THE LORD SPOKE (December 27)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Zechariah 1-3

Haggai was a “fire and brimstone” prophet. He thundered at the people’s complacency for four months (Hag. 1:1; 2:1,10) in 520 BC. Like a spent comet, he quickly flamed off the stage of history. Zechariah, on the other hand, was the wizened counselor type of prophet. He ministered as both priest and prophet for over 40 years.

So which prophet was right? Which had the better approach? Which was more effective in his ministry? The answer is, “Both!” We absolutely need both kinds. We need both messages. We need preachers who thunder at us and we need grand-fatherly advise. Both have their place in revealing God’s Word and purposes to us. Both can place us along side God’s standard to see how well we measure up.

Zechariah twice uses the figure of a measuring line at the beginning of his book (Zech. 1:16; 2:1). Picking up on the imagery of Jeremiah (Jer. 31:38-40) in his great prophecy of the New Covenant, Zechariah sees a measuring line stretched over Jerusalem. First the Lord (Zech. 1:16) and then an angel (Zech. 2:1,3) explain to Zechariah that God is taking measure of the city, sizing it up for His blessing. Though there are places where the idea of measuring something serves to show how it falls short, here the picture is of pouring out mercy and blessing and making sure there’s space enough to hold it all.

As Zechariah sees the Jerusalem of his day, recently rebuilt, he is given a greater vision of Jerusalem of the end times. God will “again choose Jerusalem” (Zech. 2:12). This speaks of a yet future time when the city will be inhabited by God’s chosen people and will rise to prominence once again. Has that happened yet?

The Jewish people are returning to the Land and they have claimed Jerusalem as their capital (they’ve never claimed any other!) but the world doesn’t recognize that claim. Official, and nearly universal, opinion is that it should be an international city under U.N. auspices, according to a decision made on November 29, 1947. Never mind that the nations didn’t show up in Jerusalem’s time of distress in either 1948 or 1967. They waited for the outcome of those two wars and then whined when it didn’t go the way they expected. The Jewish people have every right to Jerusalem. Others “have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it” (Neh. 2:20).

Haggai gives us a clue to when this will finally be resolved. “The desired of all nations will come” (Hag. 2:7) to inhabit Jerusalem. Zechariah adds that the Lord “will remove the sin of this land in a single day” (Zech. 3:9). The Temple will be rebuilt and “the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house” (Hag. 2:9). Messiah’s kingdom will eclipse Solomon’s for He will live among us (Zech. 2:10-12). Emmanuel!


Proverbs 27

What price for a friend? One who sticks closer than a brother is a priceless treasure. He can be trusted because he’ll tell you the truth in love (Prov. 27:6). Or, as Solomon says it a few verses later, “the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel” (Prov. 27:9).

Where do you find such a friend? Don’t you wish there was some kind of store or on-line site where you could shop for one? But how could you afford it? No, they don’t come that way. To find a friend, you have to be a friend (Prov. 18:24, KJV - the NIV opted for a very different reading here!). That involves the following:

• stop boasting about yourself (Prov. 27:1-2)
• cut out the provocation (Prov. 27:3)
• curb your anger (Prov. 27:4a)
• deal with your jealousy (Prov. 27:4b)

Then work on some positive character traits that foster friendship:

• openness and transparency (Prov. 27:5)
• honesty and trustworthiness (Prov. 27:6)
• truth and sincerity (Prov. 27:9)
• loyalty and devotedness (Prov. 27:10)

And, here are some activities that Solomon recommends for setting a friendship in stone:

• help him look further down the road (Prov. 27:12)
• stand by him in need but help him stand on his own (Prov. 27:13)
• give him some space (Prov. 27:14)
• don’t harp on things (Prov. 27:15)

Solomon sums it up with these words:

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Prov. 27:17)

Aren’t you glad God made us that way?!

THE LORD SPOKE (December 17)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Amos 7-9

When God is silent it’s awful! It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes it’s His only way to get our attention. Having pled with us in so many ways, He resorts to silence and the heavens shut up like brass (Deut. 28:23).

• I Samuel 28:6 - After turning away for so long, when Saul finally inquired of the Lord, He “did not answer him”.
• Ezekiel 7:26 - Sunk in sin, Israel “will try to get a vision from the prophet” but it will be only silence and “calamity upon calamity”.
• Ezekiel 20:1-3 - Because they waited so long, “‘I will not let you inquire of me’, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
• Micah 3:4,7 - Crying out will do no good for “he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.” He won’t answer.

