Friday 30^th November

Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41 

This great story not only shows the magnitude of Gods greatness but also teaches us a valuable lesson for our own lives. It starts in a boat, probably a fishing boat, as His disciples were mostly fisherman. The location is the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was weary from His travels and wanted some rest from the multitudes so He climbed into the boat with His disciples.

Verse 24 describes a tempestuous storm that greets Jesus and the disciples. Jesus stays sleeping and the disciples panic and cry out to Jesus to rescue them. Marks gospel (4:38), adds that the disciple’s criticise Jesus for not caring that they were perishing. Jesus’ response is to firstly rebuke the disciples for their lack of faith and then commands the waves and storm to be still. Upon the calmness of the sea and storm, the disciples can but marvel at the power of the Man who is with them.

There are three main points to highlight from this passage. The first is the fear of the disciples, the second their lack of faith and the third Jesus’ power to calm the storm.

When I read this passage, I often wonder why the disciples were so fearful. Most of them were seasoned fisherman who most probably faced storms like this on a regular basis. Why were they so fearful in this storm? Was the storm really that terrible? We will understand this more as we highlight the next point.

Jesus, upon being woken up, immediately rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith and asked them why they were afraid! In my understanding of this passage, I believe that Jesus does not rebuke their lack of faith because they couldn’t calm the seas, but rather because they forgot who was in the boat with them. In Matthew chapter 8 in the preceding verses to today’s text, we read that Jesus healed a leper, healed a centurion’s servant, healed Peters mother in law and cast out demons from possessed people. In all these scenarios the disciples would have most probably been with Jesus. And now here a few verses later they forget who is with them in the boat. Not only did they forget Jesus’ miraculous powers but they didn’t have the full knowledge of who Jesus was and His mission. If Jesus perished in the boat with the disciples then humanity would never be saved from their sins because Jesus had to be put to death, rather than accidently die at sea. In not understanding whom Jesus was, the disciples panicked and acted in their flesh. I believe that this is what Jesus rebuked them for. 

So who was Jesus? Jesus was God incarnate, Immanuel ‘God with us’. In proving His authority over creation, He showed His disciples who He was. Again in Marks gospel Jesus simply tells the storm to be at peace. What an amazing sight that would have been and what authority is shown here. However Jesus’ greatest miracle was on the third day after His death when He defeated sin and its hold on humanity. Praise God that we not only serve a God who can calm the storm in our life but who made a way back to the Father!

Thursday 29^th November

Luke 2:25-33

“Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

The feeling when something great is about to happen causes us to have a sense of expectancy and anticipation. Sometimes we allow ourselves to get overly excited and then when the situation does not actually happen there is such an anti-climatic feeling that not only leads us into despondency but also into bitterness or anger.

Simeon, a righteous and just man, was in anticipation for the greatest event in history. He knew of the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah who would redeem Israel. Simeon, most probably a priest in the temple as he blessed Jesus according to the Mosaic Law, was promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not face death until he had seen the Christ. Can you imagine his anticipation of knowing that firstly he would see Immanuel before his death but that secondly, he himself would get to see the One who had been promised to Israel in prophetic writings throughout history?

Prompted by the Holy Spirit to go the temple that glorious day, Simeon’s expectant heart was overjoyed and not let down at the sight of the Child that was going to bring Salvation to the world. Luke describes in verses 29 and 30 the joy and contentment Simeon had at seeing the ‘Child Jesus’. He had full assurance that his ‘eyes had seen Gods Salvation’. What a scene that must have been, the jubilation and celebration Simeon must have felt. This was a divinely appointed moment in history.

Simeon states that Jesus will bring salvation to all people, both Jew and Gentile. He knew that Jesus was God incarnate and that not only was Jesus going to redeem Israel but also that all peoples might be saved through Him. Joseph and Mary in verse 33 marvelled at such news. Reading this text should excite the reader as well, as one joins in this joyous occasion.

