Rising early is a habit that many significant figures throughout history have embraced. Whether it’s to seize the quiet moments of dawn, to embark on essential tasks, or to dedicate time for personal reflection, waking up early sets a powerful tone for the rest of the day. Even the most minor step forward, taken in the early hours, can set the stage for significant progress. Let the examples from historical and biblical figures inspire you:
Genesis 21:14, So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. (Regarding the monumental occasion of Abraham sending away Hagar and Ishmael)
Genesis 22:3, So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. (When God tested Abraham’s faith concerning Isaac)
Genesis 28:18, Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. (After Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven, with the angels of God ascending and descending on it)
Exodus 24:4, And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. (When the children of Israel affirmed their covenant with the LORD)
Exodus 34:4, So he cut two tablets of stone like the first ones. Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him; and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone. (When Moses made two new tablets and presented himself to God on Mount Sinai)
Joshua 3:1, Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. (As Joshua set out to cross the Jordan River and to invade & conquer the land of Canaan)
Joshua 6:12, And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. (In preparation for Joshua, the priests, and the men of war to march around the city of Jericho)
Joshua 7:16, So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken. (To investigate/discover where sin was being committed/hidden from within the camp)
Judges 6:38, And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece together, he wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water. (When Gideon sought assurances from God)
1 Samuel 15:12, So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, “Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal.” (When Samuel confronted Saul for transgressing the LORD’s command)
1 Samuel 17:20, So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle. (The day on which David slew Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior)
2 Chronicles 29:20, Then King Hezekiah rose early, gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the Lord. (When Hezekiah brought about spiritual reforms in the southern kingdom of Judah)
Mark 1:35, Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. (Jesus started the morning in communion with the Father before preaching throughout Galilee and casting out demons)
Some individuals are naturally more inclined to be “morning people” than others. While I don’t intend to insist that everyone should rise earlier, there is value in waking up early, particularly when facing significant responsibilities or tasks. Notably, figures such as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Gideon, Hezekiah, and Jesus made the most of the early hours. It’s interesting to observe that these leaders from different times all recognized the benefits of a head start on their days. Regardless of personal preferences and routines, it’s worth considering the advantages of rising early!
Many hold onto resentment, withholding forgiveness because they doubt the person who caused them pain has genuinely changed (or ever will). Some offenses resonate so deeply that these individuals adamantly believe they could never extend forgiveness. Profound hurts such as betrayal, the agonies of torture, the realities of child abuse, or the tragedy of murder leave lasting scars. As a result, the path to forgiveness can feel challenging.
In Acts chapter six, however, we encounter the powerful story of Stephen and Philip, who were chosen alongside five others to address the needs of Grecian widows in Jerusalem. They exemplified true devotion and were filled with faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit. Tragically, Stephen met a brutal end, stoned to death for his unwavering belief in Jesus, with Saul of Tarsus present endorsing the act of violence. As persecution intensified, the disciples scattered, preaching the good news wherever they went. Philip boldly proclaimed Jesus and His Kingdom in Samaria and along the road to Gaza, where he shared the Gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch. Eventually, he settled in Caesarea, raising four prophetic daughters. Consider the striking moment when the Apostle Paul—once the very man who had consented to Stephen’s persecution—stayed with Philip during his travels in Caesarea (Acts 21:8-9). Here was a man who had inflicted tremendous pain, now transformed and striving for righteousness, and Philip welcomed him into his home! Would we have the courage to embrace someone as this? This doesn’t mean we should forgo discernment or wisdom; Paul had spent years proving his profound transformation… But Philip’s decision to extend fellowship and forgiveness to Paul is a profound example of grace and the strength to forgive even those who have deeply hurt us.
Many have faced far more grievous harm than I have. While I can’t fathom the pain of losing a loved one to murder, I understand the sting of betrayal and deceit. I, too, wrestle with deep scars making forgiveness a formidable challenge. Yet I am also reminded of Jesus—blasphemed, spat upon, tortured, publicly shamed, and crucified, all for my sins! If I can humbly accept that Jesus died for me, and if I can forgive myself, recognizing that both Jesus and His Father are willing to forgive me—despite my repeated failings—then I must summon the strength to delve deep within and forgive those who have wronged me, regardless of the depths of their transgressions (Matt. 6:15).
