[APRIL 10] Gloating at the Enemy

Read: Obadiah 1:1-14

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls" 

--Proverbs 24:17

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Yet hidden away in its brief record is a vital question that affects us all: How should we respond when we see an enemy experience misfortune?

The prophet Obadiah ministered during the time that the city of Jerusalem was under fierce attack by the armies of Babylon. The neighbors of Jerusalem, the Edomites, were actually cheering on the enemy armies to destroy and kill (Ps. 137:7-9). Ironically, these hurtful jeers were spoken by blood relatives of the Jews. They were descendants of Jacob, and the Edomites were descendants of Esau.

Obadiah condemned the Edomites for gloating: “You should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity; nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction” (Obad. 1:12).

If someone has repeatedly been hurtful to us, it is easy to give in to vindictive pleasure when they experience misfortune. But Scripture admonishes us, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles” (Prov. 24:17). Instead, we are to maintain an attitude of compassion and forgiveness, and trust God to bring justice in His time. --Dennis Fisher

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT

How to handle people-problems (Romans 12): Be patient (v.12), bless persecutors (v.14), 

be humble (v.16), don't take revenge (v.19), defeat evil with good (v.21).

REFLECT ON THIS:

Love for God can be measured by the love we show for our worst enemy.

[APRIL 9] The Fear of Falling

Read: Psalm 46

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" 

--Deuteronomy 33:27

Have you ever dreamed that you were falling out of bed or from some great height, and you awoke in fright? I remember that as a boy I would often be awakened by such a terrifying feeling.

I heard about a man who had this sensation as soon as he slipped into sleep. He was so rudely awakened by his sense of falling that he was afraid to go back to sleep. He feared he would die, and he imagined he was falling into a bottomless pit.

Then one evening as he was strolling through a cemetery, he saw this phrase engraved on a tombstone:

UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS

These words reminded him that when believers die, they are safely carried by the Lord to their home in heaven. He recalled the assurance of the psalmist, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (Ps. 23:4).

The once-fearful man realized that in life and in death— and even in sleep—the “everlasting arms” of our loving Lord are there to catch and hold us. That night he was able to sing what he was taught in childhood, “Teach me to live that I may dread the grave as little as my bed!” At last he could fall asleep without fear. --M. R. De Haan, MD

I can trust my loving Savior

When I fear the world's alarms;

There's no safer place of resting

Than His everlasting arms. --Hess

REFLECT ON THIS:

You can trust God in the dark as well as in the light.

[APRIL 8] Clean Up the Environment

Read: Ephesians 4:17-32

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification"

--Ephesians 4:29

What a frustrating problem pollution is! Everybody suffers with it, yet everybody contributes to it.

Pollution takes many forms, but one type is often overlooked. Charles Swindoll calls it “verbal pollution,” passed around by grumblers, complainers, and criticizers. “The poison of pessimism,” Swindoll writes, “creates an atmosphere of wholesale negativism where nothing but the bad side of everything is emphasized.”

A group of Christian friends became concerned about this form of pollution and their personal part in it. So they made a pact to avoid critical words for a whole week. They were surprised to find how little they spoke! As they continued the experiment, they actually had to relearn conversation skills.

In Ephesians 4, Paul called believers to that sort of decisive action. He said we are to “put off” the old self and its conduct that grieves the Holy Spirit (vv.22,30) and “put on” the new self that builds up others (v.24). As we rely on the help of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), we can make those changes in our conduct, our thinking, and our speaking.

If we want to be rid of verbal pollution, we must choose to change and ask for God’s help. It’s a great way to start cleaning up our spiritual environment. --Joanie Yoder

What! Never speak one evil word,

Or rash, or idle, or unkind!

Oh how shall I, most gracious Lord,

This mark of true perfection find?

REFLECT ONE THIS:

Help stamp out pollution—clean up your speech!

[APRIL 7] Our Only Hope

Read: 1 Thess. 4:13-18

"We should live... godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope" 
--Titus 2:12-13

An anonymous author wrote, “When I was first converted, and for some years afterward, the second coming of Christ was a thrilling idea, a blessed hope, a glorious promise, the theme of some of the most inspiring songs of the church.

“Later it became an accepted tenet of faith, a cardinal doctrine, a kind of invisible trademark of my ministry. It was the favorite arena of my theological discussions, in the pulpit and in print. Now suddenly the second coming means something more to me. Paul called it ‘the blessed hope.’ But today it appears as the only hope of the world.”

