Job 34:12

Verse of the Day Devotion: Job 34:12 

“Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice.” – Job 34:12    

This is an interesting verse which is just as true today as it was back then.  This was said by Elihu, who was not one of the three friends (Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite,  who came to be with Job during his troubles.  This verse brings forth a great truth that we need to always remember: God does not do anything evil and He does not act unjustly.

Elihu was terribly angry when it came for his time to speak.  He had listened to Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar speaking to Job, followed by Job’s responses and it appears that Job began to imply that God may have done wrong in all that had happened to him.  Here are Elihu’s comments.  “Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, But God has taken away my right;” Job 34:4-5.  The idea here is that Job declared himself righteous, and God knew he was righteous, but would not declare his innocence.  In this, Elihu seems to claim Job said God perverted justice.  And if He perverted justice, than there could be a claim of wrongdoing.

However, Elihu states in our focus verse, with no question, that God will not act wickedly or pervert justice.  The apostle John puts it this way.  “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5.  Just as Elihu stated that God will not act wickedly or pervert justice, John goes even farther by saying that God is light with no darkness at all.  There is not even one small speck of darkness in God.  He is good, He is loving, and He is perfect.  God will not act with evil intentions but will only act in our good.   

We must understand with no question that God will not act in any way that is evil.  Even though we may go through hard times, we must not look at it as God bringing evil upon you.  On the contrary, what we may look at as bad and evil is actually a good, and we must trust in this truth.  As I have quoted in other devotions.  “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.  Everything He does is for our good, or for the good of someone else.  We do not always understand the why, but there is always a good reason. Even with what Job went through, God took that situation and revealed who He was.  “Then Job answered the LORD and said, I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6.

God had a good reason for allowing everything that happened to Him, and Job finally understood that and repented.  Let us also, understand this incredible truth and know that, as Paul said, ‘all things work together for good, for those who love God’. 

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

Proverbs 4:23

Verse of the Day Devotion: Proverbs 4:23 

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

When we think of the word ‘heart’ we have several things in mind.  First, a muscle in our chest that pumps blood throughout the body.  However, there are several other ideas we use regarding the word heart.  You have heard the expressions “from the bottom of my heart”, or “with my whole heart”, and lastly “what a heartwarming movie”. These are, of course, not speaking of the pumping of blood.  It is using the term heart to define the very core of who we are.  One example is,  “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5.  This same basic wording was used by Jesus in Matthew 22:37.  When the scriptures speak of the heart, it is not referring to the physical organ but the real us.

The ancient Israelites did not refer to the brain because, to them, intellectualism was an activity of the heart.  In fact, they did not have a word for ‘brain’, for all observable activities now attributed to the brain was then a heart activity.  As for the Hebrew prophets, the only true redemption was the renewing of the heart.  “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” Deuteronomy 30:6.  And in our focus verse, we see how the biblical Hebrews saw the heart: it is where we experience feelings, think thoughts, and also make decisions based on our desires.  Moving on to the New Testament, in ancient Greek, ‘kardia’, the word for heart in scripture does not refer to the physical organ in any instance, but rather to the center of who we are.  It is the center of the personality and it includes the center of our intellect, emotions, and will.

So, based on the above, what he is saying is we need to watch over everything we think about, feel and desire.  This is important because from the heart flows our true self.  If we hate someone, it will eventually be manifested by our actions.  We may be able to cover up negative feelings for a season, but eventually they will be seen by others.  And the same can be said for love.  If we genuinely love someone, they will see it through our words and deeds.  If we desire things we should not, it may come out in the form of acting it out, simply talking about it with others, or focusing on it in your thoughts and dreams. 

What we need to do in order to watch over our hearts was written by Paul.  “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5.  What he is speaking of here in the first part of this verse is to destroy reasonings or opinions that are contrary to God’s truth.  The Greek philosophers valued the powers of reasoning which appeared to be profound and conclusive, but actually led them to ideas that either did not exist or were false in themselves.  We need to discard these ideas and focus on the truth as found in God’s word.  We need to firmly plant God’s truth in our hearts and thus make this what drives our behavior: what flows from our hearts as the spring of our lives. 

