Zephaniah 3:17

Verse of the Day Devotion: Zephaniah 3:17 

“The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17     

Zephaniah was an Old Testament prophet who prophesied during the reign of King Josiah.  In the beginning of this book, Zephaniah declared a woe to the city of Jerusalem.  “Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, The tyrannical city!”  Why was she denounced?  “She heeded no voice.  She accepted no instruction. She did not trust in the LORD. She did not draw near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions, Her judges are wolves at evening; They leave nothing for the morning. Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.” Zephaniah 3:1-4.  She was declared here rebellious, defiled, and reckless.

However, to His people He says, “Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “For the day when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.” Zephaniah 3:8.  Here, it appears He is grouping the evil ones in Jerusalem with the other nations that do not follow Him.  Note the wording ‘For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.’  This looks like the time of Christ and afterward, that Zephaniah is prophesying of the new Jerusalem.  “For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, That all of them may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him shoulder to shoulder.”  Zephaniah 3:9.  This probably refers to those Jews who convert under the gospel to serving the Messiah.  And these will be content and holy.  “The remnant of Israel will do no wrong And tell no lies, Nor will a deceitful tongue Be found in their mouths; For they will feed and lie down With no one to make them tremble.” Zephaniah 3:13. 

Because of the above, Israel will be restored as His people.  And there will be great rejoicing.  “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away His judgments against you, He has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You will fear disaster no more. In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not be afraid, O Zion; Do not let your hands fall limp.” Zephaniah 3:14-16.  This is after the second coming of Christ and our lives in the New Jerusalem.  At this time, His judgements against Israel and us has been removed, and our enemies will never more afflict us. And probably the most beautiful part of this verse, the King of Israel, the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ will be with us forever, and we will have no reason to fear anything anymore.   

Which brings us to our focus verse. “The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17.  And here is why we have reason to rejoice.  First, the Lord our God will always be in our midst.  He will always by near us.  He is a victorious warrior who has defeated our enemies and delivered us from our enemy and our sins.  And He will be silent in His love.  This is a difficult statement to understand, but in my studying and after some prayer, I believe His love for us will be so powerful and evident that no words will be needed.  Albert Barnes has an intriguing point where he says He will not bring up anything of our past but will rejoice in His future with us. 

This picture of God’s love for us and our future with Him is an amazing image of total and complete contentment that will have no end.  Not only will we rejoice because of our love for Him, God will rejoice because of His love for us.  It will be as it always should have been but for the rebellion.  We cannot imagine it because, as Paul so poignantly stated, “things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.  I will say though that I look forward to it greatly.

If you would like to help us with our work, or have any questions for us, please send me an email at william@truedevotionmin.org. God Bless You.

 

John 14:27

Verse of the Day Devotion: John 14:27 

“Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” – John 14:27     

The words ‘peace I leave with you’ or various similar phrases, were used by the Jews to open and to close a letter, conversation, or any form of communication.  In this instance, it was used as a closing statement, however, not just regarding this conversation.  His time here was drawing to a close and He began preparing them for His departure.  Note the next few verses.  “You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.” John 14:28-29.  However, in the next sentence, He becomes more clear regarding His leaving.  “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;” John 14:30. 

Jesus here is preparing His disciples for His departure, and I am sure they understood this and thus were becoming anxious.  “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.” John 14:25.  In this statement He is alluding to the idea that He is preparing to go.  Note ‘have spoken while abiding with you’.  However, the next phrase makes it clearer.  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26.  The Holy Spirit will come after He departs and will remind them of His words. 

