SOTTISH CHILDREN!

 

Friday, January 31, 2025

 

Content warning: Today’s devotion may contain more salt than syrup.

 

SOTTISH CHILDREN!

 

Jer 4:22

22 For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

 

            The weeping prophet saw the approach of the Babylonians as a just but horrible punishment for a people who had abandoned God. Warren W. Wiersbe said: “When ministering publicly, he was bold before men: in private, he was heartbroken before God.”

 

          The word “sottish” is an unused and mostly unknown English word which means “a habitual drunkard.” These people were stupid! The word for “wise” means “skilled” so we can say that they were skilled in the art of doing evil. They had honed those skills by constant practice and were becoming experts at wrongdoing. Their level of skills at doing good was that of a child. They were about to receive an advanced lesson in applied consequences!

 

          As our own nation stumbles blindly toward the precipice of ruin, all we can do is point fingers of blame at one another. We are highly skilled at doing the wrong things but “sottish” when it comes to doing right. Neither Pharisee nor Sadducee can deliver us. We are overdue for judgment!

 

Isa 1:16-18

16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

 

Dear Lord, let me withdraw from the college of corruption and enroll in the primary school of purity. Aid me in my efforts to do right. AMEN

 

LOSS!

 

Thursday, January 30, 2025

 

LOSS!

 

Phil 3:7-9

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

 

          Three times in these verses Paul uses the word “loss” which is the Greek word zemia. This is not referring to something that is lost through being misplaced and forgotten but precious things that have been taken by violence. Here the apostle admits a feeling of suffering damage and yet through it all he has found something better to take the place of all that has been lost.

 

          I had a friend who was facing the possible loss of his home! Without sharing too many details, I can tell you that it was more than distressing. Why would God allow such a thing to happen? Why does He not step in to rescue us at such times? Silence is often our only answer. God sits in His heaven and does what He wants to do without feeling obligated to explain it all to us. We are forced to trust his nature when we can’t see the logic in it all.

 

          When Elijah told the king, it would not rain again unless he said so, God told him to run away and hide beside the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:3-5). God would command the ravens to bring him bread and flesh both morning and evening. Elijah was safe and slowly settled into a comfortable dependence upon God and the ravens. Gradually the brook dried up because it had not rained. It was time to move. Elijah suddenly suffered the loss of his safe retreat and regular meals. God’s answer was a widow! By whatever strange means God was committed to taking care of Elijah – and of us.

 

          Paul had learned to view his past privileges and treasure as “dung!” We have cleaned up this word when we speak in gentle company by referring to it as anything thrown to the dogs. It is refuse and garbage but the actual meaning is ordure or excrement. Paul had found something better in Christ.

 

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

 

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

 

Dear Lord, let me see all my treasure in the same way that Paul saw his. Let me understand that some of the things you allow me to lose stand in the way of gaining you! AMEN

 

CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES!

 

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

 

CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES!

 

Gen 13:9

9 [Abraham said:] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

 

          Christmas is not so far gone that we can’t remember old mossback George Bailey who worked hard for what seemed like a little reward. He had dreams and would have been like the crusty Mr. Potter who cared for nobody but himself. Oh, and he kept Uncle Billy’s money. As far as we know it was never recovered or needed because the film concludes with a laundry basket full of cash and Clarence getting his wings.

 

          Choices that we make tend to guide us. Events are set in motion that can’t be stopped – unless another choice is made. Abraham seems foolish when he offers his kin the choice of either rocky mountain crags or lush green pastures. For the shepherd, the choice was a “no brainer.” Later we see that Lot suffered because of his choice.

 

          If God frustrates our plans, our first response is disappointment and anger but perhaps we should be thankful instead. Who is better suited to guide us than the Good Shepherd?

 

Jer 10:23

23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

 

Ps 23:6

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

Gentle Shepherd, I am not wise enough to choose my own path. If I chance upon the right way then confirm it. If I choose foolishly then, please, cancel my choice and redirect my steps. AMEN

 

HE RESTORETH MY SOUL!

