SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

 “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12)

Peter explains to the Sanhedrin by what authority he had healed a lame man in Acts 3. Specifically, the council asks him by what name he did this. Peter claims that he did it through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. One’s “name” includes the sense of one’s identity, power, authority, and reputation. Jesus’ name is the only name that saves.

“Salvation” is from the Greek root word sōtēria. It means “deliverance and preservation” and can imply rescue in a worldly, physical context, such as from enemies, or it can suggest eternal spiritual recovery. The salvation that Christ offers delivers us from sin and hell and preserves us for heaven. This salvation provides rescue for us from evil; it gives us safety.

In Acts 4:11, Peter calls the Sanhedrin the “builders” responsible for the Jewish people and the proper observance of the Jewish religion. As “builders,” the elders, priests, and scribes should have recognized Jesus. Several places in their Scripture (our Old Testament) give precise descriptions that identify Jesus as the Messiah they have been waiting for. In just the last week of His life, He fulfilled prophecies of the donkey He rode into Jerusalem on, the way the Roman guards cast lots for His clothing, the fact that His bones were not broken, and even on the cross, when He was given vinegar to drink. His life, and even death, was the ultimate fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies, and it is unbelievable how the Jewish leaders failed to see it. But sadly, the Jews had a long history of ignoring, abusing, and killing their prophets. And so they missed the coming of the One they had waited so long for, the only one who could bring them salvation.

In I Corinthians 3:11, Paul writes a similar thought, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Paul’s point is that one’s faith needs to be grounded in Jesus, not a person, and not in some other concept. It is Jesus who is the only true cornerstone of proper worship. The Jewish rulers would have recognized this if they’d spent less time worrying about tradition and more time reading their own prophets. The prophets of the Old Testament gave obvious descriptions of the Jewish Messiah. But the leaders of their time ignored them. And so when the priests, scribes, and elders standing before Peter faced their Messiah, they didn’t even recognize Him.

Jesus Christ is the only true name by which we can have salvation. He is the foundation, and we must be careful how we build thereupon. Pastors, teachers, and even parents should all be cautious of teaching that there is any other name by which salvation can be achieved. For there is no other name, and there will never be another as crucial as Jesus.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

 “And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; and twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.” (Genesis 17:20, 21)

Ishmael and Isaac were both sons of Abraham, yet they differ greatly in their birth. Ishmael, whose birth was natural, was a child of the flesh, but Isaac whose birth was supernatural according to the promise was the child of promise. These sons therefore represent two races of men: those who are born according to nature are as Ishmael, children of the flesh. But those who are born of the Spirit are as Isaac, children of promise. We noted that the two together represent one individual who has been twice born, or “born again;” one who has been once born according to the flesh, but has also been “born again, not of corruptible seed.” All such who are twice-born are, as Isaac, children of promise.

This accounts for why children of the flesh and children of promise have differing aspirations in life. It is not at all strange that two persons, as different in their birth and nature as Ishmael and Isaac, became very different in their life pursuits. Ishmael pursued what was natural. He was the natural son of a very great man, and he looked to attain unto greatness in this world. But to Isaac, the guiding light of his life was the covenant promise. He pursued higher goals, because he was the child of promise, and the inheritor of the covenant of grace, which the Lord had made with his father.

Ishmael looked to found a nation which would never be subdued. His desire was abundantly granted, and the Arabs are to this day true copies of their great ancestor. Ishmael’s life was totally absorbed with earthly hopes for which he looked, but his name is not found with his father’s or his brother’s, who looked beyond that present world even to the day of Christ; and looked for “a better country, that is, anheavenly.” (Heb. 11:16) Isaac knew this world was not his final home, and he “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Ismael had his best things here below. In fact, if we didn’t know better, we might think that in Jesus’ parable “Father Abraham” was speaking to his own son after the flesh when he said, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things.” (Luke 16:25) But Isaac had the promise of good things to come, things of which nothing in this world can compare, certainly nothing that he would have considered receiving in exchange for his soul. His faith was looking to “things not yet seen,” yet, in the covenant promise he had already received them. The twice-born soul is a child of promise just like Isaac; he has received and embraced the promise of eternal life. And far from merely being what wicked men call ”pie in the sky,” Isaac and all who trust in the Promised Seed have the promise of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come. (I Tim. 4:8)

Isaac’s life is the picture of a one who is of a restful spirit, because his was an elevated spirit. Because of his faith, he was nonetheless active, yet, he manifested none of the proud aggression and self-reliance which was so apparent in his brother. Thus does the promise affect our personal life. Children of promise have in them an elevated spirit, a life above the visible surroundings, a calm and heavenly frame of mind. Hope kindled by divine promise affects the entire life of a man in his thoughts, ways, and feelings, as well as in his moral deportment. As a person’s hopes are in the promise of God it is well with him.

