Watching Daily At Wisdom's Gates

  I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. Hosea 13:14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/hos.13.14.ESV Humanly speaking, death is the end: there's no hope for the dead. Yet spiritually, even though we're all born spiritually dead, we can be made alive in Christ. We can be ransomed and redeemed. Apparently, the Hebrew isn't in the form of a question, but the Greek translation of the old testament that the new testament writers used is. In the old testament era, it must have seemed like death had the victory. Northern Israelites were either killed or assimilated into oblivion by Assyria. In the new testament era, we know that Christ has the victory over death and the grave. The new testament writers quote part of this verse in the context of Christ's resurrection. In Him, we have the victory.   The end of this verse is perplexing. How ca

 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. Philemon 1:14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/phm.1.14.ESV God doesn't want us to feel compelled to do good. He wants us to do good of our own accord. God isn't a hard taskmaster; He's a loving Heavenly Father. Because God is like that with us, we should be like that with others. Paul didn't want to oblige Philemon to keep his runaway slave Onesiphorus with Paul, because Onesiphorus was helpful to Paul. He wanted reconciliation between Philemon and Onesiphorus. The new testament is anti slavery, but it's also pragmatic. Paul didn't lead a Spartacist revolt against slavery. What he did do was to tell Philemon to welcome Onesiphorus back as a brother. Onesiphorus could serve Philemon, but of his own accord rather than under compulsion. We need to be convinced in our own minds of the goodness of goodness. It's no good doing something

 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/tit.3.8.ESV In context, Paul is saying about salvation through the Lord Jesus. We trust in Him alone for salvation, not ourselves. Having trusted in Him though, we are to devote ourselves to living for Him. Living for God doesn't involve becoming cave dwelling hermits! By loving others, we can express love for God. When we talk about 'do gooders', we don't tend to be flattering, but Pusl isn't calling us to be meddlers. As we go about our days, there'll be ample opportunities to do good to others and as an expression of worship to God, without unnecessarily poking our noses into other peoples' businesses. God wants us to devote ourselves to doing good. This requires passion and purpose; the will do do it and

  who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:14 NIV Why did Jesus give Himself for us? It wasn't so we can do what we like without fear of consequences. He died to redeem us from all wickedness. God, forbid that we should continue doing evil. Jesus didn't redeem us from all wickedness only for us to be enslaved to it all over again. Just as He brought Israel out of Egyptian captivity, so He brings His new covenant people out of slavery to sin. May we not become yoked to evil again. We were saved for a relationship with God. We weren't saved to be left to our own devices. We are to become Christlike. If we're not eager to do good, we betray the fact we haven't truly been saved from our badness. God doesn't leave us in the mud and the mire. He wants to purify us. 'Gracious God, thank You for saving us to be conformed into the likeness of Your Son. In His n

  Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness Titus 1:1 NIV Paul wasn't self serving; he served God. So many self proclaimed ministers and self named ministries are self serving. Paul's ministry wasn't pauline; it was divine. So many self proclaimed apostles are blowing their own trumpets, not Jesus Christ's. If we're proclaiming ourselves rather than Christ, we're preaching another gospel. Paul on the other hand was personally commissioned by the risen Lord to proclaim Him to the Gentiles. Paul wasn't about furthering his bank balance; he was about furthering the faith of God's elect. Having been chosen by God and given the gift of faith, we are to exercise that trust in God every day. It's like if a child is given the gift of a bike, they should use it. Paul wanted his people to grow further in their knowledge of the truth that leads to godlin

 2 Samuel 24:14 ESV Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.” David had messed up. He'd called a census to number his fighting men. Whereas Numbers catalogues God's grace to His people in censuses, David called a census trusting in his fighting men. God gave David a choice of punishment. David demonstrated his trust in God and His character. He knew God to be infinitely more merciful than the kind of enemies he could have faced. Instead of facing military opponents, David faced a plague in his land. Thankfully, God stayed His hand of judgment and proved David right. God is merciful. When we're in distress, when we're at our wits' end, God forbid that we would look to human solutions. May we entrust ourselves to God. He is merciful and that's what we need. 'Merciful God, have mercy upon us for trusting in ourselves rather than You. In the name of J

 Galatians 3:14 ESV so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. We're naturally under a curse because of our sinfulness. That's why we face death and that's why Christ had to die. In death, He took our curse upon Himself. In Christ, we're not only not cursed, we're blessed. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. God promised Abraham He'd bless the world through his Seed, and in Christ the world is blessed. Because of Jesus we can receive the Holy Spirit. He blesses us by helping us to kill sin and to bear good spiritual fruit like love, joy and peace. In Him we enjoy eternal life. We receive God's Holy Spirit by faith. We don't need a second blessing. The moment we entrust ourselves to Jesus we receive His Holy Spirit. 'Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to bear our curse and for leaving Your Spirit to bless us. May we walk with Him, for Your glory, a

