THE LORD SPOKE (July 16)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Nehemiah 9-10

It does us good to review our past. That's why it's so valuable to write things down, to keep a journal, to maintain some record of God's blessings. Then, when those darker days of doubt come, when we're facing some difficulty that seems impossible, when we are tempted to give up, then we can remember what He's brought us through in the past.

In the tradition of several of the psalms (see Psalm 78, 105, 106), the author of Nehemiah - probably Ezra - reviews Israel's history as a reminder of God's never-failing grace in...

1. His Majestic Might in Creation (Neh. 9:6)
2. His Precious Promise to Abraham and His Descendants (Neh. 9:7-8)
3. His Remarkable Rescue from Egyptian Bondage (Neh. 9:9-12)
4. His Sustaining Supply in the Desert Years (Neh. 9:13-21)
5. His Gracious Gift of the Promised Land (Neh. 9:22-25)
6. His Repeated Restorations During the Days of the Judges (Neh. 9:26-28)
7. His Warning Wake-up Calls Through the Prophets (Neh. 9:29-31)
8. His Daily Deliverance Even Now (Neh. 9:32-37)

Can you recount those times in the past when the Lord provided in some miraculous way for you? That will be the encouragement you need to remember that He can do it again now. He delights to take care of His children and to give them good things. He's waiting for you to call upon Him in your present distress.


New Testament: II Timothy 1

God has “called us to a holy life”. This is Paul’s “Swan Song” and it’s noteworthy to see what he chooses to emphasize. Famous last words can be inspiring. Or, sometimes not...

• Pancho Villa (Mexican revolutionary, died 1923) - “Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something.”
• Oscar Wilde (writer, died November 30, 1900) - “Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”
• Paul Claudel (1868-1955) - "Doctor, do you think it could have been the sausage?"
• General John Sedgwick (Union Commander, killed in battle, 1864) - “They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist....”

From jail in his last letter to Timothy or, for all we know, to anyone, Paul’s focus is once again on godly living. Paul reminds Timothy of several examples that he, Timothy, has seen and that should help him understand the importance of what Paul has to say. Negatively, there are Phylegus and Hermogenes (II Tim. 1:15) and Demas (II Tim. 4:10) who had abandoned Paul in the work in Asia Minor. But Timothy, also from central Asia Minor, had seen a better example in his own grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice (II Tim. 1:5).

More important, in his work in Ephesus, Timothy had seen the godly example of Onesiphorus. Paul was “refreshed” by him many times, right up to his last imprisonment in Rome (II Tim. 1:16-18). (Was he the one who carried this letter from Paul to Timothy?)

And don’t forget: Timothy had Paul’s own example to follow also. God had made him a herald, an apostle, and a teacher (II Tim. 1:11) and given him a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline (II Tim. 1:7). There’s arguably (see below) no greater example of one who was “called to a holy life” and responded best to that call.

Throughout the short letter there is a repeated emphasis on two sustaining factors that produce godliness. One is the Word of God which “is not chained” (II Tim. 2:9) and which is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16). It is Scripture that will thoroughly equip a man for holiness.

Second, is an emphasis on Jesus Christ. There really is no greater example to follow than His. After several references to His grace, mercy, peace, appearing, victory over death, and life-giving Gospel, Paul says very simply...

“Remember Jesus Christ...” (II Tim. 2:8).