Entries by YMI

ODB: Fire And Rain

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September 27, 2013 

READ: Isaiah 16:1-5 

In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth . . .  judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness. —Isaiah 16:5 

When a wildfire raged through the beautiful canyons near Colorado Springs, Colorado, it destroyed the habitat of all kinds of wildlife and hundreds of homes. People across the nation cried out to God, pleading with Him to send rain to douse the flames, put an end to the destruction, and give firefighters relief. Some people’s prayers had an interesting condition attached to them. They asked God to show mercy and send rain without lightning, which they feared would start even more fires.

This reminds me of how we live in tension between things that save us and kill us. With fire, we cook our food and keep warm, but in it we can be consumed. With water, we keep our bodies hydrated and our planet cooled, but in it we also can drown. Too much or too little of either is life-threatening.

We see the same principle at work spiritually. To thrive, civilizations need the seemingly opposite qualities of mercy and justice (Zech. 7:9). Jesus scolded the Pharisees for being sticklers about the law but neglecting these “weightier matters” (Matt. 23:23).

We may lean toward justice or mercy, but Jesus keeps them in perfect balance (Isa. 16:5; 42:1-4). His death satisfies God’s need for justice and our need for mercy.

— Julie Ackerman Link

Father, for personal reasons I sometimes lean toward
showing mercy, and sometimes I just want justice now.
Teach me the balance as I look at Your character and
give me the wisdom I need in specific situations.

God’s justice and mercy met at the cross. 

ODJ: crime and punishment


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September 27, 2013 

READ: Nahum 1:1-15 

The Lord is slow to get angry, but His power is great, and He never lets the guilty go unpunished (v.3).


An English media personality was highly honoured when he was alive. At his funeral someone said that, “His story was an epic of giving. Giving of time, giving of talent, giving of treasure. [He] can face eternal life with confidence.” But then the police launched a criminal investigation into more than 300 allegations of child sexual abuse and rape by the deceased.

If proven guilty, no one will be able to hold the deceased accountable for his misdeeds. He’s dead. Does that seem unfair? The prophet Nahum helps us deal with this issue, revealing a God who is both just and merciful:


• “The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage” (Nahum 1:2). God is jealous for His glory and for those He loves. It’s impossible to violate the glory and honour of God and those He loves and not face His wrath.


• “The Lord is slow to get angry, but His power is great, and He never lets the guilty go unpunished” (v.3). God is long-suffering. He stays His anger with mercy. But we must never confuse His patience with impotence. Nahum gives us a portrait of His almighty power in verses 3-6. God is not only just; He also has the power to execute justice.


• “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him” (v.7). Jonathan Edwards reminds us that we’re all sinners in the hands of an angry God. He said, “Therefore let everyone that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come.” Only those who have taken refuge in Christ will be able to face eternal life with confidence.


All of us must one day stand before God. Are you ready? —Poh Fang Chia


MORE
Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Romans 2:5 and Hebrews 9:27 and note what is said about Judgement Day.
 
NEXT
How will Nahum’s description about God shape the way you deal with injustice today? Why is it comforting to know that God is both just and merciful? 
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: The Path Of Wisdom

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September 26, 2013 

READ: Psalm 38:1-15 

In You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God. —Psalm 38:15 

Albert Einstein was heard to say, “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” Sadly, it does seem that far too often there is no limit to the foolishness we get ourselves into—or the damage we create by our foolishness and the choices it fosters.

It was in such a season of regret that David poured out his struggle and complaint to God in Psalm 38. As he recounted his own failings, as well as the painful consequences he was enduring because of those failings, the shepherd-king made an insightful comment: “My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness” (v.5). Although the psalmist does not give us the details of those choices or of his worsening wounds, one thing is clear—David recognized his own foolishness as their root cause.

The answer for such destructive foolishness is to embrace the wisdom of God. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Only by allowing God to transform us can we overcome the foolish decisions that cause so much trouble. With His loving guidance, we can follow the pathway of godly wisdom.

— Bill Crowder

Loving Father, forgive me for the seemingly
limitless capacity I have to be foolish. Teach me
in Your wisdom, so that my life might be pleasing
to You and a blessing to others around me.

God’s wisdom is given to those who humbly ask Him for it. 

ODJ: don’t be evil


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September 26, 2013 

READ: Esther 3:1-15 

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage (v.5).


