Devotions for August 2007
Thursday, November 1
Hebrews 9:27
The Surety of Judgment
KEY VERSE: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27.
As you have read the devotionals for this week so far, you may have thought, “Enough already. I am not a Jew so why do I have to study so much about their failings?” It is important to remember that all mankind, Jew or Gentile, must be held accountable for their sins. God requires that they pay, or have a substitute pay for their sins.
Worldly wisdom declares that nothing is sure in this life but death and taxes. Spiritual wisdom states that man has two appointments—the appointment to die and the appointment to face judgment. Since men are not able to atone for their own sins, God’s judgment demands that they pay or have a substitute payment for them.
This is the responsibility Jesus took upon Himself, when He “appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (verse 26). This He did once, “to bear the sins of many” (verse 28). He took our sins upon Himself, and He took our judgment upon Himself. He died the one death that judgment demanded.
Trying to make it to Heaven on your own goodness is like trying to get to the moon on a moonbeam—nice idea, but try it and see what happens.
Man must quit trying to quench his guilt. He cannot do it. There is no way—not with a bottle of alcohol or perfect Sunday School attendance. No matter how bad you are, you cannot be bad enough to forget it. No matter how good you are you cannot be good enough to overcome it. You need a Savior.
Believe it: There are two appointments every man will keep—death and judgment.
Mary McCalister
Friday, November 2
1 Samuel 12:14, 15
Obey His Voice
KEY VERSE: “If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God,” 1 Samuel 12:14.
Life seems extremely complicated today. Satan has filled the world with every kind of distraction imaginable, and we are often blinded to simple truths by his wiles.
The Israelites may have thought life was difficult for them. They often thought they had many choices to make. But the reality was, just one choice would simplify their lives, the choice to reverence God, to serve Him and obey Him.
It is quite simple. God has made the rules, so we do not have to make rules. If we choose to follow His rules as the Lord spoke to Joshua, “be thou strong and very courageous...observe to do according to all the law...turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest proper whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:7) life will be simple and God’s blessings will flow.
The world’s excuse for making new rules is that it all depends on how you look at it. Not true! That only brings anarchy, as described in Judges 21:25, “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Instead, it all depends on how God looks at it and what He says about it in His Word.
Living it: Take these three steps—fear (reverence), service and obedience—God will be with you.
Mary McCalister
Saturday, November 3
Nehemiah 1:6-8
God Keeps His Word
KEY VERSE: “Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations,” Nehemiah 1:8.
The study of Nehemiah is fascinating, and you may well feel led to study the entire book so you can get a true picture of this unique man. He was born into captivity in Babylon, yet rose to a position of high honor in the king’s palace, becoming the king’s cupbearer.
In spite of his advancements and achievements, Nehemiah never lost his love and concern for his homeland and the condition of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah was under conviction about his people and his homeland. He wept, mourned, fasted and prayed “certain days” (Neh. 1:4). First, he acknowledged God as “great and terrible” (verse 5). He acknowledged God as One who keeps His covenants. He described himself as a servant, showing his humility. Then he interceded for his people and confessed their sins. He did not say your sins but “we have sinned” (verse 6), admitting he, too, was guilty. He left us a pattern for prayer that we would do well to follow.
We must deal with the seed of sin in our hearts. If neglected, the seed soon become weeds. Let us deal with the seed, and we shall have no trouble with the weeds.
Living it: Sometimes our sin and disobedience is so bad, we can only pray for mercy.
Mary McCalister
Sunday, November 4
Isaiah 59:1, 2
The Deadly Effect of Iniquity
KEY VERSE: “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear,” Isaiah 59:2.
The prophet was telling the people of Israel that their sins stood between them and God. God could not look upon them because He cannot look upon sin.”
This is the main problem of our current age. Little by little sin is made to appear less sinful. We are being homogenized, absorbed and assimilated into this age by media. We accept its literature, its music, its art and its language without inner or outer protest.
There was a time when sin shocked us. But as Satan’s brainwashing progresses, what once amazed us only amuses us. We laugh at the shady joke; tragedy becomes comedy; we learn to speak the language of the modern entertaining world.