In Amos’ day it was even worse. God says, “I will fix my eyes on them for evil and not for good” (Amos 9:4). Because of the nation’s sin, He says, “I will destroy it from the face of the earth” (Amos 9:8a). But He cannot forget His covenant. He cannot because He will not. In the next breath He says, “yet I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob” (Amos 9:8b).

Because of His promise to David, there will be a restoration.

In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent.
I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins,
and build it as it used to be.... (Amos 9:11)

The word for David’s “tent” is sukkah, or “hut”. It is a reminder both of David’s humble beginnings and of the sorry estate to which His kingdom or dynasty had fallen. This messianic promise is then followed by a glorious description (vs. 13-15) where one season runs into the next with no interruption, indicating unparalleled prosperity for Israel. Previous predictions of destruction (Amos 5:9), dearth (Amos 5:11), and deportation (Amos 5:27) are all reversed and the book concludes with the promise that Israel will “never again be uprooted from the land” (Amos 9:15).

P.S. This last promise constitutes an absolute proof that Amos’ prophecy is yet future.


Proverbs 17

Choose the better way! Don’t be content with just a good thing - go for the best. Solomon has given several recommendations in this category in recent chapters, adds a couple here in chapter 17, and several more in what follows. Take a look:

• Prov. 15:16 - Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
• Prov. 15:17 - Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
• Prov. 16:8 - Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
• Prov. 16:19 - Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
• Prov. 16:32 - Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
• Prov. 17:1 - Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
• Prov. 17:12 - Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.
• Prov. 19:1 - Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.
• Prov. 21:9 - Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
• Prov. 21:19 (c.f. Prov. 25:24) - Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

Martha did well to serve the Lord but Jesus said “Mary has chosen what is better” (Lk. 10:42).

Good, better, or best. Which will it be?

THE LORD SPOKE (October 29)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Jeremiah 43-44

The charge sheet (Jer. 44:10) contained three items. It stated that...

1. they have not humbled themselves
2. they have not shown reverence
3. they have not followed my law

The proposed punishment was severe. The Judge pronounced (Jer. 44:13) that they would be punished...

1. by the sword
2. by famine
3. by plague

The defendants would “become an object of cursing and horror, of condemnation and reproach” (Jer. 44:12) and would not be allowed to return to their Land (Jer. 44:14).

The plea of the defendants (Jer. 44:16) was defiant. Ugly even. No judge would be tempted to treat them with compassion when their reply is, “We will not listen to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord.”

When the sentence (Jer. 44:11-14) was handed down, there must have been a shocked murmur in the courtroom but nobody could be heard to say, “That’s not fair.” The Judge’s verdict (Jer. 44:26-27) was...

1. not one of you will ever invoke my name again
2. I am watching over you for harm, not for good
3. you will perish by sword and famine until you are all destroyed

The proof (Jer. 44:30) would be a sign. The ruling pharaoh of Egypt would be killed. This is exactly what happened in 570 BC when Hophra was killed by his political rivals.

We too will have our day in court. The charge sheet on each of us probably won’t look much different from the one here in Jeremiah 44. But, “the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s son, cleanses us from all sin”(I John 1:7) so we have a plea bargain option.

What will be your words before the righteous Judge? Will you try to go it alone? Would you be so foolish as to resist? Or, will you trust in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)?


Psalms 85-86

Restore us again, O God our Savior....
Turn to me and have mercy on me;
Grant your strength to your servant....
(Ps. 85:4 & Ps. 86:16)

These two psalms stand back-to-back for a reason. In the compilation of the psalter they were joined, though composed by different men. To be sure, David’s psalms are scattered throughout but most of his 73 psalms are at the beginning of the collection. The theme that links these two is revival of the soul or restoration of the spirit.

We need it, don’t we?! There come times in life that we cry out to God, “show us your unfailing love, O Lord” (Ps. 85:7). Truth be known, those times come very often. Maybe even daily. We have great need of God’s hesed - His loving-kindness, His mercy and grace, His unmerited favor.

So, like the psalmists, our petitions pile up and we make our requests be known with growing urgency:

• restore us again (Ps. 85:4)
• revive us again (Ps. 85:6)
• grant us your salvation (Ps. 85:7)
• hear, O Lord, and answer me (Ps. 86:1)
• guard my life (Ps. 86:2)
• have mercy on me (Ps. 86:3)
• bring joy to your servant (Ps. 86:4)
• teach me your way, O Lord (Ps. 86:11a)
• give me an undivided heart (Ps. 86:11b)

These all build up to the grand finale, “Turn to me and have mercy on me, grant your strength to your servant...give me a sign of your goodness...” (Ps. 86:16-17).

