7/26/19 

II Samuel 12:7

⁷ Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.

There is a lesson to be learned from David’s sin for which he is called to account  in 12:7.

First a man’s sin is personal.  “You David” are the one who is guilty.  You and you alone must bear the guilt of this deed.  The deceit by which you did it does not change the fact that you sinned.

Secondly, sin is unique.  The command, “You shall do no murder,” when it is applicable, has no default because of status , previous obedience, or other deeds of service.  The guilt is attached to David as saint, king, and David’s unique position of being God’s king in Zion.  Nothing can relieve him of his responsibility.

Third, none are immune from sinning .  David is a man who would have seemed above this deed.  He loved God and His law supremely until they conflicted with his lust.  As Nathan reminded him, God would have given him anything lawful.  It was his for the asking.  But when lust had conceived that was not enough.  When Rockefeller was asked, “how much money do you want?”, his answer was, “Some more”.

Do not make the mistake of thinking you are better or stronger than David.  You can be “the man”.

7/23/19 

Matthew 13:44-46

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 

⁴⁶ who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The parables in Matthew 13 are all Kingdom parables.  In vs 11 Jesus tells His disciples that parables are means to teach them “the secrets of the Kingdom”, while to those who are not His disciples this has not been given, but is a part of keeping the Kingdom for believers.

In the two parables in vss 44-46 Christ introduces them with the words “the Kingdom of Heaven is like”.  We begin with the understanding that Jesus is using an analogy.  And as both parables have a similar plot to understand them it is best to find likenesses and the differences.

A.       The likenesses: 

1.       Both are about a valuable item.

2.       The valuable item is found.

3.       The finder’s intent to have that which he found.

4.       He sold everything he had.

5.       He used the gain from his sale to purchase the valuable item.

B.      The differences: 

1.       In one he finds, in the other he goes looking. 

2.       In one he finds and hides, in the other he bought it. 

3.       In one he buys the field to get the treasure, in the second he buys the pearl.

The common factors are: 

1.       There is a searcher/purchaser. 

2.       He sells all he has to make the purchase, it comes at the price of all that he has.

There are a few things about parables that we should consider.

A.       Parables ordinarily have a singular meaning.

B.       The incidentals of a parable may be or may not be important.

C.      Every event or character need not be explained or applied.

What is important in this parable.

1.        The price that was paid.  “All he had.”

2.       The desired items were purchased because of the value to the buyer.

3.       To the purchaser the items were of great value giving the reason for the sacrifice.

I do not see this as a Christian’s giving everything he or she has for salvation. cf Titus 3:5.

⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

 There is one sacrifice and one purchase that this description fits. 

Romans 5:8 ⁸ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ;

II Corinthians 5:21   ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Romans 8:34 ³⁴ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

7/22/19 

Psalm 139:19-22

¹⁹ Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!
²⁰ They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
²² I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

This is, as I understand, the most theological of all Psalms.  It is noteworthy that it discusses God’s omniscience, His omnipresence, His mercy, His grace, and by implication His omnipotence.  These are to the author cause for greatest praise and his delight.

But particular is the notice of enemies, both of God and of the saint.  In vs 20 God’s enemies are those who have no regard for the third commandment.  It is both men who hate God and men whom God holds in the utmost of displeasure that are described here.  Look, Romans 8:7 describes this same enemy to God and His law.

 ⁷ For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

But we are not left indifferent to the enemies of God.  In vss 21-22 the Psalmist assumes his responsibility toward God’s enemies.  And it is worth our attention that those of whom the writer notices are here described for one reason, they are God’s enemies.  He is not neutral toward them.  He “hates” them with a perfect hatred.  This is a responsibility that must be held in tension with that of loving our neighbor.

7/12/19 

Genesis 4:9

⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?”

We do not know how soon after the sin of Adam and Eve this event occurred.  But it was long enough for both men to be born, grow to manhood, have a vocation and establish a character.

Abel was a herdsman.  He was a congenial man, willing to be agreeable with his brother in their daily fellowship.  He understood his responsibility for substitution in a blood offering and the true worship of God.  He was a trusting brother who gave and expected love from his brother.

Cain was a gardener.  He appeared to be moody and by Apostolic testimony was jealous and vindictive.  But it is his relationship with God that is so revealing.  He, again by Biblical testimony, has no sense of sin, and at the best is disrespectful toward God and at the worst blames God for his faults.  His fault, from I John, was jealousy of the favor his brother Abel had with God so he murdered him.  The charge is murder and God convicted him, passed sentence, and left him as an example.

But about Cain’s question.  He refused any responsibility for the whole of second table of the Law.  But we should expect this for he in his sacrifice had witnessed to his refusal to recognize God in his person and offices.  Refusing fidelity to God he could not be expected to love his brother as himself.