And he closes with the following words on how to keep yourself from evil.  “Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:24-27.  As Christians, we are to be truthful and loving in the words we speak.  And we are not to look away, to the right or the left, from the destination we seek, but rather be fixed on the destination we long for.  “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.“ Philippians:12-14.  Let us watch that our hearts ore focused on our love and devotion to Christ, and that we become so devoted to Him that it shows in every area of our lives.  

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

Isaiah 55:6

Verse of the Day Devotion: Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.” – Isaiah 55:6  

As I look at all that is going on today, it makes me think that our time here on earth is drawing to a close.  What with some leaders not desiring to open churches again for meetings, yet many others such as stores, and other businesses are encouraged to get back to normal.  In fact, I was reading where one governor says we should wait a year to open churches.  There are many who take a terribly negative view of Christianity while accepting the ideas of most other religions. 

Because of this, we should work even harder to spread the word of His coming.  “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”  Mark 16:15.  This is our calling, and we must take advantage of all opportunities we have to tell others of what Christ did for us.  For there will come a time when He will not be found.  And not only tell them but show them through our lives of obedience.  Many people are told the truth, but when they see the life of the one who told them, that it does not line up with their words, they struggle to accept it. 

According to our focus verse, we are called to go out and tell the world to reach out to Him while He may be found.  There is an old skit by the Christian comedy group Isaac Air Freight about someone who desired to continue living a worldly life until the last minute, then he would accept Christ.  Unfortunately for him, his time came sooner than expected. However, there are many who have chosen to do the same.  And we must reach out and tell them they must seek Him now, not waiting until a later time.

The next verse tells us what He desires us to do when seeking Him.  “Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”  Isaiah 55:7.  We are called to forsake all wickedness and unrighteousness.  Whether in our deeds or our thoughts and desires, we must give them up.  Now, we may at times fall into some of these again, and we will need to repent and ask forgiveness. But it should never become a lifestyle where we go back to our old and wicked ways.  And when we forsake our old sinful ways and seek Him, He will have compassion on us and pardon us, through the shed blood of Christ. 

In closing, I believe there are two groups of people Isaiah is speaking about.  The first are those who do not believe and therefore are not saved, and the second are those who think they are saved but continue living as the world.  I want to encourage us to reach out to both when we, as Jesus said, go out into all the world.  There are some churches that do not teach the whole truth, and those under them may need to understand that there is more than what they are being taught.  This moves from evangelism to discipleship, and both are needed in this climate we live in today.  All must seek the Lord while He may be found, all must call on Him while He is near.  This should be a part of our truly devoted lifestyle we live with our loving and gracious God.

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

Exodus 34:6

Verse of the Day Devotion: Exodus 34:6 

“The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,” – Exodus 34:6   

This verse describes events that occurred after Moses threw the first set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments down upon the rebellious Children of Israel.  Remember that when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai he was so angry that he threw the tablets down onto them.  Well, this chapter describes how the second set of tablets were given.

Here is the verses recording this event.  “The LORD said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain. No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain.” Exodus 34:1-3.  Moses here is given till the next morning to cut new tablets upon which God would put the Ten Commandments upon.  He then tells Moses to come to the mountain himself, not to bring anyone with him.

“So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone. The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.”  Exodus 34:4-5.  Therefore, Moses does what he is commanded and cuts two new tablets to replace the ones destroyed previously.  The next morning he awakens, takes the two new tablets, and presents them to God.  The next thing we read is that the Lord descended from Heaven in a cloud and, I love the way this is put, and stood with him there.  Now the Lord declares in our focus verse, “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, Exodus 34:6.  And then continuing in verse 7, “keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:7. 

When He announced Himself to Moses the first time at the burning bush, he declared Himself as ‘self-existent’.  “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14.  This time He makes Himself known in the glory of His grace and goodness, using language that would be presented in the future to the church.  And because of what the Jews had done previously during the presentation of the first set of tablets, this shows His grace and mercy in presenting, once again, His law to His people, but also the grace and mercy He has in overlooking their sin.  And not just the sin of Israel, but all who has offended God in their ways.

This is the God we serve, one that has overlooked our sins once we cried out to Him for forgiveness, and then gave ourselves to Him to His service.  He loved us so much that He forgave us of everything and has declared us guiltless before Himself.  His abounding love and mercy goes far beyond anything we can ever imagine, and our future is with Him, in His kingdom forever.  What an amazing God we serve.

