Watching Daily At Wisdom's Gates

  Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. Colossians 4:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/col.4.7.ESV Tychicus might only get a few mentions in the new testament. Yet he is immortalised as someone who stood shoulder to shoulder with Paul in his ministry. How will we be remembered (if at all?) many years after we're gone? How great it would be to be remembered as a beloved brother in the family of Christ! No one wants to be remembered as the prodigal son, or even the Pharisaical older brother. We just should want to faithfully plod on in the service of God. Tychicus's ministry wasn't to serve himself, as i suspect many ministries nowadays are that are named after themselves, or 'giants' of the faith (with nonetheless feet of clay). Paul and Tychicus didn't minister to themselves, accumulating a private jet for themselves for example. They ministered for Christ and His glory.

  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/col.3.17.ESV If we say and do everything in Christ's name, there'll be certain things we won't say or do at all. It's not possible to swear or to cheat in Jesus's name for example, so we wouldn't do that. If we can't do something with the Lord's blessing, we shouldn't do it at all. On the other hand, if we say and do things in Jesus's name, there's certain things we might not naturally say or do that we will say or do. So we will be ambassadors for Christ. In our words and deeds, we will consciously represent Him. If we were to lie and steal for example, that wouldn't make us good ambassadors of Christ. Instead, we should be honest and generous with people. By doing so, we will be good witnesses for Him. This verse isn't about pulling ourselves up by our

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/col.2.8.ESV I'm not an expert on the philosophies and deceits that may have tempted the Colossians, although I wonder if there was a similar tension to what there is nowadays. Some, call them Epicurian progressives perhaps, think we have to leave religion behind to become enlightened. Others, maybe stoical conservatives, think we should go back to our old ways. Worldly philosophies often have an element of truth in them. Of course we want to be progressive, not stagnant or even regressive. Yet where are we progressing to? That is the question! We should be conservative in the sense that we want to conserve what is good in society. Yet do we not want to progress from what isn't so good in society? God calls His people to progress towards holiness and t

  We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, Colossians 1:3 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/col.1.3.ESV Much of Colossians was written as a corrective: to make sure that the Colossian church was satisfied in Christ alone and not thinking He isn't enough. Before launching into that though, Paul starts off with real encouragement. He and Timothy were genuinely encouraged by the Colossian church. Why were Paul and Timothy encouraged? In summary, because of the Colossian church's faith in Jesus, their love for one another, and their hope of eternal glory. This is true of Christians whether we're tempted to follow false teachings or not. What is the ground of our faith, hope and love? It isn't being particularly clever or intelligent. Our faith, hope and love are rooted in Christ our Lord. Paul and Timothy were regularly in prayer for the Colossian church. Are we regularly in prayer for churches we know of? God, help us to be faithfu

  I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/php.4.13.ESV Paul wasn't saying he was superman. He wasn't suggesting he could fly to Mars. In the context, he was talking about contentment. Whatever life throws at us, we can be content, through Christ who strengthens us. We can stay reliant on God when we're prosperous, and we don't have to become embittered when we're in need. Even in the midst of persecution, we can know we're blessed, because great is our reward in heaven. Paul wasn't saying he could win the lottery. Jesus pronounced woe upon the rich, but blessed the poor. If we're living our best lives now, we're heading for hell! Thankfully, there's a glorious eternity to look forward to. Humanly speaking, it's impossible for sinners like us to make it there. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we can attain to glory however. 'Dear Lord, thank You for the truth th

  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/php.3.10.ESV Death is inevitable, unless Jesus returns first. Yet resurrection is also inevitable. Just as Christ rose from the dead, so shall we all, to face the final judgment. Death isn't an easy way out. Resurrection isn't something we can shortcut to. Before He defeated death, Jesus had to suffer it. We might not like suffering, yet it is a necessary evil. Just as it was necessary for Jesus to suffer for our sake, so it is necessary for us to suffer for His sake. If we do, our reward is great in heaven. Jesus doesn't save us to have an easy life. He expects us to follow in His footsteps. If we do, we will live forevermore. 'Our Heavenly Father, we praise You for the suffering, death and resurrection of Your Son, in whom we have the victory. In His name we pray, amen'

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  For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 11:4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.11.4.ESV Polygamy is rightly not encouraged in the West nowadays. We have plenty of Biblical examples of how dysfunctional polygamous families are. Solomon is one of the most extreme. We need to choose our partner wisely, if we decide to have one. Are they going to encourage faith in the Lord, or discourage it? Sadly, most of Solomon's marriages were political alliances, not healthy spiritual unions. We mustn't be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Marriage is the most intimate of human relationships. We should choose our spouse wisely, not just for the most humanly expedient person. The Lord our God is a jealous God. He wants hearts that are wholy true to Him. This doesn't mean to say we can't love a spouse, but He must be number one. 'Lord our

  Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” 1 Kings 10:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.10.9.ESV The queen of Sheba recognised the blessedness of Solomon, who reigned during the golden age of ancient Israel. It was almost as though the streets were paved with gold, it was such a prosperous time. Above all though, Solomon administered justice and promoted righteousness. This son of David is a picture of the Son of David. Solomon's father David was promised a Descendant whose reign would never end. Solomon's unfaithfulness to God led to civil war and the break up of Israel. He was not David's promised Son. David's promised Son was a humble carpenter turned Teacher called Jesus. His Kingdom isn't some worldly entity. Instead it is a spiritual reality. Jesus's Kingdom will never end. His new creatio

Living in the Borderland Near the shifting, listless sands Around the lazy River North, where southerners shiver. We are all moving on up, Unless we're down on our 'luck' Heading down where we deserve Or up to where we will serve- - we will serve the King of kings Who His people to Him brings Who serves us eternal life And saves us from all our strife. In the meantime now I live Blessedness others to give Call into the Borderland Out of a lifestyle of bland Life isn't just about stuff This claim isn't just a bluff Everything you need is love Love of God and neighbour love If you can read or hear this You're my neighbour, so I sus We're all in the Borderlands Sinking; time's relentless sands We must build upon the Rock That can withstand any shock The Rock is Christ and His word Which is my reading preferred The Bible, though much maligned Will stand the tests of all time It will outlast all the years When we leave this '

  Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O Lord my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day, 1 Kings 8:28 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ki.8.28.ESV In the context, Solomon reflected that the universe cannot contain God, never mind the temple he built for Him! Yet he still asked God in faith that He would hear his prayer. We might not deserve for God to have regard for our prayers, but we long that He would. I love how Solomon described himself as God's servant. He may have been the richest, most powerful earthly rulers Israel would ever have, yet he knew that at the end of the day, he was simply God's servant. There's real humility in that self-designation. If we pray, which we should, we would do well to echo Solomon here. Whether we're the king of Israel or a beggar, we are at best servants of the Lord. We don't pray just to repeat empty mantras, but to do business with the King of kings

  Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, Ephesians 4:26 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.4.26.ESV For all the times I've read this verse, it's just struck me now that we're actually commanded to be angry! We might sanctimoniously assume that anger is sin and that we should unflappably float around like a film adaptation of Jesus. Yet Paul insists that we should be angry. Why should we be angry? The first thing that comes to my mind is that satan has blinded unbelievers to the truth of God. I long for God to open the spiritual eyes of spiritually blind people. Paul doesn't stop at anger. He commands us not to sin. If for example my anger at satanic blindness is directed to the blind themselves or even to God for not healing them, that would be sin. I should reserve my anger for the evil one and his minions, and not lose my temper. God Himself is often described in the Bible as being slow to anger. That's how we should be too. We sh

  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.2.7.ESV The 'so that' is there because Paul has just told the Ephesian Church that spiritually, they were seated with Christ in heaven. Whatever they may have been going through in this world, they were secure in Jesus. Illiterate slaves though they mostly will have been, they were spiritual royalty. In coming ages we will look back on our lives as God's people and be filled with wonder that however we may have felt at the time, we were guaranteed eternity with God in Christ. No amount of persecution, mockery or hatred can separate us from the love of God for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are more than conquerors because our victory is forever, not just some temporary gain. We might not be materialistically rich, but if we are in Christ we are spiritual billionaires. God gives us everything we need out

  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 1:1 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.1.1.ESV To the world, Paul might have seemed to simply be an eccentric tentmaker. As far as God was concerned however, he was an Apostle, a messenger, one personally commissioned by Christ to make Him known. Apostle literally just means 'sent one'. Many self proclaimed 'Apostles' title themselves as such because they think they're entitled to health, wealth and happiness. Instead of being faithful to Christ, they are more like apostles of Mammon, or stuff. Material things are only going to pass away. Note that the saints aren't worshipable people. Instead, they're simply the ordinary believers in Christ. We might naturally be sinful. Yet in Christ we can be sanctified and set apart for His glory. Paul commends the Ephesian Church for being faithful to Jesus. May the same be able to b