Then He gives the customary salutation, ‘Peace I leave with you.’  He wants them not to be troubled by this, for this is what He has been preparing them for.  He then reiterates this by stating it is His peace He gives them.  Jesus wanted them to have the same peace He had, which came through His friendship and fellowship with the Father.  It is what He wanted to give them before He leaves.  He then adds, ‘not as the world gives do I give to you.’  Many times when the Jews either opened or closed a conversation, they would simply say it because it was customary and polite.  These would be empty words they did not actually mean.  However, He was telling them He meant what He said.  Therefore, He urged them not to let His leaving, and ultimately their ministry He called them to, trouble their hearts or make them afraid.  For the Holy Spirit will be sent to them to be with them.  Again, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Paul urged His brothers and sisters in Christ also to remain at peace, and he also showed through living accordingly.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.  Jesus would provide this peace to them for He never spoke empty promises.   

Jesus here was speaking directly to His disciples; however I have no doubt He is speaking to us as well.  He wants us to have peace in this life just as He had peace during His time on earth. Through His word He speaks to us just as clearly as He did to the twelve.  So, let us accept and live the peace He gives us.  And the way we do that is by not allowing ourselves to be anxious about anything, knowing He is with us.  “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.  Trust Him in everything.  There is nothing anyone can or say against us that God has not known from the beginning.  And He is already doing what is necessary to help us through.  If we genuinely believe this with everything we are, and live accordingly, then we have nothing to be concerned with.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

1 Timothy 6:6

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Timothy 6:6 

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.” – 1 Timothy 6:6    

Paul, who wrote this letter to Timothy, laid out what truly satisfies an individual.  And it is not what much of the world believes.  Many people who live their lives pursuing their desires, and even when they acquire them, suddenly realize that it is not enough, they will always want more.  People will observe what another has and begin to desire it to the point of purchasing it.  Once they get it, they become less satisfied after seeing  someone with something better and they purchase it, afterwards seeing someone with something even better, and on it goes.  This happens especially when they desire to be seen by others, and sometimes by themselves, as greater than they think they are.  However, for the most part, things do not truly satisfy.  For if a good car satisfies, a better car more so.  There will always be something that we believe will completely satisfy us.  But many find this satisfaction only lasts for a season. The pursuit of things will always lead to more dissatisfaction. 

Paul uses the same idea regarding different doctrines, arguing, and closed minds.  The desire to always be right.  “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:3-5.  Many will believe questionable doctrine purely because someone who is famous taught them, or simply because they want it to be true, not being a Berean and checking the truth or falsity of it.  And they will argue about it every chance they get.  Paul portrays them as conceited and lacking understanding, people filled with anger and strife. They believe that godliness is a means of gain. 

However, what they are believing is only partially true.  Their form of godliness does not bring gain or satisfaction because they are not content with their situation.  They want to be considered right in what they believe, however, part of godliness is studying His word searching for what the truth actually is,  and believing what God actually said and taught.  It is not to argue in favor of any doctrine, especially false doctrine, in order to be seen as intelligent.  Doing the right thing for the sake of God and the truth leads to contentment.  If we are doing it for financial gain, fame, or any other reason than doing the work of God, then there is a level of discontentment that causes us to do His work.  However, if you are content with what you have (what God has provided), with knowing the truth (rather than believing what you want), and with your position (rather than desiring fame and recognition), then you are content with the life God has given you and will find you gain more than you could ever imagine.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

1 Peter 1:14

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Peter 1:14 

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,” – 1 Peter 1:14    

When we are saved, we are not the same person after as we were before.  Before giving our life to Christ, we did as we chose.  If we wanted to get drunk, we drank till we were intoxicated.  If we wanted to curse, we thought nothing of it.  We did not have the Holy Spirit in us, and we felt as long as we did not harm anyone or was not too illegal, it was OK.  But when we received Christ as our Savior, it is not just our thoughts that have changed, or our beliefs.  It was much more than that.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.  We are not the person we were prior to committing our life to Christ.  We are not just mended, having our broken areas fixed.  We have essentially been made new. 

