GOD SPEAKS

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 1-2

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

An Orthodox Jew and another less religious person pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, which is part of the original retaining wall of the Temple Mount during the time of Jesus. During Jesus’ three years of teaching, preaching and healing the sick, thousands of Jews believed in Him, and many thousands more believed following His death and resurrection. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the Temple of God. When asked, “What sign do You show to us?” His answer was, “Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). John went on to say, “But He was speaking of the Temple of His body”… His death and resurrection.

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Key Verses: Hebrews 1:1-2

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds…

What we used to call “the bare subject” of the key sentence is “God.” The bare predicate or verb (action word) is “has spoken.” How does God speak in the present? The literal words in the Greek language of the writer describes how God speaks now. He does not say that He speaks in Greek, Hebrew, or for us in English, but God speaks “by His Son.” Jesus is, in Himself, what God has to say to the human race. Jesus is the living “Word”…God’s means of communication with us (read John 1:14-18). “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Today’s reading contains 15 direct quotes from the Hebrew Bible, which lets us in on what God said to His Son in eternity past. For example, Hebrews 1:8a, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” This reminds us of the prophecy of the Jewish prophet Isaiah, who wrote in Isaiah 9:6, “Unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given…His Name will be called…Mighty God.” In the light of dozens of such prophecies, no wonder thousands of those who practised Judaism became followers of Jesus as their promised Saviour and God.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’ve just read in Hebrews 2:1 words which I pray that You’ll write indelibly on my heart. I “must give the more ernest heed to the things we [I] have heard, lest we [I] drift away.” Keep me, Lord Jesus, close, so very close, to You always. In Your Name (Your Person) I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I often quote to myself and to God the words of Hebrews 2:9, “But we see Jesus…” I think that one of the reasons we don’t have a physical description of what Jesus looked like recorded in Scripture is that the Holy Spirit, wanting us to see with insight rather than physical sight, deliberately avoided telling us of the outward appearance of Jesus. I ask myself, can I say to Jesus, “I see You!”

I can’t pass by these chapters without a warning that there are false teachers who will come to every door sooner or later, who believe that Jesus was the archangel Michael. That’s right, they teach that Jesus is an angel! I’ve just read again Hebrews 1:5-14. How dare they teach such lies? Let’s love these people who are deceived by the one who comes as an “angel of light,” but in reality is the fallen angel, Lucifer or Satan (read 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Any teaching that seeks to lower the Person of Jesus from being 100% God as well as 100% Human is “the spirit of antichrist” (read 1 John 4:1-6).

Yours to help open the eyes of our hearts to see, carefully observe, and take in every detail of His Person as revealed to us through our daily Bible readings,

David

P.S. Many artists have tried to represent Jesus in a painting. My favourite one is of Jesus knocking at the door of the human heart. It hangs in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England (see photo of the painting below). It carries a powerful message, but of course, it is not an actual likeness of Jesus in His human Person. We do have a word picture of Jesus in His glory given by the Apostle John who saw Him in a vision and did his best to describe Him for us (read Revelation 1:12-20). I am eagerly looking forward to seeing Jesus face-to-face soon (1 Corinthians 13:12). The Angels said, as Jesus’ followers watched Him leave earth, “This same Jesus…will so come in like manner as you saw Him go onto Heaven” (Acts 1:7-11). If any reader has not opened your heart’s door to invite Jesus inside, please do so now as you consider the painting below. There is no handle on the outside of the door. It’s only on the inside. You may choose to open the door. He will never break the door down and forcibly enter. He loves you and waits for your decision. There is a little chorus that says, “Into my heart. Into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” Make this your prayer (click here for the song, “Into My Heart”).

Christ at Your Heart’s Door by Warner Sallman.

MY BELOVED

Today’s Reading: Song of Solomon 7-8

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Sheltered from the sun, a lady sitting in a tree keeps watch over her donkey at Nazareth Village. The Shulamite maiden in our readings was such a farm girl.

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Key Verses: Song of Solomon 7:10, 8:6

I am my beloved’s and his desire is toward me…Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm.

