Devotionals

Fight the Battle Well…Wage the Good Warfare…Fight Well in the Lord’s Battle…Fight the Good Fight

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul charges his mentee, Timothy, to “fight the good fight” or in other translations it is written as listed above. “This command I entrust to you”, Paul says to Timothy, because Paul is transferring his spiritual wisdom to Timothy and he knows that Timothy must engage in the battle, warfare, and fight not just for his own faith, but by his calling as a Pastor he must speak the Truth and warn against false teachers for the faith of all believers. As believers, we are all ministers of faith and so we must acknowledge that there is constant battle, warfare, and fight between good and evil, which is God and Satan, for us at all times. Each side is wanting our allegiance. So, you and I might not be a Pastor, but as believers, and ministers of faith to others, we still have the same choice to make at all times…good or evil, God or Satan.

Paul reminds Timothy that as he fights the good fight of faith, it must be in good conscience. In Romans 2:13-15, Paul wrote about how the Gentiles didn’t have the law, but “their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right”. (v.15) “For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.” (v.13) A good conscience that is fed by the Spirit of Christ will produce the Fruits of the Spirit, and when evil behavior takes place that person’s conscience will feel a sinful response and that person will know that they must repent and turn away from sin.

Our “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Heb 11:1) So, by rejecting a good conscience, a person will shipwreck their faith. We must remember that Satan is cunning, and he will use people, circumstances, events, things, and take small steps to cloud our understanding of the Truth, and to slowly pull our souls towards him and away from God. We must never lose sight of the significance of this life, and it is to remain in alignment with God and to keep moving towards Him and away from Satan. We see below when Hymenaeus and Alexander shipwrecked their faith where that led them, and we do not want that for our own lives.

1 Timothy 1:18-20 (NASB)

18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.

Prayer: Jesus, please keep growing my faith walk each day through Your Word. Help my conscience to be renewed by Your Spirit and drawn to live and speak Your Truth. Please quicken my soul by Your Spirit to turn away from sin. Forgive me, Jesus, of all sin. I want to walk each day with You, standing against all false teachings, and further and further away from Satan. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: Over the past two months in our LIFE Lessons Bible Study Class, we have been looking at Jesus’ prophetic predictions found in Matthew 24—his Olivet Discourse. In fact, in this passage from Matthew, Jesus sets out a warning about false prophets rising up in the future. Now, false prophets have always been around, but the power of deception they will be able to bring in the future will become intense. Their corrupt teaching will result in great judgment. Believers will need spiritual discernment in order to identify false teaching and/or false prophets and stand against their message of twisted Word. We must guard our hearts against their slander of the Truth.

Believers can identify false prophets by the teaching they share about Christ—the Living Word of God. Jesus loves the world and died for it, but he calls believers to live in the new righteous fruit-bearing life he has promised in the Spirit (John 15:5-8). He bought us with the price of his life. We are welcomed into the life of the Spirit, who molds us in godliness. Godliness calls for repentance. False prophets twist the Word of God, so people believe there is no need to repent—to leave what God has prohibited/condemned and return to the Word/commands of the Lord.

From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mat 4:17). He proclaimed, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you” (Rev 3:3). We must be ready when Christ returns for the Church (John 14:1-3).

In our passage today, Peter wants people to know the evil false teachers bring to the way of Truth. God will judge these false leaders. He will also judge those who choose to listen to their immoral and corrupt message because it is what they want to hear and believe. We must stay the course by following the core beliefs of faith found in Scripture; the Word teaches we must repent from sin or face judgment. Only through repentance will God rescue godly people from the floodwaters of evil and the impending judgment.

2 Peter 2:1-10 NLT The Danger of False Teachers

1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. 5 And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.

6 Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10 He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for promising to rescue and deliver believers from evil. While we wait for your return, help us to repent from any sin that causes rebellion against you and lead us by your Spirit into the Truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Humanity could use a big dose of wisdom and the true way of wisdom is the way of God! Scripture teaches about worldly wisdom vs. godly wisdom; both will impact a person’s perspective on life. The world’s wisdom is always self-centered; motivated by pride, pleasure, and is focused solely on the human point of view. In Scripture, Satan tries to tempt Jesus [through Peter] to embrace worldly wisdom over godly wisdom when Peter reprimands Jesus for saying he must “go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Mat 16:21). When Peter hears Jesus speak of suffering, all he can think of is a way to stop it. Peter knows if Jesus suffers and dies it means similar things for himself. Jesus responds to Peter, “Get away from me Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” (Mat 16:23). Jesus loves Peter, but he knows worldly wisdom when he hears it and identifies the source—Satan.

