JULY 25, 2024

“And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:20-24)

At the end of chapter 11, the Israelites, under Saul’s leadership, swiftly defeat the Amorites in battle. Saul has now proven himself in battle, something the tribes of Israel needed to see from their new king. Samuel is now old and asks Israel if he has ever done any wrong against them, to which they respond, saying he’s always done the right thing. Samuel may be trying to have Israel question why they requested a king if they weren’t unhappy with Samuel. Samuel, in true old man style, recounts the Israelite history to those gathered. From Jacob and working upward until the most recent events with the Amorites, Samuel tells everyone that Israel will be blessed if they and the king serve God well.

Samuel wants Israel to avoid making the same mistakes as their ancestors, but as is often the case for Israel, this lesson is sadly never learned. Samuel tops all of this off by saying that God is displeased, so they ask for a king and will send storms to punish them. God does this, and the people become afraid, asking Samuel to pray for them again. Samuel then tells them not to fear and that all will be well if they continue to worship and love God. He pleads with them to remember the ways He has provided for them previously.

He aims to push the people to cleave to the Lord and that the actions of the Lord shouldn’t force them from Him but draw them to Him. “Fear not,” Samuel urges; the weather will clear up after the storm. “Fear not,” because though God may frown upon His people, He will never forsake them. Every transgression of His will displeases the Lord but won’t entirely throw His people from His presence. Therefore, God’s just rebukes must not drive us from our hope in His mercy.

We know He will not forsake His people because it has “pleased him to make them his people.” Had He chosen us based on our merits, we might fear He would cast us off for bad merits, but choosing them for His name’s sake means He will not leave them.

He also cautions them against idolatry, pointing out that idols could not profit those that sought to them in their wants, nor deliver those that sought to them in their straits, for they were vain, and “nothing in the world.” (1 Cor. 8:4)

Samuel’s great duty to the listener is to “fear the Lord.” Not with a slavish fear but a respectful one. As the fruit and evidence of this, you should serve him in the duties of religious worship and Godly conversation. We must do this truthfully and honestly, not only in show and profession but with an undivided heart. His people are bound in gratitude to serve God, considering all the great things He’s done for them and how those actions should engage them forever in service.

Service to God is in their (and our) best interest. Samuel urges the people to consider what the Lord would do against them if they continue in wickedness. Thus, as a faithful watchman, Samuel gave the people both necessary comfort and caution, which also applies to us.

JULY 23, 2024

 “Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him…” (Daniel 5:6)

With some people, thinking seems to be an unnatural occupation. I recall a very fitting caption under a classmate’s picture in our high school yearbook: “He had a thought, but it got away.” Like Belshazzar, he was not given to musing (serious thinking); but preferred that the prefix “a” be added to the word, which negates the meaning. Amuse means “not to think.” King Belshazzar was here engaged in vile amusements, which by definition is thoughtless playful entertainment. His evil mind was even further besotted by the liquor that he was consuming as he profaned the sacred vessels that his father had taken from the temple at Jerusalem. It certainly did not appear that Belshazzar was capable of rational thoughts, but that changed when his wild party was suddenly interrupted when “In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand and wrote… upon the plaister of the wall…” God caused this wicked king to think, and what’s more, “his thoughts troubled him.”

We ordinarily do not expect those people who live so recklessly and irresponsibly to have troubling thoughts. This king was of a fierce nation, and like his father, was haughty and ruthless. God before demonstrated His Sovereign power over the proud spirit of Nebuchadnezzar, and now, even though Belshazzar had hardened his heart with pride and was rioting in pleasure-mad company, such as usually chase away thoughts, God forced him to think and to think with fear. No man is out of reach of the arrows of God, as no man’s conscience is so dead that He cannot arouse it.

Well might his thoughts trouble him, for what he saw was appalling: “Fingers of a man’s hand over against the candlestick.” The Lord sometimes gives men warnings that they must notice. What the king could see stirred him. Where was the hand to which these fingers belonged? Where was the writer? What had he written? God gives men hints of something which is yet to appear. Considering what this man was doing when the fingers came forth, he knew that the message was nothing good, and the writer was to be feared. He had just been mocking Almighty God by toasting his false gods using the sacred vessels of the holy temple. You can imagine how quickly the jollity and the ruckus laughter were silenced. Sometimes we wonder how it will be when the Lord returns. No doubt the blast of the trumpet will turn many a wild party to silence and panic. “Lord, when the trumpet sounds let us be watching and waiting, our lamps trimmed and burning bright; and let us not be involved in anything that would not glorify You.” If the Lord Jesus should come in our lifetime, we will, in fact, be doing something at that moment when He appears. God forbid it that it be some worldly activity the likes of which many professing Christians delight to engage themselves.