For the culture of 3,000 years ago, the imagery used to describe the bride’s beauty was understood. For example, “Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon” may seem humorous to us, but to them it meant,”exquisitely sculptured and well formed.” Solomon considered her entire body to be beautiful from her feet up to he hair on her head. For us, we can learn that complimenting our spouse is good for a happy life. Our first key verse is a wonderful statement which describes a relationship of true wedded love, and it is also true in our love for God and His love for us. He loves us with an everlasting love, and may we do the same toward Him. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

In much of middle-eastern culture, a brother and sister may kiss in public, but never a married couple (8:1). Our second key verse can be understood to be as an engagement and wedding rings in our culture today. A mark, perhaps a tattoo, was placed on the arm of the bride. A tattoo is there for one’s entire life; unfortunately a wedding ring can be removed. May God help us to keep our vows “until death do us part.” In 8:8-10 our reading takes us from the Shulamite’s childhood to her maturity as a woman. Her brothers protected her purity as a “wall” around about her. May our families form a shield of protection, particularly around our youth.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, I love You with all my heart. I have loved ones for whom I care most deeply. May I be as a wall of wisdom, love, and protection around them and not an over protection, which would hinder their development into all that they can be. I pray this in the Name of the One who made His own decision at 12 to stay behind in the Temple, a Boy (young Man) who “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men,” Jesus, Himself (Luke 2:52). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

That verse, Luke 2:52, about the maturing of Jesus from a young boy has been the motto of our Circle Square Ranches across Canada since their first year of operation in 1978. Crossroads gave them as a gift to “Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship,” which has operated Christian summer camps since 1928. They are doing a great job in reaching more and more children and teens for Christ. An excellent Christmas gift for children would be a week at camp next summer. Check out “Pioneer Camps” and “Circle Square Ranches.” Click here for information on purchasing a week at camp as a surprise gift. Good suggestion!

Tomorrow, God willing, we move back to the New Testament and start the book of Hebrews. Hebrews ties together the two Covenants (Testaments) of God with His human family in a powerful way that shows clearly that in Messiah (Hebrew), or Christ (Greek), Jesus is the absolutely essential Bridge over which all must cross in order to embrace the eternal plan of redemption and everlasting life available to all humanity. Acts 4:5-12 is an excellent reading for our consideration as we move into Hebrews.

Yours because we can say, “My Beloved is mine and I am His” (Song of Songs 2:16a),

David

RETURN, RETURN!

Today’s Reading: Song of Solomon 4-6

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The Church of All Nations, also known as the Church or Basilica of the Agony, is a Roman Catholic church located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before His arrest (Mark 14:32-42). In the garden, there are some extremely old olive trees; perhaps they were there at the time of Christ. In 4:12a of today’s reading, the spouse is likened to a “garden enclosed.” This is a term of endearment indicating the exclusiveness of the marriage relationship. Here, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter began his human efforts to fight for Jesus, which ended in his denial of Jesus at the High Priest’s palace. For a brief time Jesus and his beloved Peter were separated, as were the “lovers” in today’s reading.

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Key Verses: Song of Solomon 4:10

How fair is your love,

My sister, my spouse!

How much better than wine is your love,

And the scent of your perfumes

Than all spices!

Whether we read this poem as simply a love story between Solomon and the lovely Shulamite maiden, or a portrayal of the love between God and His people, we will not find a more tender and moving expression of love. The young woman, having missed her opportunity to welcome her beloved on his unexpected visit, goes out to search for him. Deep within her heart, she is certain of his love.

Could it be that we, who say we love God, do not respond to His presence immediately, and we miss the relationship He desires to have with us? Like the Shulamite we can search in many places for Him, but the message is clear in the last verse of our reading (6:13a): We are called to “Return, return…Return, return!” Let us return to the place where we first met Jesus, not to the physical location, but the place of repentance as did Peter after he had been challenged for the third time by a waitress in the courtyard of the High Priest (read Luke 22:47-62).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, like the Shulamite, I realize that I don’t deserve Your love, but I also recognize that You have chosen to love me. Please forgive me for not responding instantly to Your presence and Your love. I pray for grace to learn to return and to remain constantly in Your presence. I thank You that You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me. I’ve read this Lord, both in Deuteronomy and quoted in Hebrews 13:5. I pray this in the Name of the One who said, “I am with you always,” the Lord Jesus, Himself, Amen!!! (Matthew 28:18-20).

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I often have dreams like the Shulamite says in the song, “I sleep, but my heart is awake.” Her dream involved searching for her beloved, and of being beaten and wounded during her search (5:2-7). Like the woman in our reading, my heart seems to be awake first. Peter failed badly in his denial of knowing Jesus. His heart kicked in the moment his eyes locked with the eyes of Jesus. Often it’s my heart that kick-starts my brain, then my mind, in turn, ignites my will power and I correct my decisions and do the right thing!

