Acts 16:25

Verse of the Day Devotion: Acts 16:25

“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;” – Acts 16:25

Paul and Silas are thrown into a Roman jail.  The reason was they delivered a slave girl from a demon. “It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, these men are bondservants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation. She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment.” Acts 16:16-18. This young girl had a spirit of divination, and her masters were using her in order to gain a profit from what she said.  It was believed among the heathens of that time that people like this young slave girl is speaking the truth by the inspiration of their god.  And these masters took advantage of it.

However, when she was delivered from this spirit, they saw that their opportunity for profits through their slave had ended, and this angered them to the point that they grabbed both Paul and Silas and took them to the chief magistrates of that place.  They lied about what they had done, to some degree, “and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, ‘These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” Acts 16:20-21.  Paul and Silas were proclaiming customs which was not lawful to observe as Romans.  Rome considered the Caesars were gods and proclaiming anything or anyone as above Caesar would be considered extreme blaspheme.  When they declared this, they were grabbed, and the chief magistrates ordered them to be beaten with rods.  After they were finished beating them, they were thrown into the inner prison and their feet were put in stocks.  Now, when prisoners were put in stocks, they would spread their legs as far as possible, then they would spread them further, pulling the muscles before putting the stocks on them.

Many would sit in the jail wondering why God would have done this.  However, from our focus verse, we see that they were praying and singing hymns of praise to God.  They did not stop giving praise and worship to God, even though they had been severely beaten and the muscles in their legs stretched to cause them additional pain.  And look what God was able to do through them. “and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.” Acts 16:26-27.  During that time period, if any prisoner were to escape, the jailer in charge of him would be required to take his place.

So, what happened?  “And he (the jailer) called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:29-30.  And they replied, “They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31. What we see here is that because they continued to honor God, giving Him worship and praise, and praying, a man and his family received salvation.

God can use us in many ways for His service.  However, there are times when He will use what we do even though we are unaware that we are making a difference.  The jailer and his family were saved because Paul and Silas were glorifying the Lord.  What is important to see here is that we always need to be God focused, for we never know when someone will be touched by what they see us doing.  Let the world see that no matter how tough things get, we will give God the glory because we know that He uses us even when we do not realize it.  “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” 1 Peter 3:14-15.

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

1 Corinthians 10:31

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Corinthians 10:31

“Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Paul here is telling the Christians in Corinth that God’s glory should be the desired result of all we do.  This is similar to an old Jewish saying which said, ‘let all your works be done to the glory of God.’ This should be all our desired results.  John the Baptist when questioned by his disciples when they said, “And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him.” John 3:26, he answered “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30. John knew that he was simply the one to declare Christ, he was the voice crying in the wilderness that the promised Messiah had come, the Son of God.  And when his disciples questioned him, he answered saying that it is Jesus, the Messiah, that is important and must be followed, not John.

Paul is referring to in previous verses regarding clean and unclean meat.  “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23.  He is allowed to eat anything, all is now lawful according to God.  We see this is the account of Peter when God shows him a vision of a sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of unclean animals.  God told him to eat three times, but each time Peter says, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” Acts 10:14b.  And three times God tells him, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” Acts 10:15b. He did this in preparation for Peter going to the house of Cornelius, a centurion in the Roman army. Why, because Peter would no doubt be offered food to eat that was not considered clean. And rejecting this food would be an insult to Cornelius and may stifle Peter’s job of presenting the gospel.  He could come across to them as believing he was ‘better’ than they were.

Paul tells them not to question where the meat came from, but to accept it with thankfulness.  “Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake.” 1 Corinthians 10:25-27.  However, if they tell them it is meat sacrificed to idols, then they are not to eat it.  “But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake;” 1 Corinthians 10:28.  By eating what they declare as sacrificed to idols, they person who informs you may be weak and unscrupulous may judge or condemn the one who eats it, because they may look at you and say you have fallen into the customs of the idolaters.  Again, they could eat it, but it may cause the one who declared the meat as sacrificed to look negatively upon them.

So, looking at the focus verse, whatever we do, whether it is in eating, drinking or whatever, we must do for God’s glory. It is important that we look to those we are with. If they offer us anything that is not sin, then we should be willing to partake, and we should be thankful for it.  For in our eating and drinking what they offer, we probably will open the door to discussion and/or evangelism.  And this brings glory to God.  And in whatever else we do; we must also bring the glory to God.  We must not strive for our own glory, or the glory of others, but for the glory of almighty God.  When people see our openness to them and that we follow God in all ways and we do not compromise but obey Him in all things, they will be more inclined to ask us about this faith we have and accept Him as Lord and Savior or accept the teaching we give in order to help them grow in Christ.   This is what we are called to do.  Do not let tradition get in the way.  We must look to our neighbors and those God brings our way above ourselves.  “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” 1 Corinthians 10:24.  Whatever brings God glory, and our fellow man is better in the end, this we need to do.