We do not have a healthy hatred of sin today because we have no proper sense of the holiness of God. The love of God is preached while His laws are violated and ignored. People are not conscious of their need because they do not regard sin as the awful thing that cost God His Son and the Son His life.
What is the answer? We can look at Isaiah’s answer to the people of Israel in Isaiah 61:10: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Yes, the answer for the sinful world is to look to God in repentance and faith, turning from worldly sin to the righteousness of God.
Believe it: Sin separates you from God.
Mary McCalister
Monday, November 5
Jeremiah 4:1-9
God’s Warning by Jeremiah
KEY VERSE: “For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the Lord is not turned back from us,” Jeremiah 4:8.
Jeremiah was a most interesting prophet in many ways. He was called to be a prophet even before he was born (Jer. 1:5). Although he was born in a priestly family, he was used by God as a prophet for forty years. His was a life of sorrow and loneliness. He was not permitted to marry (Jer. 16:2). His work as God’s prophet was not appreciated, and he was persecuted by people all around him. We find it difficult to imagine any preacher accepting the kind of treatment he was given. Yet, he never wavered from delivering the messages God gave him.
God gave Jeremiah a harsh duty; to predict dire misfortunes for Israel. He predicted and witnessed the destruction of Solomon’s Temple, the end of the kingdom of Judah and the onset of Babylonian captivity. He was rejected and maligned by those he tried to save. The rejection of his message brought him a life of sorrow and loneliness.
People do not want to hear a message of doom. They want to hear that one is doing as well as he can. Then they do not have to make any changes in a sinful life. However, the natural man cannot produce any kind of righteousness which pleases God. No people can pretend to be God-fearing and expect God to approve them. Jeremiah’s message was the message we need—a people who turn away from God will find that God will turn away from them.
Living it: If God’s messenger is warning you about sin in your life, do not reject his warning.
Mary McCalister
Tuesday, November 6
Jeremiah 5:19-31
Jeremiah’s Lying Prophets
KEY VERSE: “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:31.
This chapter of Jeremiah begins with an example which reminds us of a Greek legend. Diogenes, an old Greek philosopher roamed the streets of Athens with a lantern. When asked what he was doing, he said that he was looking for an honest man.
Jeremiah began with the same lament. “If ye can find a man...that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth, I will pardon it [the city of Jerusalem]” (verse 1). Then he proceeded to list all the sins found in the city. He warned them of the great judgment which would come upon them.
What was the reaction of his hearers? They asked, “Wherefore doeth the Lord our God all these things unto us?” (verse 19).
God’s answer was: “O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me?” (verse 21).
Who did God hold responsible for this condition? The prophets and the priests. The prophets prophesied falsely, telling the people they were really all right and did not need to make any changes. The priests placed their stamp of approval on the false messages. Worst of all, God said, “My people love to have it so.”
Believe it: The world is following the leadership of false prophets and priests (ministers) who rebel against the teachings of God.
Mary McCalister
Wednesday, November 7
Jeremiah 6:10-19
They Could Not Blush
KEY VERSE: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein,” Jeremiah 6:16.
Jeremiah’s message was not a pleasant one, and he could find few if any who would listen to him. They would rather listen to the false prophets who said they were all right. They said, “Peace, peace” (verse 14) when there was no peace. The land was filled with covetousness and bribery was rampant among the priests and prophets.
What was Jeremiah’s message? “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths...and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (verse 16).
What was the people of Israel’s answer? “We will not walk therein...We will not hearken” (verse 17).
If ever there was a description of modern life in America today, this is it. “They were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush” (verse 15). All of us bring shameful and lascivious activities into our homes, if we own a television, that is. Have you ever tried to find something to watch which did not cause you to blush? Not the news broadcasts and certainly not the entertainment programs. Suggestive, nearly nude and promotion of homosexuality are all a part of mainstream television these days.
Living it: We should be constantly called back to the purity and truth of the gospel.
Mary McCalister
Thursday, November 8
Jeremiah 7:23-34
The Desolate Land
KEY VERSE: “Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate,” Jeremiah 7:34.
