christians God has forgiven us of our sins as we repent of them (1 John 1:7-9). Do we claim that we have been forgiven of these sins or do we still carry around the guilt of these sins?

Again, as disciples of Christ who are striving to faithfully follow His Will in our lives, Jesus tells us we have been saved and are assured to be given a crown of life (Mark 16:16; Revelation 2:10). Do we feel confident of our salvation or do we just “hope that God will save us”? There is a BIG DIFFERENCE in knowing we are saved and merely hoping we are saved! It has a major effect on our outlook on life. The apostle John wrote, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).

I am not suggesting we be arrogant about our salvation and use this as a way of looking down on others. I am not suggesting we can just live our lives any way we wish and expect God to save us. On the other hand, there is no merit in not being assured of our salvation if we are striving to faithfully follow Jesus. It is not being humble for those who are doing their best to serve God to say, “I hope He will save me?” Instead of being humble, it is being doubtful. This gives place to the devil to gain in foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27).

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on your shortcomings and failures in serving God? Again, I am not suggesting we should not repent of our sins. However, as Christians it is critical that we embrace God’s love, mercy, and grace which He has shown us through His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16). A healthy walk with God means we are relying on in His POWER, not our WEAKNESSES. We are all weak, but thank God He is strong. We need to reach up and take hold of His hand and trust in Him to lead us. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Today, I will rejoice as I claim the inheritance God has given to me through His Son Jesus Christ!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Daily Devo 2/24/13 “Failing To Follow Through”

“But the children of Joseph said, ‘The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are of the Valley of Jezreel’" (Joshua 17:16).

Following the conquering of the majority of the Promised Land, Joshua begins dividing up the inheritances among the tribes of Israel. It was up to each tribe through God’s help to finish driving out the remaining Canaanites from within their inherited territory. After receiving his inheritance, Caleb did exactly this. He drove out the remaining Anakim (i.e. giants) from within his inheritance (Joshua 15:13-17). Caleb is a great example of perseverance!

However, many of the tribes did not follow through with keeping God’s command to drive out the remaining Canaanites from within their inherited territory. For example, Ephraim failed to drive the Canaanites out of Gezer (Joshua 16:10). Judah failed to drive the Philistines out of the cities of Ekron, Ashdod, and Gaza which was within their inherited territory (Joshua 15:45-47). As a result, these peoples became a thorn in Israel’s side by tempting them with the worship of their idols. In fact, after a couple of generations, the Philistines would be one of the people’s that God would allow to oppress Israel because of Israel’s rebellion against God (Judges 13;1). Later Goliath and the Philistines would pose a great threat to king Saul and Israel (1 Samuel 17:1-11).

All of this happened because of Israel’s failure to persevere or follow through in keeping God’s command to drive the Canaanites out of the land they were inheriting. As the opening verse indicates, God’s people, such as the children of Joseph, began doubting God’s power and began fearing the power of the Canaanites. Although Joshua did his best to encourage them to trust in God’s power to drive out the remaining Canaanites (Joshua 17:15, 17-18), the children of Joseph failed to drive out them out (Joshua 17:11-12).

As Christians, we have need of perseverance to follow through in keeping God’s commands. Many times we start of well and then get distracted by the temptations the world offers or, like ancient Israel, begin doubting God’s power and fearing the power of others. Like God’s people of Joshua’s day, the failure to persevere results in our becoming entangled with the world and growing distant from God. Today, I will strive to follow the example of Caleb and other faithful servants of God who persevere in keeping God’s commands!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Daily Devo 2/23/13 “…Give Me This Mountain…”

“Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said” (Joshua 14:12)

These words were spoken by Caleb the son of Jephunneh after the children of Israel of Israel had finished conquering the majority of the Promised Land west of the Jordan River. Caleb and Joshua had faithfully spied out the promised land 45 years earlier and had given a good report even though the other 10 spies had given an evil  report of the Promised Land (Numbers 13:25-14:9). Caleb had faithfully endured the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness and the 5 years it took to conquer the Promised Land (Joshua 14:10). What sustained him during those 45 years was his faith in God’s promise made to him through God’s servant Moses: “Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children's forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God” (Numbers 14:9). As the opening verse indicates, Caleb was now ready to claim his inheritance.