  But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gal.6.14.ESV If anyone had religious cause to boast, it was Paul. He reeled off a list of his religious credentials elsewhere. Yet he went on to describe them as rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. We might be tempted to boast in various things that we feel proud of in our lives. Yet all that's worth praising is ultimately Christ, in whom is found all that is praiseworthy. There's nothing outside of Him that's worth boasting in. There'll be nothing in hell to boast about. Absent from the blessings of Christ in that place, there will only be eternal torment and regret. We either die to the world, or we die eternally to all that is good. If we're spiritually dead to the world, we mustn't act like spiritual zombies: hankering after the things in

  It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel. Ezekiel 36:32 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.36.32.ESV We may well be surprised to read this verse. We might think God should take away our shame, not to introduce it. Yet God didn't want His people having any sense of entitlement. Think of the shame of Peter, not Judas. I believe that to be the kind of shame God is referring to. Peter denied knowing Christ thrice. When he realised how wrong he'd been, he wept bitterly. Judas betrayed Christ, and was filled with regret. Yet his remorse drove him to despair, death and destruction. Peter on the other hand rushed to see the resurrected Christ by the Sea of Galilee. Only when we come to Christ with our shame and confoundedness can we have Him remove them from us. It's not that we're worthy to be saved. It's that Jesus is worthy to save us. 'O Lord God, may

  But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. Galatians 5:11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gal.5.11.ESV The Roman world tolerated a bit of religion. Judaism was a 'protected characteristic'. If people wanted to be circumcised, the Romans didn't have a problem with that. What the Romans didn't tolerate was faith in Jesus as a crucified Lord. After all, it was the Romans who crucified Him in the first place. Crucifixion was taboo: the idea that the crucified Christ, rather than Caesar, was Lord, was anathema. The world nowadays tolerates a bit of religion. If people want to be circumcised, or sprinkled with water as babies, or whatever else, there doesn't tend to be a problem with that. It is assumed that Jesus plus something or other like baptism or whatever else, is okay. The idea that our hope can be found in Christ crucified alone is, to this day, seemingly unaccepta

  Then David spoke to the Lord when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, “Behold, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand be against me and against my father’s house.” 2 Samuel 24:17 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.24.17.ESV David comes across relatively well here. He may have sinned grievously, but at least he admitted it and took responsibility for it. As shepherd of his people, he didn't want his wickedness to negatively impact them. David had called for a census of God's people. In Numbers, Moses did similar. In that case however, it was to trace God's goodness to the children of Israel. David was trusting in numbers of fighting men, rather than in the Lord his God. God gave David the choice of famine, war or disease as a consequence of his action. David ruled out war as he'd rather entrust himself to God's mercy than merciless enemies. Sure enough, the plague only lasted thre

  And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” Galatians 3:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gal.3.8.ESV Paul isn't saying that Jews are justified by works whereas Gentiles are justified by faith. We're all justified by faith. 'Abraham believed God, and He credited it to him as righteousness'. We're saved by faith alone, not works, so that no-one can boast- except in the cross of Jesus. Having said that, the faith that saves is never alone, it is always accompanied by works. These are the evidence that we are saved. People were telling the Galatian church (mostly Gentiles) that they had to become Jewish to become saved. Paul was telling them that this wasn't true. In the old covenant it might have seemed that way, but not anymore. Whereas the direction of travel in the old testament was towards the temple in Jerusalem as the symbol of

  with the purified you deal purely, and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. 2 Samuel 22:27 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.22.27.ESV I'm glad this verse talks about the purified rather than the purely pure. If we're honest, we all need purification. None of us are naturally pure. The process of purifying gold for example is intense. Great heat is requires to skim off the impurities and to leave the pure gold. Similarly, spiritual purification happens in the furnace of affliction. God can use seemingly negative things, like the extreme heat of adversity, to bring about good for us. David for example had a roller coaster of a life, but God refined him through it all. Similarly, God can use apparently bad things to help to bring about good in our lives. If God hasn't given us that metaphorical heart of God, if we are as it were fool's gold, the furnace of affliction seems tortuous to us, with no redeeming qualities. If we stray from God's path a

  not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gal.1.7.ESV There is no other good news outside of Jesus. Whether we believe in Him or not, everything good comes from Him. In Him we live, and move, and have our being. We don't just owe Jesus our every breath. If we receive the good news, we receive eternal life in the perfect new creation. We cannot add to the good news. False teachers in Galatia were trying to add circumcision to the gospel. They were making out that Jesus isn't enough. Thankfully in the West today, circumcision doesn't tend to be such a big deal, but other things are. Some people think Jesus's sacrifice wasn't enough and we have to add to it with our works, or with baptism for example. Some people divorce being born again with being baptised in the Holy Spirit, whereas I hold them to be the same: both happening when we come to faith in