Godly wisdom is striving to see life from God’s holy perspective and act accordingly; it is foreign to human flesh. Therefore, godly wisdom leads human beings into living righteously before him and treating others the way God would treat them. Holy wisdom is pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:17). When we lack wisdom, we are to ask God for it! (James 1:5a).

In our passage today, David shares a psalm of wisdom. He has suffered from his disobedience and foolishness; David has learned the value of godly wisdom. Fools—those who practice wickedness but think they have all the answers—actually have no revelation of God; therefore, no divine understanding. Jeremiah writes, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (17:9). Because of sin, we are not innately good people. However, hallelujah for Good News! God connects believers with Christ; for our benefit God has made Jesus to be godly wisdom itself (1 Cor 1:30). In our obedience to Christ, we can extend the wisdom and goodness of God to others. Godly wisdom is a result of God with us! Let’s live with an awareness of God’s presence and wisdom with us, today!

Psalm 14:1-5 NLT A psalm of David.
1 
Only fools say in their hearts,    “There is no God.”They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;    not one of them does good!
2 
The Lord looks down from heaven    on the entire human race;he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,    if anyone seeks God.
3 
But no, all have turned away;    all have become corrupt.No one does good,    not a single one!
4 
Will those who do evil never learn?    They eat up my people like bread    and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.
5 
Terror will grip them,    for God is with those who obey him.

Prayer: Lord, please remind me today of your presence with me and help me live in your holy revelation and wisdom. May your goodness and wisdom flow from me into others for your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The word ‘good’ can be used as a noun, adjective, and as an interjection.  In my research, I found many synonyms that could be used to replace the word ‘good’ and each one helped to enlarge my understanding:  satisfying, virtuous, reliable, fruitful, kind, real, proper, sufficient, well-being, and ideal.  All these words describe God’s perfect goodness, as well as our inheritance as we press into a deeper relationship with him.  The Father, Son, and Spirit are good; God’s good nature and plan works for our good (Ro 8:28).

In our passage today, Jesus meets a rich religious leader. This man loves God and desires to obey the Word of the Lord; however, Jesus knows this man’s level of trust is hindered because financially he has the capability of taking care of himself; he is self-sufficient.   This rich leader is comfortable and secure with his life; perhaps he likes the choices and power his riches give him.  Being rich is not the main problem; rather trusting in those riches to secure salvation or bring a godly life is the issue. 

This rich leader comes to Jesus with a question.  He approaches the Lord as, “Good Teacher” and Jesus asks, “Why do you call me good?…Only God is truly good.”  Do you know God is the only One who can satisfy you, make you morally virtuous, be a solid and reliable source of stability for your life, cause you to bear righteous fruit, reveal real kindness and mercy to your soul, give you sufficient grace to weather the emotional storms life serves up, provide you a sense of well-being as his son or daughter, and is the ideal image into which you will one day be transformed?   

We must never forget Jesus is God, so he knows the truth about our hearts, motives, and resources, as well as sees the things that have become more important in our lives than him.  He loves us enough to address them.  Truly, if you and I never face the pressures from some kind of lack in our lives due to self-sufficiency, we will never know how good God really is!  We cannot buy or perform our way into eternity.  We must put our faith in Messiah and follow his righteous path in the power of his grace.  So, keep your eyes on Jesus who is leading you deeper into his goodness, today!

Luke 18:18-23 (NLT)  The Rich Man

18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’”

21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for this lesson on humility and the true nature of your goodness.  Help us as your children to love you with our whole being; to be completely devoted to you and your work of grace within us.  Keep us free from the love of money which is idolatry.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Intro: Every day we have a variety of choices to make. The average person makes 35,000 decisions per day. God instructs us to choose each day to live like we are fruit-being trees planted along the River of Life. Only then can we know the joy of God’s righteous and glorious presence.