However there is a greater truth in this that goes beyond Simeon revelation or excitement. That truth is this; Not only did Jesus bring revelation to both Gentile and Jew (verse 32), He paid the ransom that was due to us. Simeon might have expected, as did most Jews, redemption from Roman oppression. However Jesus brought more than political freedom, He gave humankind a way that we can be saved from our sins. He bridged the gap between God and Man. He gave us life and life in its fullness. No longer do we need to live a life on our own but now we can walk in liberty and freedom as “God with us” has set us free. Whom the Son set free is free indeed (John 8:36).

Simeon may not of expected what Jesus accomplished by giving His life for mankind yet He was still jubilant at the sight of Jesus. How much more should we be excited by KNOWING Jesus as our Saviour, having Him live in our lives? Lets get excited about Jesus Christ, Immanuel, the Saviour of the world!

Wednesday 28^th November

Lamentations 3:21-23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness O Lord, great is Thy faithfulness.” Robert Davidson: 1974

A few years ago whilst in a low period of my life a friend of mine sent me a text message with this verse. It pointed not in the direction of my circumstance but towards a faithful God. It encouraged my soul greatly, however it is not until recently that I fully understood this text in all its fullness. Looking at this text as it is, the believer can be encouraged at these words but when understood in its full context, the writings deepen in value and meaning.

Jeremiah was the most probable author of the book of lamentations. It was written in the time of Gods judgement towards Judah at the hands of the Babylonians. This book is a book of prayer and laments at what Judah had become. The captivity had been prophesied about for many years yet Jeremiah was still filled with great pain and sorrow. The first few chapters start with Jeremiahs lament at the condition of Jerusalem. His words are so deep and so full of sorrow. A once great and prosperous city where the temple of the Most High stood in boldness, a place where the Lord dwelt, was now in disastrous ruins. His mourning was even more sorrowful as he himself had begged with Judah to repent and turn from their ways to prevent Gods righteous judgement towards them.

In a situation where all hope was lost, Jeremiah found himself encouraging his soul with these words in today’s reading. The NLT says in verse 21 ‘Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this.’ Jeremiah had to shake himself from the ground and remember what a faithful God he had. He says of the Lord in the next few verses that because of His faithfulness and His tender mercies they would not be totally consumed. He knew that God had promised that captivity was only for a time and he encouraged himself with this truth (Jeremiah 32:37-41). Jeremiah says in verse 23, “Great is His faithfulness. His mercies are new every morning”. In the midst of turmoil, persecution, captivity, total destruction and ruin, Jeremiah knew that Gods mercy would prevail. He encouraged himself and his readers knowing that the Lord wanted the best for His children and that God, at the start of His judgement towards Judah had already began the plan of Salvation and freedom.

What a great reminder to us today. Are you going through something in your life that you think has no end or that there is not a glimmer of hope? Then your eyes should be fixated not on your situation but on God faithfulness. When our focus is on God and His Faithfulness, He becomes bigger and our problems become smaller. Know you are His child and live in His hope, joy and love.

“If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”

2 Timothy 2:13

Tuesday 27^th November

Luke 15:11-32

“For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost but now is found.” (verse 32)

The NLT starts this story off with the profound statement…’to illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story’. Although this statement is not found in most other translations, I think it really does justice to the context of these parables and emphasises Jesus’ point; His love for the lost. If we remember back to the beginning of this chapter Jesus is addressing the sinners and Pharisees. He highlights that it is the lost who need saving and that His association with them, although against Rabbinical teaching, was exactly how He could save them; by meeting them where they were.

This teaching is found in the very core of this third and final parable. The story in brief, is of a man who had two sons. One decides to go and spend his inheritance on wild living and prostitutes. After squandering all his share of the wealth, he finds a job feeding pigs. The depth of poverty the son had was so low that verse 16 tells us that his employers wouldn’t even give him the pigs food. Upon coming to his senses he realises that he would be better off in his father’s house as a servant. He returns home to be greeted by his loving father who runs out to meet him. A party is thrown and he is reinstated as a SON. His brother is indignant at this and doesn’t recognise what’s happened.