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

Ephesians 5:20

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Ephesians 5:20

God has done, and is doing, so much for us.  Much more than we could ever imagine.  We often give thanks to God when a great thing happens that gives us joy.  Some examples are when we win a wonderful prize, when someone we enjoy fellowshipping with comes and visits us, when a miracle happens in that we are either healed of a terrible disease or we are delivered from a very trying issue.  We give thanks for the food we are about to eat, and for the day we are about to rise from our sleep and enjoy.

But what about for other times?  What about when we go through difficult situations? Paul says regarding this thought.  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. This can be difficult to do, but let’s look at this closer.  We are to rejoice at all times, in all situations and circumstances.  It is easy to see why we would rejoice when wonderful things happen to and for us; and even when it is just an ordinary event.  But what about being thankful during hard times?  Yes, we should be thankful to God even during these times.

Why should we be?  As the above verse states, ‘for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.’  Whatever God does or allows to happen, we know it is for our good.  If He chooses for us to, for instance, lose our job, He has a purpose for it.  If He allows us to become disabled in any way, then He also has a reason for it. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. Everything that happens to us, God has a reason for it. This is what we must remember during these times. I remember when I was blind for around three months. Yes, it was hard, but it helped me understand even more His love for me.

Also, I have been able to help others in the same situation. As Paul also said, “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 may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. Sometimes, what God allows is not for our benefit but for another’s. However, we benefit because we now have the knowledge and the compassion to help others through very similar situations.

In closing, every situation and circumstance we find ourselves in is something to be thankful for, whether we perceive it as good or not.  And the reason is that God either caused it or allowed it.  If there was not a ‘good’ reason for us to be placed in a situation, God would not have allowed it. Remember, all things work together for our good.  We may never know or understand what that good is, but we must trust Him that it is for our good.  And a lot of times, these trials may be the means to draw us to Himself.

What an amazing and loving God.

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

Galatians 1:10

Verse of the Day Devotion: Galatians 1:10

“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

Paul here is speaking to the church in Galatia regarding the fact that there were some within their church that were deserting the true gospel and were now following a false gospel.  In fact, he was amazed this was happening.  “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-7.  The word gospel, which is the Greek word ‘euaggelion’, pronounced ‘yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on’, meaning good news, and in this context, the great news of our salvation being available because of the shed blood of Christ.  What Paul here was saying is that there were many leaving the true gospel and beginning to follow a message that was not good news or the true gospel.

Then Paul states that if anyone preaches or delivers a message regarding the gospel contrary to what he and his coworkers have already delivered, then they are to be under a curse.  “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”  Galatians 1:8-9.

As stated above, the true gospel is the great news of our salvation being available because of the shed blood of Christ.  It defines the payment of the penalty of our sins by the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.  Therefore, a different gospel is one which denies the necessity of a simple dependence on what Christ did on our behalf, namely the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

There are many false gospels out in our world.  The more prevalent ones are the gospels of Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.  These do not even reference Christ but state the following of their god is the good news.  However, there are a lot of Christian cults that are deceiving many, such as Oneness Pentecostalism which teaches there is no trinity and the speaking in tongues is required for salvation.  Then there is Christian Science that says Jesus was not the Christ and there is no sin.  And Jehovah Witnesses that teach Jesus was Michael the Archangel, that He did not rise from the dead in Human form and the Holy Spirit is God’s impersonal active force, not a person.

And why do we switch to these false gospels?  It is because many teachers preach what man wants to hear, not necessarily what is true.  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4. This includes what is considered the prosperity gospel, antinomianism which states a Christian can sin because we are not subject to the law, and other Christian heresies.

In closing, it is not our job to preach and teach a gospel where the intent is to please men and seek their favor.  It is to preach the truth whereby men are told they are under the penalty of sin and only the death, burial and resurrection of Christ leads to salvation and leads to a Holy walk with Him.  Some will be angry and walk away because this is more than they expected or desire.  However, many will accept and believe this message and truly become a child of God.  This is our calling, and we need to put aside the teachings from wolves in sheep’s clothing and teach the full truth.  If not, then we and those who accept the message we give will come under a curse, and this is not a place we want to be. William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

James 1:5

Verse of the Day Devotion: James 1:5

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5

In order to get the major context of this verse, we need to look at the three verses prior to this.  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4.  Now, this verse can be used for any situation wisdom is needed, however, when you see the words in the above verses, ‘your faith produces endurance’ it makes sense what James is focusing on.