When we become new creatures, this should mean that everything about us is new.  The first three words of our focus verse say’s ‘as obedient children’.  Peter is telling them that their life should be one that exemplifies obedience to God.  This is the way our lives should be.  Just reading the word is not enough.  We should also obey it.  “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22. We are to do what His Word says, since we are now a new creature that does not live as our old self.  In fact, Jesus says we are wise in doing so.  “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24. So, Jesus and James tell us that we are to be obedience to God and His word. 

Peter goes on to say, because they are obedient children, they should not be conformed again to the former lusts in their old life of ignorance.  Paul says essentially the same thing when he writes, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2.  It can sometimes be too easy to go back to the old ways, becoming conformed to the world, and I do not say this loosely, as the newness of that life begins to fade.  We cannot go back to our old life and lustful ways and still live a life of obedience.  We are to live a holy life.  Again, our focus verse, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,” but then he continues, “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, You shall be holy for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16. 

So, what can we do to help us live as the obedient children noted above?  By reading His word, fellowshipping with Him in prayer, and staying away from anything that could draw us into that old life again.  Also, if you are struggling, go to a fellow Christian and ask them to pray for you, asking God to take these old ways away.  It is important that we completely walk away from the old life and submerge ourselves in the new.  Life will be so much more beautiful when we do.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Isaiah 40:31

Verse of the Day Devotion: Isaiah 40:31 

“Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” – Isaiah 40:31   

Chapter 40 of Isaiah is a chapter of comfort for God’s people.   The reason this comfort was necessary was due to a meeting King Hezekiah had with Merodach-Baladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon; followed by the prophecy given by Isaiah.  Hezekiah gives Baladan a tour of his place.  “Hezekiah was pleased, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and his whole armory and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.” Isaiah 39:2.  Hezekiah showed Baladan everything he could, including all their treasures and the spices and precious oils, plus the armory where all the weapons were stored. 

This was not a good idea because it let Baladan know how they could profit if they took Israel, and Isaiah points this point to Hezekiah.  “Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said to him, what did these men say, and from where have they come to you?  And Hezekiah said, they have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.  He said, “What have they seen in your house?  So Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasuries that I have not shown them.” Isaiah 39:3-4.  Isaiah then declares the prophecy.  “Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day will be carried to Babylon; nothing will be left, says the LORD. And some of your sons who will issue from you, whom you will beget, will be taken away, and they will become officials in the palace of the king of Babylon.” Isaiah 39:6-7.

This prophecy from Isaiah no doubt caused distress withing Israel.  Therefore, God calls for Isaiah to bring comfort to Israel.  “Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, That her iniquity has been removed, That she has received of the LORD’S hand Double for all her sins ” Isaiah 40:1-2.  Israel’s warfare has been completed and her iniquities have been removed.  She will, at this time, be at peace.  However, Israel feels that God has left them.  “Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.” Isaiah 40:27-29.  He is pointing out that God is always seeing them, He does not become weary and His understanding is assured.  He knows what they are going through and gives them the strength they need.

He then tells them even though the strongest and most fit young men become tired in their labor, and those selected as the bravest, and most vigorous and manly become weary in their duties, “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31.  God is not contingent on anything.  He does not grow tired or find Himself in a position where He cannot do something like man does.  But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.  To wait on the Lord is to have complete dependence on God, knowing He will come through to deliver them, and to admit that help can come from nowhere else but Him. 

And those who wait on Him will renew their strength; physical, emotional, and mental.  God will give them the strength they need; therefore, they can be free like an eagle who has molted its old feathers and have grown healthy new one.  They will have the endurance to do what He has prepared them to do.  However, only if they wait on God.