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

Proverbs 15:16

Verse of the Day Devotion: Proverbs 15:16 

“Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.” – Proverbs 15:16  

This verse sometimes has been looked at in the wrong way.  It is not saying the poverty is better the affluence.  I have heard of many wealthy individuals who are quite content with humble goods.  The founder of Walmart, Sam Walton is a great example of what I am referring to. He was considered one of the richest, if not the richest man. In the United States.  At the time of his death in 1992, he had a net worth was around 6 billion dollars.  That was a good chunk of change back then.  However, it is said that he did not flaunt it.  He would drive a pickup around, many times simply wearing jeans and a shirt.  And, he served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher at his church, teaching high school age students.  And it is said he also was very generous in his giving, too.

Now, too often, people look at what they have and are discontent because they do not have all that they want.  Many times, however, they can be discontent not have all that others have as well.  I have known many people who desire to be seen as rich, and therefore spend an exorbitant amount of money in the process.  Unfortunately, the really do not have the money, so they go deeply into debt.  They buy a Jaguar instead of a Chevrolet, and a mansion instead of a simple house.  What does this do?  It causes them to be anxious as the bills start to pile up, and many times they are unable to retire at a reasonable age because of the immense debt they have compiled.

This is what the writer of our focus verse is speaking about.  “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and turmoil with it.” Proverbs 15:16.  It is not wealth and affluence that truly satisfies, it is communion and fellowship with God, living a life pleasing to Him, and giving Him the praise and worship, He is worthy of.  Things may satisfy for a season, bur soon they lose their luster, and we need to get more things to satisfy us again.  And this goes on and on and on.  Unless we choose to find our satisfaction in the one who made us, loves us, and has an incredible eternal future planned for us which we cannot even begin to understand.  As Paul said, “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9.  And He has already revealed them to us through His Spirit. “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:10.  However, we must have our eyes open to what God is telling us. 

Worldly treasures can be good, as long as they are kept in their place.  They should never usurp God’s place in our lives.  They can never satisfy us the way He can.  In fact, they can be the cause of many troubles in our life.  So, keep this is mind as you go about your business.  Having a few things with the love and fear of God in your life, is far better than a life without Him. 

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

 

Psalm 27:14

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 27:14 

“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14 

This idea is found throughout scripture, both in the old and new testaments.  Throughout the scriptures, we see examples of how God has promised and fulfilled all that He has said.  Here the psalmist is saying there is no reason for us to fear.  He may not come to us when we would like, but he tells us to wait patiently anyway. 

We must always remember He is with us and by our side.  Isaiah puts it this way.  “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. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 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 40:28-31. God does not ever grow weary, and if we grow weary, He will renew our strength.  Also, when we do grow tired and do not see a way out, we tend to become afraid.  Isaiah speaks to this as well.  “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely, I will help you, Surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

As I said earlier, He may not come as quickly as we would like, or even as we would like.  Sometimes we desire Him to do things in a way that will make things easier for us.  Then, we look for things to happen as we would like them to.  However, we must always remember that He knows infinitely more than we can ever understand.  He knows all things that have happened, is currently happening, and will ever happen.  Again, Isaiah puts it better than I ever could.  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9. 

Could it be that what God allows to happen is for our best, and what we believe is best is actually not?  I think this happens more times than we want to admit.  Let’s look at one of my favorite passages in all of scriptures, “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.   So, this begs the question, and I have asked myself this on several occasions.  Do I want what I think is best, or what God thinks is best?  I have decided after many situations that the latter is far superior to the former. 

And one last thing.  Maybe these times are not necessarily for us.  Maybe, He wants to train us for a future ministry opportunity He has for us.  Paul says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 1 Corinthians 1:3-4

Therefore, when we go through trials and difficult situations, be strong and wait patiently for His help.  He knows better than us what we need, and when best to come to us.  We do not know what He has in store for us through this.  But if we can learn from God how to comfort those who suffer in the same way we have in the past, is it not worth it so we can provide comfort to them?   

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

Proverbs 15:18

Verse of the Day Devotion: Proverbs 15:18 

“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.” – Proverbs 15:18      

Have you ever been in a discussion with someone on a topic where the two of you did not agree?  I have at times.  Everything starts out ok, but then something happens and suddenly one or both of you begin showing signs of animosity.  It can start out slow, but if things do not change, then the possibility of an intense argument becomes more probable.  This was likely not the direction either of you anticipated.  You were simply wanting to discuss a topic, and suddenly everything blew up. 

