A Heavenly Stronghold

Transcription

1 MON. 1 Psalm 27:1-14 The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1). A Heavenly Stronghold As we read Psalm 27, we might notice that there is a marked transition between the first half (vv. 1-6) and the second (vv. 7-14). In the first half, David expresses confidence in the Lord s saving power. As the psalm progresses, however, his surety seems to disappear, and he cries out desperately for divine aid. The alternation of exultant praise and troubled petition is something we can all relate to. If you have lived through trials, you have experienced the anxiety that comes with waiting for deliverance. Perhaps you too have been tossed about in the shadows of slander and threats. But throughout the waves that break over and in us, there is an unmoving, eternal center our ever-faithful God. As David indicates, the best way to refocus our perspective for the future is to remember what God has done in the past. Fortunately, though, we can count on more than our memories: when we seek Him, God reveals himself so that we can understand His character experientially. In the light of His perfect love, there is no need to fear. The Lord s our Rock; in Him we hide, A Shelter in the time of storm. A Shelter in the Time of Storm by Vernon J. Charlesworth, adapted by Ira D. Sankey Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge (Proverbs 14:26). That many people in Angola will come to know Christ and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. So wait for the Lord in the darkness it is often in the darkness you can most clearly see His face. 5

2 TUES. 2 Psalm 33:1-11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations (Ps. 33:11). God s Sovereign SYMPHONY The musical motif of today s psalm recalls an imaginative allegory of the creation story: In The Magician s Nephew (the first book in C.S. Lewis s Chronicles of Narnia), Aslan, the mighty lion who represents God, sings the land of Narnia into being. With every note, a new creature arises in praise of Aslan. It is a fitting representation of God s creative, sustaining relationship with the world. In many ways, today s psalm complements yesterday s: With each new revelation of the Lord s character, we are increasingly attuned to what hymn writer Maltbie Davenport Babcock called the music of the spheres the universe s resounding testimony to the sovereign power of God. As the psalmist proclaims, the most fitting response is to sing joyfully back to our Creator who, since the beginning of time, has had good plans for His people. As we marvel in the grand symphony of His creation, God invites us to join in His song of redemption. Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same. O God, Our Help in Ages Past by Isaac Watts God s powerful word is the lyric set to the tune of His redemptive love. For the development of Christian leaders in Angola. Today, as you listen for the divine music that sounds all around you, rejoice that God s intentions toward you have always have been good. He created you to live in communion with Him, and by His sovereign love, He will accomplish His plan. 6

3 WED. 3 Psalm 33:12-22 We Are In His Sight From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do (Ps. 33:13-15). Shakespeare s Richard III (1592) is a dramatic portrayal of the ruthless Duke of Gloucester who, near the end of the War of the Roses (c ), sought to steal the throne of England. Throughout the play, the dynamic, brilliant Richard succeeds in imprisoning or killing anyone who stands in his way. However, Richard is ultimately unable to sustain his despotic rule. At the play s climax, Richard s steed is struck down in battle, and he goes down with it screaming, My horse! My horse! My kingdom for a horse! (V.II.I). When the symbol of his military might is knocked out from under him, he is left defenseless and is soon killed. It is an ironic end for a tyrant who thought himself invincible. The psalmist contrasts the Lord s power with human failings. Unlike many human rulers, God uses His might to care for and defend His people. From His throne in heaven, God sees all. Even when human leaders abuse their power or fail us, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God will one day right all wrongs for His people. For no soul that has trusted Him will He forget, For He never has failed me yet. He Never Has Failed Me Yet by W.J. Henry Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed (1 Samuel 2:3). That many people in Benin will come to know Christ and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We are secure in the gaze of our righteous King of Heaven. 7

4 THURS. 4 Mark 1:1-20 Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people (Mk. 1:17). Becoming Disciples As we read the story of Jesus calling His first disciples, we might realize that the words Come, follow me, are more than dialogue between characters they are living words that confront us with the authority of the living God. But how do we respond to these words? That is, how do we follow Christ? For further insight into this question, it is valuable to compare translations of verse 17. The ESV renders it, Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men [emphasis mine]. Many other versions use similar wording. This language reveals that the call to follow Jesus is not a summons to dutifully march behind Him as He works in the world. Instead, it is an invitation to be fundamentally changed so that we can participate in His work. Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, Saying, Christian, follow Me. Jesus Calls Us by Cecil F. Alexander We obey the call as we follow the path of His nail scarred feet. For the development of Christian leaders in Benin. Thus, Jesus promise to make Simon and Andrew into witnesses is more than a figure of speech. He doesn t choose people for what they are, but for what He will make them. He is forming us into new creations with every step of our journey with Him. Ultimately, the call to follow is only the beginning. Are you ready to become a disciple? 8