As we make observations today, where do we see a desolate land? It is Africa, where ethnic cleansing is wiping out the black people by the thousands. The Arabs seem to think they have a right to the lands such as Sudan and Darfur. They wipe out whole villages, burning them to the ground and killing all the inhabitants.
Why mention this? So you will have an idea of what the prophecy “for the land shall be desolate” means. The prophet lists the reasons for this desolation.
1.They did not listen to God.
2.They followed their evil hearts.
3.They refused to listen to God’s prophets.
4.They brought idols into God’s house.
5.They sacrificed their children to false gods.
Do you find any parallels to the time of Jeremiah? Of course. People follow their own evil desires and do not listen to God. Many go to church, not to worship God, but to make a show of piety. They still gossip, malign others and live without a testimony for the Lord. They hate preachers who preach the truth. They refuse their message, as Jeremiah’s hearers refused his.
Living it: Follow God’s command to obey His voice and walk in His ways.
Mary McCalister
Friday, November 9
Jeremiah 8:7-13
My People Know Not
KEY VERSE: “Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord,” Jeremiah 8:7.
The common expression these days would be “They don’t have a clue.” Imagine being compared to a stork, a crane or a swallow. Today we might describe such a person as lost as a goose. We may not be familiar with all the creatures Jeremiah cites, but those of us who live in California are familiar with the swallows. Every spring they return to Capistrano where they build their nests.
Yes, God built into these creatures instincts which help them to live by a pattern which best benefits them. What a shame that God’s people cannot be as wise in the art of self-preservation as God’s creatures.
While Israel was to be committed to God’s way and a people set apart for His service, we can only describe the ones Jeremiah ministered to as a holy mess. They had rejected the word of the Lord; they were given to covetousness; everyone dealt falsely. Making it worse, they were not ashamed of their ungodly acts. Once again, the prophet said they could not blush. All that awaited them was God’s judgment on them for their sins.
Living it: Do not reject the way of the Lord for your life. It will bring only heartache.
Mary McCalister
Saturday, November 10
Jeremiah 9:9-16
I Will Scatter Them
KEY VERSE: “I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them,” Jeremiah 9:16.
This chapter begins with Jeremiah’s lament for his people. “That I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people. Oh that I had...a lodging place...that I might leave my people” (verses1, 2). This lament came from a heart broken because the people to whom he ministered would not listen to him as he gave them the words of God.
The Lord said He would weep and wail for the mountains and the wilderness, as well as the cattle, fowls of the heavens and beasts who have been destroyed by God’s judgment on the people of Israel.
Perhaps the people asked, Why is this happening to us? God’s answer is, “Because they have forsaken my law...and have not obeyed my voice...but have walked after the imagination of their own heart” (verses 13, 14). Does this sound familiar? You read the same accusations in yesterday’s devotional. By their actions, the people of Israel were signing the warrant for their own destruction.
The people hated Jeremiah for his message; yet, he stood and gave his message with tears streaming down his face. The message he had to give broke his heart. People today are no better. The preacher who tells the truth about the sins of the people is not often loved or respected.
Believe it: Be sure your sin will find you out (Num. 32:23).
Mary McCalister
Sunday, November 11
2 Corinthians 5:11
The Terror of the Lord
KEY VERSE: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences,” 2 Corinthians 5:11.
What is our motivation for witnessing? According to Paul, a measure of that motivation comes from “knowing the terror of the Lord.” That means, we know God means what He says, and He will do whatever He has said He will do.
We need to have more of God’s eternal view of the world. From His perspective every person is either saved or lost—entering eternity through the small gate or the wide gate (Matt. 7:13, 14). Heaven-called or hell-bound (Mark 16:15, 16). When we develop this view, it will not matter to us whether the sinner is rich, pretty, what his skin color is or is he smart?
Having the heart of God is to look into the faces of the saved and rejoice! They are just the grave away from being like Jesus. Having the heart of God is to look into the faces of the lost and pray. For unless they turn, they are one grave away from eternal torment.
