JUNE 13, 2024

“But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.” (I Timothy 4:7-9)

Timothy is instructed in verse 6 to prepare himself and the church to defend the truth against false teachings. Here, Paul offers practical advice on how to do this most effectively. Paul previously discussed those who condemned certain foods and marriage. These falsehoods are “profane” (irreverent) from the Greek term “bebēlous,” literally meaning “unholy or profane.” Paul also calls them“graōdeis,” which literally means “old womanish.” In the culture of that day, superstition and gossip were rampant. Today, we refer to a superstitious myth as an “old wives’ tale,” and this is a similar sense of what Paul is saying here. The claims about God that Timothy needs to avoid are unreliable hearsay, which does not honor God.

Timothy was not just advised but commanded to prioritize his efforts on personal godliness. The phrasing used here specifically emphasizes the role of teaching and instruction in this process. This training was not simply for knowledge, but rather for the active pursuit of a godly life. This echoes the words of James, when he sternly instructs, “…be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (Jam. 1:22) Learning the ways of God are always meant to lead to action, and it is our responsibility to take this command seriously.

Paul then draws a powerful comparison between physical training for an athlete and spiritual training for godliness. He states that physical conditioning is of some importance, but nothing to compare to a godly life. For Example, Tom Brady, because of his drive, work ethic, and physical conditioning, was awarded with many accolades, rings, and trophies, but all such rewards are only temporal. The “crowns” gained in this life will lose their glory and luster, and at last, pass away completely, but not so our “crown of righteousness;” it will remain forever. Physical fitness only benefits us while we have this physical body. On the other hand, spiritual growth impacts eternity. Paul often speaks of the next life as the true focus of the believer, and it is this eternal perspective that should inspire and motivate you in your pursuit of godliness.

One would think that some people might truly believe that the words, “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good.” are in the Bible. They are not, though it is true that we can’t ignore the earthly realities around us. However, a person with a godly perspective on the good things God has given us can be wholly heavenly-minded and still of much earthly good. Paul sees the promise of heaven as a reason to live a life of practical godliness today.

Believers are to strive for godliness because it impacts both this life and the next. The phrase “this is a faithful saying” is unique to the Pastoral Epistles in the New Testament. Paul used it five times. The phrase emphasizes a particular point or quote that Paul wants the reader to remember each time. We must fully accept that godliness or spiritual exercise is essential now and for eternity.

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JUNE 11, 2024

 “Then went Samson down,…and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid (lamb), and he had nothing in his hand…” (Judges 14:5, 6)

“After a time he returned…and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and his mother, and he gave them, and they did eat…” (Judges 14:8, 9)

It was a singular circumstance that a man unarmed should have slain a vicious lion, rending him with his bare hands. Adding to the wonderment is that a swarm of bees should have taken possession of the dried carcass and filled it with honey. In that land and climate, the dead body would have soon decayed and been cleansed of all corruption, leaving the skeleton clean and white, nevertheless, there was something extraordinary here. This amazing occurrence later became the subject of a riddle that Samson proposed at the feast which he provided prior to his marriage. “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.” (Vs. 14) None were able to solve the riddle until the answer was given to them by Samson’s new wife. “What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion?” (Vs. 18) With the riddle we will not now concern ourselves, except to take notice of the Great Gospel truth that it declares.

Samson is himself a riddle, as a simple reading of Judges, chapters thirteen through sixteen, will show. The riddle maker is indeed an enigma not easily understood or explained; therefore we will not attempt to explain any of the mysteries about him. Our attention will be given to the marvelous fact that in spite of Samson’s inexplicable character and inconsistent behavior as a Nazarite (one consecrated to God), we see in him a dual type. First, he is a type of Christ, and second, he is a type of the consecrated believer. Both types can be seen in what Samson did when he went down to Timnath (Vs. 5, 6), and what he did on his return trip a little while afterward. (Vs. 8, 9)

As he went down, his parents with him, to Timnath, a young lion roared against him. Now, apparently, he had gone ahead of his mother and father, and therefore he was able, as “the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him,” to slay the lion that would surely have devoured his parents. He, like our mighty Savior, was able to destroy the destroyer. Christ has taken on that old, “roaring lion” that “goeth about seeking whom he may devour,” and has slain him. He now stands in the midst of His Church with His hands dripping with sweetness and consolation. He gives us that which enlightens the eyes. (I Sam. 14:27) We feed upon his Word, and say with the psalmist, “How sweet are thy words to my taste,” yea, “More to be desired are they than gold, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Our great Deliverer gives to us that which is a foretaste of the heavenly Canaan, a glorious land “flowing with milk and honey.”

The Apostle John tells us that, “As He is, so also are we in the world.” Samson’s calling was to be a warrior against the Philistines (A people typical of the Church’s enemies). Just as Samson’s conflicts began early, even from the time of his birth (Ch. 13:24, 25), so from the moment of our new birth our warfare is begun. Satan’s attacks often come unexpectedly. Who would have thought to come upon a roaring lion in a vineyard? Yet he was there on the prowl, and we must be on our guard at all times. When our Christian tranquility is suddenly interrupted by the roaring adversary, we have but one option: By the Spirit of the Lord, rend him violently. (Matt. 11:12)

The Christian’s life, though fraught with conflicts, is filled with sweetness as the result. How sweet the grace that flows to us through Christ’s slaying of the old lion! How sweet also are the victories that we personally win as the Spirit of God enables us. It is a life of sweetness as our God makes His grace to be our sufficiency and victory. Let us then, like Samson, share the sweets with others. “He took thereof (the honey) in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat.”

