Entries by YMI

ODB: Hidden Mysteries

Jun 26, 2015 in , /by

June 26, 2015 

READ: 2 Kings 6:15–23 

Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 2 Kings 6:16 

Most of what goes on in the universe we never see. Many things are too small or move too fast or even too slow for us to see. Using modern technology, however, filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg is able to show stunning video images of some of those things—a caterpillar’s mouth, the eye of a fruit fly, the growth of a mushroom.

Our limited ability to see the awesome and intricate detail of things in the physical world reminds us that our ability to see and understand what’s happening in the spiritual realm is equally limited. God is at work all around us doing things more wonderful than we can imagine. But our spiritual vision is limited and we cannot see them. The prophet Elisha, however, actually got to see the supernatural work that God was doing. God also opened the eyes of his fearful colleague so he too could see the heavenly army sent to fight on their behalf (2 Kings 6:17).

Fear makes us feel weak and helpless and causes us to think we are alone in the world. But God has assured us that His Spirit in us is greater than any worldly power (1 John 4:4).

Whenever we become discouraged by the evil we can see, we need to think instead about the good work God is doing that we cannot see.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Lord, I’m tempted to fear what I cannot understand or control. But my security rests in You and not in what happens to me or around me. Help me to rest in Your unfailing love.

Eyes of faith see God at work in everything. 

ODJ: a friend in need

Jun 25, 2015 in , /by

June 25, 2015 

READ: Job 2:1-13 

They sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words (v.13).

Some dear friends of mine lost their little boy, Raphael, to death after just 8 weeks of life. Although my heart broke for them and I longed to be a comfort, I had no idea how to ease their pain.

Job also faced incredible loss and grief and needed comfort. Though he feared God and had been blessed with children and possessions (Job 1:1-3), he was not immune to suffering.

Satan claimed that Job remained faithful to God only because the Lord was protecting him (1:9-10), and if he lost everything, Job would surely curse God (v.11). The Lord agreed to test his servant and sadly Job lost everything—including his children (vv.13-19).

Although Job was deep in grief, he continued to bless the Lord (vv.20-22). Then Satan inflicted Job with painful sores, causing his wife to say, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die” (2:9). Job rebuked her, however, and refused to say anything against God (v.10).

When three of Job’s friends heard of his suffering, they came to comfort him (v.11). Hardly recognising their hurting friend, they simply sat with him for seven days and nights—not saying a word to him. For they saw that his suffering was too great for words (vv.12-13).

Similarly, a colleague of mine whose wife passed away has a friend who came to his house and sat with him in silence during the months following the tragic loss. Initially the stillness felt awkward, but he soon grew to enjoy the moments of quiet comfort and companionship.

We often feel compelled to say or do something that will bring peace to a troubled soul, but sometimes the best thing we can do is sit still with others in God’s presence (Psalm 46:10).

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day-plan: Luke 5:1-39

MORE
Read Proverbs 17:17 and consider how you can best meet the needs of a grieving friend. 
NEXT
What are the most meaningful things someone has said or done for you while you were grieving? Why is remaining silent sometimes the best course in helping a hurting friend? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Worth It All

Jun 25, 2015 in , /by

June 25, 2015 

READ: 1 Corinthians 15:30-38 

What you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 1 Corinthians 15:36 

By the end of the 4th century, followers of Christ were no longer being fed to the lions for the entertainment of Roman citizens. But the games of death continued until the day one man jumped out of the crowd in a bold attempt to keep two gladiators from killing each other.

His name was Telemachus. As a desert monk, he had come to Rome for the holidays only to find himself unable to tolerate the bloodlust of this popular pastime. According to the 5th-century bishop and church historian Theodoret, Telemachus cried out for the violence to stop but was stoned to death by the crowd. The Emperor Honorius heard about his courageous act and ordered an end to the games.

Some may question Telemachus. Was his action the only way to protest a tragic blood sport? The apostle Paul asked a similar question of himself: “Why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?” (1 Cor. 15:30). In 2 Corinthians 11:22-33, he chronicled some of his travails for the love of Christ, many of which could have killed him. Had it all been worth it?

In Paul’s mind the matter was settled. Trading things that will soon come to an end for honor that will last forever is a good investment. In the resurrection, a life that has been lived in behalf of Christ and others is seed for an eternity we will never regret.

— Mart DeHaan

Give us courage, Father, to make and live by choices that show the difference the love of Jesus makes in our lives. Help us not to trade away eternal values for convenience and comfort.

Now is the time to invest in eternity. 

ODJ: towards the small

Jun 24, 2015 in , /by

June 24, 2015 

READ: Philippians 2:1-11 

[Jesus] humbled himself (v.8).

Recently, after I had a blunt interaction with my oldest son, my wife brought me aside and said, “I think you were a little hard on him. You really swelled up and charged into the situation with a lot of force.” It wasn’t that my son didn’t need to be corrected (he did), but the way I dealt with him didn’t express the gentleness my son needed.

Philippians 2 gives the most sweeping, elegant expression of Jesus’ gentle, humble posture towards humanity—even as He came to reckon with our evil and rebellion. “Though [Jesus] was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (v.6). Rather, Jesus “gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (v.7). In other words, God bent towards us—towards the small.