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Maybe it’s just the algorithm in my social media, but many people (even high-profile ones) are taking a stand against many of the evils in our society. Additionally, many are even invoking the name of Christ in their speeches, which, on one hand, gets me very encouraged. On the other hand, I’m mindful that there can be a superficial calling upon the name of the Lord that has no substance, and doing that kind of thing can lull us into a false sense of security (Matt. 7:22-24).
I can remember when this country was brought to its knees, so to speak. On September 11th, 2001, thousands of American lives were lost because of horrible acts of evil, and as a result, there seemed to be a great awakening among our fellow citizens. Even among the politicians in Washington, it seemed people were putting away their differences to do what was right. On television, they held hands, sang gospel hymns, and attended church services. Furthermore, Americans were united with a greater sense of patriotism. But how long did all of that last?
We ought to learn from the history of God’s people. Jeroboam II ruled when the nation of Israel seemed to flourish (2 Kings 14:23-29). Israel’s military was powerful. They had expanded their territory to the furthest reaches since the days of King Solomon. Politically, they appeared to be strong on the world stage. Economically, business was booming! The problem was that the people (including their leaders) weren’t genuinely seeking after God, and as a result, the end came very quickly, and the Assyrians soon toppled them (2 Kings 17:1-41). All those blessings during Jeroboam’s time almost make it seem like God said, “If you would turn to me, things could be so much better. This is how it could be if you genuinely sought after Me and followed My ways.” Unfortunately, that was not the case for Israel, as their ascent was based on superficial means.
I perceive an opportunity for our great blessing here within our borders. Who doesn’t want our military to be strong? We want righteousness to prevail over wickedness socially. We want the economy to be robust. We want peace and brotherly love to reign. Many wish for Christianity to flourish. Still, if it’s just going to be some superficial Christianity that we embrace, if we’re going to be weak in our convictions, or if we’re going to be halfhearted — that’s not going to cut it. We need complete allegiance to Christ. Satan would love nothing more than for you to have a false sense of security in America’s military, our economy, and even brotherly love. But at the end of the day, all those fears that people have about how things may have been going for some time will ultimately come to fruition if we do not seek God wholeheartedly (Mark 12:30).
As an individual, I pray for an awakening among the borders of the land where we dwell. I pray for a worldwide GREAT awakening (2 Tim. 2:1-7). But God Almighty, please do not let me not fall prey to a false sense of security or even a false message of who You are and what You want from my life (Col. 2:8)! Reveal Your true character to me through Your word, Father. Moreover, reveal to me (through Your word) the one TRUE Jesus (2 Pet 1:4; Col. 1:27). I pray that all honest hearts will find You (Matt. 7:7-8), and may Your people capitalize on this time of great potential to manifest true godliness within our local sphere of influence (Matt. 5:11-16). Amen.
Though not everybody continually struggles with bitterness, there are plenty of warnings against the matter in Scripture. These warnings are not just for people of the world, but, for Christians (Eph. 4:31). Therefore, bitterness must be an issue that some struggle with. It’s also crucial to recognize that even if we don’t feel overwhelmed by bitterness, it can creep in slowly and subtly, impacting our relationships with others and even our relationship with God. It prompts us to ask ourselves: What signs of bitterness might be present in my life, and how can I address them with compassion? The effects can be profound, leading to unfair treatment of those around us and damaging the bonds we hold most dear.
Bitterness often arises from unforgiveness, and when we allow bitterness to take root, it creates barriers that hinder our spiritual growth, preventing us from experiencing the love, joy, and peace that God desires for every one of us. Unresolved anger is also one of the key elements that can lead to bitterness (Eph. 4:26). This kind of anger often lingers when we don’t take the time to process or address it adequately. Many people, like us, may find themselves replaying past hurts and feelings of injustice, making forgiveness much more difficult. It is also common to feel envious or resentful when we perceive others as happier or more successful than we are (Matt. 6:22-23). This can lead to a cycle of self-criticism and negativity that affects us and those we interact with (James 2:13; 4:7-10).