And it is the same for us.  If we encounter a situation that is difficult and wonder how we will make it through, we should simply give it to God and wait for Him, who is faithful to bring us through.  We can do our part, essentially those things we can do, but let God guide us through to victory.  It does no good to stress about things we cannot resolve.  By giving it to God, we can be at peace as He brings us through to a good end.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Matthew 10:37

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 10:37 

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” – Matthew 10:37     

Who do we love most?  This is a question we need to answer in our own lives.  Let us first look back at verse 34 which reads, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34.  This is not to be interpreted as He is forcing this division, but that it will be the effect of His coming.  His message is of ultimate importance because it is the message of salvation; that God loves us beyond measure, and that He desires us to give our lives to Him so He can provide His life for us.  That being eternal life with Him.  Without this message, we will not know of His love and grace for us and ultimately not know our sins can be forgiven.

Also, “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” Matthew 10:35-36.  Jesus is probably using a verse from Micah to bring His point across.  “for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:6-7.  This was happening in Micah’s time probably because of the corruption that had infiltrated God’s people.  However, Micah was going to look to the Lord instead of man.  Jesus also speaks of this earlier in chapter 10.  “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:21-22. 

Now, taking this one step further with our focus verse, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”  Matthew 10:37.  I cannot say this any better that Adam Clarke, so I will quote him here.  Note, the last five words of this I altered, using the words in our focus verse.  “He whom we love the most is he whom we study most to please, and whose will and interests we prefer in all cases. If, in order to please a father or mother who are opposed to vital godliness, we abandon God’s ordinances and followers, we are unworthy of Christ.” If we choose to believe or act according to the wishes of any person, but these beliefs or actions are contrary to God and His ways, then we love that person more than God and thus are not worthy of Him.  This is tough, but true.  We must be totally devoted to Him, regardless of how anyone or any group may think about us. 

Let me be open with you all. I unfortunately, in my past, have done things that people wanted me to do which I knew was wrong.  But because I wanted/needed friends, I participated in it.  I was a very shy person growing up with no self-confidence.  When I arrived at Homestead AFB for duty, the first two guys I met introduced me to drugs.  I  knew it was wrong, but I did it anyway because I had no other friends and I was desperate to find one.  After a couple years, God showed me the reality of who He is and I stopped instantly, giving my life completely to Him.  For months, it was just me and God.  After a time, God led me to so many Christian friends I was overwhelmed.  I guess I needed to develop a relationship with Him that was strong and powerful, and to see that He was more important than anyone else.

I tell this story because, at that time, I wanted friends more than God.  I went through a lot during this time, but He was there with me all the time, and I finally learned that loving God and fellowshipping with Him was more important than anyone or anything else.  I pray that we all will examine ourselves and pray fervently that our love for God will take precedence in our lives and that everyone else is secondary, thus being worthy of Christ, our Lord, King and greatest friend.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18     

This can be at times a difficult passage.  In verses 16-17  we read, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17.  What Paul is saying here is our joy should be because we have God watching over us and living within us.  It should not be based on our situation or our temporal feeling.  And with this, we should be praying constantly to our loving God.  The one who created us and saved us.  The one who guides us in every way that He desires us to go.  And we should trust His guidance that goes where He leads us.

And then we come to our focus verse.  “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18.  Why can this be a difficult verse?  Because sometimes our situation can be less than positive.  Who wants to experience tribulation?  Not many I know.  However, Paul writes to the Roman church the following, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2.  As Christians, having been justified, we have peace with God.  Our relationship has been restored and we exult in the hope we have for now and our future.  However, next he speaks of how we should be regarding tribulation.  “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5.  What we need to understand is that we must trust Him in all things, even in trials and tribulations.  Notice, tribulation brings perseverance, which then brings proven character, which brings hope.  And hope does not disappoint, because we know that He who stood with us in past days, will support us in future days.

Because of the above string from tribulation to hope, we see the why of one of the more popular verses in Romans.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.  God will bring a good out of everything for all who love God.  Look at all the old testament stories of tribulation that brought about good, as an example, Ruth.  Her husband died, she left her home to go with Ruth, suffered much, but God was with her and she gave birth to Obed whose line brought first David, King of Israel, and ultimately Jesus, the son of God.