It’s okay to pray that way. Many examples from Scripture could be cited of men and women who called out to God and received an answer. They looked in the right direction and the response was not delayed. They found God to be an ever-present help in time of need. Are you there right now? Pray this prayer and sing this song...

Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy word and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, start the work in me;
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

THE LORD SPOKE (August 13)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Psalm 49-52

It’s not a prayer that we can pray. Under the New Covenant we can no longer pray as David did, “Do not...take your Holy Spirit from me”(Ps. 51:11). Since the Counselor was sent (Jn. 14:26), believers in this age have the Holy Spirit indwelling them (Rom. 8:9-11; I Cor. 3:16). He no longer “comes upon” them as He did in the Old Testament. He now lives in the believer. Though He can be grieved (Eph. 4:30-31) or even quenched (I Thes. 5:19), He cannot be removed.

But that’s about the only part of David’s prayer that we cannot pray. In fact, his words will resonate with every contrite sinner in every age.

“Have mercy on me.” (Ps. 51:1)
It’s because of God’s mercies that we are not consumed. They are new every morning (Lam. 3:23). Aren’t you glad?! It seems I can forever find new ways of sinning yet He is unfailing in His love and has great compassion.

“Cleanse me.” (Ps. 51:2,7)
Only God can wash my sins away. When He purges me, there are no stains left over. My iniquity is blotted out. He does a work in my inner parts that renders me pure, even whiter than snow, and whole again.

“Restore me.” (Ps. 51:10-12)
As great as that cleansing truth is, God will go way beyond mere forgiveness. He will renew a steadfast spirit and He will restore the joy of my salvation. How wonderful is that?!

What triggers this process? Not sacrifice. Not mere words. But a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart (Ps. 51:17). God desires “truth in the inner parts” (Ps. 51:6). Transparency! It’s when we cast ourselves upon Him that He meets us in our deepest need. Good king Josiah found that out (II Kings 22:19) but so did wicked kings Ahab (I Kings 21:29) and Manasseh (II Chron. 33:12,23). So also did pagan King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 5:12-23) and the whole pagan city of Nineveh (Jonah 3). When we humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, He heals us (II Chron. 7:14).

One last thought: There is another step after restoration. Notice the “then” in Ps. 51:13? David was used of God to teach other transgressors and to turn sinners back to Him. Only God would do something like that. David, as a “wounded healer”, was used by God to turn many others back to Himself. You’re a case in point.


New Testament: I Peter 3

Psalm 34 was written by David shortly after he had to flee from Abimelech (I Sam. 21:10-15). Remember how he pretended to be insane and ended up in the bat-dung paved Cave of Adullam? During that time of discouragement, 400 men joined him (I Sam. 22:1-2) and became the core of his future army and his “mighty men”. He wrote in Psalm 34:6,8 these words: “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.... Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”

Peter found great solace in those words and quoted from Psalm 34 here in I Peter 3. In his encouragement to persecuted believers of the first century, Peter reminded them to turn to the Lord. He introduces the quotation with the conjunction “For...”, meaning it is the reason for what precedes. “Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing...” (I Pet. 3:8-9).

Then take note also of the results we may expect, just as David did:

1. life itself will be gratifying (I Pet. 3:10)
2. God will see and will reward you (I Pet. 3:12a)
3. your prayers will be answered (I Pet. 3:12b)
4. you do not have to fear anything (I Pet. 3:14)
5. you’ll have a clear conscience (I Pet. 3:16,21)

But take careful note! Peter gives ten commandments to follow if this is to be true in your life:

1. keep your tongue from evil (I Pet. 3:10)
2. turn from evil (I Pet. 3:11a)
3. pursue peace (I Pet. 3:11b)
4. live righteously (I Pet. 3:12)
5. do good (I Pet. 3:11b,13)
6. do not fear (I Pet. 3:14)
7. commit to Christ as Lord (I Pet. 3:15a)
8. explain the reasons for your hope (I Pet. 3:15b)
9. be gentle (I Pet. 3:15c)
10. keep your conscience clear (I Pet. 3:16)

Got some work to do?