Psalm 42:5. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
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Will Graham – Devotion
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
People will try many different things in an attempt to bring themselves happiness and fulfillment. Some pursue philanthropy, good deeds, mentoring, or positive social work. Others throw themselves into hobbies, jobs, or relationships. Unfortunately, there are many who pursue destructive vices that only bring suffering.
While many follow the world’s path in seeking fulfillment, the Bible gives instruction from one of the wisest men who ever lived—King Solomon. Philosophers, kings, rulers, and sages would come, sit, and listen to his wisdom.
Solomon searched for true happiness and meaning in life, and he gives us his conclusions in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
Fear God: Surprisingly, Solomon does not say to get more education or to acquire more wealth. He has all of this and has concluded that it is all vanity. Rather, Solomon’s first and primary conclusion is to fear God (v. 13).
The fear of God is the sense of awe that emerges when we see our lack of holiness, since we are broken sinners, and we are met with God’s perfect righteousness. It is not a sense of being scared or timid, but that of reverent awe.
Keep God’s Commandments: Solomon’s second conclusion is to keep God’s commandments (v. 13), which—by the way—is a natural result of fearing God. Once we are in awe of God, we will follow Him. Often in life we think that God’s commands steal our joy and happiness. However, the opposite is true. The commandments are given so that we can enjoy life and live it to the fullest.
Those two points—fearing God and keeping His commandments—encompass everything in a person’s life. Solomon says in verse 13, “For this is man’s all.” Nothing else.
Now, why does Solomon say that this is man’s all? It is because we will be judged by the Lord (v. 14). I believe that the reason people do not fear the Lord (stand in awe) or keep His commandments is because we often forget about God’s judgment. However, like it or not, we will be judged—both believers and non-believers.
Not only are we judged, but our works will also be judged. Solomon says that both our good and bad will be judged, and all the things done in secret will be judged as well. Nothing is kept from God’s judgment.
The good news is that Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, taking our judgment. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Christ paid “the wages of sin” on our behalf, giving those who call upon Him as Savior the gift of “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
54.g. Joshua 4:1-8
Jos 4:1-8 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the LORD told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there.
The stones would be a sign and a memorial for Israel, reminding them of the remarkable miracle of the dry riverbed crossing of the Jordan River. This was the final miracle of the exodus journey. Israel left Egypt through miraculously parted waters (Exodus 14), and they entered Canaan through miraculously parted waters. This was worth remembering. It was a sign because of where the stones came from: the dry riverbed of the Jordan, making them unique markers of a work that could no longer be seen. It was a memorial, establishing a lasting testimony remembering God’s great work.
This memorial looked forward to future generations that did not personally experience the miracle of the Jordan crossing. God did not want His work to be forgotten among the generations. God’s people often fail in their trust in God because they forget the great things He has done. The faith of future generations is often weak because they have never been told how great and real God is.
· Memorials are necessary because God’s people forget what they should remember.
· Memorials are necessary because the truth of what God has done does not diminish with time.
· Memorials are helpful in teaching the children of believers.
· Memorials may be visible or unseen.
· Memorials are especially helpful in times of crisis. (Guzik)
The works of the Lord are so worthy of rememberance, and the heart of man is so prone to forget them, that various methods are needful to refresh our memories, for the glory of God, our advantage, and that of our children. God gave orders for preparing this memorial. (Henry)
Will Graham – Devotion
In August of 1949, my grandfather—a largely unknown young preacher at the time—was at a Christian retreat center in the mountains east of Los Angeles, California. A spiritual battle raged inside of him. A friend who had gone to Princeton Theological Seminary had repeatedly and passionately encouraged my grandfather to change his view on Scripture.
“People no longer accept the Bible as being inspired the way you do. Your faith is too simple,” the friend argued.
My grandfather, in his autobiography Just As I Am, shared, “I had no doubts concerning the deity of Jesus Christ or the validity of the Gospel, but was the Bible completely true? If I was not exactly doubtful, I was certainly disturbed.”
>>Read more about this moment in Billy Graham’s life
Ultimately, after intense and prayerful study of Scripture, my grandfather fell to his knees and cried out to God. He acknowledged that he didn’t know all of the answers or how to respond to his friends’ questions, but surrendered to the inerrancy of God’s Word by faith.