From the human standpoint, there is no solution for the struggles of the world. Leaders are naturally frustrated in trying to deal with the increasing problems in society. The only complete and permanent solution is found in the return of Christ to earth. When He comes, He will set up His kingdom. He will rule the nations in righteousness, and “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

As we await our Savior’s return, let us keep on praying, working, and watching, while “looking for the blessed hope”—our only hope for this world. --Richard De Haan

And for the hope of His return,

Dear Lord, Your name we praise;

With longing hearts we watch and wait

For that great day of days! --Sherwood

REFLECT ON THIS:

As this world gets darker, the promised return of God’s Son gets brighter.

[APRIL 6] For This I Have Jesus

Read: Psalm 66:1-15

"I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

--Hebrews 13:5

In an evangelistic meeting in Ireland, the speaker was explaining what it means to abide in Christ and to trust Him completely in every trial. Concluding his message, he repeated several times, “It means that in every circumstance you can keep on saying, ‘For this I have Jesus.’ ”

The meeting was then opened for testimonies. One young woman said, “Just a few minutes ago I was handed this telegram. It reads, ‘Mother is very ill; take train home immediately.’ When I saw those words, I knew that tonight’s message was meant just for me. My heart looked up and said, ‘For this I have Jesus.’ Instantly a peace and strength flooded my soul.”

Three or four weeks later the evangelist received a letter from this woman. It read, “Thank you again for the message you gave that day. Life has become an uninterrupted psalm of victory, for I have come to realize that no matter what life brings, for this I have Jesus.”

That believer in Christ had found in her Savior the One who would be with her “through fire and through water,” and who would bring her “out to rich fulfillment” (Ps. 66:12).

If you are enduring a great trial of affliction, remember—for this you have Jesus! --Henry G. Bosch

I've found  refuge from life's care in Jesus,

I am hiding in His love divine;

He fully understands my soul's deep longing,

And He whispers softly, "Thou art Mine." --Christiansen

 

REFLECT ON THIS:

If every circumstance finds us abiding in Christ, we will find Christ abiding with us in every circumstance.

[APRIL 5] The Power of Praise

Read: Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Lord has anointed Me... to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning" 

--Isaiah 61:1,3

Praise is powerful! When Scottish pastor Robert Murray McCheyne was troubled with a coldness of heart toward the things of the Lord, he would sing the praises of God until he felt revived in his spirit. Those in his household were often able to tell what hour he awoke because he began the day with a psalm of praise.

One day, while he was trying to prepare his heart for preaching, he wrote in his journal: “Is it the desire of my heart to be made altogether holy?... Lord, You know all things.... I’ve felt so much deadness and grief that I cannot grieve for this deadness. Toward evening I revived. Got a calm spirit through [singing psalms] and prayer.” McCheyne had been uplifted by praising God.

Perhaps you feel as if you are mired in what John Bunyan called the “slough of despond.” Lift a song of praise to the Lord. The psalmist said, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever” (89:1). When we do that, the praise will flow not only from our lips but also from our heart. The Lord delights to give “the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isa. 61:3).

Yes, “it is good to sing praises to our God”—at all times (Ps. 147:1). --Paul Van Gorder

Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven,

To His feet your tribune bring;

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

Evermore His praises sing. --Lyte

REFLECT ON THIS:

If you find yourself wearing a spirit of heaviness, try on a garment of praise.

[APRIL 4] A "Banana Slug" Lesson

Read: Micah 6:1-8

 "What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

--Micah 6:8

Sports team names have a variety of origins. they come from history (Spartans, Mountaineers), nature (Cardinals, Terrapins), and even colors (Orange, Reds). one even comes from mollusk family.

In the 1980s, the University of California at Santa Cruz was just starting to get involved in competitive sports. UCSC had a bit disdain for the overemphasis some big time schools place on athletics, so the student body sought a team name that would reflect a somewhat different approach. they decided on the Banana Slug, a yellow, slimy, slow, shell-less mollusk. It was a clever way for UCSC to give a balanced perspective on the relative of sports.

I have always loved sports, but I know that they can easily become more important than they should be. What matters most in life is what Jesus said is most vital--loving God with all of our hearts and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39). Micah listed God's requirements this way: "do justly," "love mercy," and "walk  humbly with your God" (6:8). For believers in Jesus, it is vital that nothing else takes top priority over god's expectations for us.