Hopes that have no outlook beyond this life, that do not see beyond the grave, are very dim indeed. But those who believe the promise, and feel assured of its fulfillment in due time, leaving all else in the hands of Infinite Wisdom, are happy indeed. Such hopes will endure trials, conquer temptations, and enjoy heaven here below.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2023

 “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.” (Psalm 3:5-6)

This psalm was penned by King David while fleeing from his son. The previous psalm written by David showed the royal dignity of the Redeemer, and now we are shown the peace and holy security of the redeemed through David’s trials. How safe God’s children are while under His divine protection!

David has now been ousted from his palace and forced on the run by his rebellious son, Absalom. In the psalm, he complains to God of his enemies (Vs. 1-2), confiding in and encouraging himself in his God (Vs. 3). He recollects the satisfaction he had in the gracious answers God gave to his prayers and his experience of goodness shown to him in the past (Vs. 4-5), as well as the triumphs over his fears gained through God (Vs. 6) and over enemies who he has prayed against (Vs. 7). The psalmist ends by giving God the glory and takes to himself the comfort of the divine blessing and salvation which are sure to all the people of God (Vs. 8). In short, David here speaks of the power and goodness of God, and of the safety and tranquility of the godly.

David is highly frustrated by his enemies at the time of the psalm. Of course, nothing would appear to be going right if he did look around. But, instead of choosing to dwell on the irritations, he decides to gain comfort by looking to God, as he often does in the Psalms. He looks back on the benefit he had derived from trusting in God. This serves as an excellent reminder for us believers that no matter the circumstances of our current situation, we should trust in God.

He looks back on his communion with God and the favor he has been shown with great comfort. David had encountered many difficulties, often brought very low, but he still found God all-sufficient. He now remembered this with pleasure.

Even when he encountered these trials, he had always been very safe under the divine protection, as is evident in the verses we’re considering today. Many lie down at night and toss and turn until morning due to anxiety about the future or things that happened that day. But believers lie down and sleep safely, even if we can’t do anything about these present circumstances ourselves. We can be content because we have the assurance of safety under His protection in the arms of His good providence. David’s spirit is under this incredible calmness amid dangers. By prayer, he has committed himself and his cause to God; he was sure of his protection and was at ease. Whatever he was facing, be it the treachery of his son, his friends, or the fatigue of being on the run, he was never deprived of even an hour’s sleep. By His grace and the consolations of His Spirit, the Lord powerfully sustained him. It is a great mercy when we are in trouble to have our minds fixed on God so as never to lie awake in fear – even if we should find ourselves encircled by ten thousand enemies who have set their hearts against us. We will not be afraid.

AUGUST 31, 2023

 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt;…And the LORD drave out from before us all people…which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.” (Joshua 24:15-18)

Joshua had lived a long and productive life of service to the Lord and to His people. Having proven himself as a faithful minister to Moses, he was later anointed and set apart by the laying on of Moses’ own hands to succeed him as leader of the people of God. Upon the death of Moses, Joshua was put in charge (Ch. 1:1,2) and the Lord immediately began to magnify him in the sight of all Israel, so that people honored Joshua as they had honored Moses. (Chapters 3, 4) From the time that Joshua first took command, Israel was blessed with a faithful and trustworthy leader who was above reproach, both as a captain and as a spiritual leader. His impeccable character and faithful leadership are more fully manifested in these two closing chapters of the book of Joshua, which cover the last days of his life on earth. Knowing that his temporal life was quickly drawing to a close, and that his course was almost finished, he devoted his remaining time to the preparation of the people for after his departure. He is a model for every minister of Christ. May we, like Joshua, be faithful stewards, and remain so to the end.

Joshua called two assemblies, back to back, one at Shiloh, and the other at Shechem, for the purpose of challenging the people to remain faithful to the Lord, and to pledge themselves to do so. As a faithful minister, he led by example. “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Vs. 15) The heads of the congregation then responded with a solemn pledge of their own. “God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;… therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.” (Vs. 16, 18) This was not mere lip service on their part. In verse 31, we read: “All Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua…” Verbal commitments can come easy, but commitments that are kept are not spur-of-the-moment decisions that are based on emotion. These commitments were made by people of true faith, who knowing what God had done to save them, considered service to Him to be their debt and their duty.

The heads of the congregation gave just and solid reasons for their decided resolution. They repeated the arguments that Joshua gave in his challenge to them, the underlying reasons for his own solemn pledge. How could they choose to serve any but the God who had chosen them, delivered them from bondage, and given them their land? They said, “For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up…out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage…” They could say with David, “He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:19)

This reason for faithfulness should also be ours. If, indeed, we can say that our Lord has redeemed us from bondage and has brought us into a large place, where we have large forgiveness, and large blessings, and plenteous mercy, and love; and where grace abounds, surely this merits our faithful service and devotion. “God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, and serve other gods.”