Watching Daily At Wisdom's Gates

  but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; Lamentations 3:32 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/lam.3.32.ESV The Bible is unequivocal about the sovereignty of God, even in the midst of grievous circumstances. Yet it also insists that God is no sadist, but feels for us in our sorrows. How do we know? Because Jesus reveals God's heart for us. What the writer of Lamentations confidently asserted, Christ clearly revealed in His first advent on earth. We're told He was moved with compassion for the crowds who thronged around Him, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who seeks after His lost sheep. How do we know God abundantly loves us with an eternal love? Because Christ died for us. Not only so, but He rose again, victorious over all that would grieve us. God's love isn't impotent. His love is enough to overcome our great enemy satan, and to carry us safe to the new creati

  Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Romans 14:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.14.13.ESV We might assume that the Bible is pretty black and white on moral issues. It often is. However, there are grey areas that we need to respect one another over. Some Christians believe we should be vegetarian. Meat eating Christians need to have regard for our vegetarian brethren. Some Christians observe Sundays as a special day. Those of us who don't shouldn't disrespect those who do. In such grey areas, what should our guiding principle be? To not cause our brethren to stumble. I won't insist on eating meat with a vegetarian, or go shopping on a Sunday with a Sabbatarian. Far from hindering our brethren, we should seek to build them up. The Kingdom of God ultimately isn't about food or days, but about righteousness, justice and peace. We should always seek to

  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. Romans 13:2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.13.2.ESV This is a tough verse to swallow. What if we were to live in Putin's Russia or Xi's China? Can we not even passively resist oppressive authorities? The Kingdom of God might be revolutionary, but not in a political sense. Paul didn't lead a rebellion, or even a peaceful protest movement against the Roman Empire, codenamed Babylon the Great, mother of prostitutes by the apostle John. Instead, he made the most of his Roman citizenship to spread the gospel throughout the Eastern Roman Empire, whether he was tolerated or not. Our raison d'etre isn't to establish the Kingdom of God as a worldly polity. God will establish His Kingdom on earth when Christ returns. Our job is to be faithful ambassadors of Christ in this world, until He returns. All this doesn't mean to say we shouldn't spea

  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/php.3.13.ESV The temptation is to recycle the past to try and make sense of it. Paul suggests that such an exercise is fruitless. He'd had everything going for him as a devout religious Jew, but now considered it rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ as Lord and Saviour. Paul had been a zealous persecutor of the church of Christ. Once Jesus transformed him, he didn't keep revisiting the past. He focused on what God had called him to do, to make Him known to the Gentiles. Paul didn't rest on his laurels. He wasn't content with planting a few churches. He wouldn't rest until Jesus called him home. Until then he would strive with all of his might for His Kingdom. Whatever our pasts, let's not dwell on them. We all have a great commission to m

  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.12.12.ESV How can we rejoice in the face of death and destruction? Because we have hope of a glorious future beyond the grave. Because He lives, we can joyfully face tomorrow. How can we deal with tribulation? We have to be patient. Because of our joyful hope, we can persevere in the midst of hardships. If suffering was all we could anticipate, we would be hopeless. Because Jesus defeated death, we can trust that we will too. In the midst of suffering and with our joy and hope under constant attack, how ought we to be? Constant in prayer. Prayer is the aerial bombardment of spiritual warfare. Prayer is where we call down heaven to rain hell down on satan and his forces. 'Father in heaven, please help us to be constant in prayer, patient in affliction, and joyful in hope, in the name of Jesus, amen'

  "Summon archers against Babylon, all those who bend the bow. Encamp around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her according to all that she has done. For she has proudly defied the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 50:29 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jer.50.29.ESV Jeremiah's prophecies in this chapter have largely been fulfilled. Babylon today is ruins in the Iraqi desert, her treasures consigned to museums, her glory is history. Yet the spirit of Babylon seemingly reigns supreme in the world today. No wonder the apostle John saw the world in opposition to God as, metaphorically, Babylon the great. In the world, it seems that it's the survival of the fittest, that might is right. No wonder we're tempted to despair as we question why the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain. This verse can give some confidence to God's despairing people, as mighty oppressors seem to run rampant through the world. Those who proudly defy

  Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. Luke 17:26 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.17.26.ESV Quite apart from the catastrophe of a global flood in the days of Noah, life was pretty ordinary right up to the moment the rain began to fall. People were buying and selling, marrying and giving in marriage etc. It wasn't all as apocalyptic as we might expect. Jesus's point is that the last day will dawn as any other day. There will be a mundane element to life in the run up to His return. Elsewhere, He describes His second advent as Him breaking into this world like a thief in the night. When Jesus returns, people will still be buying and selling, marrying and giving in marriage. Not everyone will be fleeing to the hills. He'll take most people by surprise. We the people of God shouldn't be taken by surprise by Christ's return. We should expectantly await His arrival to judge the living and the dead. We ought to be ready

  Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honourable use and another for dishonorable use? Romans 9:21 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.9.21.ESV It's a powerful image recycled from the old testament. Us questioning God's purposes is like a lump of clay questioning the potter. The potter can do what he likes with the clay. Clay has no right to question the potter, just like we have no right to question God. He will achieve His purposes for us, whether they seem honourable or dishonourable. What's honourable and dishonourable to God looks different to the world's perspective. To the world, Pharoah in his palace looks honourable. To God he is dishonourable. God hardened Pharoah's heart. Humble shepherd Moses on the other hand was honourable to God, and led His people out of Egypt. Putin might look like he holds the power in his golden gilt Kremlin. As far as God's concerned, the humblest Ukrainian believer is infin

  Does the West seriously think economically crippling Russia is going to stop Putin, any more than economically crippling Germany after WWI stopped Hitler? Such measures only play into dictators' hands as they proclaim themselves the saviours of their hapless peoples.

  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.8.5.ESV What do we set our minds on? Are we preoccupied with attempting to satisfy the cravings of our sinful flesh? How that manifests itself will vary from person to person. For one person, setting the mind on the flesh will be resolving to have too much to eat or drink. For someone else, it could be indulging lust or hatred. Whatever it is, the outcome of that kind of way of life is death. Instead, we should live by the Spirit of God. If we do so, we will be concerned about how we can demonstrate love, share joy, and make peace for example. We will be patient, good and kind. The fruit of living by the Holy Spirit is eternal life. If we don't have Him, we must cry out for Him. If we don't have enough of Him, we must cry out for more of Him. 'Heave

  But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. Romans 7:6 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.7.6.ESV The law isn't bad. It did however condemn us as lawbreakers. Thankfully, through faith in Jesus we can be released from the law's condemnation. Just as Jesus died, so we can consider ourselves dead to the law. Our salvation isn't dependant upon our lawkeeping. Our attempts at keeping the law don't get us into God's Kingdom and they don't even keep us in the Kingdom. We are to live by the Spirit, not by the letter of the law. Before we think living by the Spirit is an easy way out, consider what that means. The law forbids murder; the Spirit forbids hatred. The law forbids adultery; the Spirit forbids lust. The fruit of the Spirit might not be legislated for us, but that's what we need to be bearing as God's people. We need to

  And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines." 1 Samuel 7:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.7.8.ESV The Philistines were the Russians of Samuel's day. Thankfully, the Israelites realised their hope wasn't in Egypt or Syria, but in the Lord our God. Samuel was Israel's representative to God, like Christ is His people's Intercessor against satan our spiritual enemy. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We need to arm ourselves in God's armoury to defend and counter the evil one. God came through for Israel on Samuel's intercession. He thundered against Philistia and Israel routed the Philistine army. Samuel did a blood sacrifice as part of his mediation between Israel and God. Jesus shed His own blood on behalf of His people, to be reconciled to God. The devil's destiny is d

  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.5.5.ESV Suffering isn't meaningless or the ultimate destiny and end of the Christian. We have hope, not as 'pie in the sky when we die' but more like 'steak on a plate while we wait' for the return of King Jesus. Suffering only intensifies our perseverance and our anticipation of all the good that God has in store for us. If Christ had not risen from death, we would be hopeless. Because He did, we're not going to be put to shame. Instead, we will be vindicated for our trust in Him. Our hope and confidence is not in ourselves. Instead it is in the love of God revealed to us in the Lord Jesus Christ. His Holy Spirit applies His goodness to us in an overflowing measure. God's Holy Spirit is a seal to confirm the certainty of our salvation. We're not crossing our fing

  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.4.13.ESV If anyone thought the old testament was about works whilst the new testament is about faith, Paul makes clear that they agree on salvation by faith. Abraham wasn't saved by works, but by faith. It wasn't circumcision that justified Abraham, but trust in the Lord. We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone, it is always accompanied by works. Faith is like life and works are like movement. There's no movement without life. Movement is simply the evidence of life. Salvation for Abraham, David, and other old testament figures was only different to ours by time. They looked forward to Christ. We look back.   Abraham, David and the like received promises of Christ. We enjoy the fulfilment of those promises. We become right with God by faith. &#

  Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 1 Samuel 3:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.3.7.ESV The call of Samuel by the Lord is a famous Sunday School story. From my remembrance of its retelling, certain details escaped my notice. Although Samuel is often commended, in reality, at this stage, he was pretty clueless. The Lord was calling Samuel audibly, and he assumed it was his mentor Eli. In the end it was Eli who realised it must be God calling him. This verse explains why Samuel didn't know God was calling him. Samuel didn't yet know the Lord. Getting to know God isn't about us groping about in the dark for Him. It's about Him revealing Himself to us. The word of the Lord was about to be revealed to Samuel, and it wasn't going to be easily palatable. Eli's evil sons were going to be put to death. It was going to be hard for Samuel to break the news to Eli. 'Dear Lord, thank You for reveal

  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— Romans 1:11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.11.ESV At the mention of spiritual gifts maybe our ears prick up. What is Paul referring to? Speaking in tongues or prophecy? We might be surprised by the next verse, because Paul describes something we might be tempted to overlook as a spiritual gift. Paul is referring to the wonderful virtue of encouragement. If we're feeling encouraged, we might take it for granted. If we're feeling discouraged, whether we realise it or not, what we really need is not a tongue or prophecy. Instead, we need a word of encouragement. We need someone to ask us to cheer up. Paul and the Roman church had never met each other. He knew though that it would be mutually encouraging for them to meet. They would meet as he awaited trial before Caesar, and doubtless encouraged each other. 'Dear Lord, forgive us for so often overlooking the blessing of encour

  Yet wisdom is justified by all her children." Luke 7:35 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.7.35.ESV 'Yet' is Jesus referring to the fickle generation amongst whom He lived. He wasn't one to scratch itching ears. He reminded them of their accusation of austere John the Baptist having a demon. Nowadays someone might accuse John the Baptist of madness. Yet he faithfully fulfilled his commission as a forerunner of the Christ. Eccentric yes, but God's man for the time in which he lived, yes too. Far from being austere, Jesus was the kind of man who nowadays might be accused of being a 'party animal'. He justified Himself by describing Himself as the Bridegroom of His people: how could they fast whilst He was among them? Foolish people rejected simple John and extravagant Jesus. John was metaphorically the 'best man', whose job it was to 'big up' Jesus the Bridegroom of His people. They might have been very different characters, but they w

 "Thus says the Lord, God of Israel: Thus shall you say to the king of Judah who sent you to me to inquire of me, 'Behold, Pharaoh's army that came to help you is about to return to Egypt, to its own land. Jeremiah 37:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jer.37.7.ESV Judah was about to be conquered by the Babylonians. Instead of crying out to God to deliver them, they hoped the Egyptians would bail them out. God declared through Jeremiah that this wasn't going to happen. I can't help but compare with Ukraine. Like Judah, it is a relatively small nation facing the Russian Goliath. Judging by the Ukrainian President's recent speech to Western leaders, he's trusting in them rather than God to deliver his nation. Sadly, the West will likely prove as reliable to Ukraine as Egypt was for Judah. God wants people to rely on Him. 'Put no confidence in princes, nor for help on men depend, they shall die, to dust returning, and their purposes shall end'. Before we

  She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. Ruth 1:20 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rut.1.20.ESV Preachers often give Naomi a raw deal, as though she was bitter against God. To give her a bit of consideration however, 'Naomi', or 'pleasant' didn't seem an apt name at this stage. She had lost her husband and sons, so wasn't feeling like pretending everything was okay. To be fair to Naomi's critics, she forgot in her bitterness that she hadn't returned to her hometown empty like she suggests in the next verse. Her daughter in law Ruth refused to abandon her. Ruth even adopted the God of Naomi for herself. When we do experience bitter providences, we mustn't let them blind us to blessings, even in the present. We need to remember past mercies and trust God for future grace. Things turned out wonderfully for Naomi and Ruth. Things will turn out wonderfully for those who trust in G

  The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. Jeremiah 35:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jer.35.16.ESV Jonadab was a teatotaller, and decreed that his descendants would be also. The Bible itself doesn't decree teatotalism (or condemn it). This family though are commended for their consistency. I remember hearing about the Methodist Society at my university. Traditionally, Methodists are teatotal, but not these students. They would go out and get drunk. That kind of attitude isn't going to get a commendation from God. The Kingdom of God isn't a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and faith. The moral of this story isn't necessarily to ditch alcohol altogether, but to be consistent. Sadly, this wasn't the case among the Jewish people as a whole, and often isn't the case for us. As impending doom loomed for Judah, and the Babylonian war machine rolled closer, th