Looking at Cain we see a person without a sense of sin, without an understanding of God, without repentance, and never more than remorse for any hardship he suffered.

The drunkard wakes the morning after his party and hates his hangover but says “when will I get some more.”

7/11/19 

II Peter 2:15-16

¹⁵ Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, ¹⁶ but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

One, among others, true enigma of the Old Testament is Balaam.  As much of a mystery as Balaam is, we do not know how he knew so much about Israel and Israel’s God.  Or how he had gained such a mighty reputation.  But between Peter and Jude we do know something about his character and there is nothing good in it.

Peter tells us:

1.       His life and activity were dominated by greed.  “He loved unrighteous gain.”

2.      He was a transgressor.  His donkey rebuked him for his transgression.

3.      He was prone to great foolishness.  His donkey restrained “his madness.”

4.      He has become a proverb for all those who sell themselves into wickedness over their love for gain no matter how wicked their activity is.

There is nothing redeeming about Balaam.  He thought he was smarter than God and was proved to be dumber than a donkey.

Those who worry about a donkey speaking and fail to see the folly of Balaam is no better than he is.

It is noteworthy that Balaam”rose up early to go to his call to destruction.”

7/09/19 

Psalm 40

This Psalm is a Messianic Psalm and of great value in devotional meditation.  Lets look together at some of the helpful truths in it.

1.      Vs 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

 Our trials in our Christian walk leave us with “waiting patiently for the Lord to incline to us”.  This is not often what we would choose but the deliverance is more than worth the waiting.

2.      Vs 3 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

  The result of believer’s joy and praise is often given an evangelistic outcome.  Our joy in God’s grace is used for God’s glory; “ never despise the small things.”

3.      Vs 4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after a lie!

   Remembering the “blessed man” from Psalm 1 we can add to his identity that he     steadfastly trusts in God and has no confidence in man to be his deliverer.

4.        Vs 5c  I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

  We can never use up the witnesses to all of God’s wonders.  When we end we will have only begun to tell of what is, “more than can be told.”

5.        Vs 12  For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head;  my heart fails me.

This verse in a description of Messiah’s trials make us aware and should awake in us wonder at the greatness of the evil He had to overcome.  There is no reason not to take this statement very literally.  “For evils have encompassed me without number.”  “More than the hairs of my head, my heart fails me.”

7/10/19 

II Corinthians 1:3-5

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

The Scriptures are plain about the benefits of suffering.  The content before us is about suffering and one of its purposes with the benefit.

1.       As Christ was afflicted while here in the flesh so we his followers must expect be afflicted for being His disciples.

2.      A benefit of the afflictions which believers experience is to demonstrate that we are his disciples.

3.      Our afflictions which we experience as followers of Jesus and the Apostles prepare us to be examples to others who suffer afflictions.

4.      As Christ comforts us in our afflictions even so we are to comfort others in their suffering.

5.      The comfort we have received qualifies us to comfort those who have needs.

6.      This comfort we give others which is beneficial through our experiences is needed and beneficial.

7.      The comforts we receive and give others is beneficial only as it is Christ’s comfort we have received.  cf Philippians 1:29

⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

7/08/19 

Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Just as coins have two sides, so the life of every Christian is two-sided.  There is the responsibility side and the Spirit of grace side.  There is the “work out your own salvation”.  Each has his life which is both nature and nurture.  Our family in which our life begins, has the first influence, and is molded by the deepest affections which cannot be overly emphasized.  But along with this the daily influence of our culture.  People are the creatures of their culture and are recognizable in accordance with it. But these influences, though they may be causes of actions, are never an excuse for sin.  We all remain responsible.

The Christian has another influence to consider.  It is both always for good and always effectual.  The grace of God received in our sanctification never fails.

Along with the eternal purpose of God which guarantees we will persevere is the work of God in us which prepares as for our eternal well-being.  The wicked person, could he have heaven would not enjoy it.  But the believer has God work as that guarantee we will be prepared for the joys there.

7/04/19 

Ezekiel 1:28c

²⁸ Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.

Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

This is a description of the pre-incarnate Mediator-Son in His glory.  There are many statements of His appearances to the Old Testament Prophets.  This appearance and that in Isaiah 6 are two of the most awe inspiring.

This glorious word picture gives the reader some idea of the beauty, purity, and power of the Mediator.  We are left with the certain knowledge that this glorious person speaking to Ezekiel is no less than God appearing visibly.

Having said this there are truths we must recognize.

1.       John 1:18  No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has   made him known.

In any visible representation of God it is One who is in the bosom of the Father that is this revelation.  John 1:1-18 is clear who this is.  It is the Son, the Word, God the creator.

2.      Philippians 2:6-7   ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 

This glory which was the ordinary dress of the pre-incarnate Son is what was relinquished for the servant person by which He was known in the days of His flesh. Even this glory which Ezekiel sees is a humbler position than that of His eternal Godhead in all its’s spiritual wonder.  What a great savior.  What a great salvation.

