THE LORD SPOKE (June 2)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 15-16

If it's true that, "every nation has the government it deserves", then Israel (the northern kingdom) was in pretty sorry shape. Repeatedly, and in short succession, her kings led them ever farther away from the Lord. About the only variation from "he did evil in the sight of the Lord" was an occasional "he sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord".

On the other hand, the kings of Judah might merit an occasional commendation that "he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" but then it is usually followed with a "but". "He did right, but...." That little word somehow negates nearly everything positive that we might do or say in our lives.

• "He was faithful to his wife, but...."
• "He was an honest, hardworking employee, but...."
• "I never like to bad-mouth someone, but...."
• "I never want to cheat on my taxes, but...."

What is it that negates your testimony? What private sin do you cherish that destroys all the positive that you accomplish in your obedience to the Lord? What hidden habit do you hold back on that could release you for full joy in the service of the King? He knows. And, you probably know too. Can you give it up for Him? God wants our faithfulness more than anything else. If there is one area of our lives where it is always right to be predictable, it would be this. Our commitment to the Lord should be such that there is never any doubt about what choice we will make. No doubts for us and no doubts for those observing us.

Years ago, a little button was commonly seen. On it were the letters: PBPGINFWMY. Meaning: "Please be patient; God is not finished with me yet." James tells us that "whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it" (Jas. 2:10). We might find that so discouraging that we're tempted to give up trying. But take note of what James says in follow-up: "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment" (Jas. 2:12-13). This is the same as what Jesus says elsewhere: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Mat. 7:1-2). Why do we so quickly jump to judge others? Because it is a convenient smoke screen for our own errors. If we can make someone else look worse, we somehow think we look better.

Let us apply the harshest evaluation to our own selves but exercise mercy as we judge others.


New Testament: II Corinthians 4

If you are dishonest in your work, deceptive in your ways, and distort God’s Word (vs. 2) you can expect serious difficulties - opposition, even - from God Himself. If, on the other hand, you are faithful to the cause of Christ (vs. 5), God will make His light shine in your heart (vs. 6).

It won’t be without opposition. The “god of this age” will oppose you. You’ll feel “hard pressed on every side”, “perplexed”, “persecuted”, and “struck down” (vs. 9). But because your strength comes from God you’ll not be crushed by despair nor abandoned to destruction. The certainty of His assistance is such that you will “not lose heart”. Notice how this phrase (found in vs. 1 and in vs. 16) provides brackets around all the difficulties in between.

The contrasts in vs. 16-17 are worthy of note:

outwardly ➔ inwardly
wasting away ➔ renewed
light ➔ far outweighs
momentary ➔ eternal
troubles ➔ glory

Our absolute insufficiency (“jars of clay”) will ultimately reveal God’s “all-surpassing power”. As Paul says elsewhere, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

To fix our eyes on what we see would cause us to lose heart, but there is an unseen world that is far more “real” (Heb. 11:1) and, like Moses, we will persevere because we can see Him who is invisible (Heb. 11:27). For “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Heb. 11:6).