Maybe you don’t feel like you possess a bitter spirit toward anyone, but I understand that even tiny seeds of resentment can hold us back from experiencing a more profound connection with God and others (Heb. 12:15). The Bible discusses the need to forgive others, emphasizing that our forgiveness of sins from God is closely tied to our willingness to forgive others (Matt. 6:12, 14-15). If someone has hurt us, we should approach them with a desire not just to highlight their wrongs but to seek restoration for both their and our peace (Prov. 28:23; Matt. 18:15-16). As the Apostle Paul instructs, we should strive to live at peace with everyone, recognizing that this is a path toward healing and growth for all involved (Rom. 12:18).
Oh my God, I realize that some matters weigh heavily on people more than others. Although I do not often feel overwhelmed by these struggles, I have noticed times when bitterness has crept into my own heart. Please help me focus on the blessings in my life from You and guide me in processing and dealing with my emotions more healthily. Help me move past the hurt I have experienced from others and grant me the strength not to envy those doing well. I want to continually cultivate a more hopeful attitude regarding my salvation, and also desire to possess a forgiving spirit. Grant me the wisdom, strength, and boldness to address any issues that arise with others openly and sincerely. God, I long for peace with You and harmony with Your people. Help me in ever-experiencing true contentment, oh God! Amen.
Jesus consistently utilized parables as his primary teaching method. This choice not only engaged His audience but was also a strategic way to mask deeper meanings from those not earnestly seeking the truth of God’s word (Matthew 13:12-15). In every instance, Jesus’ parables compelled His listeners to think critically and delve deeper into spiritual matters (Mark 4:13). Though His use of parables posed challenges to their understanding, Jesus was generally willing to explain the meanings of these parables to those who inquired about them, though He did not always do so.
It is often said that parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings, but that doesn’t go quite far enough. In Jesus’ parables, the analogy always concerned the kingdom of God, and since the things this world so often counter the essence of God’s spiritual kingdom, any attempt to point to anything in this world and say, ‘there is the kingdom of God,’ would bring many misunderstandings. Jesus frequently employed stories that included analogies relatable to His audience, such as farming practices. But, as His hearers began to feel at ease within a story’s context, Jesus would introduce a surprising twist that challenged their assumptions by bringing forth a lesson completely contrary to their preconceived notions. For example, consider that only twenty-five percent of the seed sown in the Parable of the Sower went on to bear fruit, whereas seventy-five percent did not (which, on the surface, looks discouraging). Yet, that same twenty-five percent in the parable is said to produce some thirty, some sixty, some hundredfold! Thus, Jesus greatly challenged the hearer’s understanding of how things operate in the spiritual realm… Those who teach are, therefore, encouraged to simply sow the seed and allow God to provide the increase. That is, in fact, why Jesus calls it “the parable of the sower” (Matthew 13:18). Through His teaching methods, Jesus challenged people to reevaluate everything they believed about God and His kingdom. This method still prompts modern hearers to reconsider their preconceived notions of the kingdom of God.