5 FRI. 5 Luke 5:1-11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him (Luke 5:11). The Cost of Discipleship As we continue exploring the call of discipleship, a question arises: What does the call require of us? The answer comes when we read that Peter and his companions left everything to follow Jesus. After seeing Jesus divine power displayed, these men could see nothing else but the eternal hope He offered. Other Christ-seekers were not so responsive. In a later chapter of Luke, we read of a rich ruler who sought everlasting life. Though Jesus promised that those who give up everything will receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life (Luke 18:30), the ruler was unwilling to surrender his wealth in pursuit heavenly treasure. Jesus message is clear the call to be a disciple is all-consuming. It cannot be compromised it can only be lived wholeheartedly. It is not always easy to let go. Left to ourselves, we find things to cling to things we hope will give us life. But no life exists apart from Christ. Why would we grasp after gifts when we can have the Giver? Perish ev ry fond ambition, All I ve sought, and hoped and known; Yet how rich is my condition God and heav n are still my own! Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken by Henry F. Lyte Placing confidence in Jesus frees us to follow Him in spite of our shortcomings (Session Truth). That many people in Botswana will come to know Christ and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 9

6 SAT. 6 Matthew 4:18-22; 16:13-20 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matt. 16:18). The Point of Decision Jesus meeting with His disciples occurred at a turning point. Trials lay ahead, and Christ knew His path of suffering would ultimately lead Him to the Cross. The disciples needed to be firm in their faith if they wanted to go any further with Him. It is significant that Caesarea Philippi, the place in which this encounter took place, was an overwhelmingly pagan region. In that hushed moment, surrounded by glaring images of false gods, Peter spoke a divinelyinspired confession of Jesus as Savior. Peter probably did not yet comprehend the full weight of the words he spoke. Nevertheless, he believed. Jesus response has profound implications for all who share Peter s confession. The confession of faith the acknowledgement of Jesus as God s Messiah and its power to work in human hearts is the foundation, the DNA that weaves us into Christ s Body. And when we believe, Christ s power in us helps us persevere in the faith so that even hell cannot defeat us. God with us, our lips proclaim, Our faithful hearts confess. God is in our flesh revealed; Heav n and earth in Jesus join. Celebrate Immanuel s Name by Charles Wesley In realizing who Jesus was Peter also realized who Peter wasn t (Kerry Willis). For the development of Christian leaders in Botswana. We all reach a critical point at which we must confess who we believe Jesus really is. When that crossroads comes, we must decide: What will we confess in those still, quiet moments? 10

7 SUN. 7 Acts 22:1-21 Called by God as WitnessES The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard (Acts 22:14-15). In the last few days, we have been examining the nature of discipleship the call, the cost, and the decision it involves. Today, we come to the ultimate goal of discipleship becoming Christ s witnesses to the world. All external circumstances indicated that Saul should have been an enemy of Christ. And he was until an encounter with the risen Son of God turned His understanding of faithfulness upside-down. Then Saul asked two questions of Jesus first, who are you? And second, what shall I do? The answers indicate what happens when we accept the call to discipleship. We must come to an understanding of who Christ is and what He has done. Then, if we truly believe that revelation, we must respond without delay by sharing His gospel with others. Our testimonies are probably not as sensational as Paul s, but from a spiritual perspective, our conversions are just as miraculous we have been transformed from Christ s enemies into His witnesses. God has chosen us to have an intimate relationship with the Righteous One and spread His message of hope until we finally meet Him face-to-face. This is the greatest news humanity has ever received let us answer the call with joy! Bear the news to ev ry land; Climb the steeps and cross the waves. Onward! tis our Lord s command. Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Jesus Saves! by Priscilla J. Owens Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium (Paul Harvey). That many people in Burkina Faso will come to know Christ and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 11