With the spiritual battle won, the difference in his preaching was immediately noticeable. He spoke with a newfound authority. By November, the Greater Los Angeles Crusade launched this obscure North Carolina evangelist into a household name.
By my grandfather’s own admission, you likely would have never heard of Billy Graham if not for his decision to accept the full authority of Scripture. Once the matter was settled in his soul, God used him to reach millions.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, similarly encouraged his spiritual son to rely on Scripture and make it the center of his faith. Why?
First, it has a divine origin, with God as the author. “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16a). Not some Scripture. Not just the parts of the Bible that we like and that make us feel comfortable. No, all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God!
It is the self-revelation of God, penned by human authors under the control of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Bible is totally reliable for both you and I. As was the case for my grandfather, if you hope to gain anything from the Bible, this has to be a settled point. Scripture is totally from God—its origin is divine.
Second, as God’s Living Word, Scripture is “profitable” for us in all facets of life (2 Timothy 3:16b). The Bible is not only the road map to Heaven, but also the compass for the Christian life. It provides everything needed to know God, to find salvation, to be convicted of sin, to be corrected and restored, and to guide followers in Christian discipline.
Finally, the Bible equips and completes us (2 Timothy 3:17). It gives us the prescription and cure for the disease of sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NKJV). As we are convicted of sin, confess it, are forgiven, and pursue righteousness, we mature in our faith and in our walk with God. Each new day of a Christian life should find us more and more like Jesus. From there, we are ready for “every good work” on behalf of the Kingdom.
Though circumstances, relationships, politics and culture shift and move like shaking ground, the Bible is everlasting—a firm foundation. It lights our path and meets our needs. Commit to filling your soul with the Word of God, and allow Him to guide your steps.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NKJV).
Turning Point – Devotion
Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:24
In the Garden of Eden, God created a new man and woman according to His image “in true righteousness and holiness.” But righteousness and holiness were marred by sin. The story of redemption becomes the story of restoring righteousness and holiness in man and creation. We call the temporal restoration of righteousness sanctification and the ultimate, eternal restoration of righteousness glorification.
We find connections to the creation and re-creation story throughout Scripture. For example, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” The practical application of that truth is described in Ephesians 4:22-24 where Paul says to “put off” the old self of unrighteousness and sinfulness and “put on” the new self of righteousness and holiness. Putting off and putting on are our part, our responsibility, as “imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1). Giving us the desire and power to do so is God’s part through the power of His Spirit.
We don’t start a new day in dirty clothes; neither should we live a new life with an unrighteous heart.
Everything in Scripture has in view the promotion of holiness.
Turning Point – Devotion
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that…. Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.”
Micah 4:1-2
Today, the center of our spiritual worship is our local church; Paul refers to the Church today as God’s temple (Ephesians 2:21). In the Millennium, worship will change.
While believers will still gather locally, worship will once again have a central focus: Jerusalem and a new temple (Ezekiel 40–45). People from every nation will stream to Jerusalem to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords (Zechariah 8:23) whose government will emanate from the Holy City: “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9). Today, we worship Him whom we have not seen “with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). But in the Millennial Kingdom, we will worship Him whom we will see with our own eyes, for He will receive our worship in person.
As you worship the Lord today, bear in mind what your worship will be like in the Kingdom—for a thousand years and beyond.
Encouragement for Today – Devotion
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV) It’s no secret that the world today feels so divided. And while we won’t always understand everyone else’s thoughts, opinions and ways of processing life, I think we can focus on areas where we are all more alike than different.
You see, we all have tear stains on our pillows and have faced:
Unforeseeable, life-altering circumstances.
Unresolved relationship tensions.
Unanswered prayer requests.When our hearts get broken, it hurts. Grief stings. Hard stuff piled on top of hard stuff is disorienting for all of us.
We all carry a bit of sorrow or frustration or heaviness. And when we take time to remember this, compassion toward others grows in our hearts — because the reality is they’re hurting too. Maybe the truth that we’re all carrying some form of pain in our hearts means we’re a lot more alike than we are different.
