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Thought for July 29th. “HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH” Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

All who decide to serve God and become his sons and daughters through baptism travel along different paths of experience in life. Paul in his letter to the Romans reflects on the life of Abraham as “he grew strong in faith” and how he became “fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised.” [Ch. 4 v.20.21]

Abraham’s faith grew, he believed from his heart what God said, “He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old) or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver … “ [v.19,20] So Abraham’s faith went from strength to strength.

Now compare David’s situation with Abraham. David was despondent, he had climbed the pinnacles of faith but then his life had hit a blind spot in his actions with Bathsheba. God’s words bore heavily on his mind, “because you have despised me … I will raise up evil against you out of your own house” [2 Sam. 12 v.10,11] It seems clear that David experienced deep depression, he ceased to be actively involved in administering justice and Absalom, as we read today in Ch. 15, took advantage of this.

David was overwhelmed by events, his faith had lost its focus, but, in his inner being he knew all was in the hands of God and he clung to that conviction. We read how he flees from Jerusalem, saying, “If I find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back.” [v.25].

It is a contrast in some ways to Abraham who grew stronger in his advancing years. Jeremiah’s challenges are different again. Today we read how he is told by God, “Behold I am bringing such disaster on this place that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle.” [Ch. 19 v.3] Jeremiah was to be in the midst of that disaster – but would survive. We have a lot more in common with Jeremiah than with Abraham and David. In coming days we will read how God reveals to this prophet warnings about “the latter days” (Ch.23 v.20; 30 v.24) which will cause us to think of the challenges to our own journey in faith as the whole world faces up to God’s judgements – challenges which may not be far ahead as the cauldron in the Middle East stays near boiling point.

Thought for July 28th. “BEGINNING AND ENDING IN FAITH” Jul 28, 2024

Show notes

The first 2 chapters of Romans, which we started reading today, contain some of the most personally challenging thoughts in the Bible. In its 16 chapters Paul gives a comprehensive overview of the Gospel. We were struck by the alternative translation (given in a footnote in the ESV) to v.17. The text reads (taking it in context from v.16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes … for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”

The alternative translation of “from faith to faith” is given as, “beginning and ending in faith.” Can the word ‘faith’ become too familiar to us? We read last week in Matthew 18 the words of Jesus, “Truly I say unto you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom …” [v.3] We are given a picture of the need for child-like trust. God looks to see us accept his gospel by faith – and then to see that faith grow through the experience of putting it to use day after day in all the small, but important things in life, for the gospel provides us with a conviction of the meaning of life and as that conviction grows our hearts start to fill with a sense of joy and gladness. “The righteous shall live by faith.” – and the truly righteous intend to be faithful to the end.

Paul had not been to Rome when he wrote this letter and he writes, “I long to see you … that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, yours and mine.” [v.11,12] Are we doing this? When we have the opportunity to come together, far easier now than in Paul’s day, what do we talk about? Does it include the reasons why our convictions are unshakable in this ever more godless world? Do we strengthen the faith of those who might be faltering?

We live in a world that is full of distractions – and trivialities – we must not take faith for granted, some seem to have done this – and suddenly it has evaporated, it turns out it had no foundation. What did Paul say about Abraham, the outstanding man of faith, in his letter to the Hebrews? “He was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” [11 v.10] Paul warns the Romans not to “presume on the riches of his (God’s) kindness and forbearance and patience” don’t you know, “that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? …. He will render to each one according to his works, to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life” [v.4,6,7] May this be the “ending” which our faith will achieve.

Thought for July 27th. “I THE LORD SEARCH THE HEART” Jul 27, 2024

Show notes

There is much food for thought and meditation in our chapter in Jeremiah today (17). What a burden lay on this prophet, the final prophet to the kings and people in Jerusalem in its final years before God showed the fullness of his anger on the place.

Jeremiah received – to give to the people – a series of statements setting out the principles on which God acts. “Blessed is the man (& woman) who trusts in the LORD, whose trust IS the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when the heat comes …” [v.7,8] Interesting that phrase, “who trust IS the LORD”. It reminds us of Enoch – of whom it is recorded – he “walked with God” [Gen.5 v.24].

The foundation fact is spelt out in v.10, “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man (& woman) according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” The word “fruit” is significant, it can be good or bad, the deeds we do (or fail to do) bear fruit of some kind or another – as we are seeing in our 2nd Samuel readings with the increasing disfunction of David’s large household – God was giving him “the fruit of his deeds.”

