1)# ’Consider what God has done.’
Ecclesiastes 7:13 (11-14)
This is wise advice. Ecclesiastes is full of considerations about life. If life on this earth is all there is, then the writer of Ecclesiastes concludes that much of it is meaningless. It is only when the writer considers the purposes of God that the meaning of life becomes clearer. We need to take time to consider, reflect, think through what God has done, both for all mankind as well as for you and me, individually.
The sovereignty of God is spoken of here, but it is something people often struggle to acknowledge. Whilst we have been given the gift of freewill, it is only as we willingly submit to an omniscient and omnipotent God that we find meaning and purpose to life, even in difficult times. Without this, however much we might achieve, there is a futility, a vanity, to everything, as sooner or later it will either perish, be surpassed or just forgotten after we die. It’s much better to choose to be part of what God is doing, to be included in his eternal plan and to live with Christ as Lord and King of our lives.
2)# ’Be on your guard.’
Matthew 16:6 (5-12)
This isn’t the first or last time that Jesus gives such a warning. Here he warns against the distorted teaching of religious leaders. At other times he warned against false prophets coming into the Church, against all kinds of greed, against being deceived, against falling away under persecution. Jesus knew that these threats were very real. Like yeast, false teaching spreads. It must be identified and dealt with.
Being on our guard means being ready, alert, attentive. Satan is on the prowl looking for opportunity to steal and destroy. These threats are in the Church today, closer than many might think. The armour of God has been given to be worn, not just to be read! For many in the western Church things have been so relatively cosy that many of us have become sleepy and unaware of the dangers creeping in. Let’s take this as a timely warning from Jesus - and be on our guard.
3)# ’But as for me …’
Micah 7:7 (1-7)
Micah was living in dangerous times. The society around him was falling apart. Bribery and corruption were rife amongst those in authority. Positions of power were being abused. Neighbours and friends couldn’t be trusted; even members of the same family were rising up against each other. Does this sound familiar?
Yet despite this wholesale slide, Micah does not succumb. ‘But as for me …’ Micah chose a different way and the same choice is available for you and me. We do not need to go along with the general moral and spiritual decline that is happening all around us. When confidence in other people is eroded, our confidence in the Lord Jesus is secure and can make a difference to how we live. Micah lived in sharp contrast to those around him and encourages us to do the same. His motivation was his hope in the salvation and deliverance that the Lord God had promised and that promise was fulfilled. It’s just as true today and the promise of salvation and deliverance still stands, ultimately in the return of Jesus. So let’s not be discouraged or give up. ‘Watch in hope for the Lord … my Saviour; my God will hear me.’
4)# ’Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.’
John 7:43 (40-49)
People are still divided over who Jesus is. John tells us that some thought Jesus to be a Prophet or even the Christ. Others were offended by him and wanted to seize him because of the things he was saying and doing. Things haven’t changed. It’s still the same today.
Some people see him as a good teacher or even a prophet, but nothing more. Other people dismiss him as irrelevant. The crunch usually comes over whether Jesus is God and whether he is alive today. It’s a divisive issue and one which we can’t avoid, especially if we are going to be the witnesses Jesus asks us to be. The harsh reality is that when Christ returns there will still be division - between the sheep and the goats, for eternity, as spoken of in Matt 25:32. So let’s not water down the truth for the sake of keeping everyone happy for now. It’s simply not worth it.
5)# ’They saw that his face was radiant.’
Exodus 34:35 (29-35)
A little earlier we are told that Moses was unaware that his face shone - but it was noticed by everyone else. The reason for this radiance is ‘because he had spoken with the LORD.’ Moses had been on retreat with the Lord for forty days and nights and this is what made the difference. As a result of this close contact, some of God’s glory had literally ‘rubbed off’ on Moses.