Yours for the “return” to God of all who have known Him as children but have run far away, where they have been beaten and wounded,

David

SONG OF SONGS

Today’s Reading: Song of Solomon 1-3

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On this coin that was minted in Jerusalem is Yehonatan the King surrounding a lily flower. It is a Bronze prutah of the Hasmonean king Alexander Jannaeus and is dated 104-76 BC. Song of Songs, chapter 2, verse 2, likens the beloved to a “lily among thorns.”

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Key Verses: Song of Solomon 2:10

My beloved spoke, and said to me:
“Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away…”

The story is told of the conference of Jewish Rabbis who were faced with the decision as to which writings were to be included in the Bible. One Rabbi said that the Song of Songs, as it is called in the Hebrew Bible, was much too sensuous and should be excluded. Then the aged Chief Rabbi stood to his feet and said, “Brothers, all the other books we are including in the sacred Scriptures are like the Holy Place in the Temple, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies. It is all about intimacy with our God.” Of course they included Song of Songs! For our readings, it is vital to understand that all expressions of affection and physical lovemaking are pure, true love, not to be taken in an erotic, lustful way.

Historically, this is the courting and marriage of a shepherdess to King Solomon, and the delights and heartaches of wedded love. Later in life, Solomon married many women. This special person may have been Solomon’s only true love. Allegorically, it pictures Israel as the object of God’s love and as His bride. Israel was unfaithful to her Husband. The Prophet Hosea lived out God’s relationship with Israel. God instructed him to marry an unfaithful woman (read Hosea 2:19-23, Hosea 3:1). Make no mistake about it! “GOD IS LOVE!” For a New Testament reading check out 1 John 4:9-19.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, just as You chose Israel as Your “Spouse,” so You have chosen all who believe in Jesus as Your “Bride.” I pray for Your grace so that I will be faithful to You, not prostituting myself by yielding to temptations to commit spiritual adultery with a world that is opposed to You, and living in a way that is so dishonouring to You. I love You, Lord Jesus, and I pray this in Your Name and for Your sake, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I know that every time I go to make a call or click an icon on my iPhone, up will come a picture of my bride, my spouse, and me (the same photo is posted below). Norma-Jean is my love. I think of her when I read the song of the Shunamite maiden and Solomon. That same picture is on the back cover of my latest book, This Far By Faith. As you can tell, I’m very fond of that picture.

Remember, if you wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and click on the “Comments” bubble (which is next to the date). Then scroll to the bottom, where it says, “Leave a Reply.”

Yours, as the Scripture says, “And to communicate, forget not!” (Hebrews 13:16 KJV),

David

REMEMBER YOUR CREATOR

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 10-12

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When we see the Creator’s handiwork, our hearts are filled with awe. The First Nations peoples of our land refer to God as “THE GREAT CREATOR,” and have done so since before the European explorers arrived on this continent.

Key Verses: Ecclesiastes 12:1, 13-14

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,

Before the difficult days come,

And the years draw near when you say,

“I have no pleasure in them.”

…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.

“A dead fly”… Chapter 10 begins by warning us that a little foolishness like a dead fly (in our soup?) can contaminate much of the good that wisdom has accomplished. The consistent application of our minds and hearts to wisdom, such as this daily blog encourages, will help keep us on track. As 10:4b instructs us, “Do not leave your post!”

In order to help his large family understand the Scriptures, Ken Taylor created a paraphrase called “The Living Bible.” He renders Ecclesiastes 11:4 this way: “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Someone has called this “the paralysis of analysis.” God has given us the ability to asses a situation, make a decision, and move forward boldly.

The final chapter gives us Solomon’s conclusions. The wisdom God gave him is summed up in our key verses. Let’s take time to meditate on “the whole matter!”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You have created me, according to the Scriptures, in Your likeness. Therefore, I ask that I will be conscious minute by minute of Your Presence so that I will fulfill Your plans for my life. You expect me to make my decisions with a confidence that if I’m going wrong, You will steer me by giving me Your wisdom, so that I can make course corrections. Thank You that You give purpose and meaning to my life. I pray in the Name of the One who “set His face like a flint” to go to the Cross for me, Jesus, my Messiah! Amen!!! (read of the decisions of Jesus in Isaiah 50:6-7 and Luke 9:51-53).