We read Jeremiah’s lamentation, “they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water” [v.13] and it is now the same situation today. Christianity is a dismal shadow of what it was originally; we think of the point Paul made to the Ephesians, “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” [5 v.25,26]. God’s word washed the minds of those who were willing to clean out the filth and remove the misunderstandings that silted up their minds, but it rarely happens today, so the ninth verse in Jeremiah’s chapter is more true than ever “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Only those who read and digest God’s word regularly have a worthwhile measure of understanding and recognise the wonder of God’s mercy and the fact that “I the LORD search the heart’ and will pray to God, as Jeremiah did, “Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster.”

Thought for July 26th. ‘I HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE LORD’ Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

As God sees our lives all wrongdoing is against him. Are we sufficiently aware of his oversight of our lives? Paul became dramatically aware and was to write, “None of us lives to himself … whether we live or whether we die we are the Lord’s” [Rom. 14, v.7,8]. Therefore, as we read today of David being confronted by the prophet Nathan, whom God had sent to him to make him conscious of the terrible reality of his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and in arranging the death of her husband, the “eyes” of David’s mind are suddenly opened and he said, “I have sinned against the LORD” [1 Sam.12 v.13]. We are astonished at the blindness of David. Let’s try to understand why he was so blind to the evil of his actions. This event illustrates the danger of becoming all powerful – so that you are answerable to no-one. The world has had innumerable examples of this, such as in the actions of present leaders. But the case of David is also one of spiritual blindness! And how many suffer from spiritual blindness?

How real is God to us? Are we always as conscious as we should be – of his all seeing eye? We give prayers of thanks for food several times a day – we believe he hears, don’t we? When we are conscious of wrong doing, we plead for his grace. But are we always conscious of our failures?

Let’s compare David with a disciple of Christ who was not conscious despite being personally witness to the wonder of his power and teaching. We read today in Matthew of how he came into the Temple and threw down 30 pieces of silver and declared, “ I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” [27 v.4]

We suspect he had expected Jesus to escape in some way from their custody, as he had seen happen in the past, see for example, Luke 4 v. 29 when they took Jesus “To the brow of the hill … so they could throw him down the cliff.” So Judas, we think, anticipated gaining 30 pieces of silver to add to his takings (John 12 v.6) from the “bag” – as he was the sort of treasurer to the group: maybe he reasoned that his ‘takings’ were a sort of ‘commission’ for looking after the money – it is amazing how the human mind can justify to themselves some of the things they do!

Judas thought he could serve Jesus and serve Mammon (money) at the same time. How many do that today? Some leaders of church groups have become very wealthy. David’s son Solomon was to write in his God given wisdom, “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle …” [Prov. 23 v.4,5] Let us be very vigilant not to sin against the Lord – for all wrong doing is against him.

Thought for July 25th. “NOT AS I WILL BUT AS YOU WILL” Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

Today we read the account of the dreadful last 24 hours or so in the mortal life of our Lord Jesus. Yes, he was mortal, otherwise his death was only a sort of ‘mirage.’ His agony of mind in the Garden of Gethsemane shows he knew what awaited him. It is possible he reasoned, as he prayed to his father, that his father’s will could be the same as with Abraham when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac and at the last moment his action was stopped (Gen. 22 v,10-12). With what utter urgency of mind Jesus prayed, “if it be possible let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” [Matt. 26 v.39] This clearly shows Jesus had a separate will to his Father, he was not an ‘automated’ son; the theory of later centuries that the Father and Son are co-equal, co-eternal, etc. is pure human theology and is false, many scriptures make this plain especially Hebrews 5 v.5-9.

There are several lessons that flow from this, especially the lesson for us on the foundation purpose of our lives and what our “will” should decide as to the paths open to us in pursuing our ambitions in life: it is essential they are made with a clear appreciation and acceptance of true godly principles.

Sometimes there are critical lessons to be learnt! We saw the lesson Peter learnt in a mind of extreme anguish: he had brash self-confidence in declaring he would never deny his Lord, as we read in v. 33. It can be that when we seek relaxation from the battles of life as David did as we read today in 2 Samuel 11 v.1-2 that we let down our defences and our clear vision of our relationship with our Saviour is dulled. There is a proverb about idle hands, there should be one, and probably is, about roving eyes and minds!

There has never been an age when human minds and eyes have been faced with such a multitude of opportunities to rove. All around us are those who indulge in ungodly ways and each year, it seems, this occurs to greater and greater degrees. Let Jeremiah’s trials and his words, we also read today, be examples to us, “I did not sit in the company of revellers … because your hand was upon me … your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” [15 v.17,16] Is Jesus your LORD, are you called by his name? Then let us follow Jeremiah’s example.