The changing point in this story happens when the son comes to the realisation at his circumstance. Without the father he is lost. That is much the same with us. The Holy Spirit’s job in our lives is to convict us of our sinful state and show us how depraved we are without Jesus. When the son finally makes the move to go home his father is waiting for him to receive him back. Again the same with us, when we come or come back to the Father He not only is waiting but lavishes His glorious love upon us.

The father in the story reinstates his son and gives him three significant gifts to show that. A robe which symbolised honour, a ring which showed authority and sandals to show his status was of a son not a servant. God the Father not only accepts us back but also gives us the honour of being His children by adopting us into His family. Not longer are we alien to God but sons and daughters.

The older brother in this story symbolises the Pharisees. They show no compassion for the sinner but rather hypercritical accusations against others whilst living in sin themselves. The brother had all rights to his father’s possessions and temple riches constantly surrounded the Pharisees, yet both missed out on the real treasure enjoyed by a repentant sinner.

In conclusion Gods excitement, joy and desire is to see those lost come back to Him. His love for both sinner and saint is consistent and unconditional! He never leaves us and is always waiting for our hearts to respond to Him in true repentance.

Monday 26^th November

Luke 15:8-10

“I once was lost but now I’m found” (Amazing Grace – John Newton: 1779)

In continuing with the theme of being lost and found Jesus explains this simple parable to again emphasise the Father’s heart for the lost being found. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus uses three separate parables to share His heart for the lost?

In verses 8-10 Jesus uses the story of a woman who has lost 1 of her 10 coins. She sweeps the house and turns it upside down to find that precious coin and when she eventually finds she is overjoyed. She is so joyful in her finding this coin that she invites her friends over to join with her in her celebrations. Jesus concludes this parable with the same imagery as found in the previous parable of the lost shepherd. He relays the great joy in Heaven and among the angels at a person, repenting and finding salvation.

Jesus understood the value a denarius/drachma would have had in an Ancient Israeli society. It was equivalent to a day’s wages. Her total wealth was 10 coins, which would have equated to 10 days labour. She most probably did not have a great amount of wealth, which is shown through the desperation in finding this 1 lost coin.

Houses in Jesus’ time would have been dusty and dirty and when something was lost such as a small coin it would have proved very difficult to find. There were not usually many windows in the house so Jesus reminds His listeners that in order to find something that was lost, one would have also had to light a lamp to aid them. All this highlights to the crowd how hard it would have been to find this coin and the great lengths and efforts she puts it to find it.

If the woman represents God and the coin humanity/us, then we can understand the great extents Jesus went through for us; that we may be found and recognised as sons and daughters of the Most High God. Our lives without Christ are so far from Gods original plan for humanity. We are dirty and are hidden by the darkness in our hearts. We hide in the corners of society, living our lives constantly running away from God and sometimes even doing this unconsciously and in ignorance.  In John’s gospel (1:5), he describes Jesus as a great light exposing the darkness. Jesus’ mission as we talked about in the last devotional was to seek and save the lost. In doing this He exposed the darkness and brought what was in the dark, to the light.

That is why there is such jubilation at one soul repenting (action is needed on our behalf too) and coming into Salvation. That is Jesus’ mission being completed on this earth. The light shining in dark places, exposing what it is evil and allowing what was once in that darkness to be found. Praise God that He never gives up on us and that His omnipotence shines through our secret places.

Saturday 24^th November

Luke 15:1-7

Have you ever been so excited about something that you can’t contain it and you feel like your going to burst?? As sad as it is sometimes I get that feeling at the anticipation and excitement of the new film ‘The Hobbit’. Yes, I know that’s sad but it got me thinking about something much more exciting than a film release.