Application on the Parables of Jesus
Observing Jesus’ teaching techniques, we can consider the Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15:11-32. One key theme that Luke emphasizes in his Gospel is that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Chapter fifteen begins with Luke informing his readers that all the “tax collectors” and “sinners” drew near to hear Jesus and that “the Pharisees and scribes complained,” saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1, New King James Version). That is why Jesus spoke the parables presented in the rest of the chapter (Luke 15:3). Identifying the target audience, and the reason stated before Jesus’ discourse will aid in identifying the major lessons gleaned from the parable. First comes the parable of the lost sheep, in which Jesus describes a shepherd going out, leaving a flock of ninety-nine sheep to find one that strayed away from the flock. When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he returns home rejoicing and shares the good news with his friends and neighbors. Jesus then spoke the Parable of the Lost Coin, concerning a woman who had ten coins, lost one, and diligently searched until she found it. In both instances, Jesus spoke of “joy” and “rejoicing” in heaven when one sinner repents. Both parables are very encouraging. Then came a parable concerning a man with his two sons. The story centers on how younger of the two sons asked for his share of an inheritance, which he was given, and then journeyed to a far-off country where he wasted his possessions with riotous, sinful living. After spending everything that he had, a famine came onto the land, and this son began to be in want. So, he attached himself to a citizen of that country and was sent into his fields to feed swine. The story mentions this young man became so hungry that he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods the swine ate, but no one gave him any! If we pause right there, for those of the first-century Jewish audience, this wasteful man seems to have gotten what he deserved. Because the Pharisees and scribes considered themselves righteous, one may infer that they would have looked down upon such a man (Luke 15:2-3). Nevertheless, Jesus does not end His story on this point. Instead, He further described how that young man “came to himself,” realizing that while his father’s servants had plenty of food, he was starving to death (Luke 15:17). The son, therefore, resolved to go to his father in humility to acknowledge his sins, and even his unworthiness to be called his father’s son. The young man determined to be like one of his father’s hired servants and arose to journey home. But when he was still far off, his father saw him and had compassion. Furthermore, the father ran to his son, fell on his neck, and kissed him! The son acknowledged his sinfulness, but the father does not rebuke him. Instead, the father rejoices by putting the best robe on his son, a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. Moreover, the father’s servants were told to bring the fatted calf to be eaten because, as the father said, his son “was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:24) But as the father’s older son is in the field, and as he comes and draws near to the house, he hears music and dancing. So, he called one of the servants and asked what that meant. He was told that his brother had come home, that his father had received him safe and sound, and everyone was rejoicing! But instead of being pleased, the older son was angry and refused to attend the feast. That is when his father came out and entreated him to rejoice. The older son then complained to his father about how he had been faithful in everything for many years, while his father’s son went out and wasted his possessions on harlots. After complaining about how sinful his younger brother was while extolling his virtues and that he did not receive such praise, the son is pleaded with by his father. The older had always been with him; all the father had was his. It was therefore fitting that they should make merry and be glad, because his brother was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now he was found.
The parable’s end does not describe how the older brother responds to this pleading from the father. It concludes with a cliffhanger. But from the onset, the story concerns a person who was very covetous and wasteful, and the Pharisees may have even considered the subsequent famine as part of God’s retributive justice. But surprisingly, Jesus gave insight into the younger son’s heart, describing his feelings of humility and measure of true repentance. Moreover, there is a sharp contrast revealed in that the father was willing to accept his penitent son, whereas the older brother continued to look down upon the younger with contempt. Most of the Pharisees would not have thought of themselves as being in the position of the lost son. Instead, they likely perceived that Jesus aligned the Pharisees’ and scribe’s’ attitude with the older brother’s thinking. While encouraging sinners to come to their senses and repents, Jesus also revealed that many in attendance had very calloused and unforgiving attitudes. Moreover, Jesus did not finish the parable by informing anyone of the older brother’s concluding response. So then, Jesus left His hearers with an unspoken challenge: How would they, in turn, respond to other people that sought God’s forgiveness, after they themselves have been striving to remain pure? Perhaps Luke even intended for his readers to put themselves into the story and determine how they would respond.
For the modern audience, many immediately place themselves in the younger son’s position. Within the New Testament, there is the theme throughout that concerns grace being extended to sinners through the blood of Jesus Christ (Cf. Luke 24:46-47; Romans 3:24-25). Indeed, if one comes to their senses, they too can humbly approach a loving Father who is willing to joyfully accept them with forgiveness (Luke 15:7, 10, 20). I find great comfort in that. However, one should heed the other side revealed in this parable, because while there is great comfort in Jesus’s words about forgiveness, there is also an implicit warning against self-righteous attitudes that causes one to look down upon others (cf. Luke 15:1-2; 5:31-32; 18:9-14). The same Jesus who calls for men to seek after righteousness also demands that men possess a readiness to forgive (cf. Luke 15:31-32; 17:3-4). How will the reader of Luke chapter fifteen respond to the Parable of the Lost Son? Today’s readers are still left wondering how the elder brother ultimately responds. The teaching methods of Jesus, especially His use of parables, continue to challenge hearers to reconsider their thinking today!