Now, the wisdom that James is no doubt referring to is that wisdom which helps the Christian get through these times of trials, for there is probably no time the Christian needs the wisdom from God more than in how to bear up under the ordeal they are suffering.  This wisdom is essentially understanding that for us to be stronger in our faith knowing God is totally in control, it must be tested so that any area where we do not grasp this truth can be strengthened.  And the stronger it is, the more endurance we have to continue through it.  I believe this is why God does not always deliver us from difficult situations.  To paraphrase Francis Schaeffer on this topic, ‘too often we ask God to deliver us from our trials, when we should be asking Him to bring us through our trials.’

Part of this wisdom is seen in James 1:2.  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,” How can we rejoice, counting it all joy to suffer these trials?  By realizing the following.  1) That God is in control, and He would not have had you go through this if there was not a good reason, 2) Because our faith in God strengthens as we see His help and support though it, and 3) We are glorifying God by trusting Him that we will make it through.  It is interesting that in countries where persecution is at its worst, the church is growing and flourishing.  Here in the United States, where persecution is much, much less, we see more people leaving the faith, churches losing members and closing their doors.  Kind of makes sense.

If we are enduring hard times, we can pray to God for the specific wisdom we need.  We all, as Christians, have wisdom imparted to us.  One is the knowledge we need Him.  Another is how to treat each other.  In fact, the bible is a book full of wisdom. And when we read and study His word, we gain much wisdom and knowledge.  However, this wisdom may not be fully understood, and therefore God must strengthen it in order to equip us to do His will, no matter what that is.  Most times, through trials, our understanding of His word increases.

So, when we find ourselves in a time of trial, consider it a good thing, for your growth and the Kingdom of God.  We must see our times of trials as a needed time that will equip us for the times that are coming.  For when the end-times arrive, it will be incredibly difficult.  When that time comes, we should consider it a time of joy, for we know His return and our deliverance is just around the corner.  And when things seem too hard to handle, pray to God for His strength and wisdom to help us through.  God is able and willing.  All we have to do is ask it of God.

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

Joshua 1:9

Verse of the Day Devotion: Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

Moses has died.  God now calls Joshua to take the Jewish people into the promised land. “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.” Joshua 1:2-4.  On a side note, this verse is interesting in that it can be interpreted in an intriguing way.  Albert Barnes says it best, “Moses, representing the law, is dead; Joshua, or, as that name is written in Greek, Jesus, is now bidden by God to do what Moses could not – lead the people into the promised land.”

I am pretty confident that Joshua was uneasy with this.  Thus, God then gives words of encouragement to Joshua.  “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.”  Joshua 1:5.  He assures Joshua that He will be constantly with him.  No one will be able to stand before him and prevent the work God has called him to do.  This is essentially the same promise He gave to Moses.  “No man will be able to stand before you; the LORD your God will lay the dread of you and the fear of you on all the land on which you set foot, as He has spoken to you.” Deuteronomy 11:25. Here He explains why no man would be able to stand before him; the LORD your God will lay the dread of you and the fear of you on all the land on which you set foot.

He then tells Joshua not to fear this calling.  “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1:6. Here God ensures Joshua that he will lead the people and they will possess the land God promised them.  Let’s look at the focus verse again.  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!” Joshua 1:9a He is referring back to verse 6.  This tells me Joshua was definitely unsure about this.  He was around 100 years old, but had never led the anyone into battle before, especially with the goal of conquest.  And God was calling him to lead the Israelites into the promised land through conquering the current residents.  However, as a loving father does, He encouraged Joshua with these words.  “Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9b

There are going to be times where God will call us to do a specific work which we will feel totally unequipped for.  Now, I doubt it will be leading an army to overthrow a nation, however, many times the task will seem beyond what we believe we are capable of accomplishing.  God would never call us to do anything if He was not going to be there with us.  In fact, He will work through us to make it happen.  “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. This will accomplish two things.  First, it will be done the way God wants it done. And second, we can rely on Him when we feel out of our comfort zone.  All we have to do is submit entirely to Him.  This is not always easy, but if we do, who knows what can be accomplished through us.