You and I may not have the same close physical contact with the Lord that Moses had, but we do have the very Spirit of God living within us and surely it should show, not just on our faces but in our lives. Allowing the Holy Spirit time to work in us is what is needed, so busy lives and full diaries may need some adjustment. But the difference will be noticeable, especially to other people. Let’s make sure we spend quality time each day with the Lord for the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.
6)# ’If you continue in your faith, established and firm.’
Colossians 1:23 (21-23)
Getting a good start is important in many areas of life, but none more so than in following Christ. Time spent in Bible study, in prayer, and in fellowship with other Christians will all help to make sure we are well established. But all this is only possible because of what God in Christ has done for us and keeping our trust in what Jesus has done is essential.
Our faith in Christ must have strong roots and a firm foundation if we are to survive the challenges of life. In the parable of the sower, Jesus spoke of those who receive the gospel with joy, but because of weak roots, they last only a short time. The wise builder built his house on the rock and withstood the assault of the storm. In the same way, the Apostle Paul says that we must remain faithful and obedient to the gospel of Jesus and not be swayed by fine-sounding philosophies or human reasoning. If we do, then we will receive the promised reward.
7)# ’In their presumption.’
Numbers 14:44 (36-45)
It can be dangerous to presume, especially with regard to God’s blessing. Fear of what lay ahead had caused the Israelites to shrink back from obeying the Lord. Instead they chose to act when it suited them, and presumed the Lord would give them victory. How wrong they were. They disregarded the warnings of Moses and were heavily defeated by the Amalekites. The fact that neither Moses nor the Ark of the Covenant had gone with them didn’t stop the Israelites’ presumptuous actions. As a result many of them missed out on entering the Promised Land.
Just because we are Christians doesn’t mean that we can pick and choose when we obey the Lord or take his blessing for granted. Opportunities for service and witness come, and if we ignore them, we will miss out. We cannot presume that the Lord will act when it suits us or fit in with our plans. He wants the best for us, yes, but that best comes when we walk in obedience before him and according to his purposes. Let’s walk his way today.
8)# ’We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.’
2 Corinthians 4:18 (13-18)
This seems to be a contradictory statement, but Paul is speaking of the eyes of faith. Living in obedience to Christ in today’s society can be hard work and can leave us weary. But Paul says ‘we do not lose heart’ as he reminds us of what really matters. ‘Fix our eyes’ is a deliberate action with faith. It’s something we must do. Whilst living in a world that appeals to our senses, it can be easy to focus our attention on the visual and sensual around us. But neither the pleasures of this world, nor the hardships of discipleship will last.
Faith can make what is unseen a reality, and affect the way we live now. Abraham became a nomad because, by faith, ‘he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God’. It may be tough at times now, but disciples of Christ are called to travel with head up, looking forward, to all that God has for us in Christ. The reality of Christ’s resurrection assures us of the reality of ours, one day, and motivates us to keep going, even when life gets tough.
9)# ’But Jael … picked up a tent peg and a hammer.’
Judges 4:21 (17-22)
Conventional ways are not always God’s ways for doing things. Because of Barak’s hesitation and cowardice, God used a woman with initiative, called Jael, to bring deliverance for his people. Tent pegs and hammers were not on the weapons list, but given the right situation they became most effective in doing what conventional weapons had failed to do.
We need to recognise that this principle is still true today. More often than we may realise, the Lord uses the unconventional to bring about his plans and purposes. He has chosen the foolish things to shame the wise and the weak to shame the strong. His ways are not our ways, and, as his disciples, we are called to do things differently. We overcome evil with good, we bless those who hurt us, we go the extra mile, above and beyond what is required. ‘This is the norm, please conform’ can become ‘this is the norm, let’s transform’ as we let God work in and through us in the everyday things of life.
10)# ’Let us run with perseverance.’
Hebrews 12:1 (1-3)
When the race is long and hard, perseverance is required. The race spoken of here is already marked out and it lasts a lifetime. In the previous chapter there is an awesome list of others who have run before us as an example for us to follow. Despite hardships, despite struggles and even martyrdom, they did not give up and are now awaiting the rewards ceremony, which will take place when Jesus comes again.