Knowing the terror of God makes it imperative that we be committed to the task He has laid out for us to do. We are, after all, His ambassadors, so it is important that we represent God as He has called us to do. You have a message from the Lord to live out and give out that others might learn how to be redeemed and made new creatures.
Living it: Paul desired to speak the gospel boldly. Are you bold in your witnessing?
Mary McCalister
Monday, November 12
Psalm 30:5
Joy Comes in the Morning
KEY VERSE: “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning,” Psalm 30:5.
Even though David was a man after God’s own heart, (Acts 13:22) he was still a man, prone to arrogance, unfaithfulness and sinfulness as he followed his human nature.
Hence, one aspect of David’s personality was that he was keenly aware of his frailties. Because of this he was quick to return to God, confess his sins and ask for forgiveness. He learned indeed that “joy cometh in the morning.”
David experienced such extreme contrasts. From wailing to dancing; sackcloths of despair to garments of joy; sounds of silence to songs of joy; independence to dependence; cynicism to caring; and from needing no one to trusting God.
Like David, you can learn to persistently praise God in the midst of stark contrasts, fluctuating mood swings, and mixed motives which control your life. Periodically, you may even be surprised by joy which comes from knowing your sins have been forgiven, and God has given you eternal peace in your heart.
Living it: If you are burdened down with sin and doubts, pray with David, Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation (Psalm 51:12).
Mary McCalister
Tuesday, November 13
Exodus 34:5-7
A Great and Merciful God
KEY VERSE: “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” Exodus 34:6.
All of us might feel like we would have loved to have the relationship with God that Moses had. However, it is doubtful any of us could relinquish enough of ourselves to merit such a relationship. In Exodus 33 we are told that Moses asked God to allow him to see His glory. God said He could not reveal His face to him, but He would allow him to see His back (Ex. 33:23).
All this happened after Moses had broken the tablets of the Law in his anger against sinful Israel. Now God extended His mercy once again, instructing Moses to prepare two new tables of stone on which He would write His commandments. Though Moses might have felt Israel was not worthy of forgiveness, God described Himself as merciful, gracious, long-suffering, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin.
God’s gracious goodness inspired Moses to pray for the people of Israel, though they were a stiff-necked people. Moses prayed that God would pardon their sin and iniquity and restore their position as the people of God.
Sin and rebellion are terrible, but, if they cause us to turn back to God in repentance, we can restore our position with God as His children.
Living it: Thank and praise God for His goodness and mercy extended to His people.
Mary McCalister
Wednesday, November 14
Psalm 89:28-37
His Faithfulness Fails Not
KEY VERSE: “Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail, “Psalm 89:33.
What is a covenant? In modern terms, it is a contract between two or more parties. These days, contracts are no longer taken seriously. Legal loopholes are found and exercised every day. Marriage vows are violated and families ripped apart. Promises between friends are broken.
Thus, praise God, He can be counted on to keep His Word. He promised David “his throne as the sun before me...it shall be established forever as the moon” (verses 36, 37).
This passage reveals that David and his lineage would stray from the statutes of God and break His laws. Now you might ask, would this not nullify the covenant? With humanity it would, but with God, His promise is, “Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail” (verse 33).
God made a covenant with David, and He has made a covenant with us. Those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, shall not perish, but will have eternal life (John 3: 15, 16). Yes, once we are saved, we are saved eternally. Though we might stray and fall back into sin, we will not lose our salvation.
God promised David He would punish those who broke His laws, but He would not take His love from them. God may visit our disobedience with chastisement, but He will not forget His covenant with us (Heb. 12:5-7).
Living it: Praise God for His wonderful, marvelous, eternal saving grace!
Mary McCalister
Thursday, November 15
Psalm 42:11
Hope Thou in God
KEY VERSE: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God,” Psalm 42:11.
This psalm was written for those who suffer from depression by one who was experiencing it. Notice: “My tears...continually say unto me, Where is thy God?” (Psalm 42:3). “Why hast thou forgotten me?” (verse 9). “Where is thy God?” (verse 10).
Then the psalmist reasons with himself and his depression: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?...hope thou in God” (verse 11).