This is especially true if both are looking for a win and will do anything possible to be successful.  Especially if both parties have the same goal.  At this point, the possibility of an amiable conversation becomes less likely.  And the more entrenched both parties are, the possibility becomes stronger each will leave angry at the other.  However, the second part of this verse describes how we are to handle any discussion, no matter how much we differ regarding the topic.  We are to be slow to anger, not trying necessarily to win the debate, but to be calm and present our case.  Anger does little in presenting what we believe, in fact, it will probably harden them to their own view of the topic.  Meekness is a better attitude in these situations.  You can bring up your opinion or belief, but not in an argumentative way.  Present all arguments on both sides, and if there is no agreement, leave as is.  There may be reasons why each sees things the way they do.  It is not worth arguing because all it will do is close minds.  Then, even if they come to believe you, they may never admit it or act on it.

This is especially important when we, as Christians, are one of the parties in a conversation.  Doubly so when not everyone involved is a Christian.  The issue in either case is our witness.  It would not be good for others to see us being angry and offensive during a discussion if they know we are a Christian.  What if we, in the process of trying to prove our point, call the other person a derogatory name?  Not only will this undoubtedly close the mind of the person, it can also cause others hearing our conversation to question our faith, to the point where they may even see us as a fake Christian.  They will see us as someone not living the life we profess.  Paul says it this way.  “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29. He also adds, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”  Ephesians 4:30-31.  Note, we are not to exhibit bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, malice, and slander.  This pretty much does away with all negative expressions we could present.  In fact, we are to do all to God’s glory.  “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17

We are to show love to all we come into contact with, whether we agree or not.  To argue does not help our cause, in fact, it degrades our ability to be a consistent witness.  We are to go out and be Christ’s hands and feet on the earth.  We are to show the love of God to a world that needs to hear it even though they may not think they do.  We are to be a light in the darkness.  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.  It is our calling; it is our mission.

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

Psalm 62:8

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 62:8

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” – Psalm 62:8

Who do we trust in this life?  Who do we go to first in difficult times?  We all know people who help us when difficult times come.  It could be family or friends, or an agency that specializes in what we are struggling with.  It is good to seek help from good people we know and trust.  However, the first place we should go is to the one who can help us no matter the situation, who knows everything about us, past, present, and future.  And the one who loves us more than anyone else could ever love us.  And that person is our Almighty God. 

King David saw Him as that one person who He went to in times of trouble.  “My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2.  David here is expressing his absolute trust and confidence in God.  He waits patiently for Him, the one who has promised him salvation from all trials.  He understands that by placing his trust in God, he will not be greatly shaken.  Notice the word greatly in verse two.  He may feel some consternation due to what the enemy does, however he trusts that no matter what happens, he is never alone.

He then calls out his enemies.  “How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse. Selah.” Psalm 62:3-4.  How long will you come against me in your hatred?  You are ready to destroy others, however, in this you will be destroyed.  His faith was strong in the protection of God.  Then he declares that no matter what happens, it is only God he will go to.  “My soul; wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.  On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.” Psalm 62:5-7.  David makes it very clear that his trust lies completely in the Lord.  He will only place his trust in Him, for no one else can provide the safety and peace he needs and desires.  Note the end of verse six.  ‘I shall not be shaken’.  See the difference in this and verse 2. 

Then he calls out to those who may read this.  “Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:8. He tells his readers that it is imperative that they trust fully in God no matter the situation they find themselves in.  And not just at certain times, but in all times.  And tell Him everything, hold nothing back.  He knows everything about everything, but you show your trust by giving Him everything.

I want to encourage everyone reading this to do as David did, to wait in silence on God to work on your behalf.  We must trust in Him completely, for He is our rock and our salvation.  Be patient and meditate on His goodness and love, as well as His promise that He will never leave or forsake us.  I also want to remind everybody what my favorite verse in the scriptures, and it is extremely relevant in all situations. “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. He has promised this for us, and He always keeps His promises.  Be at peace, for He is our Prince of Peace, and this is His desire for us.

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

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.

 

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.