God didn’t exploit us. He didn’t overwhelm us. He didn’t terrorise us. Rather, in Jesus, God bent towards us. He insisted on humility. This means that we have a God who refused to put His own interests first; One who felt no compulsion to hold tightly to whatever was rightly His (which, being God, is everything). This is a God who (rather than taking) gives, a God who (rather than devouring others to fill Himself) empties Himself to fill others. God gave Himself away and poured Himself out even to His ultimate humiliation. “He humbled himself in obedience . . . and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (v.8).

—Winn Collier

365-day-plan: Mark 1:16-39

MORE
Return to Philippians 2:1-5. Based on Jesus’ own posture of humility, how does God intend for Jesus’ example to express itself in your life? 
NEXT
How does your vision of God’s posture towards you need to be transformed by the example of Jesus’ humility? Where do you, like Jesus, need to bend towards others? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Walking on Water

Jun 24, 2015 in , /by

June 24, 2015 

READ: Matthew 14:22-33 

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. Matthew 14:27 

When I learned to sail, I had to walk along a very unsteady floating platform to reach the little boats in which we had our lessons. I hated it. I don’t have a good sense of balance and was terrified of falling between the platform and the boat as I attempted to get in. I nearly gave up. “Fix your eyes on me,” said the instructor. “I’m here, and I’ll catch you if you slip.” I did what he said, and I am now the proud possessor of a basic sailing proficiency certificate!

Do you avoid taking risks at all costs? Many of us are reluctant to step out of our comfort zones in case we fail, get hurt, or look stupid. But if we allow that fear to bind us, we’ll end up afraid to do anything.

The story of Peter’s water-walking adventure and why it supposedly failed is a popular choice for preachers (Matt. 14:22-33). But I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of them discuss the behavior of the rest of the disciples. In my opinion, Peter was a success. He felt the fear but responded to the call of Jesus anyway. Maybe it was those who never tried at all who failed.

Jesus risked everything for us. What are we prepared to risk for Him?

— Marion Stroud

Father, thank You for stretching out Your hand and saying, “Come.” Help me to get out of the boat, knowing that it is totally safe to walk on water with You.

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Helen Keller 

ODJ: working with enemies

Jun 23, 2015 in , /by

June 23, 2015 

READ: Luke 6:27-36 

Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid (v.35).

My friend Stephanie opened a second hand shop in a small town. She planned to funnel the proceeds to a ministry for unwed teenage mothers. Soon another secondhand shop opened nearby. The owners of that shop began buying Stephanie’s items and reselling them at higher prices. Stephanie knew it was underhanded, but she found that it allowed her to get to know them and tell them about Jesus. And God has prospered her business despite the actions of those who could be considered enemies.

This reminds me of Jesus’ words: “If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back” (Luke 6:29-30). In context with the rest of the passage, these principles show us how to relate with people who try to take advantage of us.

When I think about Jesus’ teaching on enemy relations, I feel some resistance in my spirit. I wonder why He asks us to humble ourselves in situations where others try to exert power over us. But, after thinking about it, I believe we’re to act this way because He’s big enough and good enough to take care of us, no matter what the enemy does. Trusting in His character helps us to honour His Word when it says, “Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God” (Romans 12:19).

—Jennifer Benson Schuldt

365-day-plan: Luke 4:16-30

MORE
Read Romans 5:10 to learn about our status in relation to God—both before and after salvation. Read Proverbs 25:21-22 to see what can happen when we show kindness to people who mistreat us. 
NEXT
List your enemies, pray for them and see what happens over time. Certain situations involving enemies require extreme caution. How can we show them God’s love from a distance? 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Shopping with Liam

Jun 23, 2015 in , /by

June 23, 2015 

READ: Genesis 3:14-19 

He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. Genesis 3:15 

My son Liam loves to pick dandelions for his mother. To date, she hasn’t wearied of receiving them. One man’s weed is a little boy’s flower.

One day I took Liam shopping with me. As we hurried past the floral section, he pointed excitedly to an arrangement of yellow tulips. “Daddy,” he exclaimed, “you should get those dandelions for Mommy!” His advice made me laugh. It made a pretty good Facebook post on his mother’s page too. (By the way, I bought the tulips.)

Some see in weeds a reminder of Adam’s sin. By eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve brought on themselves the curse of a fallen world—relentless work, agonizing birth, and eventual death (Gen. 3:16-19).

But Liam’s youthful eyes remind me of something else. There is beauty even in weeds. The anguish of childbirth holds hope for us all. Death is ultimately defeated. The “Seed” God spoke of in Genesis 3:15 would wage war with the serpent’s offspring. That Seed is Jesus Himself, who rescued us from the curse of death (Gal. 3:16).

The world may be broken, but wonder awaits us at every turn. Even weeds remind us of the promise of redemption and a Creator who loves us.

— Tim Gustafson

Help us, Father, to find You even in the midst of all life’s pain and aggravations. Forgive us for so often overlooking the beauty You have planted everywhere.

Creation reminds us of the promise of redemption.