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I have often spoken to teens and young people in their twenties from Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, as well as from Chapter 12 verse one. “REMEMBER!” and again in verse six, “REMEMBER!” For my own life I’ve sought to “REMEMBER!”  Solomon’s conclusion, after trying all kinds of things, is clear and concise. I realized as a teen that I don’t have to go through all the things that messed up Solomon’s life! He stated at the beginning of Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of Vanities, says the preacher, all is vanity.” Instead of emptiness, I am full. Instead of a vacuum in my life, I overflow with the Presence of the Lord. As Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit” (read Ephesians 5:15-21).

Yours for being filled with God’s Presence and for keeping filled 24/7,

David

THE GRAVE

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 7-9

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Half way down the hillside of Mount Zion on the south side of the Old City of Jerusalem there is a Christian graveyard. Many Christian and Arab believers are buried there. The most popular grave to visit is likely that of Oskar Schindler, the industrialist who saved the lives of many Jews in Nazi Germany.

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Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, lived a long life. He had the opportunity to observe the power and majesty of God, as well as the futility and meaninglessness of life apart from God. It’s not hard to observe that Solomon, having received many blessings from God, was not always committed fully to Him. As a younger man, Solomon had worked diligently in building the Temple and in developing alliances with neighbouring countries. Peace and prosperity flourished. In his later years, he turned his attention to satisfying his personal desires for pleasure and wealth, and it began a trend in which Israel eventually turned away from God to embrace the religions of its neighbours. As an encouragement for us to serve God with all our heart, our mind and our strength, we could read Romans 13:11-14.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, I pray for the grace to do as our key verse says and serve You with all my might. Help me to never, never, never give up on doing right and in doing it with a passionate love for You and my neighbours. In the Name of the One who did this 100% of the time, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In meditating on our key verse, I turned to Luke 9:62 and read the Words of Jesus, “No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” I know my only fitness spiritually is because of my faith in Christ, but here and now by my human free will I have “put my hand to the plough” in a multi-year commitment to this daily blog. Readers can start at any time and 24 months later achieve the most worthy goal of reading, with time for meditation, all of God’s Word to His human family. Take your Bible in “HAND” and read and digest in your innermost being God’s Word. “DO IT WITH YOUR MIGHT.”

Yours for, as Jesus said, “Not looking back!”,

David

GRASPING THE WIND OR HOLDING THE TRUTH

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 4-6

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Hierapolis was an ancient city located on hot springs in classical Phrygia in southwestern Anatolia. Its ruins are adjacent to modern Pamukkale in Turkey and currently comprise an archaeological museum designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many architectural grave monuments in Hierapolis. The oldest graves are of the Hellenistic Period (1st and 2nd centuries BC). “BC” denotes before Christ. One wonders if Christ preached to the person memorialized here as well as the writer of Ecclesiastes. First Peter says that Christ preached to the imprisoned spirits who formerly were disobedient (e.g. the people of Noah’s day, etc. Read 1 Peter 3:18-22).

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Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 5:2

Do not be rash with your mouth,

And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.

For God is in heaven, and you on earth;

Therefore let your words be few.

In Nelson Mandela’s book, Conversations with Myself, he wrote, “Spiritual weapons can be dynamic and often have an impact difficult to appreciate, except in the light of actual experience in given situations. In a way they make prisoners of free men, turn commoners into monarchs, and dirt into pure gold. To put it quite bluntly, Duggie [his friend], it is only my flesh and blood that are shut up behind these tight walls.” According to some of those who visited Mandela in prison, he read his Bible daily. No doubt he read the words of our key verse about “words.” I’ve read Mandela’s words at his trial before his 27 years in prison. He was very intelligent then, but after he emerged from prison, he was not only smart, but very wise with his words. Thousands of hours in a private and secret place can develop wisdom. Ecclesiastes is part of what is known as “Wisdom Literature.”

