Posts from November 2022 (Page 2)
Daily Devotions
He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” vs. 17 Colossians 1:17-20 Early Christians came to believe that the Christ who had been made visible in Jesus of Nazareth was the incarnate Word of God, described in the prologue to John’s gospel. Through the Christ, present in the Beginning, all things had come into existence, and the writer of Colossians adds that, “in him all things hold together.” In other words, Christ is the…
Daily Devotions
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation…” vs. 15 Colossians 1:11-16 There is a solution for those who despair of ever knowing God or of having a sense of God’s presence in daily living. And it’s easier that we might ever suspect. All we need to do is focus on Jesus, the man from Nazareth, and we will be connected to the invisible God through whom the universe came into existence. At least that’s…
Daily Devotions
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” vs. 7 Psalm 46 The psalmist had a strong sense of God’s closeness–to put it in theological terms, he was aware of the immanence of God. To put it even more plainly, God was real to him, palpable and near, capable of being perceived by his senses. When there was danger or trouble of any kind, the psalmist was confident that God would protect him. Some…
Daily Devotions
In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” vs. 6 Jeremiah 23:4-6 In the midst of uncertainty and upheaval, Jeremiah dared to dream of peace and stability, a time when Judah and Israel would live in safety under the rule of a good shepherd king. The name of this new leader gives a clue to his identity. The one…
Daily Devotions
Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them.” vs. 2 Jeremiah 23:1-3 When Jeremiah uses the word “shepherd” he has in mind the kings of Judah, those who had responsibility for the welfare of the people. So when the “flock” was taken into exile he had no difficulty blaming the abysmal leadership…
Daily Devotions
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death … But not a hair of your head will perish.” vss. 16, 18 Luke 21:10-19 During the years of the Jewish Revolt, the followers of Jesus were persecuted and afflicted, not only by the Roman armies but by the Jewish rebels. Many were squeezed out of their homeland–others, while trying to remain faithful to the traditions, were betrayed…
Daily Devotions
And he said, ‘Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and, “The time is near!” Do not go after them.’” vs. 8 Luke 21:5-9 The gospel of Luke was likely written in the midst of what might be called apocalyptic times. Horrendous things were happening! Roman armies had been summoned to put down a Jewish rebellion and had devastated the country from one end to the other. Jerusalem…
Daily Devotions
Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.” vs. 13 2 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Evidently a kind of malaise had taken over the congregation in Thessaloniki. There had been some ongoing persecution, but the primary problem was confusion about the coming return of Christ. Some were saying it had already happened, and a few had stopped working in anticipation that the day was close. Paul too believes that the return will be soon, but he admonishes the…
Daily Devotions
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.” vs. 6 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 Even though followers of Jesus are called by grace and live by grace, they are generally seriously upset by those who sit idly by and allow others to do all the work. It’s one of the by-products of living in community.…
Daily Devotions
Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” vss. 8-9 Psalm 98:8-9 Many have been waiting for this day for weeks. They’re tired of looking at all the campaign signs and being besieged by unwelcome television ads and unsolicited text messages on their phones. It’s a relief that the…
Daily Devotions
The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.” vs. 2 Psalm 98:1-6 Tonight, millions of households will be anxiously awaiting the results of this midterm election, and in the midst of the elation and disappointment there will be some who say that the Lord has given victory to the winners. They will sing praises and give glory to God for this very visible triumph over the forces of evil. We…
Daily Devotions
But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.” vs. 2a Malachi 4:1-2a Malachi, like other prophets in Judah, spoke of the coming Day of the Lord, a time in which God would rain down fire and destruction on evil-doers, while also preserving the righteous from any harm. We see that same prophetic discourse in these latter days as we look forward to a future that many believe is fraught with…