In Luke 15 Jesus, surrounded not only by society’s rejects but also the Pharisees and Scribes, begins to explain God’s heart for mankind. His excitement is told through these three successive parables whereby Jesus explains His desire to see the lost found. Jesus writes these parables in response to criticism from the Pharisees and Scribes who thought themselves to holy to associate with ‘sinners’. Jesus’ heart for ‘sinners’ is clearly shown in this chapter as He Highlights His priority in not only ‘socialising’ with sinners but that through Him they might find a way back to the Father. In Luke 19:10 Jesus says that He came for the lost, that they might be found.

The first of these parables is found in today’s reading in verses 3-7. Jesus uses a common imagery of a shepherd and sheep. He tells a story of a shepherd whilst tending his flock, loosing a sheep that’s gone astray. Then comes his dilemma. Does he leave the ninety-nine to go after the one who’s lost or go home with the ninety-nine and forget about the one? The shepherd does the right thing and searches for the lost sheep. When he finds it he is filled with such great joy and throws a party with his friends. Jesus says that this is the same joy found in Heaven when a sinner turns back to God.

The shepherd in this story can be interpreted as God and the sheep as us. God’s joy comes not in the ninety-nine who have not strayed but in the one who is found and comes back to Him. That is not to say the ninety-nine are not of importance to Him but rather His excitement is found in His desire for those lost to be reconciled with the Father.

What a great picture of a kind and loving Father. This parable reminds me of an old comic book narrating different stories in the Bible. One of the stories is this parable and the illustration of it still stays in my mind of a kind, gentle and loving shepherd with the lost sheep on his shoulders. That image should stand as a representation to us that Gods desire for all of us, no matter how lost of far away we are, is to come back to Him.

But notice this parable unlike the prodigal son parable is the shepherd going out to seek the lost sheep. If you think that God has just left you, that you have gone too far from Him or that you are beyond being found, then think again because that is contrary to what this parable is teaching us. His desire is for you to be found and not only that; He is willing to meet you where you are. Just hold on to the shepherds’ rod and let Him pull you back!! 

Friday 23^rd November

Psalm 97:1-6

“The mountain melt like wax before the Lord….and all peoples see His Glory”

Have you ever had the privilege of witnessing something incredible that just brought you either to you knees, made you speechless or even made you emotional? Sometimes we get this feeling when walking through mountains, awestruck at the one who created such magnanimous beauty.  Other times it could be watching nature programs mesmerized by such small intricate creatures that our Creator God has put some much detail into. My humbling experience came as I watched a jazz band last night. The sheer talents of such great musicians not only impressed me and caused me to become speechless but I was humbled by such a display of musical ability.

Upon watching this display of musical euphoria, I pondered what it must be like to stand before the great throne of God in absolute humility knowing His all-powerful omnipotence. If one can be impressed by mere human talents, as great as they were, how much more should be awestruck by the one who created everything, including their talents.

I was reminded of this wonderful psalm were the Psalmist also awestruck by such a great and mighty God. He starts off in verse 1 exclaiming the Lords sovereignty, “The Lord Reigns”. See when God made creation it was in the intention that it would worship Him. In fact it is the pure beauty of Gods creation that leads us to worship Him today. The Psalmist here understood that creation was meant to worship God because of His Kingship and authority.

Verses 2-4 then summarise the Lords Judgement and Power. They highlight His righteous and just judgement but also that as He is the Creator of all the earth, He alone reserves the right to pass that judgement. Again in at the end of verse 4 we see the same kind of imagery that Habakkuk used in his prayer, the imagery of the earth and sea trembling at Gods supreme magnificence.

The climatic crescendo is found in verse 5. The imagery here used by the Psalmist gives God the highest praise I think is possible to give God. “The mountains melt like wax before Him, before the Lord of ALL the earth.” Imagine for a second, Mount Everest of Nepal, one of the tallest mountains on planet Earth. Measured from its top to base, its stands at 8,848 meters tall. An average male is around 170 cm. It would take over 5000 men standing on each others shoulders to reach the top of this mountain. Then imagine that mountain melting like wax, bowing its knee before it maker and creator. That image blows my mind. How vast, immense, and EPIC is our God.