With my faith, there are times that I feel very strong and other times that I feel weak. Perhaps some of that is because my emotions are up and down from one day to the next, and I shouldn’t give in to every whim on how I’m feeling today as a barometer to spiritual wellness. That said, I wish to GROW IN BEING MORE CONSISTENT WITH MY INTENSITY OF FOCUS! Perhaps this devotional will grant me some things to meditate on and pray about.
Spiritually speaking, GOD DOES WILL for me to have A DIALED-IN APPROACH to my spirituality. And I do need to be EVER MINDFUL in the pathway that I’m currently on. Every one of my heart’s intents should be aligned with God’s and doing that will inevitably lead my actions to follow suit. The wise King Solomon put it this way: 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:25-27)
Of the many things that I probably allow to hinder my growth, looking too much in the rearview mirror of my life has stymied my progress. Though I do want (and need) to learn from my mistakes, the last thing I want to do is live in the past. God, PLEASE ENABLE ME THE PROPER FOCUS, AND MAY I TAKE CONTROL OF MY OWN THINKING to the extent of imitating Paul in the matter of intensely focusing/capitalizing on the opportunities in front of me: 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
There is something to be said for the fact that this world will pose its challenges. Something I cannot control are the racing thoughts that enter my mind from time to time, because of those past failures, or new information that pollutes my thinking. I would even say that too often, I am given over to mindless consumption of entertainment. God, I resolve to actively pursue that which will ENGAGE MY INTENSITY OF FOCUS: 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)
Many things have an outward appearance of wisdom (things of this world, intellectualism, philosophy, etc.), but I pray that setting my mind on things above, and MORE INTENSELY FOCUSING ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES will enable me a fuller, richer, and more rewarding service to You, God! I will truly embrace the gift of being risen with Christ, seeking those things that are above, with the earnest expectation of nobler things! 1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
The statement from Isaiah is often quoted to emphasize the vast difference between human and divine thinking. However, a closer study of the text reveals a more profound message directed at God’s people. During Isaiah’s time, the kingdom was divided between Israel and Judah. Both kingdoms had strayed from God’s path, leading to the need for repentance. God wanted His people to embody His holiness and live according to His ways. Through Isaiah, God called upon His people to abandon their sinful ways and align their thinking with His. The passage therefore highlights God’s desire for His people to embrace His way of thinking, presenting a challenging — yet remarkable — opportunity for transformation! While we do fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23), we can continually strive to align our thinking with God’s, ultimately partaking in His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)!!
Holy God, You are the great God of all heaven and the earth. You created all things, and know the thoughts of every living person on this earth. You alone are worthy to be praised. As your creation, I want to be more like You, my Creator. Enable me fuller knowledge of your word, that I may grow to be more like You. I open my heart to You. Cultivate and mold me in holiness and strength of character. Thus, may my manner of living be productive in service to both You and my fellow man. Bless me in this, please. It is in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
Can you imagine seeing some of the most violent assaults inflicted upon other human beings?
Can you imagine witnessing grown adults wail in the most excruciating pangs of anguish?
Can you imagine watching someone die in front of you, due to blunt force trauma?
Can you imagine bearing the brunt of false accusations concerning your background, abilities, motives, and character?
What type of memories will such trauma instill? What mental images are burned into your mind when thinking back on such things? How would you not only work through such things inwardly but respond to such challenges moving forward?
Perhaps YOU CAN imagine, because YOU HAVE witnessed violence in the extreme. Perhaps YOU HAVE experienced deep anguish, yourself? Maybe you’ve encountered some very gruesome scenes. Perhaps you have had difficulties of your own, compounded by the hurts inflicted by those who profess to be Christlike. If so, you are not alone! Rather, you are in good company.