Believers were not created to live like the wicked; if we try to “blend-in” with the world, we feel shame and remorse for denying the Righteous One. We were created to live joyfully meditating on the Word of the Lord and allowing that Word to bring us closer to God.

Making these choices and aligning our lives with Christ is what it means to live with Jesus as King on the throne of our hearts. Vibrant life is available to those who do so, because we have honored the rule of Jesus with our whole being. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Ro 12:1).

Our passage today from the Psalter is called a royal psalm; a tribute and blessing to the dynasty and descendants of David. However, I believe this passage helps us look forward into the future toward the Good News and eternal reign and rule of the Son of God—Jesus Messiah—over Jerusalem [Zion] (Mark 1:1). There are several times in Scripture God says, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father“ (Ps 2:7; Acts 13:33). To this Son, God promises to make the earth his personal treasure.

We know this passage more than likely speaks of an immediate king to whom the Lord desires to pour out blessings, but because things in the Old Testament foreshadow things to come in the New Testament, I believe the ultimate fulfillment comes through Jesus Messiah who will live in the eternal blessings of all things in heaven and on earth coming under his rule. One day when Christ rules the world, we will live with hope, justice, and goodness in his protective care. By the way, believers will reign with Christ and be coheirs in all his blessings forever (Ro 8:17). That day cannot come soon enough for me!

Psalm 2 (NLT)
1
Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.
3
“Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4
But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5
Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6
For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem, [Zion] on my holy mountain.”
7
The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son [Son].
Today I have become your Father.
8
Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.
9
You will break [rule] them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”
10
Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11
Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12
Submit to God’s royal son, [Son] or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Prayer: Father, thank you for the promise of the Son’s rule over heaven and earth. May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today is Labor Day and for many working and school going Americans it’s a three-day weekend. It’s a day that marks the end of summer, the start of the school year, it kicks off the first college football games of the season, and lots of people are coming together in outdoor events. In the late nineteenth century labor activists came together to push for today to be a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions that workers have made to make America strong and prosperous.

When you think about your strength and prosperity, is your job the first thing that comes to your mind? Obviously, we need employment to sustain our livelihoods, but where does your strength come from and how is your prosperity determined?

We are reminded by our biblical siblings of where to find our strength: in one of the Books of Wisdom, King David says, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” (Psalm 121:2) In the Old Testament, Isaiah says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) Finally, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13) Although our employment may bring financial stability to our household, our “actual strength” is divine and comes directly from the Lord, as we see throughout scripture.

We are also reminded by our biblical siblings throughout scripture that our prosperity is in our spiritual connection with Christ. Everything of this world will one day perish, but our connection with the Living God is the only eternal thing. Again, in one of the Books of Wisdom, King David says, “You will enjoy the fruits of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!” (Psalm 128:2) In the Old Testament, Jeremiah says, “For I know the plans I have for you’, says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11) In the New Testament, our dear brother, Paul, says, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19). All prosperity points to Jesus, to truly know Him is to be prosperous, because all of the “financial and tangible prosperity” of this world will one day vanish, but Jesus remains the same for eternity.

So, how do you grow in your strength with the Lord, the One who offers you eternal prosperity? Well, a simple shepherd boy that grew up to be a great King who sought after God’s heart tells us in today’s passage. David outlines for us the starting points to cultivating a God centered life. In addition, I’d add, pick up the Bible every single day and ask for Jesus to grow you up in His Truth, and that is labor worth celebrating!

Psalm 101 (NLT)
Of David. A psalm.

1 I will sing of your love and justice;

to you, Lord, I will sing praise.

2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—

when will you come to me?

I will conduct the affairs of my house

with a blameless heart.

3 I will not look with approval

on anything that is vile.

I hate what faithless people do;

I will have no part in it.

4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me;

I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

5 Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret,

I will put to silence;

whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,

I will not tolerate.

6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,

that they may dwell with me;

the one whose walk is blameless

will minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit

will dwell in my house;

no one who speaks falsely

will stand in my presence.