These are the steps any person burdened down with depression should take. First of all, recognize it. Then recognize its source—certainly not God, but Satan. Finally, apply the cure for depression: “Hope thou in God...praise him” (verse 11).
We may never understand why, but we can understand who can give us comfort and strength in our times of need. Wisdom helps us look at our difficulties from God’s perspective. Wisdom is more than simply seeing our problems through God’s eyes. It is also trusting Him even when the pieces do not seem to fit.
Believe it: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13).
Mary McCalister
Friday, November 16
Psalm 130:1-8
There Is Forgiveness with Thee
KEY VERSE: “Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption,” Psalm 130:7.
Have you ever thought about this? Suppose every unkind word you have ever spoken, every lie you have ever told, every shortcut away from the truth you have ever taken, every word of gossip you have ever spoken, every lustful thought you have ever entertained, or every sin you’ve ever committed were recorded on audio and videotape to be played back at will.
The psalmist recognized God’s ability to keep this kind of record and cries out in despair, “Who shall stand?” (Psalm 130:3). As it was with the psalmist, and with Paul (Rom. 7:18, 19), so it is with us. We are constantly engaged in a wrestling match between the old sinful nature and the new man.
Confession is talking about your sins the way God talks about them. You need to say it far more than He needs to hear it. Unconfessed sin creates a barrier between you and God.
Praise God, there is a way out. It is one word—forgiveness. In His infinite mercy God chooses to pardon the penitent sinner. If He did not, we would all be destroyed by His judgment. Because we have been forgiven much, we respond in grateful praise. We should be moved to revere and respect Him, to worship and adore Him, to follow and obey Him.
Believe it: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9).
Mary McCalister
Saturday, November 17
Psalm 32:1-11
The Blessedness of Forgiveness
KEY VERSE: “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin,” Psalm 32:5.
If anyone should have known the blessings of forgiveness, it should have been David. It would be a major task to count the number of times this theme appeared in David’s psalms.
David listed two main reasons we should repent of our sins and ask God’s forgiveness. One, we are happy when our sins are forgiven. Two, we are happy we are counted righteous. We look to the New Testament to learn that forgiveness and imputation of personal righteousness hinge on Christ’s atonement for our sin. David’s faith showed he was looking forward to Christ’s sacrifice (Rom. 4:6-8).
When David continued to sin, his bones wasted away (Psalm 32:3). He groaned all day long from the weight of God’s heavy hand on him. Hence, when he confessed his sins and acknowledged his transgressions, he experienced complete forgiveness. His suffering turned to joy.
Most of us are plagued with choosing short-term gratification over long-term benefits. Overeating or eating the wrong thing is one example. That indulgence shows up on the bathroom scale. Why do we continue in our sins? If we face reality, we must know that if we confess our sins and turn away from them (1 John 1:9), God cleanses us and the knowledge of forgiveness brings exhilaration.
Believe it: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered (Psalm 32:1).
Mary McCalister
Sunday, November 18
Micah 7:18, 19
He Will Have Compassion
KEY VERSE: “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea,” Micah 7:19.
It is interesting that Micah began this chapter with “Woe is me” and ends with God will “cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” It was an evil time. Micah found no good man about him. Men in authority worked in collusion to do evil. No confidence could be put in people, even in one’s family. It reads like your morning newspaper!
Hence, at first though it sounds like Micah was in the pits of despair, he was not left without an alternative. He looked unto the Lord. If we look in high and holy disgust and distrust at the world around us, we need to look above and not at the world. When we tire of all else, we need to thirst for the living God in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
Someone has said, “We must get into us more of that which is above us or we shall give way to that which is around us.” When we grow sick of earth and all it has to offer, we are in good shape to look up.
All he had seen caused Micah to ask, “Who is a God like unto thee?” (verse 18). Then he lists the attributes which make God what He is. He pardons sin and forgives the transgression of His people. He does not remain angry, but delights in mercy. Because of who He is, God will have compassion on us. He will forgive our sins, casting them into the depths of the sea.
Believe it: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Mary McCalister
Monday, November 19
Jeremiah 31:35-40
A New Day Is Coming!