Many others have also encountered traumatic situations and have found ways to overcome them. The Apostle Paul not only witnessed such horrible ordeals, but he was the cause of much suffering for others before his conversion (Acts 8:1-3; 26:9-11). Even after converting to Christ, he endured many afflictions for the sake of the gospel (Acts 9:16; 2 Corinthians 10:7-11; 11:22-33). But by the grace of God, he faithfully endured as a servant to others, becoming an example for others to follow! While some boast of their former conduct before becoming a Christian, others may suppress their memories of a lifestyle they escaped through the grace of God. It seems, however, that Paul used his memories and experiences of hardship as FUEL to serve the Lord with even more vigor (1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 3:12-16). If you have gone through traumatic experiences, you can use the grace given to you to serve others with even more passion and dedication.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
When God rescued the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt, He performed mighty wonders such as the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. However, His intention was not for them to return to Egypt after their deliverance. Throughout their journey, God provided for the Israelites by leading them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, giving them water and miraculous manna from heaven, and His presence was continually known among the people.
During the Exodus period, the Israelites faced hardships to teach them the importance of relying on God. While some learned these valuable lessons, others longed to return to Egypt and even complained against God for their suffering. Despite the freedom granted to them by God, they needed to understand that walking in victory required faith, effort, and discipline.
God’s plan for Israel went beyond saving them from Egyptian bondage. When they reached the Promised Land, they had to FIGHT to take possession of Canaan. They only possessed what they FOUGHT for, not for what they simply wished and hoped to obtain.
This truth applies to us today as well. God delivers us from the bondage of sin, but expects us to CONQUER the spiritual enemies that threaten our prosperity. Enjoying the fruit of the Promised Land requires taking dominion, and through Christ, we can overcome all spiritual threats just as the faithful Israelites learned to do.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
~ 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
~ 1 Timothy 6:12
Holy God and Father in heaven. I thank You for saving me from my sins through the blood of Jesus. There are times in my life that seem mundane or even difficult, and f I am not thinking correctly, I may let my guard down. Even worse, there have been times when I slipped back into my old ways of thinking. Though You are a gracious and forgiving Father, I know You do not want me to look back on my old ways with fondness, nor do You want me to be stagnant in my service to You in this life. Instead, You want me to fight for what is worth fighting for! Grant me a stronger faith! May I give You my best efforts today, and may I grow in self-discipline! Where I am falling short, guide and guard my steps to grow, O Lord!! It is in Christ’s name I pray, amen.
Though the language is symbolic, God foretold the humiliation of Babylon with vivid imagery (Isa. 47:1-3). Within this context, God is using very vivid imagery to speak about how He will bring Babylon to an open shame.
1 “Come down and sit in the dust,
O virgin daughter of Babylon;
Sit on the ground without a throne,
O daughter of the Chaldeans!
For you shall no more be called
Tender and delicate.
2 Take the millstones and grind meal.
Remove your veil,
Take off the skirt,
Uncover the thigh,
Pass through the rivers.
3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered,
Yes, your shame will be seen;
I will take vengeance,
And I will not arbitrate with a man.”
~ Isaiah 47:1-3
Let us not negate the value of looking to such passages in our thinking (because the language is symbolic) upon the matter of nakedness, clothing, and modesty. The fact remains, that God is making emphatic points concerning the shame of Babylon’s sins, and how they will, indeed, be exposed.
And about symbolism, can the tenderhearted truly remain unconvinced that certain imagery is meant to correlate with standards of propriety (See Ezek. 23:1-49; Prov. 7:10?)?
While such sins were trying to be covered, God says that when His judgment comes, they will be exposed. And they will be exposed in such a way that will bring shame to those people. After reading such passages, I certainly would not want to inch my way closer to revealing such things in a way that can bring about shame (Cf. Jer. 6:15).
We Wish to See Jesus 