It is hard to go through tribulation.  But we also must understand that God knows all things.  “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;” Isaiah 46:10  Nothing happens that God did not know would happen.  There is nothing that surprises God.  And with this, and the fact that all things work toward our good, then we have reason to give thanks to God in everything.  We must see tribulation as a means to bring about some good.  And allowing God to use us in bringing about good is God’s will for us.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Psalm 56:3

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 56:3 

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” – Psalm 56:3   

This psalm of David addresses a time when Israel was at war with the Philistines.  As this conflict was going on, things must have been becoming more difficult.  He starts by calling out to God for assistance.  “Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me; Fighting all day long he oppresses me. My foes have trampled upon me all day long, For they are many who fight proudly against me.”  Psalm 56:1-2.  David and his soldiers were fighting an army that was large, much larger it appears than Israel’s.  The idea put forth here was that people came at them from everywhere with open mouths.  There were so many that there was no break in the action.  Whenever they were able to address one group, another came right after.   David felt as though they were pressing hard upon him and there seemed no protection or security was to be found.  It looks like David, during this battle, feared for his life.

However, in our focus verse, He declares a truth that we all truly need to understand and remember during our own difficult times.  “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3.  Like us, David experienced times where he was afraid.  He did not try to hide it but was honest and expressed it openly to God.  And who better to trust in times where fear has grasped us?  Who else knows everything that will happen before it does?  Who else is all powerful and can defeat any foe that can come against us, including Satan himself?  Who else knows our every need and is able to meet these abundantly?  He declared the following in an earlier chapter that fits with this idea.  “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:2-3.  David was afraid on multiple occasions.  But he also trusted completely in Him to bring Him through safely.  “In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”  Psalm 56:4

This is the secret to peace in the midst of storms.  There are so many things in this world that can make this life miserable, especially in this time what with all the uncertainty that abounds.  However, what we must always understand is that uncertainty affects only us.  There is never any uncertainty with God.  He knows the end from the beginning.  There is no time where something happens to us and God is surprised.  In fact, there is nothing we can do either that will surprise Him.  Therefore, along with the truth that He is all powerful, we can place all our trust in Him that He is always in control.  Give Him everything and leave it there.  Do not take it back. 

And in conclusion, in these things that trouble us, when we give it to God, we must not think about them.  We do what we can and then live our lives trusting and depending completely on God.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:6-8  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Job 19:25

Verse of the Day Devotion: Job 19:25 

“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” –  Job 19:25   

In the beginning of the Book of Job, he basically loses all he had because of Satan, who takes them away from him in testing God.  Job was a very prosperous man and had much property and many in his family.  However, Satan takes away everything he has and then kills all his children.  Soon after this, Satan attacks Job and covers his body with sore boils, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.  And because of this, he was using a piece of pottery to scrape himself while sitting among the ashes. Not a pleasant experience.

And to make matters worse, three friends come by to sit with him.  Their names were Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.  There was a serious back and forth between Job and his three friends.  Each time one of his friends spoke, Job would respond.  And it seems each series of talks became more and more negative.  In chapter 19, Job is responding to the comments of Bildad found in the previous chapter.  Bildad seemed offended by the words of Job.  Some of Bildad’s words are, “How long will you hunt for words? Show understanding and then we can talk. Why are we regarded as beasts, As stupid in your eyes?” Job 18:2-3.  And, “The light in his tent is darkened, And his lamp goes out above him. His vigorous stride is shortened, And his own scheme brings him down. For he is thrown into the net by his own feet, And he steps on the webbing.” Job 18:6-8.  These three friends believed his trials were on account of his sins and that God was punishing him. 

Job then responds to his friends, particularly Bildad, with strong words of his own.  “How long will you torment me And crush me with words? These ten times you have insulted me; You are not ashamed to wrong me. Even if I have truly erred, My error lodges with me.  Know then that God has wronged me And has closed His net around me.” Job 19:2-6.  He hits back on Bildad, but then at the end, he says even if I have erred, it is God who has wronged me.  He then goes on to say God has stripped him of any honor he had, and He is breaking him down and has uprooted his hope.  He goes as far as stating, “He has also kindled His anger against me And considered me as His enemy.” Job 19:11.