7/04/19 

John 8:34-36

³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. ³⁵ The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

My favorite national holidays are Thanksgiving and the 4^th of July.  My early memories of the 4^th are of extended-family Bar-B-Qs and firecrackers.  This of course brings the memory of my mother telling my father not to buy the big ones because I would blow my fingers off.  It never happened; some near-misses though.

The text in John 8 contains two certainties.

1.      First to be in sin (unconverted) is to be in bondage.  Those who claim free-will should look closely here.  There is no encouragement to think of freedom while sin is the master.  I can say with confidence there is no place in Scripture where an unbeliever is told they have free-will, while there are ample instances such as the above.

2.       Secondly there is freedom for those who seek it.  That freedom is limited in location.  It is found only in Christ.  That is in the sphere of salvation that He bestows on all who place their trust in Him.  This is a non-legal, non-works, by-faith-only salvation.  “If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed”.  Amen.

7/03/19 

I Samuel 16:18
¹⁸ Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Jehovah is with him.

This chapter in I Samuel seems to be out of place chronologically.  The events described are not in a time sequence with what follows.  This to me indicates that the events are a recap of things to come and are not intended to be viewed in chronological sequence.

There are two main points of information to be aware of in this account.

1.       The anointing of David as King by Samuel is of first importance.  Though this was clandestine it can hardly be called secret.  All of Jesse’s family was aware of this and they are not told to keep it secret.  So it is probable that there was some talk of it in that countryside.

2.      In vs 18 the description of David is rather extensive and he is an attractive gifted man.  This description seems to be somewhat later in his experience as he is described as, “a man of valor, a man of war”.

David and Saul’s relationship is hard to identify and follow as there is very little attention given to clear chronology.  But his genius is evident and his presence in Saul’s court is a certainty.  David’s gifts had separated him at an early age.  His genius and piety are equally appreciated.

7/02/19 

Acts 20:28

²⁸ Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. 

The real question concerning the atonement doesn’t seem to be so much with the number included in the sacrifice of Christ, as what, if anything, is accomplished there. 

In a fairly recent confession representing a number of ministers, teachers, seminary officials, and other well-known Christians with sufficient clarity, state there was nothing finished at Christ’s death.  There was a great potential which included everybody who had ever lived, or would live, in the act “if” they responded to the invitation.  But let me state again nothing was actually accomplished.

In the text above this open-ended atonement is plainly contradicted.  The blood of God purchased the church.  Any fair understanding of Luke’s statement is satisfied that the church in this statement is synonymous with believers, the bride, the elect, and those in verse 32 “those who are sanctified”

In I John 2:1 we are told that the blood of Jesus Christ is “saving” any time, any place, and in any condition for the needy sinner.  This is so absolute that it has become the first and greatest commandment, cf I John 3:23.

7/01/19 

Titus 1:2

 ¹Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

²in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal

“Before times eternal”.

There are two big questions in this statement:

1.       To whom could God promise in this situation:

a.       This suggests the Trinity.  And it is as if they are in conference.

b.      It suggests a pre-mundane covenant with the mediator receiving what we can understand as a promise.

2.      That in this pre-mundane setting the salvation of those who are termed “the elect” in verse one.  They are those who are the recipient of the information included in these verses 1:1-3.

3.      This is all dependent on the absolute veracity of God, “who cannot lie”.  The impossibility of God being anything other than truth is the essence of God as His attribute of Truth is His person.  He is truth.

4.      This information is “manifested” or disclosed through Paul’s preaching or by his inspired writings.  It is note-worthy that Paul connects himself to the eternal covenant of Grace in this fashion.  We can say by the inspiration of an Apostle the preaching of the Gospel is at least a part of the eternal purpose of God.  No surprises.

7/03/19 

I Samuel 16:18
¹⁸ Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Jehovah is with him.

This chapter in I Samuel seems to be out of place chronologically.  The events described are not in a time sequence with what follows.  This to me indicates that the events are a recap of things to come and are not intended to be viewed in chronological sequence.

There are two main points of information to be aware of in this account.

1.       The anointing of David as King by Samuel is of first importance.  Though this was clandestine it can hardly be called secret.  All of Jesse’s family was aware of this and they are not told to keep it secret.  So it is probable that there was some talk of it in that countryside.

2.      In vs 18 the description of David is rather extensive and he is an attractive gifted man.  This description seems to be somewhat later in his experience as he is described as, “a man of valor, a man of war”.

David and Saul’s relationship is hard to identify and follow as there is very little attention given to clear chronology.  But his genius is evident and his presence in Saul’s court is a certainty.  David’s gifts had separated him at an early age.  His genius and piety are equally appreciated.