 2 Samuel 22:31 ESV This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.  Why do I write about the word of the Lord daily? Because it has proved true in my life, and I want to meditate on it and share it with others. God's way is perfect, and His word outlines it for us. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. David took refuge in the Son of David and found Him to be a shield. This can be our experience too. The idea of needing a refuge might seem like a sign of weakness. Yet it is a case of realism, recognising who we are spiritually. We're in need of a safe place we can always come to. David wasn't a weak person, he was a mighty warrior king. Yet he knew he was only strong in the Lord and His power. David recognized his need for the Lord to be a shield for him spiritually. 'Lord our God, please shield us with Your loving protection. May we find in You a refu

 Galatians 1:8 ESV But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. What is the good news? It is salvation in Christ alone, by faith alone, by grace alone, according to Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. Too often we seek to add to it. Salvation isn't Jesus + circumcision (thankfully!). Neither is it Jesus + baptism. It's not Jesus + a quiet time each morning. If we add to the gospel, we're adulterating it into something that is no gospel at all. It's a bit like adding tea to coffee, or petrol to a diesel car. It's all about Jesus, not anything we can do. Paul goes on to say that adulterers of the gospel should be accursed. They will be cursed eternally if they don't repent. It seems harsh, but if people don't believe the gospel, they're hopeless, so if people are led astray, that's a terrible thing to be guilty of. 'God, forbid that we should pervert the go

 Psalm 11:3 ESV if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”  David wrote this Psalm, at which stage we do not know. Even once he became king of Israel there was plenty of attacks upon God's people. My hunch is that he wrote this earlier, when the Philistines were harrying the children of Israel. Nowadays in the post christianised UK, we feel stuck between the rock of Islam and the hard place of godless secularism. It's as though Islam and materialism have teamed up to try and destroy any christianised foundations in this country. So what can the righteous do? In the context we are to look to the Lord. Christ Jesus was crucified by an unholy alliance of religious and political powers, yet He defeated death to make us righteous. We're not naturally righteous, yet through faith in Jesus we can have His righteousness credited to our bankrupt spiritual accounts. Whatever else happens in the world, we will see our Saviour face to face. Ultimately, that's all

 Psalm 10:17 ESV O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear We might assume that the desire of the afflicted would be to no longer be afflicted. Not necessarily. After all, Jesus told us we'd inevitably have trouble in this world, but to be encouraged that He's overcome the world. Think of the afflicted early church. They didn't pray for the affliction to stop. They prayed for the boldness to persevere in the face of affliction. Similarly, the Psalmist prays for strengthened hearts. Affliction might be inevitable in this life. Yet if God strengthens our hearts, we can cope. When we're in trouble, we often want someone to simply listen to our woes. Who better to have regard for our difficulties than God? He is all powerful and all loving to help us in our struggles. 'Heavenly Father, we rejoice that You hear us when we pray. Please strengthen our hearts in the midst of trouble. In Christ's name, amen&#

 2 Corinthians 11:23 ESV Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Paul was defending his ministry to the Corinthian church. Though it owed its inception in part to him (ultimately to God of course), they were being led astray by 'super apostles'. Nowadays they'd be the kind of people who boast of having private jets. Paul decided to play the super apostles at their own game. Yet instead of boasting of health, wealth and happiness, he boasted of quite the opposite. He insisted he was far more hard working than them. Christ pronounced woe upon the rich and blessed the persecuted. Paul knew he was very blessed, in how much he suffered for Christ, and how great his heavenly reward would be. We tend to shy away from suffering, yet to follow Christ is to go the way of the cross. Jesus commands us to deny ourselves, not to seek comfortable lives for our

 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, Christianity is a logical religion. Jesus is the Logos, the Word of God, personified. Because we are made in His image and likeness, in theory we are logical beings. Of course, having rebelled against God, we twist logic to try and disprove God. Yet having come to faith in Him, by His word and Spirit, we can destroy arguments and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God. We could call this apologetics, the defense of the gospel; or even polemics, attacking false beliefs. Of course, we don't just face external enemies to the Good News of salvation in Christ. We have to deal with our own wayward thoughts as well. If we have tempting or troublesome thoughts, we would do well to take Paul's advice here. We should take every thought captive to obey Christ. Sometimes our thoughts aren't just about right and wrong. Somet