How does a cute, little baby grow up to become the face of evil? How does an Austrian boy become Adolf Hitler or a son of privilege turn into Osama bin Laden? And what makes one group of people slaughter members of a neighbouring group? How could they possibly think that was a good idea?

We find a clue in the demise of Haman. He, as an Amalekite, hated the Jews. His people had attacked Israel as they were leaving Egypt, which prompted the Lord to state, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, . . . I will erase the [Amalekites] from under heaven” (Exodus 17:14). So when Haman learned that the fellow who would not bow to him was a Jew, “he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire” (Esther 3:6).


Haman told the king, “There is a certain race of people . . . who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. . . . If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed” (vv.8-9).


Notice how Haman dehumanised Mordecai and the Jews. They were different—people who were difficult to understand. Once Haman marked them as other, he pushed that point to state that they lacked the right to life.


We may not have killed anyone, but we do mistreat him or her as an other whenever we turn that person into an object of lust, gossip or disdain. And should that person ever cross us, we may find ourselves, like Haman, plotting acts we never thought we’d do.


Do you want to keep your heart pure? Remember that all people are made in God’s image and you’ll find that evil thoughts will disappear. —Mike Wittmer


› Luke 23:32-49

MORE
Read James 2:1-13 to learn why it’s important to value all people as significant.
 
NEXT
Who are you treating as an object of pleasure or disdain? How might this abuse lead to darker acts? 
 

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ODB: Insignificant

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September 25, 2013 

READ: Luke 3:2-6,15-18 

The Word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. —Luke 3:2 

“Movers and shakers” are people climbing the ladder of influence and success. Luke 3 mentions seven prominent leaders who exercised control in the society of their time. Roman Emperor Tiberias Caesar held the power of life and death over people in his far-flung empire. Pontius Pilate represented Rome as governor of Judea; while Herod, Philip, and Lysanias kept people in line at the regional level. Annas and Caiaphas served as high priests, taking their religious authority seriously.

While these power brokers flexed their political muscles, “the Word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness” (v.2). Who could seem less important than this obscure man living in the desert and listening for God’s voice? What could John the Baptist possibly accomplish by “preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins”? (v.3). Yet multitudes came to John seeking truth, turning from their wrongs, and wondering if he could be the Messiah (vv.7,15). John told them, “One mightier than I is coming . . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (v.16).

John’s life helps us understand what it means to be significant in God’s eyes. Like John, may everything we say and do point others to Jesus.

— David C. McCasland

Lord, help us to surrender our desire for influence
and success to You. May our heart’s desire ever be to be
used by You to further Your kingdom.
Make our lives a living testimony of You.

Our surrender to God precedes His significant work in our life. 

ODJ: friends & enemies


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September 25, 2013 

READ: 2 Kings 6:8-23 

If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink (Proverbs 25:21).


A television drama chronicled the experiences of anAmerican marine division in the Pacific Theatreduring World War II. The episode of the Marines storming the beaches of Iwo Jima was emotionally difficult to watch. Of the young Marines who survived the barrage of bullets and mortar fire, many froze on the beach in utter terror, not knowing what to do next.


Their understandable fear reminds me of an episode from Elisha’s life (2 Kings 6:8-23). The King of Aram (who was at war with Israel) was out to get Elisha for warning the King of Israel of the Arameans’ military plans (vv.8-13). After learning of Elisha’s whereabouts, the frustrated king sent a great army to capture him (v.14).


Like the terrified Marines, Elisha’s servant cried out when he saw that the enemy had them surrounded, “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” (v.15). Elisha asked God to reassure his young servant by opening his eyes and letting him see God’s vast army that outnumbered the enemy troops (vv.16-17).


But hold on, the story gets even better. Elisha asked God to blind the enemy army. He then went out and told the enemy that they had surrounded the wrong city, and that he would lead them to the right place. Not knowing it was Elisha, the enemy soldiers followed him to Israel’s capital city, where he turned them over to Israel’s king. Once there, Elisha asked God to restore their sight (2 Kings 6:18-20).


It looked like Elisha set them up, but when Israel’s king wanted to kill them, the prophet said, in essence: “No. Feed them well and send them home.” Elisha’s kindness so moved the Arameans that they stopped raiding Israel’s land (vv.21-23).


Want to make a friend out of an enemy? Try kindness. It sure beats hostility.


—Jeff Olson


Mark 15:6-24 ‹

MORE
Read Romans 12:20 and note Paul’s instruction on how to treat an enemy.
 