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JUNE 6, 2024

 “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:1-4)

The writer of this psalm remains a mystery, but we do know that it was sung in Solomon’s temple and by the armies of Jehoshaphat when they sang themselves into victory in the wilderness of Tekoa. We should infer it was a famous hymn among the Lord’s ancient people. Most hymns with a solid, simple chorus become favorites with congregations (which is still true today), and this is sure to have been one of the most beloved. It contains nothing but praise. It is tuned to rapture and can only be thoroughly enjoyed by a genuinely grateful heart.

The Psalmist begins this song with a heartfelt plea, “O give thanks unto the LORD.” This is not a distant command but a personal call to each of us, His people, to freely offer our thanks. The writer urges us to recognize and praise God for His goodness and the greatness of His power in blessing His chosen. Just as we express gratitude to our earthly parents, let us also lift our voices in praise to our heavenly Father, the Giver of all good. He alone is good in the highest sense, the source, sustainer, perfecter, and rewarder of good. For this, He deserves our constant gratitude.

If there are powers in heaven or on earth worthy of the name of gods, He is the God of them all; their authority is derived from Him, and their very existence is dependent upon His will. The Lord is our God, to be worshipped and adored, worthy of our reverence to the highest degree. If the heathen cultivate the worship of their gods with zeal, how much more intently should we seek the glory of the God of gods – the only true and real God. His providence extends to all, encompassing the entire universe, and we are but a part of His grand design.

Foolish people have gathered from this verse that the Israelites believed in the existence of many gods, at the same time believing that their God was chief among them, but this thought is absurd since gods who have a God over them cannot possibly be gods themselves.

God is worthy of our warmest thanks, for His mercy endureth forever. Imagine the Godhead without everlasting mercy. It would be as much a source of terror as it is now a fountain of thanksgiving. You can’t properly give thanks to God without recognizing His abundant mercy. Let the Highest be praised in the highest way because His nature and His acts deserve the gratitude of all His creatures.

There are many lords, but our God is the Lord of them. He makes and administers the law, rules and governs everything, and possesses all power. He is more lordly than all emperors and kings to exist on earth condensed into one. We may well be thankful for this, for we know the superior Sovereign will rectify the abuses of the underlings who now lord it over humanity. He will reckon with them for every oppression and injustice. He governs with strict impartiality, for which everyone should give thanks.

He mingles mercy with this justice and reigns for the benefit of His people, pitying the sorrowful, protecting the helpless, providing for the needy, and pardoning the guilty. He does this from generation to generation, never wearying of His grace because He delights in mercy. Let us always thank our Lord and let this one reason suffice us for three thanksgivings (like we see in our verses today) or three thousand.

JUNE 4, 2024

 “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:5, 7)

The date given in verse 1 coincides with the statement recorded in Ezra 4:24. There we learn that owing to opposition the work of rebuilding the house of the Lord ceased “unto the second year of Darius, King of Persia.” The work had begun under Cyrus, whom the Lord referred to as His “shepherd,” and as His “anointed.” Having conquered Judah’s captors, Cyrus had, according to the Word of the Lord, released God’s people with his blessing and much help to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of God which was destroyed when the Babylonians laid waste to the city. According to the King’s proclamation, which was put in writing, the work was begun. However, with only the foundation completed, the work ceased and nothing further was done for fifteen years. It was then, in the second year of Darius, that Haggai the Prophet was sent with this message of rebuke. Twice he said, “Consider your ways!” Notice, it is the Lord Himself who so speaks: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; consider your ways!”

Clearly, a spirit of lethargy had set in and would not end until God sent His messenger to stir them up. In the year above referred to, on the first day of the sixth month, Haggai addressed himself to the rulers, Zerubbabel, the governor, who was of David’s line, and Joshua, the high priest, saying, “This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.” (Vs. 1, 2) This statement tells us that it was not the “stop work order” from King Artaxerxes that prevented them, but their ownlack of interest, and energy of faith. In fact, since the decree of Artaxerxes contradicted the earlier decree of Cyrus it would have been no real hindrance. The unalterable character of Persian decrees renders the second one invalid, had it been appealed. But apparently, the people had already become listless as to the things of God, and more concerned with selfish interests.

The second decree contained no direct prohibition against building the temple but was rather directed against restoring and fortifying the city. When priorities are out of order, we are prone to interpret circumstances to suit ourselves. At such times it is amazing the amount of energy that will be expended on that which ministers to our own comforts, and how indifferent one can become with things that have to do with God’s glory. Thus, Christians have time and means for much that does not profit, while finding it difficult to find time for church, or to spare of their means for the furtherance of the Gospel.

How condemning is the challenging question here posed by the Lord’s prophet: “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?” (Vs. 4) It is with holy sarcasm that the Lord exposes the inconsistency. No Persian decree hindered their providing well-furnished, ceiled, warm, expensive houses for themselves, but it was a ready excuse for indifference respecting what should have occupied first place in their thoughts. (Matt. 6:33) How easily many professing Christians can exempt themselves from church meetings and holy work with excuses that seem not to hinder any secular pursuits whatsoever. “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; consider your ways.”

The prophet’s message undoubtedly reveals the secret of many failures and disappointments among Christians today. God cannot bless unfaithfulness and self-seeking. “Consider your ways, ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm, and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it in a bag with holes.” (Vs.5, 6) True believers cannot rob God of His due and expect to have His blessing in the process. Thus, He calls on each one to “Consider your ways.” The Hebrew reads “Set your heart on your ways.” It is a call to self-judgement; for the ways reveal the state of soul.