  '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 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/2SA.16.10 Our gut reaction when people curse us is to give as good as we get. For king David, he could easily have ordered the sons of Zeruiah to execute the man who cursed him. Yet he refused to do so. David had a keen sense of the sovereignty of God, even in his exile from his usurper of a son Absalom. He knew the woes he was facing was a result of his own sinful rebellion against God in adultery and murder. God had humbled him, and he wasn't going to lose his temper because someone cursed him. God is sovereign even over the curses we might receive. There's a comforting proverb that an undeserved curse is like a bird that flies overhead, it doesn't alight. We take cruel words to heart too easily, but David refused to do so. David, king

  But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.8.7.ESV I think sometimes we're so wary of seeming to flatter that we shy away from complimenting at all. Paul had no such qualms. He was happy to acknowledge that the Corinthian church was excellent in a number of ways. The Corinthian church was faithful. They were speaking the gospel to their community. They knew their stuff. Earnestness and love defined them. So far so good, but Paul felt he had to remind them of another grace they needed to display more of. It's not enough to be all those things Paul mentioned if we're stingy. We need to be generous too. Other churches were in need and as yet the Corinthian church wasn't forthcoming with aid. Paul urged them to excel in the grace of generosity. What of us? Do we excel in generosity? 'Gracious God,

  For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 2 Corinthians 7:11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.7.11.ESV Here Paul unpacks the godly grief that leads to salvation, as opposed to the worldly sorrow that leads to death. Godly grief is of the Lord, not ourselves. Naturally, we're only sorry we got caught. The Corinthians proved their godly grief by their earnestness to clear themselves from Paul's admonitions in his first letter. Before he wrote to them, they were justifying licentiousness. Upon receiving his rebukes they became indignant towards the wrongs they had done. Fear isn't necessarily a bad thing, if it leads to faith in God. Fear shouldn't drive us cringing from God; but humbly to Him for healing. We should long for restoration with God. We should be zeal

  For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2co.6.2.ESV We are living in the now and the not yet. Even today is a day of salvation. Eternity is the 'not yet' when it'll be too late to be saved. I know I'm often guilty of an attitude of 'don't do today what you can put off til tomorrow'. That isn't a Biblical attitude. There's no guarantee of tomorrow. We might die or Christ might return first. Many people say they will come to faith when they're older, when they've 'lived a little'. We can't bank on becoming deathbed converts. If we've spent a life rebelling against God, it's unlikely we'll turn to Him in the end. If you're reading this and you're not saved, cry out to God to do so, through Christ crucified. If you are saved, rejo

  Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? Ezekiel 18:29 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.18.29.ESV Before we judge the house of Israel, we must recognise that many Gentiles have a similar attitude to God to this day. Most people ignore God when all going well. When things seem to go wrong however, God is blamed. There might seem to be some sense to questioning God's justice. After all, the world is full of injustice. If God is just and omnipotent, why is there so much injustice? It's helpful to have a divine, eternal perspective instead of a temporary worldly perspective. In eternity, justice will prevail. In the meantime, God gives unjust people like us opportunity to repent and to trust in Him for salvation from the condemnation we deserve. We are the unjust ones. We are the ones worthy of God's judgment. He is just, yet simultaneously merciful and gracious tow

  Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.18.37.ESV The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus killed for blasphemy, for claiming to be God's Son. Only the more secular Romans could execute Him though. Thankfully for the Jewish leaders, Jesus also claimed to be a King, which was treason to the Romans. Jesus affirmed Pilate's questioning as to whether He is a King. He even claimed to be Truth personified, contrasting Himself to Caesar who claimed to be Lord. Jesus is Lord, not Caesar. Most people would pay lip service to Jesus. They would admit He's a good man. Even Pilare did that. Yet most, like Pilate, reject Him. The test as to whether we truly respect Jesus as a good man is whether we listen to and follow His teachings. If we a

  “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 2 Samuel 7:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2sa.7.5.ESV At first, the prophet Nathan encouraged David to build a house for the Lord. It seems like a no brainer that God would appreciate that. Yet then the word of the Lord came to him. We might have good plans, but God might just have a better purpose. David thought he'd build God a house, like he was doing Him a favour. God made clear He didn't need that. What God goes on to say though is amazing. Not only did He not want David to build Him a house. He told him that He Himself would build a house for David himself. Even in the new testament, Jesus said *I* will build *my* church, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. God doesn't the building, not us. We're just the materials in His hands. 'God, forbid that we should assume that You rely on us in any way. Help us to consciously rely on You for everything. I