In closing, God gave Joshua a calling regarding entering the promised land in Joshua 1:2.  He then told him to be strong and have courage in Joshua 1:6, then comforted him in his fear in Joshua 1:9.  And He does the same with us in our callings.  He discloses this calling to us, encourages us and then guides us and actually works through us to do His good pleasure.  We know that Israel took over the promised land from Canaan and we also know that He will make us successful in our work for Him.  What we need to do is, as Joshua did, trust God that we can fulfill His calling and then submit to Him in all things.  Remember, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

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

Acts 5:29

Verse of the Day Devotion: Acts 5:29

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29

Peter and John were arrested for teaching about Christ as well as the miracle healing of the man lame from birth to the crowds in Solomon’s Portico.  They were eventually released; however, they were ordered by the Jewish leadership not to speak of Christ or the healing of this man anymore.  But they did not heed their demand.  “And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them.  Also, the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.”  Acts 5:14-16.

This did not set well with the High Priest for it went against their firm warning.  “But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.” Acts 5:17-18.  However, that night an angel of the Lord set them free and said to them, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” Acts 5:20. Now, the High Priest ordered the prisoners brought to the council, but the guards could not find them.  Then someone came and reported to the council that the two men they had jailed the previous night were in the temple teaching the people about Christ.

When they arrived and were standing before the council, the High Priest questioned them saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” Acts 5:28.  However, Peter and the apostles answered with our focus verse, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29.

Francis Schaeffer in his book “A Christian Manifesto” stated, “The bottom line is that at a certain point there is not only the right, but the duty, to disobey the state.”  This comes only when what the state commands by way of law is contrary to God’s Law.  It is important that obeying God comes before obeying the government.  I want to clarify something though.  If what the state commands by law does not disobey God, then we are obligated to follow it.  It is only when, for example they legislate that all doctors must perform abortions when desired by the patient, that we must disobey because taking a human life is against God’s laws.

We must be ready, as Peter and John were, to do what is right in the eyes of God through disobedience when necessary.  Again, if it does not go against the laws of God, then we must do what they command.  Christianity is coming under much persecution because people want to do what they want.  They hate and abuse those who openly disagree with them.  They do not want Christian teachings and values in our public schools, but many other religious ideas are praised.  We must be willing to stand up in all areas to any group that demands us to disobey God.  He is our Lord, King and Eternal Father, worthy of complete obedience.  Are we ready to take such a stand for Christ?

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

James 4:7

Verse of the Day Devotion: James 4:7

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7

This is a very familiar verse to most, and one that is incredibly wise.  It definitely deals with our Christian walk and what we find important.  I say that because that which we give our attention to is that which we find important to us.

So, the first part of our focus verse tells us to submit to God.  This is not a partial submission that James is speaking of.  It does not mean we submit to those things we agree with only.  This means we are to submit to God in everything.  He calls us to a humble life before Him. “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” James 4:10. God knows better than anyone else what is best for us.  Sometimes He will call us to a time of rest and peace.  Other times, He will call us to a place of difficulty, where there is persecution and humiliation.  It is easy to submit to Him when times are easy.  However, we must also submit to Him in the hard times.  Saul is an excellent example of a hard calling but also total submission.  When God told Ananias to go to Saul, we read “But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” Acts 9:13-14.  “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.’” Acts 9:15-16.  Saul, later known as Paul, knowing that this would be a hard life, one filled with suffering, submitted completely to God, knowing that what He allowed was the best for himself and anyone he ministers to and with.

While we yield to God in all things at all times, we are never to yield to the enemy in anything.  In whatever way he comes to us, we must resist and oppose him.  There is nothing good he has to offer us. Whatever he says will always be in opposition to the plan of God.  He is destined for eternal torment, and he will do whatever he can to take as many as possible with him.  He will offer things that sound so good.  His ways are deceitful, for he promises good and delivers death.  We must not argue with him, but with strength and conviction, resist him.  And the best tool to resist him is to know God and His voice.  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;” Study His word, pray without ceasing.  Become so close to Him that there is no way we can mistake the enemy’s voice for God’s.  We must resist the devil through our submission to God.  His Spirit will guide us into all truth.   And when we do resist him, he will flee from us.  This is a promise of God.  For true resistance of the devil comes through submission to God.  He cannot defeat true believers who have committed their lives to God.