In fact in verses 6 and 7 the Psalmist tells us that not only is He the God of the Earth but of the Heavens and all other made up gods who submit to His supreme authority. Do you know that the God who made both Heaven and Earth knows you by name, the hairs on your head and even sent Jesus to die for you? WOW, that’s truly humbling!!

Remember that when we come before the throne of grace, be in awe as it is a THRONE!!

Thursday 22^nd November

Matthew 7:24-29

“On Christ this solid rock I’m found, all other ground is sinking sand” (Edward Mote – The Solid Rock)

Sometimes when we look at our circumstances, after feeling sorry for ourselves for a while, we realise that so often we are blessed beyond measure. However, we usually need someone looking in from the outside of our circumstance to remind us of these truths.

In the final teaching of His ‘Sermon on the Mount’, Jesus highlights the significance and importance of all that He has just taught. He encourages the disciples to not only hear what He is saying but to build their lives upon it. Jesus explains this by telling a story of two men, one wise and one foolish. They both build houses but choose different foundations to build upon. The wise chooses a rock and the foolish chooses sand. When the flood, storm and winds come against them, the house that stays standing is the one built by the wise man on the rock.

For many this parable conjures up Sunday school lessons or perhaps Christian cartoons but there is a much deeper meaning to what Jesus is teaching here. What is so important that Jesus concludes His teaching with this story??

If we look in the previous verses, from 21-23, we see Jesus’ strong teaching on fruitless works and how they prevent the ‘doer’ from entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus concludes that teaching with a statement that directly relates to this parable. He says that only those who do the will of the Father can enter Heaven.

In John 8:28 Jesus says that He ‘only does and says what the Father tells Him’. Simply put Jesus’ words is the Father’s will, which is ultimately His teaching to and for us. How does this relate to Jesus’ parable though??

Some commentators have concluded that the storm Jesus refers to in this parable is God’s final judgement on man but it can also be understood as times of trials and hardships. Either way, the main point of Jesus’ teaching here is not so much the storm but rather what the houses are built on. If we dig deep into God’s words (the Father’s will, Jesus’ teaching) and build our foundations on His infallible and timeless truths (the rock) then not matter what comes against we will still stand.

If we are to understand this passage properly, taking into consideration the previous verses, we must understand that it is not only hearing but following what His word says. Both Paul in Ephesians 2 and Peter in his first epistle talk of Jesus being our chief cornerstone. His teaching is not only the basis of the foundation of our house but he is also part of the house. That is a winning combination.

So when circumstances look bleak don’t wait for someone else to highlight what good in your life but rather trust in Jesus’ teaching, the solid rock and cornerstone of our lives that cannot be shaken!!

Wednesday 21st November

Habakkuk 3:16-19

“I know that my Redeemer lives and ever prays for me” Charles Wesley

In the final account of Habakkuk’s prayer found in today’s passage, we read of a Holy response to tribulation and a depth of understanding of God’s Gracious character.

In verse 16 Habakkuk exclaims that upon hearing about God’s salvation to the Israelites at the Red Sea, his body trembled. He not only knew the awesomeness of His God but He also knew that although Judah was under captivity, God promised that it would only be for a time. The day of judgement for Judah’s enemies would soon be at hand and Habakkuk could but tremble and shake at the thought of Gods imminent wrath. However in the midst of this knowledge, somehow he found a peace and contentment that God was his Salvation and Saviour.

What is our response when we go through hard times that seem unending? Is it to blame God or to trust that He will not only sustain and deliver us form tribulation, but help us find rest and peace in the middle of the tornado all around us?