  For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God. 2 Corinthians 13:4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.13.4.ESV Jesus might have come across as weak by allowing Himself to be crucified. In reality, it took real strength for Him to humble Himself to such a death. Death couldn't hold Him because He's full of the power of God. Like Jesus, we're weak in one respect. Though outwardly we're wasting away, yet inwardly in our spirits we're being renewed. Outwardly, Paul wasn't impressive looking or sounding, yet he displayed the Spirit's power in his ministry. The Corinthian church must have felt somewhat got at by Paul and his team. In their first letter, they had a number of points of correction to make. The second letter is rather more conciliatory. Paul and his team were secure in their authority as eyewitnesses of the majesty of Christ. As suc

  The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. Psalm 10:10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.10.10.ESV 'Might is right', the arrogant insist. The Bible doesn't actually deny that this is often how it seems in the world. Evildoers trample on the helpless and God might seem to be absent. This Psalm in context insists that the Lord is King, but it often doesn't feel like it. Atheistic scoffers trample on the poor. It seems like no-one will stop them. The way we can make sense of injustice is to know that even if it often doesn't happen in this life, there is eternity to come when it will be meted out. We deserve the fury of God's righteous justice. Yet if we repent of our sins, we can be saved. God is on the side of the poor and oppressed. 'Blessed are the poor', Jesus insists, 'for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven'. He was talking in a spiritual sense, but His people are rarely the rich and powerful in this world. 'God of

  therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand against you, and will hand you over as plunder to the nations. And I will cut you off from the peoples and will make you perish out of the countries; I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 25:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.25.7.ESV There are only two ultimate destinies for humanity: destruction, and salvation. If we think we don't need saving, we're doomed to destruction- unless we change our minds. All the turmoil in the world is God's megaphone to say that we do need saving. It's not that if we reject God we get to deny Him forevermore. The end of this verse is a salutary warning: 'I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am the Lord'. We might assume that if we're destroyed, we won't know anything. Yet Biblically, destruction isn't annihilation. It's eternal, conscious torment and regret. Enemies of God's people don't have a good prognosis. T

  For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. 2 Corinthians 10:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.10.8.ESV Paul wasn't authoritarian. He didn't lord it over the Corinthian church. Yet he did have to assert his God given authority over them. The Corinthian church wasn't necessarily very impressed by Paul. They admitted his letters were weighty. Yet it seems he wasn't a particularly impressive public speaker. Paul's authority wasn't based upon the 'gift of the gab'. Paul's authority was based on the calling of Almighty God. He was given it to build up the Corinthian church, not to knock them down a peg or two as one might expect! Nowadays, deconstructionism is trendy. This is basically the idea of tearing things down. Biblically, constructionism is far more... constructive... and commendable! 'Almighty Lord, thank You for the authority Yo

  But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 2 Samuel 16:10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.16.10.ESV The sons of Zeruiah were hot-headed, bloodthirsty, macho men: the epitome of toxic masculinity. David on the other hand was a man after God's own heart. We know he wasn't an angel, but neither was he vindictive. David was on the run for his life from his usurper son Absalom. As they fled, a man heaped insults on him. David refused to retaliate. David was meek. He didn't insist on his rights. He had a right to get back at this cursing man, but he refused to do so. David's son Solomon came up with a good proverb that links. He said that an undeserved curse doesn't alight. In other words, these curses didn't have any impact on David, and if they did, he deserved it. 'O Lord, please help us be philosophical about curs

  “As for you, O house of Israel, thus says the Lord God: Go serve every one of you his idols, now and hereafter, if you will not listen to me; but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts and your idols. Ezekiel 20:39 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.20.39.ESV God hates duplicity. He hates it when people are idolatrous, but still pay Him lip service. An example would be people-pleasers who call themselves Christians, but build their faith upon the shifting sands of popular opinion rather than the solid foundation of the Word of God. God would rather people pursued idolatry alone than attempting to have a foot in His camp too. There is often a sifting that goes on where fake Christians get weeded out of God's people. This may happen when people's feelings that they idolise get hurt and they refuse to forgive. In the West nowadays, nominal, idolatrous Christianity is dying out. Joshua's challenge to the children of Israel rings out down the generations.

  Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 2 Samuel 12:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.12.5.ESV David's hypocrisy is glaringly obvious in this passage. He had committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband Uriah. Nathan told a story to illustrate what he had done. The story goes like this: a filthy rich man had a visitor. Instead of nipping to the shops for his visitor's meal, he stole and slaughtered his poor neighbour's only pet lamb. Understandably, David was angry. He seems to have thought it was a true story. David burned with self-righteous anger, little knowing that a metaphorical knock out blow was about to come swinging his way. After his sanctimonious speech, Nathan landed a proverbial punch in David's face. 'You are the man!' Nathan insisted. Thankfully, David got the message. He humbled himself. He repented of his sin. He wrote

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  Coming from a Christian home, and being reared on the Bible from being very small, I came to grow up assuming I was a Christian, even though my parents made clear that I wasn't automatically a Christian. But I knew all the answers at Sunday School, so assumed that the God whose existence I took for granted must have been pretty pleased with me. Of course, God isn't just interested in us knowing the right thing, but in doing it as well.  When I was eight years old, my grandad became a Christian on his deathbed. I saw the impact this had upon my believing family, that there was peace, hope, and even joy in the face of death. When he died I cried, but not for him in heaven. I was crying for myself, deserving of hell.  As an eight year old, I may not have been a murderer or an addict, but I was a self righteous Pharisee, who God was in the process of humbling. A few days after my grandad fell asleep in the Lord, I asked mum how I could be saved, even though I will have heard many

  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.4.7.ESV Jars of clay are pretty commonplace and ordinary. There's nothing particularly special about us, apart from the fact we were moulded out of clay originally. God is the Master Potter! When we come to Christ though, we're still pretty average vessels, but we're requisitioned for an extra special purpose. We hold the priceless treasure of the gospel in our hearts. What is that treasure? The treasure of the gospel is that hellbound sinners like us can be repurposed to be fit for heaven, through faith in Jesus. Once we were the kinds of jars of clay that would be thrown away. Now, we have been repurposed to showcase God's glory in saving us. We might feel all cracked and broken. Many Christians get violently persecuted for their faith in Christ. Yet in the midst of it all, God helps us to shine the lig

  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.3.17.ESV I heard a great talk on Sunday about staying in God's box. Doesn't sound very freeing does it?! Yet think of Noah's ark. It might have felt restrictive to him, but it was only there that there was safety from the global flood. Jesus is the spiritual ark of God. In Him there may be restrictions from harmful things. Yet ultimately, there is freedom from death, darkness, destruction and despair. Think of sport. Great sportspeople play within the restrictions of the rules. Yet within those confines, they play with great freedom. So it is with the Holy Spirit. Working in partnership with our consciences and the Bible, He keeps us from things that aren't good for us. Instead, He empowers us to live in the freedom that Christ has bought for us by His shed blood. 'Sovereign Lord, thank You for the freedom we enjoy through

  And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 2 Samuel 9:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.9.7.ESV Saul had been David's mortal enemy, who was out to kill him. When Saul died, David didn't seek revenge on his family. Quite the opposite! David is a picture of God here. Just as David showed Mephibosheth kindness, so God shows us kindness. Just as Mephibosheth didn't do anything to earn David's kindness, so we haven't done anything to earn God's kindness- on the contrary! Jonathan and David had been best friends. Just as David showed Mephibosheth kindness for Jonathan's sake, so God shows us kindness for Jesus's sake. Jesus reconciles God and mankind. Mephibosheth didn't expect anything good from David. We might not expect God to do good to us. Yet David treated Mephibosheth like a prince

  Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 2 Samuel 7:21 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.7.21.ESV I love David's humility. Why was he so great? He knew it wasn't because of any intrinsic greatness of his own. David had been a humble shepherd boy when God promised he'd be the next king. In the context of this verse, not only was David now king, but his Son would have an everlasting Kingdom, as promised by God. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of David. God didn't begrudgingly bless David. It was according to His heart that He blessed him. David might not have been worthy of God's blessings, but He delighted to do him good anyway. David didn't necessarily need to be told about his Son whose reign will never end. Yet God graciously let His servant know, so that he could rejoice in Him. God took David from the sheepfold to the palace and promised him a part in His eter

  And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 2 Samuel 5:12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.5.12.ESV I love David's humility here. He was king of Israel during its golden age. Yet he didn't let the power go to his head. Firstly, David knew that it was the Lord who established him as king over Israel. It wasn't his own strength or ingenuity that gave him the kingship. He'd been a humble shepherd boy when God had him anointed as king. Secondly, David knew that it wasn't for his own sake that God exalted him. God didn't just see a shepherd boy with potential. He didn't give David free rein to exploit his people like most rulers do. David knew it was for His people's sake that God made him king, to shepherd God's flock. In this, he is a picture of the Son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ. He reigns eternally not to exalt Himself, but to serve His people.