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Thought for July 24th. “LORD, WHEN DID WE SEE THEE … “ Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

Today’s 25th chapter of Matthew contains 3 challenging parables, the Master’s final ones. Just 2 days later (26 v.2) he is arrested and the major purpose of his mortal life on earth unfolds.

The first parable highlights 5 virgins who were wise in taking “a flask of oil with their lamps” [v.4], in case the bridegroom was long in coming they wanted to make sure they had enough, “for you know neither the day nor the hour” of his arrival [v.13]. We are inclined to think that oil indicates the need for sufficient faith to endure so that we can be sure to ‘see’ when it is plainly true to say, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out and meet him” [v.6].

We read in Ch, 24 v.13 that “the one who endures to the end will be saved” and if that is the end of our mortal life – we know that “the dead in Christ will rise first” [1 Thess.4 v.16] and will meet him.

The second parable is of servants being given various talents of money and the use (or non-use) the servants make of them; Those who “have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master,” [v.23] he tells them on his return.

The third parable is of the sheep and the goats, the sheep are told, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you … For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” [v.34-36]

The sheep are perplexed to understand when they did this! The King answers, “Truly I say to you. as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers (or sisters), you did it to me.’” [v.40] The goats are told, “depart from me, you cursed …”[v.41], there is no future for them! They ask the same question, “Lord when did we see thee… “ [v,44] They are condemned for being self-centred, like the one with the talent who did not put it to use, they had been pleased no doubt to be known as Christians, but had not really served their Master in any meaningful way.

The chapter ends, “and these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” It does not indicate eternal torture, it means their life is at an end, they go into “darkness” [v.30] and as they go, as was foretold of the Jewish leaders, “there will be weeping … when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.” [Luke 13 v.28] Are you among the sheep or the goats? There is no third choice! Oh the inner joy of being among the sheep – both now – but even more – then to “enter into the joy of your Master.” [v.23] Isn’t this the God-given purpose of our lives?

Thought for July 23rd. “A TIME OF GREAT TRIBULATION SUCH AS HAS NOT BEEN …” Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

‘The Olivet Prophecy’ as most of today’s reading of Matthew 24 is known – is full of challenging language about events future to that time. Jesus in this chapter gives clarity to his parable that we looked at in Ch.22:1-14. In verse 7 talking of the Jews Jesus said ‘when the king heard he was angry and sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and burned up their city”. And so the roman armies destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple worship in AD70. Matt.24 is about the destruction of Jerusalem and ultimately the return of Jesus or “his coming’

The key question the disciples asked Jesus was, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” [v.3] Part of his answer is to say, “if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved, but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” [v.22]. The previous verse says, “there will be a time of great tribulation such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now” [v.21] These verses speak of the very difficult times experienced by the faithful leading up to Jerusalem’s overthrow and the close of the Jewish “age”.

Jesus said, “the powers of the heavens will be shaken” [v.29]. And so it was that the Jewish governing powers or heavens were indeed shaken and the people dispersed throughout the then known world.

Verse 31 tells us the angels will be sent out to gather the elect! The prophecy now 2000 years later after the return of Jesus Christ (V30) the angels are sent out to gather the remnant of Israel (elect) (Rom.11:25-28). Consider that Israel is also called God’s “elect” (see Isaiah 42 v.1, 45 v.4, 65 v.9,22) and they now exist again after 1900 years in oblivion, we suspect the reference by Jesus to “the elect” is primarily to them – it is for the sake of Israel that “those days will be cut short” – while the the angels are the glorified saints. (1Thess.4:15-17).

God will act for “the elect’s sake” but there may well be awesome events to occur as “the angels gather his elect” [v.31]. What will Israel’s situation be at this time of world crisis? In Micah 7 v.18,19 are the words, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance … He will again have compassion on us”

For ourselves, let us live in a way that will ensure we are among “glorified saints ” spoken of as coming in the clouds of heaven (v30) because we have established a relationship with him..

Thought for July 22nd. “I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU WENT” Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Today’s reading in 2 Samuel 7 is one that many know well: it is one of the most significant in the Old Testament. King David’s love for God and his relationship with God has reached its highest point. It suddenly comes into his mind that he should build a Temple for his God, where God can be worshipped in a truly holy setting.