KEY VERSE: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner,” Jeremiah 31:38.
You hear a lot these days about unconditional love. Perhaps it is because sin is so rampant that, if we are to tolerate those who are so involved in sin, we must have some kind of unconditional love. However, it is not a trait common to humanity.
A man was convicted of killing some children and was sentenced to life in prison. Somehow his wife found a way to forgive him and visited him regularly until he took his own life.
This is an attribute that is a part of God’s nature. God is the perfect God of grace, and, because of that, He forgives. And He forgets. He does not hold grudges. He exhibits a loving forgetfulness, which puts our sins behind Him, never to be remembered any more. God does this because of what His Son, Jesus Christ, has done for us.
Notice the reasoning of the Lord. He controls the sun, the moon, the stars and the sea. Jeremiah 31:36 states, “If those ordinances depart from before me...,the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation.” If man could measure the heavens and plumb the foundations of the earth, then the promise of God to the people Israel will fail. Of course, that will never happen!
Believe it: As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12).
Mary McCalister
Tuesday, November 20
Jeremiah 33:15-26
The Branch of Righteousness
KEY VERSE: “In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute justice and judgment in the land,” Jeremiah 33:15.
Picture this. Jeremiah was in prison with no hope of deliverance, when God instructed him to buy a piece of land. Imagine! In the darkest hour of Judah’s history, Jeremiah bought real estate.
Jeremiah was no hypocrite. He trusted the God who made heavens and earth, the God who had cared for the people of Israel. But he felt he must ask “why.” God’s answer was “Is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jer. 32:27). Then the Lord gave Jeremiah the promise of what shall be in the future for Judah.
Jeremiah might have asked, “How can this be?” God’s answer was “The Lord our righteousness.”
What do you think of when you think of righteousness? Most often we think of those who are self-righteous. But we should always remember that God is the only One who is completely righteous. For mankind, to be righteous is to be in a right relationship with God.
The promise God gave Jeremiah and Judah is a promise we, too, can claim. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by restoring our relationship with God through His life, death and resurrection. Paul explained this clearly in Romans 3:21-23.
Believe it: You can claim no righteousness of your own, but you can have God’s righteousness imputed through accepting Christ as Savior.
Mary McCalister
Wednesday, November 21
Joel 3:18-21
God’s People Will Be Restored
KEY VERSE: “But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusa-lem from generation to generation,” Joel 3:20.
When you read the prophecies about the Millennium such as this one, you may find it difficult to conceive how they will come about. Today the Jews have no Temple on Mount Zion; a Muslim mosque stands there. Though much of Palestine is desert, God said He will “make the wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord” (Isa. 51:3).
But restoring the land is not all God will do. He shall restore His people Israel. The prophet Ezekiel described this restoration in Ezekiel 36:24-28. He described how God will gather His people from all countries and bring them into their own land; He will cleanse them, giving them a new heart and a new spirit which shall lead them to walk in His statutes and do His judgments. His promise is that the people of Israel will be His people and He will be their God.
It is always good to remember that though our lives are transitory, God is eternal and infinite, “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 90:2).
Life today may seem bleak. It was bleak for Joel, too. He began with tragedy, but ended with triumph. We, too, can be triumphant in the Lord, knowing He always keeps His promises.
Living it: Pray thy kingdom come and look forward to this prophecy coming to pass.
Mary McCalister
Thursday, November 22
Amos 9:11-15
God Will Plant Them
KEY VERSE: “And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God,” Amos 9:15.
It is always interesting to learn about the men God chose to deliver His Word to His people. Amos was a simple man, a herdsman, and must have been puzzled as God’s message unfolded before him. He must have wondered how marvelous things could be in store for the people of Israel, considering their miserable condition during his time. We, too could be puzzled by these verses in Amos until we read Acts 15:15-17. Here James quotes the prophecy of Amos, telling his hearers that this prophecy is fulfilled in the Gentiles receiving the gospel.