8 Every morning I will put to silence

all the wicked in the land;

I will cut off every evildoer

from the city of the Lord.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for all of the work that You lay entrust in my care. I ask for you to guide me to do everything in Your excellence. Grow me in Your strength and help me to see each step of faith with You as the only prosperity that I need for this life, because this physical life is fleeting, but my spiritual life with You is growing each and every day. Thank You for continuing to see me as a labor of love worthy of You, Jesus. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: I have a deep conviction that life is a precious gift and God is the Creator and Giver of all life. In fact, I interpret my call from the Lord as a way to pray for and nurture the God-life in persons of all ages. I pray for and celebrate when the spirit and life of a new person is being formed inside a mother’s womb. I celebrate and guide life after birth with a desire to connect a person to Christ’s righteous ways and redeeming salvation; a Way that leads a person into abundant spiritual life. Finally, I celebrate the life of a believer when the time arrives for their spirit to return into the eternal home and heavenly glory of God from which it came.

Basically, I have a theology of life: God with us. Theology is best defined in dictionaries as the study of the nature and character of God. If we believe God is with us and that not one thing was created except through him, then I must put on the mind of Christ to understand life (John 1:3). The life of every creature is in its blood (Leviticus 17:14). So, if there is circulating blood…there is life. God does not want even one life to perish without knowing him or the salvation he offers, so he sent his son to shed his blood for the forgiveness of sin so we may experience spiritual life with God (John 3:16). I have no desire to experience even a moment of life without God and I thank Jesus every day that I never have to do so (Heb 13:5).

In our passage today, David is overwhelmed with the omni-present or always present nature and holy character of God surrounding him. Whether David was in the womb, walking through the sinful wilderness of this world, living in the blessing of abundant places, or facing his heavenly home-going, David knew God was with him. David gave God the credit for writing his life story and walking it out with him. Do you know how precious your life is to God? If you need me to remind you that you are a gift made by God, I am here for you!

Psalm 139:13-18 NLT; song of David, Cont.

13 
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 
You saw me before I was born.
    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
    before a single day had passed.
17 
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
    They cannot be numbered!
18 
I can’t even count them;
    they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
    you are still with me!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for life and for this song from David that reminds me about your continual presence with me each and every day no matter where I go. Thank you for knitting me together in my mother’s womb and helping me to live out every good thing you have placed within me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: My husband bought me an Apple watch for Christmas last year and I have really enjoyed it. I still tend to be startled however, when my watch buzzes and flashes the message, “Time to stand! Stand up and move a little for one minute.” How does it know I have been sitting at my computer for more than 50 mins? It knows, because when I obey, it praises me!

In our passage today, David reminds us God was the first One to know when we sit or stand; not Apple. In fact, God knows everything about us and everywhere we go. I find this truth reassuring and comforting for my soul. I like the accountability of knowing I do not live in hidden places alone; I have a Companion and Friend within who loves me. God knows everything I do. God examines my character, behavior, activities, and words; then, he whispers more ways for my soul to live in his blessing. So, when God says, “Time to stand!” I try to listen and obey, because he always blesses me for doing so. Truly, God’s goodness is hard to comprehend.

Psalm 139:1-6 NLT A psalm of David.
1 
O Lord, you have examined my heart    and know everything about me.
2 
You know when I sit down or stand up.    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 
You see me when I travel    and when I rest at home.    You know everything I do.
4 
You know what I am going to say    even before I say it, Lord.
5 
You go before me and follow me.    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,    too great for me to understand!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for knowing and understanding me. Thank you for going before me each day and making a way through this wilderness of a world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Even though the world may be filled with sin and challenges, God has wonderful things in store for us as his children. Great supernatural things! In fact, God has things beyond our ability to understand or even comprehend (Isaiah 64:4; 1 Cor 2:9). Boldly, based on the Word of God, I will declare God wants something higher and better for you than you want for yourself. Most of the time we are afraid to ask for something great from God, because we either do not feel worthy or we are afraid of being disappointed. If you think God’s goodness toward you is based on whether or not you deserve to receive something extraordinary, then you have not really understood the Good News: the agape [sacrificial love of God] or his grace [undeserved favor in Christ]. “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Jesus invites the sinful and unworthy [the humble and poor or empty—absent of resources] to come to his Kingdom feast and partake in his righteous salvation that makes one filled and whole.

