Entries by YMI
ODJ: grace scare
March 30, 2015
READ: 2 Samuel 6:1-23
David was now afraid of the LORD, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the LORD back into my care?” (v.9).
Ever wondered about this line from “Amazing Grace”? “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” Grace teaches my heart to fear? What’s so scary about grace?
David found the answers to these questions when he brought the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. It was a festive, noisy celebration, the kind that can fog a man’s mind (2 Samuel 6:5). When the oxen stumbled and the cart lurched, Uzzah reached out to steady the ark and died on the spot (vv.6-7).
David was angry and afraid. He realised the ark was dangerous because God was there (vv.8-9). But God, who gives life itself (John 17:3), chose to bring death to those who violated His glory. If God is the only source of life, then we must fear the thought of losing the privilege to love Him.
Theologian Karl Barth explained, “We must fear Him above all things because we may love Him above all things.” Barth reasoned that since loving God is life, then, “If we are not permitted to love Him and if we do not love Him, we can only expect the cessation of our existence at His hands.”
We’re not doing God a favour when we pray and dig into His Word. He’s doing us the favour, for He’s granting us access to the only path to life. God won’t keep the door open forever, but “he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed” (Acts 17:31). That day is not here yet, so there’s still time. Don’t ignore “this marvellous gift of God’s kindness . . . . Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). If you love God, you’ll also reverently fear Him.
365-day plan: 1 Samuel 20:1-42
Read 1 John 4:7-21 to learn how God’s love for us calms our fears.
Do you fear or love God more? How are these two emotions connected, so that one rises or falls with the other?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
ODB: It’s Beautiful!
March 30, 2015
READ: Mark 14:3-9
Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.” —Mark 14:6
After being away on business, Terry wanted to pick up some small gifts for his children. The clerk at the airport gift shop recommended a number of costly items. “I don’t have that much money with me,” he said. “I need something less expensive.” The clerk tried to make him feel that he was being cheap. But Terry knew his children would be happy with whatever he gave them, because it came from a heart of love. And he was right—they loved the gifts he brought them.
During Jesus’ last visit to the town of Bethany, Mary wanted to show her love for Him (Mark 14:3-9). So she brought “an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard” and anointed Him (v.3). The disciples asked angrily, “Why this waste?” (Matt. 26:8). Jesus told them to stop troubling her, for “she has done a good work for Me” (Mark 14:6). Another translation reads, “She has done a beautiful thing to Me.” Jesus delighted in her gift, for it came from a heart of love. Even anointing Him for burial was beautiful!
What would you like to give to Jesus to show your love? Your time, talent, treasure? It doesn’t matter if it’s costly or inexpensive, whether others understand or criticize. Whatever is given from a heart of love is beautiful to Him.
— Anne Cetas
A healthy heart beats with love for Jesus.
ODJ: meekness and majesty
March 29, 2015
READ: Mark 11:1-11
This took place to fulfil the prophecy that said, “Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt” (Matthew 21:4-5).
Bible scholars disagree on the exact number, but most believe that Jesus has fulfilled some 350 Old Testament prophecies—stretching from Genesis to Malachi. And hundreds more will be fulfilled in the future. In his book Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell shared a study that shows that the probability of a person fulfilling just one prophecy is 1 in 300,000; and for 8 fulfilled prophecies, the odds are an astronomical 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000!
Five days before His death, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey to fulfil one Old Testament prophecy. Five hundred years earlier, Zechariah predicted that Jerusalem would hail the Messiah as their king, “righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). After entering the city of Bethany, Jesus sent two disciples ahead to collect the colt (Mark 11:1-6). Clearly, Jesus purposefully rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to fulfil what had been written long before (Matthew 21:4-5).
But Jesus also did it to reveal the kind of king He really is! “Your king . . . is humble . . . . riding on a donkey’s colt” (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5). King Jesus came in meekness and lowliness.
In fact, instructing the two disciples to get the donkey was an exercise in humility. Hours before this, the disciples had fought for positions of power and prominence (Mark 10:35-43). Going to get an animal was a lowly assignment—the work of a servant. Jesus revealed that any mission, any task, however small, is important if it means obedience to God and if it fulfils His will. No task is too small or insignificant in His service.
Today, Jesus asks us to serve in humility and lowliness of spirit. Let’s follow Him in humble obedience, for that’s the way to God’s will.
365-day plan: 1 Samuel 18:1-30
Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 and Philippians 2:3-8 to see how we should do our work for God.
What small task has Jesus assigned to you? How can you complete the assignment to His glory?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
ODB: Who Are You?
March 29, 2015
READ: Matthew 21:1-11
When [Jesus] had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” —Matthew 21:10
From time to time, we read of people who are offended at not being treated with what they consider due respect and deference. “Do you know who I am?” they shout indignantly. And we are reminded of the statement, “If you have to tell people who you are, you probably really aren’t who you think you are.” The polar opposite of this arrogance and self-importance is seen in Jesus, even as His life on earth was nearing its end.
Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of praise from the people (Matt. 21:7-9). When others throughout the city asked, “Who is this?” the crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee” (vv.10-11). He didn’t come claiming special privileges, but in humility He came to give His life in obedience to His Father’s will.
