August 31, 2013 

READ: 1 Kings 17:1-6 

Elijah was as human as we are (James 5:17).

Ordinary people from tiny towns aren’t usually highly celebrated. Few are remembered long after they’re gone. The prophet Elijah, however, is an exception. The New Testament authors mentioned him more than any other Old Testament prophet.
Wait a minute—the prophet Elijah was an ordinary guy? Well, he did accomplish some extraordinary things—such as raising a boy from the dead and calling down fire from heaven. But James reminds us that “Elijah was as human as we are” (James 5:17). Just like us, he had passions, feelings and things that caused him to suffer. In fact he once became so discouraged that he longed for his own death (1 Kings 19:4).

The prophet first appears in the Old Testament with an unimpressive CV. “Elijah . . . was from Tishbe in Gilead” (1 Kings 17:1). We’re not even sure where his hometown was located. He did, however, receive a message from God. And his proclamation was against Baal, the pagan storm god that supposedly made rain. This is important, for—in keeping with the Old Testament law (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)—Elijah first needed to demonstrate that Yahweh was the one true God and that he was His prophet, prior to calling the people to repentance.

God then commanded Elijah to hide by Kerith Brook. Why? Sufficient time needed to pass for the Israelites to see that He had brought a drought to their land. And God also used this quiet time in Elijah’s life to teach him to trust and obey. The prophet witnessed His ability to provide for his every need, both his daily provisions and his protection.

From this account of an ordinary man, we see that whomever God calls, He will also equip for what needs to be done. Elijah wasn’t superhuman, but he definitely served an extraordinary God. —Poh Fang Chia

› John 12:37-50

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August 30, 2013 

READ: 2 Samuel 12:7-14 

Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? (v.9).

For 2 years the incumbent President, who was from the rival party, denied any involvement whatsoever. In reality, however, he had ordered a cover up of the incident. ‘The Watergate cover up’ resulted in the resignation of the President of America and the imprisonment of 43 people, including dozens of high-ranking officials.
King David had committed deceit, adultery and murder. But he conspired to cover up his wrongdoings. So God sent his prophet Nathan to confront and uncover David’s sins (2 Samuel 12:1).

Nathan said, “This is what the Lord says” (v.11). He reminded David that there was a higher authority to whom he, even as the king of Israel, must give an account. It was God who had blessed David. Without Him, David was simply a poor shepherd! (vv.7-8). In his covetousness and pride, David had rejected and despised God as his provider and protector! (v.10).

In grace, God removes the guilt of sin (v.13). But through government, God punishes sin. Although forgiven, David paid a heavy price for his sins: “four sheep for each sheep stolen” (Exodus 22:1; 2 Samuel 12:1-4) and his family would “live by the sword” (v.10). The child of adultery died (v.14), and David’s three other sons died “by the sword” in family feuds (13:29, 18:15; 1 Kings 2:25).

David learned that his sins had dire consequences. When we sin, we displease and despise God (2 Samuel 11:27, 12:9-10,14). May we choose instead to walk with Him in truth and honour. —K.T. Sim

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August 29, 2013 

READ: Ephesians 6:10-18 

Let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armour of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

A close friend of mine is married to a senior leader of an African nation that has for decades been known for extreme persecution. While her husband was serving as a catalyst in seeing that country’s people freed from an oppressive regime, my friend and her three children recently spent a year with me in Uganda.
One evening my son and I went to church with my friend and her family. When we climbed into their armoured vehicle, I noticed that the 4 inch thick bulletproof windows were open. “The windows were not made to go down,” my friend explained. “But mechanics working on the vehicle yesterday were intrigued with the car and tampered with the windows. Now we can’t close them.”

Though my friend’s vehicle is designed to protect against grenades and other weapons, without the car’s full armour intact its passengers are vulnerable.

As believers, we have an enemy that’s on the prowl, looking for cracks in our armour where he can attack. “We are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). That’s why we’re instructed to “be strong in the Lord,” and to “put on all of God’s armour” so that we can “stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (vv.10-11).

Today, and every day, remember to put on every piece of God’s armour: the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the body armour of God’s righteousness and the shield of faith (vv.13-17). And as you wield the sword of the Spirit (God’s Word), you’ll be beating back the enemy and thwarting His devastating attacks. —Roxanne Robbins

› Matthew 21:1-17

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August 28, 2013 

READ: Revelation 6:1-17 

How long before You judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us? (v.10).

Jay Cutler, an American football player for the Chicago Bears, led his team as they played in a championship game against the hated Green Bay Packers. Cutler was tackled hard a few times during the first half, enough that he took himself out of the game. Some fans became furious when they saw what they thought was a healthy Cutler sitting on the bench. He didn’t appear to be cheering the team on. He simply stared blankly as the Bears lost.
Cutler’s appearance of stoic resignation is how I used to think of heaven: When I leave this earthly contest, I will go to my eternal rest where I’ll sleep a lot. But then I read John’s snapshot of heaven, where martyred saints are shouting to God, “How long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10). These saints aren’t resting, they’re actively praying!

Origen wrote that “all those fathers who have fallen asleep before us fight on our side and aid us by their prayers.” Gregory of Nazianzus said that his deceased father “accomplishes there now by his prayers more than he ever did by his teaching.” And Martin Luther told his friend that if he died first he must pull him to heaven by his prayers, “For we confess one God and with all saints we abide in our Saviour.”

Luther was describing the communion of the saints—all Christians, whether dead or alive, remain connected in Jesus. We pray for them, asking God to give a special hug to our deceased loved ones. They pray for us, cheering us on from stands packed with a great cloud of witnesses. Death may have pushed them to the sideline, but they’re still in the game. —Mike Wittmer

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