Habakkuk knew full well that the persecution his people were going through was self-inflicted because of their rebellion and pagan worship. All around him was like a battleground; fields stripped of their crops, livestock sparse, fruitless tress and plants. All this was deserved but throughout the hardship Habakkuk comforted himself knowing that his ancestors had gone through the same thing. Through their rebellion, they were in captivity with the Egyptians for 400 years. Yet God in His mercy saved them and brought them into His presence once again.

Verses 17 summarises the devastation all around Habakkuk however in verse 18, Habakkuk comes to the awe-inspiring conclusion, ‘YET I will rejoice in the Lord!!’ Not only does he deduce God as his strength and salvation but that throughout hard times God would set his feet on firm ground when all around him, his world was shaken. Praise God. This is the kind of response we should have in hard times!!

This reminds me of song written by Charles Wesley drawing on the 19th chapter of Job. Job is having an almost exact same discussion with his friends and with God, of destruction and judgement that he feels has come his way, yet he also comes a profound conclusion. Even still “I know that my Redeemer lives.” In the last verses of chapter 1, Job also grasps that God not only gives and takes away but of HIS need to praise Him throughout it all.

What comfort can we take from this in our day?? Well we might not have everything stripped away from us as Judah did because of her rebellion but the Bible says that our sinfulness separates us from Gods presence. The good news according to Hebrews 7:25 is that we have a High Priest, Jesus, who ever lives to make intercession on our behalf. If we would just put our hope and trust in Him then we too can have a restored relationship with Him and have our feet set on firm ground.

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my Salvation”

Tuesday 20^th November

Habakkuk 3:8-19

‘My God is not dead, surely He’s alive; Living on the inside roaring like a lion’

(a lyric from the David Crowder band)

Habakkuk is a fairly unread book of the Bible, but upon stumbling over it a few months ago, I found a story of God’s favour and heart for His own people. It was a story that deepened my understanding of how much God loves and fights for His beloved.

Habakkuk was a “watchman/prophet” in the Old Testament. He had just witnessed the end of the Assyrian Reign and was seeing the super power of the Babylonians, under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, take Judah captive as part of God’s judgement on them. Chapters 1 and 2 are a dialogue between Habakkuk and God, wherein Habakkuk is questioning why God has let them be taken into captivity and God is giving the answer.

We join the story in the middle of chapter 3 from verse 8 and we see a shift in the style of writing from questioning and reasoning to the awesomeness of Gods power and His eventual redemption of His people. Habakkuk reminds his readers of how God intervened and saved Israel from the Egyptians at the Red Sea.

Habakkuk uses the imagery of chariots branding bows and arrows that parted the earth and sea. So great was this victorious charge that the whole earth could only stand in awe of such a mighty force. Verses 10 and 11 talk of mountains watching and trembling and the sun and moon standing still in the sky. What amazing imagery of things we imagine to have such might and splendour utterly in awe of a Power greater than they. Upon reading that, I was reminded of a scene in the Lord of the Rings were Arwen, Elronds’ daughter, is trapped by the enemy and she causes the waves to crush her foes. The waves take the form of mighty warrior horses that trample upon her enemies. This is the scene we see in Habakkuk (verse 15).

Then the pinnacle of story and were I was most encouraged was in verses 12 and 13. Habakkuk says of the Lord that He marched across the land in anger and fury and went out to rescue His anointed one, His chosen people. What a great picture. The waves are being parted in what must have been a spectacular sight, the sun and moon are in awe and then here comes the One who created it all; the creator of all creation. The way Habakkuk writes is like God is desperate to save His people, there is a depth of love shown here. What an encouraging picture of our God!!

Imagine your child was in great danger; would you not do all you can to save them?? The image here is even more powerful because God did save them knowing full well that they would soon turn their back on Him once they crossed the sea. That is God’s ‘Hesed’ Love, a covenantal love, and an unconditional love that He still shows us today, that He sent Jesus to save us from our sins. Praise God