Caleb says, “Give me this mountain…” (Joshua 14:12). In a sense the mountain represented his physical land inheritance. But, we often speak of “mountains” as obstacles that must be overcome. In this sense there were still some mountains for Caleb to overcome before he could enjoy his land inheritance. He had to overcome and conquer the giants (i.e. the Anakim) that still dwelt in the great and fortified cities located in this area (Joshua 14:12). At 85 years old Caleb embraced overcoming this obstacle and fully believed he could do so by the great power of God.

Caleb is one of my favorite Bible characters. I can’t wait to speak to him in heaven and hear him share with me his great adventures in serving God. He is a great example of a servant of God who continues to serve God eagerly and faithfully even in his old age. He had no intention of resting on his laurels and retiring from his service to the Lord. He told Joshua on this occasion: “As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in” (Joshua 14:11).

I have such great appreciation for my elderly brethren who continue to cling to God’s Promises and faithfully serve God even in older age whether as a preacher, elder, Bible class teacher or the host of other people who do everything from cooking meals for the sick, advising the younger generations, or helping to clean the church building. Sometimes, all they are able to do is simply attend services but they encourage others by their faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). Still others are shut-in and are physically unable to make it out to services, but continue to serve as “prayer warriors” as they lift others up in their prayers.

Take time to encourage your elderly brethren like Caleb who continue to faithfully serve the Lord by clinging to His Promises and by embracing the mountains that lay before them. Today, I will rejoice that God has given me elderly brethren with silver-hair whose faith I may follow!

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).

Daily Devo 2/22/13 “Faith To Knock Down Walls”

“So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city” (Joshua 6:20).

After the children of Israel cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land under the new leadership of Joshua, the first city they come to attack is the city of Jericho. The city appears well suited to be defended and to be difficult to destroy because of its huge city walls. The children of Israel do not attack this well seemly well-fortified city with catapults or cannons. Instead, they attack it by their faith in God. They follow exactly what God tells them to do by marching around the city once a day for 6 days. Then on the 7th day they march around the city 7 times, the priests blow the trumpets and the people shout. The walls fall flat!

Israel then took the city. It was a great triumph for Israel. It was won by them placing their faith in God’s power. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30).

As followers of Christ, we all face walls or barriers in our lives that challenge us in our pilgrimage on this earth. The wall we face may be a physical or health problem that challenges us. We may have a broken relationship with another person and we may feel there is a barrier that is separating us from that person. We may be struggling with committing a particular sin over and over again in our lives and feel like we are facing a wall we simply can’t break through to overcome it.

These walls need to be torn down. They are torn down by placing our faith in God and surrendering our will to His Will that He may be glorified. We may not understand how God can tear down this wall or barrier with which we are facing. The challenge is for us to completely place our faith in God and to glorify Him by our actions and let God worry about how He will destroy the wall we are facing.

During His ministry on earth, Jesus had given his disciples the ability to cast out demons (Matthew 10:1). However, on one occasion there was a particular difficult case of demon possession they could not solve. “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’" (Matthew 17:19-21).

I am not advocating that Christians can cast out demons today. However, what the above verses show us is that some “walls” require a lot more faith to tear down. There needs to be some time devoted to prayer and fasting in order to develop the faith to tear down these walls. Are there walls in your life that you need God’s help to tear down? Devote some time to prayer and fasting. Today, I will rejoice that God gives me the faith to tear down walls!

“…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27)

Daily Devo 2/21/13 “A Pep Talk From God”

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them” (Joshua 1:5-6).

These words were spoken by God to Joshua following the death of Moses. One can only imagine the great challenges Joshua must have felt after taking over leadership from such a great godly leader like Moses. He must have felt like he had enormous shoes to fill. God gave Joshua exactly what Joshua needed: encouragement.

As the above verse indicates God promises that as He was with Moses so He would be with Joshua. He would not leave nor forsake Joshua. No one would be able to oppose Joshua. Joshua was not to worry about whether or not God would be with Him. He would. Over and over again God tells Joshua what he was to focus on. Joshua was to focus on “being strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). The tribes of Israel also encouraged Joshua to be “strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:16-18).