Mandela and John Bunyan both had prison experiences. In 1678 Bunyan wrote Pilgrims Progress while in prison. The word “vanity” appears eight times in today’s reading. Bunyan tells us of two men, Christian and Faithful, who visit “Vanity Fair.” Here they are mocked for their desire to proceed on to the “Celestial City.” Faithful is executed and proceeds to Heaven. Christian is remanded to prison but escapes and proceeds on his journey. For a good summary of this story click here and check out the fourth paragraph.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, as I meditate on the words I’ve read today about “the tears of the oppressed,” (4:1b) and seeing “the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness” (5:8a), I pray that the example of a Nelson Mandela would challenge me to change as he did during his 27 years of prison. Then may I do my best to change my world first, and then to help where I can to make change for the better in the world around me. I pray this in the Name of the One, who more than any other, changed everything…Jesus Christ! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In my recent reading about Mandela, I noted that in his call to affect political change, he made a deliberate decision to be private in his expressions of his personal faith. He does put in his book, Conversations With Myself, the fact that he taught Sunday School at one time, and he reflects on his education in Wesleyan Methodist schools. He also takes considerable space in his book to tell the story of “The Trial of Christ by Pontius Pilate” (pages 223 – 227). Jesus obviously had a major impact on Mandela’s life.

Yours for grasping God’s eternal truths and never letting go, holding and speaking the truth in love,

David

P.S. The name of one of the entities that make up the Crossroads Family of Ministries is “Tricord.” This name is from Ecclesiastes 4:12b, “A threefold chord is not easily broken.” Click here for information about Tricord (try clicking various items in the “Catalogue” at the top, such as “Documentaries”).

VANITY OF VANITIES

Today’s Reading: Ecclesiastes 1-3

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This is the monument to Pius VIII in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Italy. The Pope is shown kneeling, accompanied by a statue of Christ enthroned, with statues of Sts. Peter and Paul. Pius VIII was imprisoned in 1808 during the French domination of Italy for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to Napoleon. Napoleon, the Emperor of France, Europe, North Africa and much of the middle east, would probably agree with Solomon that “All is vanity,” particularly if Napoleon was asked about his life from his imprisonment and exile during his later years.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 3:11

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

…He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

We cannot help but notice the repetition “the Preacher” used for his desired emphasis. The word, “vanity” occurs 37 times. It means “useless” or “empty.” The “preacher” has tried all life has to offer. Worldly wisdom, works, wealth, etc., as well as laughter and wine are all found to be empty. This can all be discouraging to us, his readers, unless we refer several times during our readings to chapter 12. We may want to read Solomon’s conclusions about life each day.

The word “time” is repeated 31 times in today’s reading. Time is short here on earth, but a ray of hope shines through with the statement that God “has put eternity in their hearts.” All anthropological studies done in every people group on earth prove that our human family is constantly reaching beyond ourselves and into eternity. The monument pictured above gets it right. Peter and Paul got it right. Pius seems to have gotten it right. Napoleon got it wrong, as is the case of everyone who seeks their ultimate values here and now in this life alone.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray that I will live every moment of my life with eternity’s values in mind. As I grow older, may I grow up into Your love and truth. I ask for grace to keep the vain things of earth in their proper perspective, always seeking to use material possessions and human pursuits for eternal purposes. Thank You for putting “eternity” in my heart. I pray that eternal values will also be in my head, my consistent thoughts and decisions. In the Name of Your eternally existing Son, Father God, I ask these mercies, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Remember the TV show Hee Haw? I know one of the main characters personally. Gordie Tapp is the son of Salvation Army officers. I have no doubt that when he and Roy Clarke sang of gloom, despair, etc., he knew about the book of Ecclesiastes. In fact, that song could’ve been lifted right out of this book.

I’m thinking again today of the late, great man, Nelson Mandela. He had such high hopes for his people. It must have been discouraging for him as reality set in and he observed the rampant corruption that has become epidemic in the South African government after he stepped aside from the presidency. He surely tried his best and I commend him for setting such a good example. I want to commend highly our former Prime Minister of Canada, the RT. Hon. Brian Mulroney, for taking the strongest stand of any world leader for doing what was right in South Africa prior to Mandela’s release from prison, and after. God bless you former Canadian P.M. I’m proud of you!

Yours for filling the emptiness of life with the fulness of Christ!

David

P.S. Here’s the Hee Haw song I referred to (click here). While Solomon tells us that “laughter” accomplishes little, it is good for us. In Proverbs 17:22a, Solomon told us that “A merry heart does good like a medicine.”

CHARACTER

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 31

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On display in the Archaeological Museum in Pella, Greece, is a golden leaf crown. This was created to resemble the wreath of leaves placed on the head of Olympic champions. Of course the Emperor had to have one made of Gold. Today’s reading should help us all strive to be the best we can be with God’s Spirit working 24/7 within us.