As in any endurance race, there’ll be times when it hurts, when others around us give up or even when we feel as if we’re not making any progress. The advice Paul gives us is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who has gone before us, and waits to welcome us across the line. It’ll be well worth it. So whatever we do - let’s not give up or lose heart. Just keep going, with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
11)# ’He feared God and shunned evil.’
Job 1:1 (1-5)
Job’s respect for God was shown in his behaviour. He shunned evil by doing what was right before God. It’s when we lose our fear of God that sin becomes more acceptable. We need to guard against letting our relationship with the Lord become too casual. Yes, he is our Father, but let’s not lose our respect for him as Holy God. Jesus calls us ‘brothers’, yes, but that doesn’t mean he will turn a blind eye to wrongdoing.
With God there is no compromise, no favouritism. The fear spoken of here, and in other parts of the Bible, speaks of an awe and respect for God out of our appreciation for who he is. It does not cause us to run away and hide, but to maintain right living before him. Those who fear God will become targets for Satan’s attack, as Job found out. But with the help of the Holy Spirit living within us, we can withstand his attacks and resist evil in all its guises. Let’s follow Job’s example today and do what is right out of our love and respect for the LORD our God.
12)# ’God knows your hearts.’
Luke 16:15 (10-15)
The Pharisees had an appearance of being upright and religious in the eyes of men. Their strict adherence to the Mosaic law set them apart from other people. Their position gave them influence in society and they were a reference point for other people to live by. They were responsible for helping apply God’s law correctly to enable right living before the Lord Jehovah, but their duplicity and hypocrisy were now exposed.
Their appearance before men could not hide the intentions of their hearts from God. Their love of money, influence and self-importance had made them dishonest and untrustworthy before God. Jesus points out that ‘what is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight’. God sees deeper than outward appearances and we must guard against deceiving ourselves, let alone other people. Trying to serve our own purposes and serving the Lord is a non-starter. It’s an either - or, and it’s a choice we all have to make. As servants of the Lord Jesus our hearts’ desire must be to please him irrespective of what other people might think. It can be hard, but it will bring reward that’s of eternal value. Let’s make sure our hearts are right before the Lord today and that we act with integrity.
13)# ’Though he brings grief, he will show compassion.’
Lamentations 3:32 (25-33)
Often it is these times of grief that somehow draw us closer to the Lord. These times come as part of living in a fallen world; sometimes they come as a result of our own actions. The people of Judah were suffering because of their rebellion against God. Jeremiah doesn’t make light of this suffering, but he does acknowledge the ‘unfailing love’ of the Lord and his ‘great mercy’. Whilst the grief is real, the hope of salvation is certain. ‘He will show compassion.’
Grief comes in all shapes and sizes. The Hebrew word speaks of affliction and sorrow, and disciples of Christ are not immune. Our struggles and difficulties are very real, but our experience of the Lord’s love and compassion can be even more real. Times of grief help shape our character to be more Christ-like (1 Pet 1:6-7). However long the grief, the promise is that it will end (v31), and we will know the salvation of the Lord (v26). It was true for Judah; it can be true for you and me.
14)# ’You have forsaken your first love.’
Revelation 2:4 (1-7)
This is a sad comment made by Jesus, about the Church in Ephesus. A lot was going well for the fellowship. They were hard workers. They had resisted false teachers. They kept going when things got tough. But in it all, their love for Christ had been lost. It wasn’t that they had stopped meeting together or compromised with other religions. They hadn’t. It was just that, in all the busyness of life, their love for Christ had lost that edge and passion. They were so busy with things that their relationship with Christ had missed out. It had been neglected.