Amos listed the blessings which were in store for Israelites. Israelite farmers usually plowed in October, when the early rains came to soften the parched ground. When the nation of Israel is returned to its land, the harvest will be so abundant that the harvesters will still be reaping the grain when the plowmen prepare to break up the ground to plant a new crop. The grape harvest will be so bountiful that the juice will overflow the winepress and drip down the hillside.
Let us enumerate the blessings we have as Gentiles in the kingdom of God. We receive the forgiveness of sins; comfort in times of trouble; access to the throne of God in prayer; the joys of worship; the privilege of serving Him; His assurance; help with temptation; the victory He gives us over death and eternal life with Him in Heaven.
Living it: Rejoice in the promises God makes and keeps.
Mary McCalister
Friday, November 23
Zechariah 14:1-11
Living Waters from Jerusalem
KEY VERSE: “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one,” Zechariah 14:9.
Zechariah was a common name in Israel, much like the name John is common to us today. However, Zechariah’s prophetic ministry was most uncommon. His main thrust was to encourage the Jewish remnant to rebuild their Temple in the ruined city of Jerusalem. He began with a call to repentance and ended with a vision of a holy nation and a glorious kingdom.
Zechariah is of interest to Bible students because New Testament writers allude to him at least forty-one times. This passage describes a most momentous time in human history, a time the prophet describes as “the day of the Lord” (verse 1). It begins with Jerusalem being besieged, but, “Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations” (verse 3). That battle shall result in the coming of the Lord. Then “shall the Lord be king over all the earth” (verse 9).
Marvelous things will happen to the earth. Jerusalem shall be given a river which is split, with one part flowing to the Mediterranean and part to the Dead Sea. The land around Jerusalem will be lowered and Jerusalem raised up, important because Jerusalem will be the most important city in the world.
Studying prophecies like this often brings up many questions, questions not easy to answer. Nonetheless, studying the prophecies is important. They cause us to say with John, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).
Living it: Knowing God’s plan for the people of Israel helps us know God has many blessings in store for us.
Mary McCalister
Saturday, November 24
Malachi 4:1-6
The Sun of Righteousness Will Arise
KEY VERSE: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall,” Malachi 4:2.
Many church goers resent it when the preacher preaches on sin. So we can imagine how unpopular Malachi was when he delivered his prophecies. Malachi began by denouncing the people of Israel for their sins. His denunciation was harsh indeed, pronouncing fiery destruction upon those who persist in doing wickedness. He must have felt frustrated when he saw that his hearers were not accepting his message. He learned that you might as well try to describe a sunset to a blind man, play music for a deaf man and talk to a dead man, as to discuss the things of God with an unconverted sinner.
We might as well try to catch sunbeams with a fishhook or talk nuclear physics with a monument in a city park. The most erudite PhD cannot take it in any better than a child. As far as spiritual realities are concerned, a man who is not born again is blind and cannot see, deaf and cannot hear, dead and cannot feel.
However, Malachi extended a precious promise to those who feared God’s name, saying they would witness the Sun of righteousness coming with healing in His wings. He will lift the curse that ends the Old Testament with the promise of no more curse found in the last words of the New Testament.
Living it: Pay attention to God’s judgment against sin as well as His promises to those who fear Him.
Mary McCalister
Sunday, November 25
Isaiah 35:1-10
God Will Restore
KEY VERSE: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose,” Isaiah 35:1.
The owner of the barber shop was a familiar figure with his Bible always lying close at hand when he was not reading it. One day a customer said to him, “I see you’re reading the book of Revelation today. Do you understand it?”
“Yes, sir, I know what it means.”
“You know what it means when Bible scholars have disagreed about it all these years! What do you think it means?”
“It means Jesus is gonna win!”
This is the theme of all Old Testament prophecies. First, God required them to remind His people of their shortcomings so that they would realize their salvation must come from Him. Hence, they always ended in the positive, reaffirming God’s promises to them which extended to the end of the age.
Today’s headlines could easily make us wonder how Israel will ever become a great nation, restored and abundantly blessed by God. Nonetheless, no amount of worldly wisdom or eloquence can break the power of these words of God: “they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (verse 10).
Living it: It must be reiterated: God has made promises and He will keep them, every one.
Mary McCalister