The words Jesus said and the things He did commanded respect. Unlike insecure rulers, He never demanded that others respect Him. His greatest hours of suffering appeared to be His lowest point of weakness and failure. Yet, the strength of His identity and mission carried Jesus through the darkest hours as He died for our sins so that we might live in His love.
He is worthy of our lives and our devotion today. Do we recognize who He is?
— David C. McCasland
When once you have seen Jesus, you can never be the same. —Oswald Chambers
ODJ: believing in Him
March 28, 2015
READ: John 3:1-21
Everyone who believes in [Jesus] will have eternal life (v.15).
Marcus Mumford wouldn’t call himself a Christian. At least he declined to do so during a Rolling Stone magazine interview. In that conversation, the award-winning songwriter and musician said that the word Christian is linked with religious images he doesn’t like. He compared himself to people who claim to love Christ and say that Jesus is awesome, but who are not Christians.
A writer once wrote, “Any belief in Jesus Christ—however small—is far better than any belief about Him.” Nicodemus, the Jewish teacher who interviewed Jesus, clearly knew facts about Him. He correctly identified Jesus as a teacher, and said, “Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you” (John 3:2).
Jesus responded, “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (v.3). In other words, it’s not possible to gain admission to heaven by simply knowing the right facts about Christ. Even Satan’s henchmen correctly identified Him as the Son of God! (Luke 4:41).
According to Jesus, true salvation involves an encounter with the Holy Spirit: “The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life” (John 3:6). And, the Bible says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Genuine faith in Christ means having a relationship with Him, not simply admiring Him. With this relationship comes the assurance that Jesus hears and responds to our prayers. He accepts our praises, empowers us to resist temptation and provides eternal life. True believers in Jesus have a spiritual connection with Him. They have a “faith . . . far more precious than mere gold” (1 Peter 1:7).
365-day plan: 1 Samuel 17:32-58
Read Titus 3:4-6 to learn more about salvation through Christ. Read John 7:40-52 and 19:38-39 to see how Nicodemus was involved with Jesus after his first encounter.
How might you explain the difference between knowing about Jesus and believing in Him? If someone asked you how to establish a relationship with Christ, what would you say?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)
ODB: Trail Trees
March 28, 2015
READ: Isaiah 53:4-12
They pierced My hands and My feet. . . . They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots. —Psalm 22:16-18
In recent years, my daughter has become fascinated with the history of the indigenous people in northern Michigan where she lives. One summer afternoon when I was visiting, she showed me a road that had a sign designating “Trail Trees.” She explained to me that it’s believed that long ago the Native Americans bent young trees to point the way to specific destinations and that they continued to grow in an unusual shape.
The Old Testament serves a similar purpose. Many commands and teachings of the Bible direct our hearts to the way the Lord wants us to live. The Ten Commandments are great examples of that. But in addition, the prophets of the Old Testament pointed the way to a coming Messiah. Thousands of years before Jesus came, they spoke of Bethlehem—Jesus’ birthplace (see Micah 5:2 and Matt. 2:1-6). They described Jesus’ death on the cross in striking detail (see Ps. 22:14-18 and John 19:23-24). And Isaiah 53:1-12 points to the sacrifice Jesus would make as the Lord “laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (v.6; see Luke 23:33).
Millennia ago, God’s Old Testament servants pointed to God’s Son—Jesus—the One who has now “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isa. 53:4). He is the way to life.
— Cindy Hess Kasper
Jesus sacrificed His life for ours.
ODJ: give God your dreams
March 27, 2015
READ: Genesis 22:1-18
Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you (vv.16-17).
All of us have dreams for our lives—aspirations to do something great or become someone worthwhile. When shaped by the purposes of God, dreams guide us to meaningful living.
Abraham had a dream—two dreams, in fact—and both were God-given. Old and childless in a culture of large families, he dreamed of having a son (Genesis 11:30,15:3). God promised that this dream would come true and added one more. Not only would Abraham have a son, he would have a nation (12:2, 15:5, 17:5). Two big dreams indeed!
And that’s one reason we find Genesis 22 so baffling. Isaac is born—the fulfilment of the first dream and a glimpse of the second (21:1-3)—and Abraham is called to sacrifice him! (22:2). God was asking to have back what He had given. Abraham was to give up both his fulfilled and unfulfilled dreams.
The preparation would have been agonising. Abraham gathered his son, servants and supplies, and walked for days to the sacrifice site where he laid what was most precious to him on the altar (vv.3-9). And just as the knife was poised to plunge, God intervened and gave Abraham back his dreams (vv.11-14). Abraham learned two important lessons that day: the true God is not like the gods around him who revelled in child sacrifice, and nothing—not even a God-given dream—comes before Him.
Have you given your dreams to God—both the fulfilled ones and the unfulfilled? It’s the only way to ensure that our dreams are under His hand, and that they don’t become gods themselves. As He did with Abraham, God may well give your dreams back to you or give them back in a new form.
But whatever He does with your dreams, you can be sure it will come accompanied by a blessing (vv.15-18).
365-day plan: 1 Samuel 17:1-31
Read Proverbs 16:9 to see how God might sift your dream. Read Psalm 105:19 to see what He might be doing while you wait for a dream to be fulfilled.
What dream do you have for your life? Have you offered it back to God?
(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)