All of us who strive to serve God need encouragement. We need our brethren to encourage us to continue to be “strong and very courageous” to continue to serve the Lord (Hebrews 3:12-13). Most importantly we need encouragement from God Himself. We need a “pep talk from God”. God’s Word is where we find this. In the Bible we read of such encouraging passages as: “For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11-12)

In God’s Word we also see how God feels about those who love Him and seek to do His Will: "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation” (Psalm 91:14-16).

Isn’t it encouraging knowing God protects His people and how God feels about those who love Him. God’s Word is filled with such encouragement. This is why studying God’s Word should be a part of every Christian’s daily life. We all need a daily “pep talk from God”. Today, I will rejoice for the encouragement God gives me through His Word!

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust” (Psalm 91:1-2)

Daily Devo 2/20/13 “The Man Whom God Buried”

“…Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day” (Deuteronomy 34:5-6).

The book of Deuteronomy ends with the death of Moses, the great faithful servant of God. Regarding his epitaph the Bible simply says, “But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10). Moses, the great servant of God who through God’s power delivered the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and then endured the 40 years of wilderness wandering with them because of their sin, was finally laid to rest. His earthly journey had ended. Though not entering the physical Promised Land himself, Moses was going to the Heavenly Promised Land which is far better.

As the opening verse above indicates, the Lord buried Moses. I see here the tender love of God here as God lovingly and gently buries this faithful servant of His. Remember how Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35). I see God’s tears falling on the body of Moses as God begins throws the first ounces of dirt upon the dead body of His friend Moses as Moses’ lifeless body lies in the grave.

As Christians, it is important for us to appreciate God’s tender love for us. I am afraid sometimes we forget just how PRECIOUS we are to God. King David said, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You” (Psalm 139:17-18). God’s tender love for us is seen in the fact that He has many “thoughts” about each of us.

Tomorrow my local congregation of the Lord’s church is saying goodbye to a sister of ours who obeyed the gospel later in life. Had she lived her 100th birthday would have been tomorrow. However, she has reached a greater milestone than her 100th birthday. She has reached her Promised Land. She was a sweet sister and she will be missed. Her family and her church family will shed tears at her funeral and at her grave. We need to remember that God also sheds tears and loves her with a tender love. Today, I will rejoice for God’s tender love for me in both my life and my death!

“Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).

Daily Devo 2/19/13 "Why Doesn't God Give Me More?"

“And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet. You have not eaten bread, nor have you drunk wine or similar drink, that you may know that I am the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 29:5-6).

Moses speaks the above words to the generation of the children of Israel that had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. During this time, with exception of eating quail on a couple of occasions, they had eaten only manna which God had provided from heaven (Exodus 16:4; Joshua 5:12). Their drink was only water. When they had been slaves in Egypt, they had been provided a greater assortment of foods to eat and beverages to drink (Exodus 16:3; Numbers 11:4-6). Many in Israel came to loath the manna which God had provided for them to eat (Numbers 21:5).

This begs the question, “Why did God only give them manna to eat?” As the opening verse indicates, God had provided for the things which were necessary to sustain their physical lives. They were adequately clothed and fed. He didn’t give them an excessive abundance, but he didn’t make it where they had to barely scrape by either. All of this was done that they “may know that I am the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 29:6).

Christ spoke about the need for his followers to develop a child-like faith (Matthew 18:1-3). Most children (i.e. those children who are raised by parents who love them and strive to provide for them) have a complete trust that their parents will provide for their daily food, clothing, and shelter. These children do not generally fret about where they next meal, set of clothing, or roof over their head is going to come from. They “know” that their parents love them and will care for them.

Many of us need to go back to developing a child-like faith in God. As we get older and start earning a living, many times it is very tempting to begin trusting in ourselves or our employer to provide for our daily needs. As difficult as it is, we should rejoice when circumstances happen in our lives that prevent us from having a super abundance of material goods. These financial setbacks, whether it is a lost job or an unexpected large bill we have to pay, help remind us that we need to trust in our Heavenly Father to provide for us. In turn, this helps us to develop that “child-like faith” in God and helps us to “know that the Lord is God”.

There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, but there are many temptations that can come to those who are wealthy (e.g. Matthew 19:23-24; 1 Timothy 6:10). If I am not wealthy I can rejoice that God has spared me of having to face these temptations. Today I will rejoice that God provides for my daily necessities and I will trust in Him that He is the Lord God!”

“Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:7-9).

Daily Devo 2/18/13 “Taking time to rejoice in God’s fulfilled promises”

“And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, 'I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the country which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us’” (Deuteronomy 26:3)

When the Israelites came into the Promised Land, they each were to take in a basket some of the first produce of the land which grew from their individual land inheritances they had received, and bring that to the priest and say the words in the above verse (Deuteronomy 26:1-3). Then the priest would set the basket of produce before the altar of the Lord and the individual Israelite would then recount the history of His people from the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to their deliverance from Egypt, and finally, to their entrance into this land “flowing with milk and honey” (Deuteronomy 26:4-9). The basket of first-fruits they had brought was a symbol that they recognized God had fulfilled His promises to them and they were rejoicing in this fact (Deuteronomy 28:10-11).

They were to take time to recognize the promises that God had fulfilled to them. God was so wise to have His people do this. God understood that it was essential for His people to take time to reflect how He had blessed them and fulfilled the promises He made to them. This would encourage them to grow in their faith in Him and encourage them to remain faithful to Him.

As Christians, sometimes we can get wrapped up so much in the affairs of daily life that we fail to take time to reflect on God’s fulfilled promises to us and how He has blessed us. When this happens, our Christianity becomes nothing more than a set of rules we follow. Our relationship with God suffers and we feel ourselves becoming distant from Him as the joy slowly slips out of our lives and we find ourselves grumbling as we try to serve Him.

Do I take time to reflect on how God has blessed me, answered my prayers, and fulfilled the promises He has made to me? God has saved me from the lost sinner I was through the promise of salvation He kept through the centuries which He fulfilled through Jesus Christ. God has blessed me by sustaining me through this point of my life and seen me through various trials. God has fulfilled numerous prayers which I have made to Him. Today, I will take time to let His joy fill my life as I rejoice in how God has fulfilled His promises to me!

“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice” (Psalm 63:6-7).

Daily Devo 2/17/13 “For You, O God, have heard my vows…”

"When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you” (Deuteronomy 23:21).

How well do people keep the vows which they make? One only has to look at the divorce rate to see that many people do not follow through with the vow they make before God to stay with their mate through the good times and the bad times.

Politicians are notorious for not keeping their promises. Will Rogers said, “If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these acceptance speeches there wouldn't be any inducement to go to heaven.” The actress Shirley MacLaine added, “It is useless to hold a person to anything he says while he is in love, drunk, or running for office.”

Someone has said, “Promises are like babies: easy to make, hard to deliver.” We should be careful about making vows. Abraham Lincoln noted, “We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot”.

The importance of following through with the promises we make is especially true when it comes to making vows to God. How often have I said or thought, “God if you get me through this trial I face I promise that I will ­__________” (fill in the blank). Do I actually follow through with whatever is in the blank or does the blank remain empty because I do not follow through with my vow I made to God? Solomon warned us, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed-- Better not to vow than to vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).

On this Lord’s day as I go to worship God, it is a great opportunity for me to reflect on the vows and commitments I have made to God and follow through with them. He has kept all the promises He has made to me. I will strive to keep the promises I have made to Him!

“Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?” (Psalm 56:12-13)

Daily Devo 2/16/12 “...the Lord your God goes with you, to fight...”.

“So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you'” (Deuteronomy 20:2-4).

As Moses continues his farewell address to Israel shortly before they are going to cross the Jordan River to go in and conquer the Promised Land, he gives them instructions regarding conquering the various cities of the Promised Land. It was important for the army of Israel to have good morale. General Dwight David Eisenhower said, “Morale is the greatest single factor in successful wars”.

Provisions were made to allow those who might weaken the morale of the army to be allowed to go home and not fight in the battle. Those who had recently built a house, but had not dedicated it or had recently planted a vineyard, but had not yet eaten of it were allowed to not have to participate in the fight (Deuteronomy 20:5-6). Those who had recently betrothed a wife but had not yet married her were allowed to go home (Deuteronomy 20:7). Even those who were simply fearful and fainthearted were dismissed from the battle (Deuteronomy 20:8).