  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. John 13:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.13.13.ESV Jesus is Teacher. Yet He's not the kind of dictatorial teacher who rants and raves at His students. Instead He's gentle with them. Jesus is Lord. Yet He doesn't Lord it over us and bully us around. Instead He's patient with us. Jesus isn't Teacher and Lord in a worldly sense. In the context, He washed His disciples' feet. He took the posture of a humble slave. Jesus wasn't just doing something for a press briefing or a media opportunity. He was modelling what He expects of His people: a life of humble service. 'Our Father God, thank You for our Teacher and Lord, Your Son. May we emulate His example and live for His glory. In His name we pray, amen'

  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.13.3.ESV It's not enough to give away all we have. There's sometimes an expectation that people who make a load of money should give it away. If they do so with the wrong attitude however, their apparent act of charity is worthless. If generosity doesn't flow from a heart of love, it isn't worth very much in the grand scheme of things. It's not enough to feed, clothe and shelter people for this life, when there's an eternity to come. Love inspired generosity doesn't simply meet people's temporal needs; it warns them of their spiritual needs that can only be met in Jesus. It's not even enough to be martyred for the faith. Tradition suggests that even Paul himself was burned to death by emperor Nero. Yet if he didn't give up his life out of love for God, his martyrdom would be worthless

  But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.12.31.ESV If there was some online test the Corinthian church could have taken to 'find out their spiritual gifts', they would have taken it. A problem with those however is that they rely on self assessment. God doesn't give His children gifts in isolation, but to bless one another. One of the best ways we can find out our spiritual gifts is to ask other believers. After writing about them for a while, Paul goes on to show the Corinthian church what matters. Far more important than prophecy, tongues or generosity is love. Without love, we are just scratching around in the mud with our spiritual gifts. With love, we are cultivating spiritual fruit with our gifts. If we don't have love, we have nothing. Faith, hope and love are the foundational gifts we need God to give us to thrive as Christians. Even our faith in Him isn&

  But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.11.3.ESV This verse is controversial nowadays. To claim that men and women are anything other than identical is contentious nowadays. Truth is of course that we are different biologically, no amount of genital mutilation can change that fact. Note what Paul isn't saying. He isn't saying that men are better than women. If husbands are the heads of their wives, and the head of Christ is God, then they are equal. Christ isn't inferior to His Father. Wives aren't inferior to husbands. Yet God isn't a democracy. Jesus defers to His Father; wives ought to defer to their husbands. Marriage isn't a democracy. If it was, and there was a 50/50 split, the couple would be at loggerheads. If the wife submits to the husband however, there's marital unity. 'Father God, help hu

  Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 1 Corinthians 8:4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.8.4.ESV We could read this verse in isolation and think that we could happily eat halal food for example. If we read in context however, we might have to think twice. Although food sacrificed to idols isn't harmful in and of itself, we still have to be mindful of those who are wary of it. False gods might be nonexistent, but converts from false religions aren't. They might be uncomfortable eating food sacrificed to their old idols. If so, they shouldn't be obliged to eat it. In ancient times, as in some places of worship nowadays, food was often served as part of religious rituals. The food itself might not be the problem, but going along with false religious rituals is questionable. This is especially insofar as it might upset people who have been saved out of such religions. The

  Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 1 Corinthians 7:1 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.7.1.ESV Interestingly, Paul doesn't necessarily contradict the Corinthian church's verdict on sex. Corinth was as sex crazed as the West nowadays. The Corinthian Christians probably thought they were being pious by suggesting such a thing. Paul suggests they've gone too far. There's nothing wrong with sexual desire if it finds expression in a heterosexual, monogamous marriage for life. In fact, Paul says Christian couples should only deprive each other of sex for the sake of prayer. Of course, Paul would argue that prayer is better than sex. Yet he wouldn't want Christian couples to be depriving themselves constantly of intimacy with one another. Still, Paul argues singleness is better. Single people can devote themselves 100% to God. Married couples have divided loyalties. If we do marry tho