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Key Verses: Proverbs 31:10-11

Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

Could it be that Solomon was describing his own mother and the wife of his father. David and Bathsheba’s first child died at birth, and Solomon was their #2 child. No doubt Bathsheba shared in the words of repentance found in Psalm 51. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, believed that King Lemuel, whose name is mentioned in this chapter, was Solomon himself and that Lemuel was one of Solomon’s names which means, “One who comes from God.” Wesley notes, “Perhaps David and Bathsheba, as a pledge of their reconciliation with God, gave Solomon this name, along with others, to remind him of his obligation to God.” It’s very possible that in Solomon’s eyes, his mother Bathsheba became the “virtuous wife” he describes. We serve a God who redeems the fallen and who, by His Holy Spirit, develops character so that a person, made in God’s image, can change and grow into the “stature of the fulness of Christ.” For a New Testament reading check out Ephesians 4:12-16.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray with my whole being for Your help to fulfill all the potential that You desire to develop in me. Help me to be honest, virtuous and honourable. May the character of Jesus grow more and more in me, not by my own efforts alone, but by Your Spirit filling me, changing me, and growing me until I come into the “stature of the fulness of Christ.” Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Over the years I have read extensively about a man of character, Nelson Mandela, as well as reading his own writings.  Mandela said on one occasion, “One thing 27 years in prison taught me was to use the silence of solitude to realize how precious words are.” Reading this and thousands of Mandela’s other words has caused me to strive to do a better job of using words here on my blog. I’ve read that during his years in prison with just bread and water for breakfast, he would lift the bread to God and say, I receive this in remembrance of Your body, Lord Jesus, and with the water, “I receive this in remembrance of Your blood.” This would have been in keeping with his Wesleyan Methodist upbringing. Then he would be taken outside to the hard labour which they required of him. I saw a photo in a Toronto newspaper from just before Mandela was elected President. It was of Mandela, DeKlerk, President at the time of South Africa, and Mangosuthu Buthelezi of the Zulu people, kneeling together during a prayer meeting. A bloody civil war was averted, and a week later Mandela was President. Could Mandela’s deep and mainly private relationship with God have been the secret of his amazing strength of character? I leave this for you to judge.

Yours for becoming all we can be with the great help of God’s Spirit dwelling within us,

David

A STIFF NECK

Today’s Reading: Proverbs 29-30

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

The Hyrax, also known as a rock badger, lives on rocks all around Israel. This one was photographed in the Ein Gedi reserve on the shore of the Dead Sea. It is described in today’s reading as “little on the earth,” but “exceedingly wise” (Proverbs 30:24, 26).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Proverbs 29:1

He who is often rebuked and hardens his neck,

Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Two kings of Israel, Saul and David, were both rebuked…Saul by Samuel and David by Nathan. Saul was as one who “hardens his neck,” becoming stubborn and unwilling to change. David’s reaction was not to try to justify himself as Saul did, but to repent and change his ways. Saul’s attitude resulted in the loss of his position and eventually his very life. David’s response, “I have sinned against the Lord,” resulted in forgiveness and restoration. We may want to read the words David wrote to describe his repentance. They are found in Psalm 51.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, when I’m made aware of sin in my life or am corrected in some way by one of Your servants, may I not make excuses and stubbornly continue going my own way, but may I receive the grace of repentance, turn around, and go Your way. I pray that I will keep a gentle spirit and always be ready to receive a rebuke from You or from someone You send to confront me. I ask for Your restoration in the Name of Jesus, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My first encounter with a rock badger was in company with my two sons, Reynold, my photographer for the blog, and Ron, who formats and posts the blog. We were back-packing in Israel in 1978, and as we climbed over the rocks descending Mt. Carmel, there was a little creature looking at us for a moment. He (or she), according to Scripture, is “exceedingly wise,” and darted under a large rock for protection from these three large creatures who were approaching. Proverbs says that they are “a feeble folk.” They are called “people” in the original King James Version. It occurs to me that when anything appears too big for me to handle, I need to scurry under the Rock of God’s safety. Psalm 61:2b reminds me that “When my heart is overwhelmed,” I need to pray, “Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

Yours for “exceedingly wise” counsel from God’s Word,

David

P.S. The old hymn says, “Hiding in Thee. Hiding in Thee. O thou blest Rock of Ages I’m hiding in Thee” (click here for a recording of this great hymn).