The army that remained to fight against the cities they faced would not be full of cowards or those who were distracted by the cares of life. Instead, it would be an army of high morale that had confidence that they would be victorious against their enemies because they were not fighting their enemies by their own strength alone. As the opening verse above indicates, the priest reminded the soldiers that God Almighty Himself was leading them into battle!

As Christians we are engaged in a spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). We face hardships as soldiers of Christ as we are persecuted for standing up for God and His Word (2 Timothy 2:3-4). It is important for us to be properly equipped with the provisions God has given to us (Ephesians 6:10-18). But, above all it is essential that we have outstanding morale in the army of God as we look to God as the One who leads us into battle and fights our battles with us and saves us. Today, I will praise God and remember He leads me into battle!

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle-- My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge…” (Psalm 144:1-2).

Daily Devo 2/15/13 "Remembering Where I Came From"

“And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes” (Deuteronomy 16:12).

Moses instructs the next generation of the children of Israel about keeping the various feast which God had commanded them to observe (Deuteronomy 16:1-17). As the above verse indicates, in the middle of this instruction, Moses gives them the reason God wanted them to remember these various feasts: God wanted them to remember from where they had come. They had been slaves in Egypt!

English novelist Anthony Burgess said, “It’s always good to remember where you come from and celebrate it. To remember where you come from is part of where you’re going”. One of the keys to living a wholesome life is keeping a proper perspective on one’s self. We see people some people who become very wealthy, very popular, or very successful in their particular fields of endeavor forget where they had come from and their lives spin out of control. One of the best ways to keep a proper perspective of yourself is to remember from where you have come. This helps to keep us humble.

For those of us who have been Christians for a long time, it is easy for us to forget from where we came. We can begin to lose our humility and start to look down on those around us and say, “Why do these people around me do all these terrible things to each other? Why do they live such wicked lives?” The answer is simple: The world around us is living the way we used to before we got to know Christ!

As Christians, we came from being slaves of sin (John 8:34). Satan had a hold on our hearts and minds. He lured us into temptations by getting us to live life based on fulfilling all of our desires and various lusts (James 1:13-15). Sin dominated our lives and we lived as slaves in service to Satan. Spiritually, we were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).

As a Christian, I celebrate that God reached out to me in my sin and gave me the opportunity to know Him and His Son Jesus and set me free from the bondage of sin (John 8:32). Today, I will remember where I came from and where I am going!

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7).

Daily Devo 2/14/13 “So open minded that your brains fall out?”

"When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise’” (Deuteronomy 12:29-30).

As Moses continues to speak to the children of Israel about their future in the Promised Land, he warns them to be sure to destroy all the idols and all the remnants of idol worship in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 12:1-3). God said, “You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things” (Deuteronomy 12:4). Instead they were to worship God in the way He had prescribed and at the location He had commanded (Deuteronomy 12:5-31). He ends the chapter by saying, “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32).

As the opening verse above indicates, God warns them to “take heed” that they do not become “ensnared” to follow after the nations from whom they were conquering the Promised Land to serve their gods. God was concerned that His people would be tempted to go astray from Him in their hearts and begin worshipping the same gods the nations around them did. In fact, when one looks at the history of Israel, this is exactly what happened. It all began because Israel failed to heed this warning of God. They began to “inquire” about how the nations around them “served” their gods and they did likewise (Judges 2:10-13). Their troubles began because they were “open-minded” about idol worship.

G.K. Chesterton said, “Do not be so open-minded that your brains fall out.” Many times we give into temptations because we first “inquire” about it. We let ourselves be “open-minded” about the particular temptation. For example, Eve was willing to “inquire” about whether or not she should partake of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). A person does not become an alcoholic until they are first “open-minded” about imbibing that first drink. A man doesn’t commit adultery until he is willing to at least “consider” forsaking his marital vows.

As Christians, we are not to be “open-minded” about temptation. We are commanded to “flee” temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18; 10:14; 2 Timothy 2:22). We have our perfect example in Jesus our Savior of not being open-minded about temptations. When Satan tempted Jesus by saying he would give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would fall down and worship him, Jesus said, “"Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "(Matthew 4:10). Jesus wasn’t “open-minded” about temptation.

Today, I will strive to guard my heart and mind from Satan and not inquire about or be open-minded about temptation. I will not be so open-minded that my brains fall out!

“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11)