The prophet Nathan tells him to go ahead, “do all that is in your heart” [v.3], but “the same night the word of the LORD comes to Nathan” [v.4] and among the many things he is told to tell David is “I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off your enemies from before you. And will make of you a great name … “ [v.9]

This remarkable promise is then enlarged, “Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled … I will raise up your offspring after you … and I will establish his kingdom … and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.” [v.11-13]. There are short and long term promises in these words, indeed, an everlasting promise. Solomon fulfils the short term promise of a son and he is also the one to build the physical house, the Temple in Jerusalem.

David is overwhelmed by the long term vision that is opened up to his mind. He “went in and sat before the LORD (in the tabernacle) and says, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come … you have brought about this greatness, to make your servant know it.” [v.19,21]

The first words in the Gospel of Matthew are “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David … “ As with David, God was with the Lord Jesus wherever he went. Remember his personal prayer, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me …” [John 11 v.41,42]

Those who belong to Christ and truly live with that realization have the same blessing, “so that we might live through him” [1 John 4 v.9] and he will be with us wherever we go! But the promise refers to far more than this life. Peter, preaching on the day of Pentecost, quotes David’s Psalm, “you have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.” [Acts 2 v.28] Imagine that, the time when those to whom God counts their faith as righteousness, as he did with Abraham (read Romans 4 v.22-24), will become “equal to angels, being sons (and daughters) of the resurrection” [Luke 20 v.36] Can we experience some of David’s wonder as “he went in and sat before the LORD.” ? May he be with us wherever we go, today and always.

Thought for July 21st. “FOR MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN” Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

One of the most worrying sayings of Jesus is that quoted above, but in looking back on the events of history it makes sense. We read in Jeremiah that the call to serve God in the way he desires went unheeded. Jeremiah is told, as we read today, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem: Hear the words of this covenant and do them … so you shall be my people and I will be your God.” [11 v.6,4]

All those who are convinced there is one real God who created all things and the Bible is his revelation to human beings must respond to appeals like Jeremiah’s. Our Matthew reading (ch.22) starts with a parable; “The kingdom of heaven (a heavenly kingdom on earth) may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son” [v.2]. The “wedding feast is ready but those invited are not worthy “ [v.8] because they treated the king’s servants shamefully (v.6) as happened to Jeremiah. This surely refers to the Jewish nation.

The servants are then told to “invite to the wedding feast as many as you find. And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.” [v.9,10]. When the king comes “to look at the guests, he saw a man who had no wedding garment” [v.12] The man is cast “into outer darkness.” [v.13] The next verse (14) states, ”For many are called but few are chosen.”

What does the “wedding garment” symbolise? The custom in the east, we understand, is that the host provides the attire at the wedding feast. But some think they can dress as they please! It reminds us of the prophet Zephaniah, “ … the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has … consecrated his guests. And on the day of the LORD’s sacrifice – ‘I will punish…all who array themselves in foreign attire.” [1 v.7,8]

Most Israelites thought they could serve God on their terms, Saul is an example. Many did not want to be different to the nations around. Few desired the wedding garment God provided, so they ended up rejecting their Messiah. Has not most of Christianity done the same, bending his message to suit their ideas? Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” [Luke 13 v.23] and he responded by saying, “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many I tell you will seek to enter but will not be able.” [v.24] But whose fault is that? Then the Master shuts the door [v.25] and it is too late. Let us read God’s word diligently and put it into practice and then, through his mercy and grace, we will be among the chosen.

Thought for July 20th. “BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU” Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Matthew in his Gospel is more prolific than the other Gospel writers in quoting the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. Today we have in his 21st chapter the account of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (v.4-11). Matthew writes, “this took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying ‘Behold your king is coming to you, mounted on a donkey … and the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! … Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up …”

The prophet whom God caused to predict this was Zechariah (9 v.9) and we are prompted to think of his and those of other prophets who were caused to write of the incredible dramas at the time of his second coming. We also see the remarkable prophecies the disciples were later to make as recorded in the book of Acts (e,g, 3 v.20,21) and in their letters about his second coming; the scene will be truly awesome when true believers will be saying something like “Behold our king is coming in great glory.”

But, just as awesome, overwhelmingly so, will be his great power to bring vengeance on those who deny him, being totally blind to there being a Creator with a plan and purpose for his creation.

When we come to Matthew 24 we will see how Jesus himself predicted his return, a time when conditions on earth will be “as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until … so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” [v.37-39]

There is nothing wrong with “eating and drinking” – it is essential – but Jesus is summing up human pleasures in life at that time, their main aim in living, with no thought of God, being the same as in the days of Noah. Let us make sure we are not “unaware” but are ready to respond when we hear the words, “Behold your king is coming to you …”

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