  To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 1 Corinthians 6:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.6.7.ESV If some Corinthian Christian felt wronged by one of their brethren, they would tend to take them to court. This shouldn't be. Disputes between believers should be resolved within the church. The scenario I'm thinking of is divorce. I know most Christians have far more liberal views than me, but I think that unless there's adultery or abuse it shouldn't be considered. Even in those cases separation is preferable to divorce. Why do I have such strict views on divorce? Well it's from my reading of Scripture, that the likes of Jesus, Paul and Malachi in various places see it as very much a last resort. Between two Christians I'm not sure it should ever be: the aim should always be repentance and reconciliation. As far as Paul's concerned, whether a Christian dispute is

  when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 1 Corinthians 4:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.4.13.ESV Sadly, the experience of Paul and company is borne out by many faithful Christians ever since. The church is not free of scandals, but it is also full of faithful ministers who nonetheless get slandered. How should we respond to false accusations? With entreaties. Who knows whether or not we will win our accusers over? Paul was an accuser of the brethren, who persecuted them to death, until God turned his life around. If God can transform Paul he can transform anyone. Even to this day, Christians are despised. Even in the West, where we aren't persecuted to the extent of other parts of the world, we're despised by the world around us. Westerners think they've moved on from the timeless truths of the word of God. Sadly, in many parts of the world, Christians are discarded like rubbish: thrown i

  Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.” 1 Samuel 22:23 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.22.23.ESV Abiathar and his colleagues had provided refuge to David in his time of need. In retribution, David's enemy Saul had slaughtered all Abiathar's colleagues, with only him escaping. He fled to David. I love David's words to Abiathar, illustrating that your enemy's enemy is your friend. There's a spiritual lesson for us too. The enemy of our souls is the devil. The devil wants to destroy us. He thought he'd destroyed Jesus on the cross, but Christ rose triumphant from the tomb on the third day. If we flee satan for the Lord, He'll keep us safe. The evil one knows deep down that he can't touch Christ, enthroned as He is in the highest heaven. What he can do (if God allows) is to hurt God's people, and in doing so to grieve God Himself. Thankfully, God will not allow us to be te

  so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.2.5.ESV There wasn't anything particularly special about Paul, humanly speaking. In the previous verse he reminds the Corinthian church that he wasn't a particularly impressive speaker. What set him apart was that he was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, who mightily demonstrated His power through him in his weakness. We know Paul was well educated. We know he was a very zealous, passionate man, even before he was saved. We also know that at least one person fell asleep during one of his talks though, so he can't have been especially engaging naturally. Paul didn't even look impressive. He tells another church about what sounds like an eye condition he had- they would have donated their own eyes to him if they could! Literate though he was, he often needed people to scribe his letters for him, the very epistles he's so

  so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.1.7.ESV Judging by Paul's teaching later on in his first letter to the Corinthian church, they needed some teaching on spiritual gifts. Even here at the outset, Paul sets out his stall. No-one in the Corinthian church was lacking in any gift. Maybe the extra gifted Corinthian Christians were lording it over those who were less so. Maybe those who could speak other languages were put on a pedestal above those who simply had the gift of being organised. Yet as far as God is concerned, He has gifted all of His people with all that we need to serve Him. I heard a great description of spiritual gifts recently. Rather than divorcing them from the fruit of the Spirit, we can see them as the tools by which we help ourselves bear as much spiritual fruit as possible. So the gifts of the spirit could be things like secateurs to prune a fr

  let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults. Lamentations 3:30 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/lam.3.30.ESV When Jesus commanded us to 'turn the other cheek', He wasn't just making some ridiculous statement that He had no intention of keeping. Jesus wasn't a revolutionary, out to overthrow the Romans. He could have called down angelic armies to defend Himself, but He allowed Himself to be tortured and murdered. Turning the other cheek might seem impractical and unrealistic. Wouldn't we just be inviting people to trample all over us? In the context, if a Jew retaliated when an occupying Roman soldier hit them, they'd probably be killed. Jesus's teaching to someone under enemy occupation, like a Ukrainian with a Russian soldier, would be to turn the other cheek. He wouldn't call us to go all vigilante on them. I love how God's Kingdom transcends politics: Jesus's followers included Matthew the traitorous

  And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.17.26.ESV A great temptation when we're reading Scripture is to assume it's all about us. So we become David fighting our 'Goliath', whether that be anxiety, debt, besetting sin, or a difficult relationship etc. Jesus on the Emmaus Road showed us a more Biblical way: it's all about Him! A Biblical reading of the David and Goliath story would see David as an illustration of Jesus Himself, the Son of David. According to this reading, Goliath isn't some subjective struggle of ours, but the objective enemy of our souls, the devil. The devil defies God's angelic armies. It took the death and resurrection of God's own Son to defeat satan. Maybe the angel Michael could have