Next, he asks his friends to feel bad for him.  “Pity me, pity me, O you my friends, For the hand of God has struck me. Why do you persecute me as God does, And are not satisfied with my flesh?” Job 19:21-22.  He feels he has been wronged and accused of hypocrisy.  He was letting out what he was feeling, however, his words were taken as something evil.  He then wishes his words were written to show others that he was struggling and was not as his friends portrayed him.  He was not being hypocritical but was expressing his thoughts and feelings. 

Job then abruptly breaks away from his previous sentiments.  He now settles back and says in our focus verse, “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:25.  He is essentially telling his friends that you may think I acted improperly, accusing me of being utterly wrong and hypocritical.  However, I know my redeemer lives.  The word redeemer is translated from the Hebrew word go’el, which refers to the kindred redeemer.  He believed that no matter how difficult things could be, He would redeem Him in the end.  This could be a prophetic word referring to Christ, but it could also refer to his current life.  He was confident in that, and he was to wait patiently for Him.

I want to encourage us to always remember as well that our Redeemer lives.  The one who died for us to pay the penalty for our sins and will come back to take us home.  We all go through difficult times, and with the enemy coming for us, we will continue to experience hard times.  But in the midst, we must always remember that our redeemer lives.  If we find ourselves being accused by people as being sinful and that is the reason for our trials, remember we know what we actually believe and that our redeemer lives. Therefore, do not focus on the problems and trials,  but focus on God, our redeemer and friend.  He will always bring us through and never leave or forsake us.  This is the best way to look at these situations for He will bring us through, both now and for eternity.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

John 15:13

Verse of the Day Devotion: John 15:13 

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13   

To me, this verse is one of the most powerful in all of scripture, for it lays out clearly the greatest picture of love ever displayed.  Just prior to our focus verse, Jesus commands them to love each other.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12.  This is not the first time He has commanded this of His disciples.  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:14.  In this instance, He is telling them that by so loving one another, and acting out this love before others, everyone will know they are His disciples.  It would not be like the Jewish leadership where they are known by their appearance, clothing, manner of speech or by the special customs they adhere to.  It will be by the genuine love they share with each other.

Now, in John 15:12, He tells them again that they are to love each other just as I have loved you.  But this time He takes it to a far greater level.  Instead of seeing acts of love such as sharing, encouraging, or as Paul said in Romans 12:15, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice, which are all genuine acts of love, He tells them what the greatest exhibition of true love is, which is our focus verse, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.

No one can express their love for someone in a greater way than that they are willing to die for them.  By this act of dying they are sacrificing everything they have and are for the sake of another.  This is what Jesus did for us.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.  God gave an example of this great love by Christ dying for us that we may be reconciled with the Father.  Notice the words ‘while we were yet sinners.  He loved us while we were still His enemies.  “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:10

Now, who were/are Jesus’ friends?  “You are My friends if you do what I command you.”  John 15:14. Those who obey Him.  Those who give and devote their lives completely to Him.  Those who truly know Jesus.  And He knew who they were from the beginning.  “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30.  Those who throughout history chose Him to save them.  Those who committed their life to Him, those, as stated in Romans 15:14, do what He commands them to do. 

And we are to have the same love for each other as Jesus has for us.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12.  The kind of love He has for us is the type of love we are to have for each other.  The type of love that is willing to give everything, up to and including our own lives.  This is the type of love Paul spoke of to the Philippians.  “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; “ Philippians 2:3.  This is what He has called us to, to have the same love for each other as He has for us.  Let us all pray that when the time comes where we are in this position, that we will be willing to do what Jesus did. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.