 

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

 

HE RESTORETH MY SOUL!

 

Ps 23:2-3

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

          We often think that this means a restoration to a proper position. The general idea is that the wandering sheep has been found and restored to the safety of the flock. However, it most likely refers to the spirit when it is exhausted, weary, or sad. The meaning is, that God breathes new life into the spirit when it becomes exhausted, wearied, troubled, anxious, worn down with care and toil. (From Barnes' Notes)

 

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, certainly knows how to deal with us during times of our backsliding but this is not the case here. Because He is the Good Shepherd, He also knows how to mend us when we are broken. When the disciples wanted to press forward – He said rest. When burdened down with care, we are urged to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us.

 

Often in the midst of urgent labor He will “make” us, or force us, to lie down in green pastures. Thus, lying on the soft green earth, chewing contentedly, we are able to separate the urgent from the truly important. I am convinced that many sheep are involved with urgent things that are not important. 

 

Dear Lord, today a thousand voices will cry out for my attention. One of those voices will be your very own. Help me to hear you when you speak. Today, Lord, restore my soul. AMEN

 

CAREFREE?

 

Monday, January 27, 2025

 

CAREFREE?

 

1 Cor 12:25-26

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

 

Luke 10:33-35

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

 

          What would it be like to be truly carefree? What would it be like to have no anxiety about anything or anyone? Our first response, I think, is always wrong because we think it would be heavenly. Upon further contemplation, however, we would discover that we love only ourselves and that all our pleasant things no longer satisfy us. God built into each one of us the capacity to care. The first man – even before Eve – was given the task of naming all the animals and taking care of the perfectly formed garden. Man without a care is not so carefree after all.

 

          The word and concept of “care” is different in our two portions this morning. The word used in Corinthians which talks about mutual care of each other is the Greek word merimnao and means “to be anxious about or to take thought.” The idea is that someone is on my mind and that I desire them to be happy, healthy, and well looked after. Now, imagine that there is nothing or nobody in your heart that causes you to care! It is hard to wrap your mind around the concept, isn’t it? We care for our spouses, our children, our friends, and a host of others. It means that we have the capacity to love someone other than ourselves. Thank God for that!

 

          In the story of the Good Samaritan the word care is the Greek word epimeleomai and means “to minister to someone physically or practically.” This is when concern springs into action. It is always costly! The Samaritan cared because he had compassion. He felt the pain of another. He allowed himself to be inconvenienced and to suffer a financial loss. It was not an investment – it was a gift!

 

          God gave us the capacity to care and the energy to do something about that concern. He knows that when we minister to others it costs us something physically, psychologically, and often financially. However, he does not want us to be burdened down with care. 1 Peter 5:7 invites us to “Cast all our care upon him; for he cares for us.” In this verse the idea of care is that we are distracted. When it gets too heavy give it to Him.

 

          Is someone heavily on your mind? Pray for them! Do they have a need? Minister to them in a practical way! Is it so heavy it is driving you to distraction? Cast it to Jesus!

 

Dear Lord, I care for many of my friends and loved ones this morning. When possible, let me minister to them in a practical way. When the burden gets too heavy, please lift my load. Thank you. AMEN

 

PLEASE DON’T GO!

 

Sunday, January 26, 2025

 

PLEASE DON’T GO!

 

Matt 16:21-23

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 

          It is not easy for us to grasp the oppression that was practiced upon the people by the religious elite of that day. They walked about in royal robes and added tax upon tax while working hand in hand with the oppressive Romans. Rightly did Jesus advise his followers to listen to their teaching but to shun copying their behavior.

 

          The scriptures at hand indicate either an end of the beginning or the beginning of the end. Jesus began and kept on teaching his disciples that immediately ahead was trouble. The very people who represented God to the people would perpetrate unthinkable cruelty upon the Son of God. Jesus would be killed, and that is all that Peter could grasp. We wonder if he even heard the last part of the message – “and be raised again the third day.”