NEXT
What opportunity do you have to show kindness to an enemy in your life? How will you proceed for Jesus’ sake?
 

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ODB: A Friend In Need

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September 24, 2013 

READ: 1 John 3:11-18 

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. —1 John 3:18 

Not long ago my wife, Janet, and I bought a quantity of beef from a friend who raised cattle on a small farm. It was less expensive than meat from a grocery store, and we put it in the freezer to use throughout the coming months.

Then a terrible lightning storm cut power throughout our area. For the first 24 hours we were confident that the freezer would keep the meat frozen. But when the second day came with still no word of getting our power back, we began to be concerned.

We contacted Ted, a member of our Bible-study group, to see if he had any advice. He canceled an appointment he had and showed up at our doorstep with a generator to provide power for the freezer. We were thankful that Ted helped us, and we knew it was because of his love for Christ.

The old saying “a friend in need is a friend indeed” took on new meaning for us. John reminds us in 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” Sometimes this means inconveniencing ourselves to care for the interests of others or receiving that help when we ourselves are in need. After all Christ has done for us, it’s a blessing to be His hands and feet in loving one another.

— Dennis Fisher

Father, thank You for making me a part of Your
family by giving Your Son Jesus for me. Help me
to accept the care of others and also to serve them
out of gratitude and out of my love for You.

When we love Christ, we love others. 

ODJ: discover what’s yours


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September 24, 2013 

READ: Romans 8:13-27
 

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (v.26).


Some residents in my town are discovering lost treasure. Many have reclaimed cash, property and other financial holdings. With the help of a cash reclaim programme, Melva recovered some money that her previous bank hadn’t sent to her. Robert logged into the programme’s website and discovered that his grandmother had left him a significant inheritance worth thousands. The programme’s motto is: Discover what’s yours.


Sometimes I wonder what our lives would be like if we discovered all that is ours through the Holy Spirit—untapped spiritual riches! One treasure we have in the Holy Spirit is the power to do what’s right. God’s power at work within us enables us to “put to death the deeds of [our] sinful nature” (Romans 8:13). We don’t have to try to be good on our own because the “Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness” (v.26). When willpower won’t cut it, we need supernatural help; then we can finally reconcile with the person who hurt us, avoid unwholesome websites or turn down that extra plate of food.


Another treasure the Holy Spirit affords us is the ability to think clearly and correctly. We don’t always wake up in the morning with God-honouring thoughts in our brains. Sometimes we wake up at midnight with notions of dread, fear or guilt. In those times, it’s comforting to remember that “letting the Spirit control [our] mind leads to life and peace” (v.6).


Just as people sometimes overlook their money and forfeit its benefits, many of us fail to notice and utilise the Holy Spirit’s power. Our lives are littered with our own efforts to do and to be good. Only God’s power working within us, however, will yield what’s best (Galatians 5:22-23). Discover what’s yours today! —Jennifer Benson Schuldt


MORE
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1,4 to see the Holy Spirit’s role in relation to our spiritual gifts. Look up John 15:26 to learn more about the Spirit’s role within the Trinity.
 
NEXT
What happens to our relationship with God when we try to please Him in our own strength? Why do we sometimes overlook the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives?
 

(Check out Our Daily Journey website!)

ODB: Confidence In Troubled Times

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September 23, 2013 

READ: Psalm 91 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. —Psalm 91:1 

Some kids love to brag about their dads. If you eavesdrop on neighborhood conversations, you’ll hear children saying, “My dad is bigger than your dad!” or “My dad is smarter than your dad!” But the best brag of all is, “My dad is stronger than your dad!” This boast is usually in the context of a warning that if kids are threatening you, they’d better beware, because your dad can come and take them all down, including their dads!

Believing your dad is the strongest guy on the block inspires a lot of confidence in the face of danger. This is why I love the fact that God our Father is almighty. That means that no one can match His strength and power. Better still, it means that you and I “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91:1). So, it’s no wonder the psalmist can confidently say that he will not “be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day” (v.5).

Regardless of what today may bring or the trouble you are now going through, don’t forget that your God is stronger than anything in your life. So, be confident! The shadow of His all-prevailing presence guarantees that His power can turn even the worst situation into something good.

— Joe Stowell

Father God, in the midst of my trouble, teach
me to rest in the fact that You are almighty.
Thank You for the confidence I have that You are
stronger than anything that threatens my life.

God is greater than our greatest problem.