In our passage today in Luke, Jesus offers a parable to further explain how he views the Jew’s reaction to his generous invitation to partake of God’s Kingdom Feast.   The very people Jesus first invited to his Kingdom feast—God’s chosen covenant people—either rejected his offer or made excuses as to why they could not come.  Keep in mind, God’s covenant guests had already accepted the invitation through Moses long before, but when the servant (Jesus) was sent to say the meal was ready they had lost their burning desire to attend the feast.  They were not thirsty or hungry, anymore. The world had taken dominion over them. The meal was ready, but they were wrapped in the business of life.  The meal was ready, but they had other priorities.  The meal was ready, but they were focused on pleasure.  

So, in the parable, Jesus says the host decides to invite the outcasts.  Everyone listening to Jesus knew this was a direct connection to the Gentiles; those whom the Jews felt were unworthy of receiving the blessings and favor of God.  Luke, a Gentile, probably writes the story with a smile in his heart about the goodness of God!  If Jesus invites us to the banquet feast of his goodness, we need to run with open arms to receive the blessings of extravagant love and grace from God.  Stop to think about the fact that God calls us to the feast table, because we need a great deal of help!  Repent and Receive the Righteous Resources Christ provided for you!

Luke 14:15-24 NLT Parable of the Great Feast

15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!”

16 Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ 23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for inviting every heart to enjoy your goodness and salvation.  You never show preference of one person over another.  You simply ask us to come and allow you to do in our lives what makes us whole—to eat from the feast of your amazing Kingdom table.  Fill your children today as we gather to receive.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Intro: I was just listening to a bit of local news this morning and many of the reports saddened me. The crime situation is escalating in certain places in our country; criminals are not afraid to violate others, because there does not seem to be much of a consequence when they break the law. What do you think will actually change society? Scripture tells us a society will change only when people conform to God’s Word and follow his ways. Only then will people willingly love, respect, and care for each other.

In our passage today, Isaiah speaks to the nations of Israel and Judah about their arrogance and corruption before God. Only God is worthy of being exalted and every wicked nation under pride-driven leaders who push to exalt themselves over God’s authority have been destined for judgment and destruction. Both Israel and Judah faced the judgment of God when each were violently conquered by enemy nations and taken into captivity.

The phrase ‘the day of judgment’ is also called ‘the day of the Lord.’ This refers to God’s judgment on his sinful human creation bent on idolatry, violence, and hatred. Sometimes ‘the day of judgment’ occurs in this life, but there is also a final judgment that will occur and it is called ‘the day of the Lord.’ For those ready to meet Christ at his second return, they will be rescued from all the adverse effects of sin. “Just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him” (Heb 9:27-28).

We live in the ‘the last days’ and the time following Christ’s first advent or coming. According to Scripture, Christ will return again for the second time to judge every person who has ever lived; every person will stand before God and give an account for his or her life. Those in Christ, will be declared righteous, because Jesus brings a person into peace with God. If we stand in that place of judgment without Jesus—the Word of God living within us—we will be found guilty of sin and deserving of a destiny in hell. Why do we try to substitute what actually works to bring change to society [honoring and following the Word of God] by accepting man-driven remedies that have never worked to bring lasting change? Rebellion against God’s Word places humanity on the wrong side of his righteous justice and judgment.

Isaiah 2:12-17 (NLT)

12
For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    has a day of reckoning.
He will punish the proud and mighty
    and bring down everything that is exalted.
13 
He will cut down the tall cedars of Lebanon
    and all the mighty oaks of Bashan.
14 
He will level all the high mountains
    and all the lofty hills.
15 
He will break down every high tower
    and every fortified wall.
16 
He will destroy all the great trading ships
    and every magnificent vessel.
17 
Human pride will be humbled,
    and human arrogance will be brought down.
Only the Lord will be exalted
    on that day of judgment.

Prayer: Lord, humility before you is the proper posture for every human being. I pray for my heart to be loving, humble, and pliable. I pray for all of your children to understand and live in love and humility. I also pray for our country and the violence that seems to go unpunished. You are love and your Word tells us “love does no wrong.” I pray for your perfect justice to be exalted in your world, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.