  The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 16:1 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.16.1.ESV Does the Lord's choosing of David invalidate my claim that a kingly model of pastoring is wrong? I would argue not. David isn't a picture of a godly pastor I would argue, so much as a shadow of the Christ, the Son of David. When we see David defeating Goliath, we rush to apply it to ourselves and the giants in our lives. Again though, David is a picture of Jesus who has defeated the giants in our lives for us. The Bible is primarily about Him, not us! Prophecy bears me out on my claim that a kingly model of pastoring is wrong. All earthly kings, David included, fall short of God's glory. Jesus however is prophesied as the shoot from the stump of Jesse. Jesus is the

  And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:26 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.15.26.ESV Saul blamed his people for his rejection of God's word. Ultimately however, he had to bear responsibility for his own sin. He reminds me of Adam blaming Eve for his disobedience. The people had a logical sounding argument. Save the enemy's flocks to sacrifice to the Lord. It sounds like a good, even godly idea. The problem is, God told Israel to destroy everything of the enemy's. Simply in hearing the bleating of animals, Samuel knew Saul had been disobedient, despite his protestations to the contrary. God's word isn't optional. We stand or fall either upon it, or against it. If God says something is wrong, who are we to declare it right? 'Sovereign Lord, please cause those who profess You but are disobedient to repent before it's too

  For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, Romans 12:4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.12.4.ESV The human body isn't just one epic tongue or eye for example. There are many parts to the body, and they have different purposes. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. As it is with the human body, so it is with the spiritual body of Christ on earth, the Church of Jesus. Some of us are like a metaphorical tongue, good at speaking or interpreting different languages. Others are like the hands of the church, good practically at helping people. Once we come to faith in Jesus and join His church, we need to find out how He has gifted us. We all have various gifts. Some have more than one. For me personally, I like to think I'm an encourager. I love to share the good news of Jesus. And I like to teach, if my students are willing to learn. Having been given certain gifts, we are to exercise them. 'Father in heaven, thank You

  do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Romans 11:18 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.11.18.ESV Paul pictures God's people as an olive tree. The natural plant is Jewish. Judaism is the root of Christianity. The Jewish Messiah, or Christ, is Saviour of the world. The vast majority of Christians now are Gentiles. It's as though we're branches that have been grafted in to the natural olive tree. Just because we might be the ones bearing the most fruit, doesn't mean to say we can be arrogant though. Without being rooted in Jesus the Messiah, we could bear no fruit. Without Him, we can do nothing. He unites Jews and Gentiles together in faith towards Himself. Nowadays, within God's people, we might consider Jews more widely as religious people who come to faith in Jesus. Gentiles could represent secular people who come to faith in Jesus. Whatever our background, we're u

  And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 1 Samuel 12:20 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.12.20.ESV Some churches have a model of leadership where the pastor is like a king with his subjects. That isn't a Biblical model. Even in the old testament, God's people were told they'd done evil by hankering after and asking for a king. Likewise in the new testament it's abundantly clear that the Lord is King of kings. As you can imagine, God doesn't take kindly to usurpers to His throne. What would God say to those in kingly pastoral churches? God wouldn't necessarily say to leave a church with poor governance. What he would say is to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. So what is good church governance? Good church governance involves a plurality of elders, who are under-shepherds of the flock of Christ. Not so glamorous as kings! I'm re

  For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. Romans 9:3 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.9.3.ESV We might sometimes inaccurately imagine Paul as some kind of intellectual stuck in an ivory tower writing letters to churches. He was however at the coalface of pioneering evangelistic ministry. He wasn't just some cerebal person without any people skills. Paul wasn't just some slick salesman. He genuinely cared for the people he was ministering to. He went as far as to say he would rather be accursed if it meant that his countryfolk could be saved! This verse calls for soul searching. Do we care for our nations like Paul cared for his fellow Jews? I know I've shed tears in the past for my people, but maybe my love has grown cold. If we've been forgiven much, we will love much. If we've only been forgiven little, we won't love as much. May we realise just how much God lo

  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.8.23.ESV The creation is, as it were, groaning as in the pains of childbirth, awaiting the new creation's advent. That's why we have so many natural disasters. They're signs that we're nearing the end of time. It's not just creation that is in labour as it were. God's people, filled with His Spirit, can hardly wait for the full fruition of our salvation. There's one sense in which we're already saved, the deal had been sealed, but we won't enjoy the consummation of our salvation until eternal glory. We should be able to relate to women in labour, because we too are longing for our adoption and redemption to be birthed. It's like the adoption papers have been signed, but we haven't got home yet. Hopefully we're not so