When our focus is more on what we do, than on who we are doing it for, namely Christ Jesus, then our ‘first love’ can be affected. Over time, weariness, apathy, even resentment can creep in to the busyness of activity, even within church life. But if we strengthen our love for Jesus through Bible reading and prayer, and remember all that he has done for us, then that will motivate our fellowship with other people and our acts of worship. So let’s not become so busy with doing, that we lose our being in love with Christ.
15)# ‘Who keeps his oath, even when it hurts.’
Psalm 15:4 (1-5)
Making promises can be easy. Keeping them can be a lot harder. The psalmist says that this is one of the hallmarks of a righteous man. A promise is always made before it needs to be carried out. This means that whether it is a matter of hours or days, the time delay can affect the commitment to keep the promise that has been made.
What seemed straightforward on paper, can become more complicated in reality. What should have taken five minutes, can take hours when other people are involved. Fulfilling a promise can therefore become quite costly. But the follower of Christ must be a person who keeps their word and can be trusted by other people ‘even when it hurts’. It means that we will reflect the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus himself and also guard against making rash promises.
16)# ’Your labour in the Lord is not in vain.’
1 Corinthians 15:58 (50-58)
How reassuring this is! Labour speaks of hard work and very often working for the kingdom of God can be hard - physically, emotionally and spiritually. Caring for the needs of individuals within the local Church can be tiring. In a pluralistic and pleasure-loving society, witnessing for Christ can be a challenge. Adjusting our lifestyle to be right before the Lord can also be difficult. Sometimes we may wonder whether it’s really worth it.
Well, Paul wants to encourage us. Yes, it is worth it, but with one qualification needed! ‘In the Lord.’ This means what we do is in the name of Christ and for his glory, not ours. Our part may sometimes seem very small, but when added to other contributions, it becomes more meaningful. The Lord Jesus is building his Church and one day it will be revealed in all its glory. Then we will realise that our work for him has not been in vain, but noticed and valued - and rewarded - by the Lord.
17)# ’The midwives, however, feared God.’
Exodus 1:17 (15-21)
Fear can either paralyse or motivate. These Hebrew midwives had been told to kill baby boys born to Hebrew women. But their fear of God was greater than any fear they might have had of the Pharaoh. As a result they were motivated to do what was right before God and face the wrath of the king of Egypt when it came. Their response was inspired and their faith in God was rewarded.
There are times when each one of us has to make a similar decision. It may not be on quite the same level as for these midwives, but it can be important for us nonetheless. Maintaining a right fear of God and guarding against a casual relationship with him will help us to do what is right, when under pressure. The Bible gives us clear guidelines on various aspects of life and the Holy Spirit will enable us to apply these to each of our situations as we seek his help. It may not be easy, but it will bring its reward, sooner or later.
18)# ’Guaranteeing what is to come.’
2 Corinthians 1:22 (18-24)
Some guarantees are not worth the paper they are written on. Others have time limits or exemptions. Headline promises are often found to be empty when help is required.
But this guarantee stands the test of time and circumstances. It is not written on paper, but given to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Given to all disciples of Christ, he is the deposit, a down-payment, of what is to come. When things go wrong, he doesn’t walk away. When life get’s messy, he helps clear things up. A new nature now will lead to a new resurrected body when Jesus comes again.
When we belong to Christ, he invests his very self in us in the person of the Holy Spirit. As long as we continue to trust in him, our present and future is secure, whatever challenges we face along the way. As we go through this year, let us hold tight to this guarantee.
19)# ’Therefore our hope is in you.’
Jeremiah 14:22 (19-22)
Hope in anyone or anything else will ultimately prove futile, but hope in the Lord God will not fail. Why not? Because the Lord is the one who acts. In this instance, it is he who sends rain. The gods of this world and the promises of men are worthless and empty, as Judah was finding out. ‘We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror.’ The ‘worthless idols’ could do nothing about the drought, famine and war that had come upon them as a result of their wandering away from obeying the Lord Jehovah. The same is still true today.