What matters most to you? The Spartans? The Red Sox? Or loving God in thought, word, and action? --Bill Crowder

Lord, what matters most to Your today?

What can direct us in each thing we do?

Could it be to let nothing at all

Interfere with our deep love for You? --Branon

REFLECT ON THIS:

Beware of spending too much time on matters of too little importance.

[APRIL 3] Longing for Spring

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

"Nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives."

--Ecclesiastes 3:12

It's been a long, cold winter, and I am eager for warm weather. I'm tired of seeing bare trees and lifeless brown leaves covering the ground. I long to see wildflowers poke though the dead leaves and to watch the woods turn green once more.

Yet even as I anticipate my favorite season, I hear my mother's voice saying, "Don't wish your life away."

If you're like me, you sometimes hear yourself saying, "When such and such happens, then I will... or, If only so and so would do this, then I would do that... or, I would be happy if... or, I will be satisfied when..."

In longing for some future good, we forget that every day,--regardless of the weather or our circumstances--is a gift from God to be used for His glory. 

According to author Ron Ash, "We are where we need to be and learning what we need to learn. Stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where He needs us to be tomorrow."

In every season, there is a reason to rejoice and an opportunity to do good. (Eccl. 3:12). The challenge for each of us every day is to find something to rejoice about and some good to do--and then to do both. --Julie Ackerman Link

Just as the winter turns to spring,

Our lives have changing seasons too;

So when a gloomy forecast comes,

Remember--God has plans for you. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Every season brings a season to rejoice.

[APRIL 2] The Rescue Business

Read: Romans 3:10-22

"There is joy in the presence if the angels of gods over one sinner who repent."

--Luke 15:10

Living in the Colorando, I climb mountain. On summer weekends, I see casual hikers who have no idea what they are doing. in sandals, shorts, and T-shirts, carrying a single container of water, they are start up a trail at mis-morning. They have no map no compass and no rain gear.

My neighbor, who volunteers for Alpine Rescue, has told me stories of tourists rescued from certain death after wandering  off a trail. Regardless of circumstances, Alpine Rescue always responds to a call for help. Not once have they lecture a hapless tourist, "Well, since you ignored the rules of the wilderness, you'll just have to bear the consequences." Their mission is rescue. They pursue every needy hiker, no matter how undeserving.

The central message of the Bible is one of rescue. Paul points out that none of us "deserve" God's mercy and none of us can save ourselves. Like a stranded hiker, all we can do is call for help. Quoting the psalmist, he says, "There is none righteous, no, not one; none who understands; there is none who seek after of God" (Rom. 3:10-11; Ps. 14:1-3).

The good news of the gospel is the spite of our state, God seeks after us and responds to every plea for help. You might say that God is in the rescue Business 

 

THINKING IT OVER

What keeps you from calling out to God for spiritual rescue? 

Your pride? Do you fear that you are too bad for God's grace? what does Romans 3:23-26 say?

REFLECT ON THIS:

The heart of repentance is turning from sin and toward God

[APRIL 1] To Speak or not to Speak

Read: Mark 14:53-65

"[Jesus] kept silent and answered nothing."

--Mark 14:61

Sometimes silence is the best response to a false charge. At other times we must speak up.

When false witnesses accused Jesus as He stood before the Sanhedrin, He "kept silent" (Mark 14:53-61). Defending Himself would have been useless. Furthermore, He was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7. But earlier in His ministry, Jesus rebuked the Pharises, challenging them to prove that He sinned (John 8:13-59).

A pastor resigned from his church because a few members made untrue statements about him. He thought it unchristian to defend himself, and in some instances it is. But in this case, the troublemakers needed to be confronted and their false charges refuted. He should have urged them to repent or face church discipline.

Saying nothing may allow wrongdoers to go unchallenged in their evil ways. But if God's Spirit leads us to remain silent, or if we want merely to try to salvage our wounded pride, then we should hold our tongue.

Are you being falsely accused? If you discern that it's futile to argue, or if your pride has been hurt, ask God for grace to say nothing. but if you feel concern for the wrongdoers and want to see justice done, speak up! --Herb Vander Lugt

Lord, give us wisdom to discern

When what is false must be revealed

Or if we need Your grace and strength

To close our lips and keep them sealed. --D. De Haan

REFLECT ON THIS:

Silence can be valuable; don't break it unless you can improve on it.