Author: Don Guthrie

Re: Verse reading–Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53 (day seven) “Behold, my servant will prosper”–52:13.  It is a truth that can be misused.  Often is.  Even so, it is hard to deny God’s promise to PROSPER those who serve Him.

“This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way PROSPEROUS, and then you will have SUCCESS.”–Joshua 1:8 “Those who honor Me, I WILL HONOR”–1 Samuel 2:30.

As we resist the attempt to equate prosperity promised with material wealth (and we must), we must also resist the attempt to remove it from our expectations.  “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”  shouts the New Testament (Romans 8:38)

Friend, do you believe that God will PROSPER you ( peace, power,  spiritual progress and eternal reward) as you surrender to Him?

Re: Verse reading–Nehemiah 6:1-16 (day seven) “They were all trying to frighten us.”–v 9.

It is a familiar strategy.  Our enemy (Satan) uses it against us (Christians) with great regularity.  Step 1–Create fear (cancer, job loss, abandonment, a new pastor. . .you fill in the blank).  Step 2–Seep this fear into the center of the heart (where faith belongs).  Step 3–Allow/encourage decisions to be made, attitudes to be set from this anxious heart.  Step 4–Dismiss all protests against such action as “I am just being realistic”.  Step 5–Rest satisfied (Satan does) that no power or progress will come to this neutralized-by-fear-life. No progress.  Just constant positioning against the thing feared.

Nehemiah knew. “Whatever is not from faith is sin”–Romans 14:23.

Re:Verse reading–Nehemiah 6:1-16 (day one) 

“Should a man like me run away?. . .I will not go!” v 11.

It is powerful moral logic.  It can sound prideful, but isn’t necessarily.  Who did God make me to be?  What is my identity in Christ, and how should it be expressed in daily choice and action?

Nehemiah employs this logic as he responds to the daily attacks of Tobiah and Sanballat. Using intimidation and distraction, they are opposing the “wall project”.  Nehemiah finds his direction by asking Himself, “how should a man like me (i. e.  a person who knows God, with a commission from God) respond?”

“I, therefore. . .entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.”–Ephesians 4:1.  “As children of light. . .do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness.”–Ephesians 5:8-9

Who is a larger question than how.  HOW I respond to life should come from WHO He made me to be.

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 4:8-37 (day seven)

It poses an interesting question. What does one really need?  What are the essential things, all others being luxuries and privileges?

Elisha’s story illustrates.  We need food.  “she urged him to stay for a meal, whenever he came by.”  We need a place to rest and pray.  Without quiet time with the Lord, we miss the Spirit’s path and plan.  “In quietness and confidence you will find strength”–Isaiah 30:15.  We need friends who care for and encourage us.  The Shunnamite woman was a gift from God to Elisha.  We should thank God for those who encourage /care for us.

It is a short list.  Much shorter than is sometimes imagined.  ” ‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free, ’tis the gift to come down where you ought to be.”–Old Quaker song.

God be praised!  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.”–2 Peter 1:3.

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 4:8-37 (day one)

The Hebrew word (gadowl) means great or large (in size, importance, wealth or character).  It is used in 2 Kings 4:8 to describe a woman of Shunem  (Galilee).  In this case, it probably means “wealthy” or “prominent”, but probably also points to the “greatness of her generous heart”.

The woman of Shunem also has great spiritual insight.  She sees that Elisha is a “man of God” and recognizes her opportunity/duty to help him.  First with an occasional meal.  Then with a “permanent” place to stay at her house where he can rest and read and pray.

The Bible is full of such stories.  In Acts 16 it is Lydia.  In the gospels it is a group of women who follow the disciple-band and meet needs out of their own resources. (Luke 8).

Wherever the gospel has gone, it has done so, by the contribution of great women. Great in heart, service and sacrifice.  Thank God for them!

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day seven)

“Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”–v 1

The Old Testament word for grace is the Hebrew word hesed.  It is usually translated “loving-kindness”.  Mercy undeserved.

Undeserved, however, doesn’t mean unpaid for.  Someone pays the bill.  It just goes on a credit card other than your own.

2 Samuel 9 is an perfect example.  Mephibosheth receives wealth and welcome without any reference to his own character or choices.  David’s kindness comes to this young royal in gratitude for the deeds and life of Jonathan, his father.

If you are a Christian, you understand this kind of transaction.  When God received you, forgave you, enriched you, He did so with His eyes on Christ.  Nothing about you or your behavior caused God to be kind to you.  He was kind to you in Jesus’ name. His grace rises from the unlimited merit of Christ.

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day one)

Sometimes (often) service to God is not a grand, heroic thing.  Sometimes (often) service to God is simply keeping promises.

It has been over 15 years.  Maybe more.  Jonathan was gone.  Killed in battle.  Even further back is the promise he and David made to each other.  See 1 Samuel 18.  It was a relationship that changed David’s life.  A prince loved him, had confidence in him.  They made promises to each other.  Promises that David didn’t forget, even when success came.

It was politically unwise, I suppose.  Any strengthening of the house of Saul would have been regarded as foolish.  But David didn’t care.  He made a promise and he would keep it.

Marriage.  Church membership.  Surrender to Christ.  Family dedications.  Promises made!  Promises kept?

‘The woods are lovely, dark and deep.  But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.”–Robert Frost.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day seven)

“After many years of writing her own words in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to be more attentive to the Savior’s voice and began listening to what He was saying.  With pen in hand she embarked on a journey that forever changed her–and many others around the world.”–from book description.   She titled the book that came from her journals Jesus Calling.

Not a new idea, actually.  It is the same discovery that young Samuel made.  God speaks! He clearly communicates.  Through Scripture.  By the Spirit.  He makes His will and ways known.

Not an easy answer to life’s problems.  Listening to God requires much self-surrender and patience.  The assignments that come are often difficult.  See Samuel’s story.  Even so, life becomes different when we hear the Lord.  Great power here.

“And your ears will hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’ “–Isaiah 30:21.

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day one)

It is a great gift to be raised by intentional, believing parents.  (Samuel’s Mom is an example, and to some extent, his Father as well–cf chapter 1)  He never knew a moment in life when the he did not have encouragement and instruction to trust God.  See 2 Timothy 3:15 for a similar story.

It is not enough.  Knowing about God in childhood faith must give way to knowing God in personal experience of his word.  “Samuel didn’t know the Lord (yet) nor had the word of the Lord (the reality of God speaking to him) been revealed”–v 7.

It is equipment He (all of us) will need.  Young Samuel will immediately be called on to deliver a painful message to Eli.  Heavy assignment for such a young believer!

The Lord still calls and qualifies His children in the same way.  “Those who are lead by the Spirit, these are the sons of God.”–Romans 8:14