Worldly powers promise much and appeal to our emotions, but all they offer will fail sooner or later. But hope in the Lord will not disappoint and he will provide for life now as well for eternity. And our hope in the Lord is not groundless. We have a ‘great cloud of witnesses’ as Hebrews 12 puts it, many of whom are written about in the Bible, who have paved the way, gone ahead, for us to follow. Let’s follow their example and keep trusting the Lord, when things are tough as well as when they are easier.
20)# ’I will give you rest.’
Matthew 11:28 (25-30)
This promise from Jesus, requires action from us. It’s a promise for those who are ‘weary and burdened’. Sooner or later this will include you and me. Living in this world wears you down and weighs you down - and Jesus knows what it’s like. He’s been there before us, but he has overcome the world.
Anti-depressants are dispensed in their millions and psychiatrists have an ever-growing list of patients, but these treatments won’t stop the wear and tear of everyday life. What we need now is rest in life not rest from life. This is what Christ offers to all who will come to him and this is the action required from us. We won’t be given a prescription or an appointment, but if we turn to Christ and ask for his help, then we will discover a rest and peace, even in our struggles, that the world cannot give, nor can it take it away.
21)# ’This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves.’
2 Kings 7:9 (3-9)
Four lepers, outcasts from society, had been chosen by the Lord Jehovah to discover the salvation he had won for the besieged city of Samaria. In a ‘do or die’ decision the four lepers had discovered that the enemy surrounding Samaria had simply run away. The enemy camp was there to be plundered. Yet even as they went from tent to tent, the lepers realised good news must be shared with the rest of Samaria. In so doing a whole city was saved from starvation and shared in the victory and the reward that God had given them.
We are living in the ‘day of good news’ and the Lord still uses all sorts, like you and me, to share his salvation with others. It’s good to enjoy our forgiveness and freedom in Christ, but not good when we keep it to ourselves or ignore those still captive to sin. Let’s pass this good news on to other people today, before it’s too late.
22)# ’I will come back.’
John 14:3 (1-7)
This is not a threat, but a promise - and, as we know, Christ’s promises will all be fulfilled.
‘I’ - nothing less than the personal return of Christ. In Acts 1:11 the angels promised ’This same Jesus … will come back’. He’s not going to send a stand-in or even a clone, but he himself will come again. In his first letter, John tells us that ‘we shall see him as he is’, the risen, glorified, returning Jesus - in his resurrected body!
‘I will’ - there’s no doubt. A work that has been started, will be completed, so Christ must come again to sort things out and then bring in a whole new creation. His first coming has made his second coming inevitable. Acts 1:11 ‘This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’
‘I will come back’ - thank God that he has not forgotten us. People may not know what this world is coming to, but we know who is coming to this world, to reign with his Church and bring about justice before the new heaven and earth comes into being. Christ is coming back ‘not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him’ (Heb 9:28). Let’s stay ready and working towards his return - and help others to be ready as well.
23)# ’Death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.’
Ecclesiastes 7:2 (1-6)
This is one of those statements that cuts to the very heart of the matter. Most of us don’t want to think about death in general, let alone our own, but the writer of Ecclesiastes wisely suggests that this is the very time we should think about it. Of course it is! Whilst we are alive we can do something about preparing for physical death and beyond. When we’re dead, we can’t. Sadly many people are so taken up with seeking pleasures in this life that they neglect to prepare for when this life ends.
In Hebrews 9:27, a similar warning is given, but goes on to speak of the sacrifice of Christ that removes the fear of death and makes us ready for his coming again. When life after death is secured, then life before death is also affected. It enables us to give our lives to serve the Lord for the good of other people, rather than desperately grabbing all we can for ourselves, only to lose it all when we die. Let’s take to heart what is written here and have eternal meaning to life now.
24)# ’Let your light shine before men.’