Therefore, live a life of total submission to God.  It is the only way to live. William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Psalm 51:10

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 51:10

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
This psalm, chapter 51, was written by David and deals with his heart when Nathan the prophet came to Him after he had gone into Bathsheba.  This is written from a penitent heart, asking God to remove his sins from him.  “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:1-3 David has incredibly strong feelings of remorse for what he had done.  In fact, he knows the depth of his iniquity.  “Against You, you only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.”  Psalm 51:4. Of course, we know that David sinned against Bathsheba in lusting after her from the rooftop.  And he sinned against Uriah in that he not only took his wife and committed adultery with her after which he took her for his wife, but he also put Uriah into a position where the only outcome was his death.  David’s heart was broken by what he had done, and he recognized that this sin had overtaken him.  We know this because when Nathan made known to David what he had attempted to keep secret, he did not try to cover it up, but said “…I have sinned against the Lord…” 2 Samuel 12:13.  It was not that he denied that he sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah and others.  It was that he saw sinning against God was the worst and hardest to deal with. He continues his prayer “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.” Psalm 51:7-8. His sin is so heavy upon him that he alludes to broken bones to describe how great the weight is on him.  He then asks God to look not upon his sins but remove them from him.  “Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.” Psalm 51:9. Up to this point, he has asked God to forgive him, remove his iniquity, wash him so that he shall be whiter than snow.  He has prayed here for sanctifying grace and forgiveness.  However, in our focus verse he takes this to another level.  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10. This is a very powerful verse, for here David is asking God not to just cleanse his heart but to completely remake it.  His great request here was that his corrupt heart should be done away with, and a new, clean heart replace it.  The Hebrew word translated ‘create’ in verse 10 is the same word translated ‘created’ in Genesis 1:1 where the idea is a new thing, an actual act of creation where something begins to exist where there was nothing there before.  David felt that cleansing his heart was not enough, it needed to be replaced with one not corrupted by the lust and sin which he succumbed to.  And with this, he prayed that this new heart would be strong and steadfast so that he would never succumb to the lusts and sins he had in regard to Bathsheba and Uriah. I can say that I have felt this way, where my remorse over sins committed has caused me much heartfelt sorrow.  However, what we must remember is that God knows our hearts, and if we are truly saddened by transgressions He will know and forgive us.  He will not hold them against us but will totally absolve us of our guilt.  However, we must desire with all we are to never succumb again to these sins.  We must, as David did, cry out that our corrupt heart and nature be removed from us and be replaced with one free of the desires of the flesh.  This should be our heart in this matter. William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Romans 13:1

Verse of the Day Devotion: Romans 13:1

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” – Romans 13:1

We are called to obey civil governing authorities.  The reason is that God has established them in their positions.  Not that He has determined how they are to act or require of us, but that He has placed the leaders in their positions.  Note what it says in Daniel. “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.” Daniel 2:21.  God is very clear here.  He is the one who establishes leaders in their positions, and He is the one that removes leaders from their positions.  When we look at the world today, it is hard for us to see this clearly.  I have asked the question, “Why this man?”  However, it is important that we obey ‘where we can’.

I say, ‘where we can’ because there are times when government requires us to do things that are against God’s will.  Let’s look at a few times we see this in scriptures.  In Acts 4, we see where Peter and John are arrested by the Jewish leadership because they were “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”  Acts 4:2b.  This was definitely against the Jewish leadership, however, they continued teaching.  When the leadership chose to let them go, they warned them not to teach this anymore.  “And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:18. However, Peter challenged them as follows, “But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20. They asked them a rhetorical question; whether they should obey them or God.  However, they said that their opinion was not important, for they were going to teach of Jesus as the Son of God.  Remember what Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.  They were obeying God rather than the Jewish leadership.

Now, one chapter later, we see the apostles still teaching the message of Christ.  Therefore, they arrested and brought Peter and the other apostles to a public prison.  During the night, an angel of the Lord came, opened the gates of the prison and set them loose, saying, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.”  Acts 5:20.  When morning came the high priest  and his associates called the council together and ordered the apostles to them.  When the guard did not find them in the prison, they reported back to the council that they were not there.  Then someone told them the apostles were in front of the temple teaching the people.  The captain of the temple brought them back with no violence.  Once there, the high priest said to them, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” Acts 5:28.   “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’”  Acts 5:29.

As per the focus verse, we are to obey the civil authorities who are over us.  “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same;  for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”  Romans 13:3-4.  They have the authority to punish those whoever break the laws.  However, if the choice is in front of us to either obey the authorities or obey God, we must obey God.  And, if obeying the authorities does not disobey God, then we must obey the governmental authority.  For in so doing we are obeying God as well.  The key here is to obey God at all times.

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