  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.15.7.ESV The worldly man might read this verse and think 'Great! I can come to Jesus for a private jet!' The spiritual man reads this verse and knows He can ask God for the grace he needs for each day. There's no trial or temptation that can destroy the faith of a child of God: He won't allow it. What does God want of us? Does He want us to be healthy, wealthy and happy in this life? Not necessarily. He wants us to bear much fruit for Him. To bear fruit for God we might have to go through much adversity. Through all the seasons of life we are to live for Him, not just when the sun is shining. God might need to prune us to make us what we ought to be. Yet a godly person doesn't shy away from having his rough edges smoothed off. We need God to make us Christlike, whatever it takes. 'Dear God, please help us to bea

  Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 1 Corinthians 15:1 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.1.ESV The gospel isn't that we'll be healthy, wealthy and happy if we follow Jesus. The gospel isn't even primarily that we can be forgiven. Paul defines it differently in this passage. In this passage, Paul reminds his readers of the death burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity isn't just a philosophy or a nice story: it's based on historical events. Famously, an investigative journalist called Lee Strobel set out to disprove Christianity, and ended up coming to faith, writing The Case for Christ in the process. As the old hymn goes, 'because He lives, I can face tomorrow'. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. It gives us hope for the future. By word of mouth the gospel has spread down the generations, with the help of the Word and the Spirit of God. '

  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. John 13:14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.13.14.ESV Jesus is Lord. He declares as much here. He wasn't just a carpenter, but the Lord of glory. Jesus is Teacher. When He teaches that He is Lord, we would do well to listen. He doesn't just tell us what to do; He shows us what to do. By washing His disciples' feet, Jesus was taking the posture of a humble servant. In that culture, sandalled feet got dirty on the dusty roads. A rabbi wouldn't normally stoop to wash his disciples' feet. I suppose a modern equivalent to washing feet might be something like washing the dishes after a meal. It's not something someone who's self important would want to do. Because Jesus is humble, we ought to be as well. 'Lord God Almighty, may we acknowledge You as our Teacher, and follow Your example. For Your honour, amen'

  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.13.4.ESV The fruit of the Spirit of God is a multifaceted thing. At its core is love. Other facets include patience and kindness. If we're loving, we're going to be patient. We're not going to give up on people easily. We're going to be kind: even if someone deserves to be given up on, we're going to treat them well. Love isn't envious; it doesn't begrudge the success of others. Neither is it boastful. Love doesn't arrogantly blow its own trumpet. If we were to insert our names instead of love, we might not feel that fits well: e.g. Robert is patient and kind. If we insert the name of Jesus however, it perfectly fits. He is our perfect substitute. 'Loving heavenly Father, please help us to live lives defined by love, by Your Spirit. Thank You that Jesus our Saviour and Lord perfectly personifies love. In His name, a

  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, John 11:25 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.11.25.ESV It must have seemed a bit ridiculous for Jesus to claim to be life personified. As far as the casual observer could see, He was simply a carpenter turned teacher. Martha knew Him well though, and knew there was more than meets the eye with Him. Whatever else Jesus may have been, He is also the eternal Son of God: the One in whom we live, and move, and have our being. He is Life personified, in whom we can enjoy eternity with God. Though we die, because He arose, we will too. Even before His resurrection, there were glimpses of Christ's divinity. Such occasions didn't come much clearer than His raising of Lazarus from the dead. Jesus is Lord even over death itself. We all face death, unless Jesus returns first. Yet if we trust in Jesus, death isn't the end. He will awaken us to enjoy eternity with Hi

  I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.10.30.ESV This is one of Jesus's clearest claims of divinity recorded in Scripture. It was so clear to His hearers that they wanted to stone Him to death for blasphemy. His claim to be God is what would eventually get Him crucified for blasphemy against the Jewish leaders' understanding of God and treason against Lord Caesar. Nowadays, we might think of sons as subservient to their fathers. Yet Jesus is  the 'spitting image' of Father God. He is the image of the invisible God. If we want to know what God is like, we need look no further than Jesus. This humble carpenter turned teacher was none other than the Son of God. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart There's only One God. Yet God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There's only one humanity, yet we are male and female. There's only one me, but I am body, soul and spirit. 'Triune God, how we

  Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” John 9:39 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.9.39.ESV Sometimes people call Jesus's Kingdom a topsy-turvy one because it's often so counterintuitive. I prefer to think of it as a 'right side up' Kingdom. It's the world that's messed up, not God's Kingdom. In the world, people who seem to have insight are often spiritually blind. The seemingly insightful religious and political leaders conspired to crucify Jesus. They were blind to His divinity. The likes of the blind man, on the other hand, had spiritual insight. When we recognise Jesus for who He is, we can see things as they are spiritually. Even if we're physically blind, we can have spiritual sight if we trust in Jesus. What of us? If we think we're okay spiritually, we're probably not. If we know we're spiritually bankrupt, we open ourselves up for the infilli