Matthew 5:16 (13-16)
Jesus has been saying what we might term as ‘the blindingly obvious’. Salt without saltiness is useless; of course it is. You don’t light a lamp and then cover it up. Instead it is put up high, like a town on top of a hill, to provide light for everyone. Then Jesus concludes with this exhortation. Jesus knows the pressures to conform and fit in with this world, but he encourages us to be different. Light will shine, especially in the darkness. That’s what it does.
Living for Christ will make a difference. Everyday, in all sorts of situations, for all to see. Just as salt preserves and cleanses, and a lamp provides light for everyone around, so living in obedience to Christ will benefit society as well as bring glory to the Lord. Let’s shine brightly for Jesus today.
25)# ’Because he followed the Lord … wholeheartedly.’
Joshua 14:14 (6-9 & 13-14)
Caleb was one of those men who stood out from the crowd. This comment follows a reminder of what had happened when some of them went ‘to explore the land’ of Canaan. Caleb’s report was based on his wholehearted confidence in what the Lord could do, whereas the others saw things from a human perspective and ’made the hearts of the people melt’. As a result Caleb was blessed and received Hebron as his inheritance.
Wholehearted discipleship is what Jesus is looking for from you and me. It requires a confidence in the Lord and in his promises, rather than relying on our own insights. Learning to ‘live by faith and not by sight’ (2 Cor 5:7) is an ongoing process. It means that when we don’t see how things will work out or when the challenges seem too big to manage, we continue to trust that the Lord will provide a way forward, just like Caleb did. So whatever challenges we may face today, let’s remain faithful to Jesus, commit our situation to him and move forward in confidence that he will help us overcome.
26)# ’Never tire of doing what is right.’
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (6-13)
Doing what is right can be hard work, especially when doing nothing is the easier option. This is what was happening amongst the Thessalonian Church. Some were idle, doing nothing. As a result they were causing upset. Inactivity can be as damaging as wrongdoing and it can spread between people if not dealt with. But doing what is right can be a challenge and costly in a society that doesn’t like absolutes. People reason that right and wrong may vary depending on social views, personal circumstances and even the likely consequences. So what is the ‘right’ that Paul encourages us to keep doing?
For followers of Christ, doing what is right is what is right before the Lord. This won’t always tie in with ‘right’ in the eyes of other people. Guidelines given in the Bible stand for all time, speak to all generations and help in all situations. The Holy Spirit will show us how they apply for us today. The Spirit prompts and guides us, stirring our conscience, and there’s a peace and joy that comes when we do what is right, irrespective of the consequences. So rather than taking the easy option, let’s be keen to do what is right, for the good of others and in obedience to the Lord.
27)# ’What my God had put in my heart to do.’
Nehemiah 2:12 (11-16)
Nehemiah was on a mission. His heart had been stirred by the Lord and now he was checking things out for himself, before going public. He set aside time to assess the situation that God had called him into, to sort things out in his own mind, so that he could give a clear lead for others to follow.
When God stirs our hearts we might be tempted to jump straight in without thinking things through. Being obedient to the Lord is not a knee-jerk reaction, but considered discipleship. In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul speaks of having a renewed mind that allows us to understand God’s will, to think things through. This is not an excuse for putting off making a decision or taking action, but for taking time to pray and prepare, just like Nehemiah did. Then when we act, we can do so with confidence and assurance that the Lord is with us, just like he was with Nehemiah.
28)# ’Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
Matthew 14:27 (22-33)
Just a moment earlier, in the darkness of the night and in the midst of a storm, the disciples were terrified by what they thought was a ghost. It’s surprising how circumstances can affect our perception of things. When things go wrong or challenges threaten to overwhelm us, we may wonder if God has forgotten us and, like the disciples, we may become fearful. But listen to what Jesus shouted to his disciples. ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’
Jesus is aware of our situation, just like he was aware of the disciples struggling in the boat. He doesn’t stand on the side watching to see how we cope. He comes to where we are, right in there with us. So be encouraged, don’t be afraid; let’s recognise his voice and his presence with us. He’ll make sure we survive the storms of life, we can be sure of that.