The “writing” in the plaster was against the king, and as his knees smote one against the other, he knew it. His father’s history might have instructed him, or at least troubled him, but it took the sacred writing. For all who mix with the impure, will you not also perish with them? If you trifle with holy things, will you not provoke the Lord to avenge His honor? Read the Sacred Writing; read the Scriptures and see for yourself. Is this not the message here? God will avenge His honor!

Take heed that you do not fall into Belshazzar’s condition. Daniel gave him no counsel, but simply interpreted the writing which sealed his doom. The writing: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” The interpretation: “God hath numbered the kingdom and finished it; thou are weighed in the balances, and found wanting; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”

As yet, we preach the Gospel to you. Belshazzar’s doom was sealed, thus the Lord’s message to him (which message Daniel interpreted) contained no entreaty. Our message warns the sinner in God’s name to repent and receive mercy. “Thus, saith the Lord, Turn ye, turn ye, why will you die?”

JULY 18, 2024

 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

As our whole lives are now to be conformed unto Christ, our conversations are wholly included in that. While we walked in darkness, our conversations were guided by darkness. Therefore, for those who have come into the light, we do not even know how to converse with others. The way that we conversed with others was fashioned by our own sinful desires, as well as the instruction we received from the world around us. The motives in our conversations were sinful, as well as the content. Paul gives us some insight into how we ought to converse with one another in Ephesians 4.

He says: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29 ESV)

Our conversations must be intentional in that we speak with the purpose of building up. But notice how intentional one is to be in his conversations: “as fits the occasion.” One can speak edifying words, but not speak words that fit the occasion. The kind of speaking that Paul instructs us unto is one of love. One who speaks edifying words that fit the occasion is one who is attentive to the one to whom he is speaking and truly is concerned for their welfare. He has listened to the one to whom he is speaking, he has observed the one to whom he is speaking, and he has prayed for the one to whom he is speaking. In short, he knows of the person or knows the person very well and intentionally speaks according to their need. This he does because he has a genuine love for the one he converses with.

A man who speaks edifying words that do not fit the occasion, and does so consistently, only makes plain that he is concerned to show how much he knows. He is not a man who listens to the one to whom he is speaking, but he is one who only cares to be heard. He is not a man who watches others, but only cares for others to watch him. In other words, he thinks highly of himself and wants others to think highly of him as well. There is no need for that because God’s love for a man is not based on how much he knows, or anything else the man can do. God’s love was not earned, nor could be earned, but God simply loves all who come unto Him. No man deserves God’s love, but rather God’s wrath. God freely bestows His love upon sinners in, and through, His beloved Son. Therefore, we have no need to speak simply to be heard. We have no need to speak in a way that only benefits self. Our only need in speaking is to speak out of love for those to whom we are speaking. Those words are edifying words that fit the occasion. Our work of love includes our personal conversations with others. Therefore, the way we converse with others must be conformed to the image of Christ.

JULY 16, 2024

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-2)

Chapter 4 describes believers’ unity and the new hope Christians have in Jesus. Verse 1 reminds readers of Paul’s current condition, living under house arrest in Rome for two years. Paul also encourages believers to live lives that honor God’s gift of grace. Paul offered similar words to the Philippians and Thessalonians. Believers have been called to follow Christ Jesus. Therefore, believers should live like Christ Jesus. He pleads with us to walk worthy of our calling. We need to live as those called into the kingdom of God. The word “walk” is often used to denote living, conduct, etc.

Living in a manner worthy of Christ’s calling includes four traits described in this verse. First and foremost, the Ephesians -and all Christians- are to live in humility. This is not just a suggestion, but a fundamental aspect of our Christian journey. Christ called others to live with the humility of a child and taught that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Jesus was born in a humble manger, grew up in humble surroundings, lived a humble life, yet had a tremendous impact. Christ’s followers are to likewise operate in humility.

Second, believers are to live with gentleness. Gentleness is part of the fruit of the Spirit and is essential in every believer’s life. This trait not only helps to avoid unnecessary conflict but also demonstrates the love we are always meant to display.

Third, believers are to exhibit patience. Patience is not just a virtue, but a necessity if we are to show love to others. It’s another part of the fruit of the Spirit and a key component of our Christian life. Elsewhere, Paul reminds believers that love is patient. This underscores the importance of patience in our Christian journey.

Fourth, believers are to live with love toward one another. Paul has mentioned this in Ephesians and other letters, especially in 1 Corinthians 13 where the ‘greatest of [God’s gifts] is love.’ Particularly as it is used in the New Testament, ‘love’ is not merely a feeling or an emotion. It’s a call to action, to take actions that benefit others. A feeling that doesn’t result in action is not biblical love. This underscores the need for us to actively show love to others in our Christian journey.

Paul often spoke of Christians as “together,” as a body is one unit of separate members. This unity ought to also take place in the bond of peace. Peace is another theme that Paul mentions multiple times in this letter. Christ is our peace. He made peace, preached peace, and offered a Gospel of peace. Peace is part of the fruit of the Spirit and essential for every believer.