Maybe today is a great day for us to reach out with compassion to another hurting human soul.
Make that phone call.
Leave that encouraging comment on social media.
Stop by just to say hello to a friend with her favorite coffee.
Pray more words over her than you talk about her.
Pick up some flowers and place them where she can see something beautiful.
Smile and take a photo of the two of you, proving life isn’t all bad.One of the most compassionate things we can do for others is create a space where they know they’re welcome just as they are. Around a table. On a walk. Maybe even on a road trip. Initiating those moments where togetherness says, You belong. You have a place. You have a voice. You have people. You are loved.
I think Colossians 3:12 says it best: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
When you’re hurting, it can feel isolating if you aren’t sure how to talk about the hard things or who can safely hold your honest thoughts. But compassion allows us to love people who are hurting, empathize with their pain, and acknowledge their side of things, even if we can’t change the outcome or fix things for them. Only God can do that.
But what can we do? Invite. Initiate. Comfort. Pray. Release our desire to control things or change people and instead simply create space for the Holy Spirit to move. We can show up with Jesus in our hearts and compassion in our words and just be there.
So who is someone in your life who may need this today? Maybe shoot that person a quick text saying, “Hey, friend. Jesus loves you, and I love you, and I’m here for you.”
And if you’re that person who needs to be reminded she’s a little less alone in what she’s walking through right now, I’ll be that friend for you: Hey, you. Jesus loves you, and today isn’t the whole story. Keep going. You’re going to make it.
Father God, sometimes I forget we all have tear stains on our pillows. Please remind me that every person I come across needs compassion and that I might be the only one in their life right now who has the chance to help and the courage to care. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Turning Point – Devotion
I will extend peace to her like a river.
Isaiah 66:12
Frances Ridley Havergal was a popular singer, devotional writer, and British hymnist. One of her most well-known songs says: “Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace, over all victorious in its bright increase.” Her imagery and inspiration came from the book of Isaiah.
Writing about the Millennial reign of Christ, Isaiah said, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream” (Isaiah 66:12). Christ will establish global peace for the world just as He gives us His inner peace now. Havergal knew another verse from Isaiah too—Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.” Her chorus says: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest, finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest.”
War has been with us since the days of Cain and Abel, but it isn’t eternal. One day God’s peace will flow through the world like a river. But even now, it can flow through our hearts when our minds are stayed on Him. Claim His perfect peace in your situation today.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand, never foe can follow, never traitor stand.
Turning Point – Devotion
Happy are the people who know the joyful shout; Lord, they walk in the light from your face.
Psalm 89:15, CSB
A. W. Tozer said, “The people of God ought to be the happiest people in all the wide world! People should be coming to us constantly and asking the source of our joy and delight.” Charles Spurgeon felt the same way, writing, “God made human beings as He made His other creatures, to be happy…. They are in their right element when they are happy.”
One day the world will be filled with joy when Christ returns. Isaac Watts wrote, “Joy to the World,” which is actually based on the Millennial passage of Psalm 98 about the Second Coming. But we don’t have to wait for the return of Christ to be happy. He lives in, among, and through us right now by His Spirit. Choose happiness today!
Francis of Assisi said, “Let us leave sadness to the devil and his angels. As for us, what can we be but rejoicing and glad!” And Jonathan Edwards added, “He has created man for this very end, to make him happy in the enjoyment of himself, the Almighty, who was happy from the days of eternity in himself.”
Man is more joyful and with reason to be full of joy…when Jesus is the fundamental thing in him.
Turning Point – Devotion
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:7
With the advent of DNA technology came the use of that technology in solving crimes. The Innocence Project, founded in 1992, has used DNA testing to overturn the convictions of more than two hundred wrongly convicted persons. Even in our modern criminal justice systems, it is still possible for justice not to be reached. In a fallen world, when justice is administered by fallible human beings, the outcomes can lead to injustice.
There will be no such injustice when Jesus Christ rules with perfect justice during the Millennium. As Isaiah prophesied, “And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:3-4). The justice will be perfect because the Judge will be perfect.
If you have ever been judged unfairly without recourse, put your faith in the just Judge who will balance the scales “even forever.”
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.