 

          What a burning rebuke it was to hear Jesus call Peter “Satan!” I am sure that Peter’s only motivation was the preservation of his Master, but his resistance to God’s clear plan was devilish. Confusion and wonder filled Peter’s mind. He was not thinking spiritually but naturally.

 

          If we stand before our tilled garden with seeds in our hand, we are faced with a decision and a choice. If we look at the seeds with a desire to keep them, we will have no harvest. We must sacrifice them to the ground so that death might produce life.

 

          Thomas Jefferson, a great man, nevertheless could not accept the miraculous elements in Scripture. He edited his own special version of the Bible in which all references to the supernatural were deleted. Jefferson, in editing the Gospels, confined himself solely to the moral teachings of Jesus. The closing words of Jefferson's Bible are these: "There laid they Jesus and rolled a great stone at the mouth of the sepulchre and departed." Thank God that is not the way the story really ends! --James S. Hewett

 

Dear Lord, Peter begged you not to go. I beg you now to return. AMEN

 

AND AFTERWARD!

 

Saturday, January 25, 2025

 

AND AFTERWARD!

 

Ps 73:24

24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

 

Ps 32:8

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

 

          The life of the believer is not a series of accidental happenings. We are children of the Most High God and we are called to a glorious purpose. While we have freedom of choice in the decisions we make, God leads us along and guides the events of our lives to accomplish His goals for us. Roadblocks, detours and potholes are actually guides. The Word of God is our roadmap, and our destination is sure.

 

          Much of my life has already been spent and I can see His loving hand guiding me all along the way. I thrill at what he has yet in store for me. I am more settled now than ever before and yet more restless. It is a conflict I have learned to accept as normal for me. My gifts and my calling are more acceptable to me, and I have left off trying to accomplish someone else’s dreams. This is the backward look.

 

          Our text offers a forward look. It says: “and afterward!” Ah! Afterward! I take that to mean the end of life. Like Stephen when he was being stoned, I expect to see Jesus standing at the Father’s right hand. I shall see angels waiting to congratulate me on finishing my course. I look forward to seeing loved ones gone before and I shall receive an inheritance that does not fade away. Afterward! This is the forward look.

 

Mark 9:2-4

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for daily counsel and guidance but most of all, thank you for a bright “afterward!” AMEN

 

URGENCY

 

Friday, January 24, 2025

 

URGENCY

 

John 9:4

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

 

John 4:3-7

3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

4 And he must needs go through Samaria.

5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. [noon]

7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

 

          John indicates an urgency to Jesus’ life and ministry. It had purpose and order but there was an urgency to His actions.

 

          Now we see Jesus taking a cultural detour through Samaria on his way to the lake country of Galilee. It was not the normal route, but it was the most direct one. Jesus knew what nobody else could know. There was a woman of Samaria with an appointment at the local well. The encounter looked ever so smooth and casual, but it was certainly not.

 

          Jesus positioned Himself in the path of the needy. This He always did although it was seldom recognized until afterward. So, He sat on the well-wall at noon. There He urgently waited.

 

          Water was usually drawn in the morning, when it was cooler, and not at mid-day when the sun was high but the woman with five husbands came hoping to avoid the accusing looks and harsh comments of the citizens who were themselves known as half-bred Jews at best.

 

          Jesus ignored cultural bigotry. There was no time for cast clashing. He asked the woman a simple question which placed Him on the same level as the woman. Both had a deep thirst although hers was not for water. “Give me to drink.” She answered with a question of her own. “Why are you willing to even speak to me? I am a woman and a Samaritan. Jews avoid Samaritans.”

 

          Jesus reveals Himself to the hurting and treats them with kindness. The air must have crackled with the urgency of the moment as Jesus says, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.”

 

          Jesus is aware of our guilt and shame and is not shamed by the knowing of it. He did not fear soiling Himself with sinners. Can you feel the urgency now?

 

          Oh, sinner! Go to the well! Hurry, someone is waiting for you there. Oh, Christian! Go to the well! Hurry, someone is waiting for you there.

 

John 4:23-24

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

Dear Jesus, help us to sense the urgency of the times in which we live. AMEN