Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 18, 2010

Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Word of God and the bread of life.

Today’s devotion covers Luke 4:1-4 which covers the first temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.  We will get back to covering Luke Chapter 3.
 
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.  And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.  And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”  And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'”  Luke 4:1-4.
 
 
Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 which states:  “He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.”  (Emphasis added.)
 
I like to emphasize three points.
 
First, notice how Jesus used Scripture to resist temptation.  Ephesians 6:1-2 states:  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”  To resist temptation, Jesus used one of the pieces of armor:  “… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:17. 
 
Second, notice how the word of God is our bread of life.  As Deuteronomy 8:3 states, “… man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.” 
 
John 5:24
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”
                                  
John 6:63
“It is the Spirit who gives life;  the flesh profits nothing;  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
                                
John 6:68
“Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have words of eternal life.”
                                           
Third, in a deeper sense, Jesus is The Incarnate Word and the bread of life.
 
1 John 1:1
“[Introduction, The Incarnate Word]  What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life–“
 
John 1:1-4
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.”
 
John 6:33
“For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”
                                                  
John 6:35
“Jesus said to them, ” I am the bread of life;  he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”
                                              
John 6:48
“I am the bread of life.”
 
In conclusion, Scripture, the word of God, points to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God and the bread of life.  We must heed the warning of John 5:39:  “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”  We should come to Christ and eat the bread of life who said:  “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”  John 6:51   

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 17, 2010

“increasing in wisdom” and asking the right questions

Today’s devotion covers Luke 2:39-52 which covers Jesus returning to Nazareth, Jesus visiting Jerusalem around Passover, and Jesus’ stay at the Temple.  We will focus on verses 40 and 52.
 
“The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom;  and the grace of God was upon Him.”  Luke 2:40.     
 
“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  Luke 2:52.  (Emphasis added to both verses.)   
 
 
Likewise, our goal should be to increase in wisdom. 
 
We seek that wisdom personified in the person Jesus Christ.  “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”  1 Corinthians 1:30.  “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Colossians 2:3  (Emphasis added.)  
 
The wisdom of the world is man-centered.  It asks questions such as:  “What do I sense?  What can I understand?  What do I know?  What does seem fair to me?  What is most tolerant of man?  What makes me look the best?  What makes others look the best?  What gives me control over my own destiny?“
                                                
But, the world through its wisdom did not come to know God.  “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”  1 Corinthians 1:21
 
“18  For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19  For it is written,
         “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
         AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”  1 Corinthians 1:18-19. 
                                       

“but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.”  1 Corinthians 1:27-29.  (Emphasis added.)

True wisdom is found in Jesus Christ.  It is God-centered.  It is God-honoring.  It asks questions like these:  “What does Scripture state?  What does Scripture state about God’s attributes and His works and His words?  What is God’s purpose declared and shown in Scripture?  How has God’s purpose been fulfilled?  What is most likely to happen in the future based on God’s words?  What honors God the most?  What glorifies God the most?  What gives God the most sovereign control?    What guidance does God’s words provide for me today?  What guidance does God’s words provide for my future plans?“

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 15, 2010

Fear God

Today’s devotion covers Luke 2:34-35 which covers Simeon’s prophecy to Mary.
 
“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed–and a sword will pierce even your own soul–to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”  Luke 2:34-35.
 
This Scripture, although short in length, is long in meaning.  We will focus on two points.
 
First, concerning Simeon’s prophecy that “this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel”, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is not only the Savior of many;  He is also the Judge of all and will “bring forth justice”.
 
“And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.”  John 9:39. 
 
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.  “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;  and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.”  Matthew 25:31-33.   
 
“1  “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
         My chosen one in whom My soul delights
         I have put My Spirit upon Him;
         He will bring forth justice to the nations.
    2  “He will not cry out or raise His voice,
         Nor make His voice heard in the street.
    3  “A bruised reed He will not break
         And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
         He will faithfully bring forth justice.
    4  “He will not be disheartened or crushed
         Until He has established justice in the earth;
         And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”  Isaiah 42:1-4. (Emphasis added.)  
 
 
Second, concerning Simeon’s prophecy that “a sword will pierce even your own soul–to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”, Jesus Christ will reveal all the thoughts of all of our hearts.   
 
“But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.  “Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.”  Luke 12:2-3.
 
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13. 
 
In conclusion, “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!  Luke 12:5

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 14, 2010

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation”

Today’s devotion covers Luke 2:21-32 which covers Jesus being presented to the Temple and being seen by Simeon:  “it had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”  We will focus on verses 26 through 32.
 
“26  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 
                                     
 27  And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

 28  then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
    29  “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
         According to Your word;
    30  For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
    31  Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
    32  A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
         And the glory of Your people Israel.”  Luke 2:26-32 (Emphasis added.) 

We may think:  “How wonderful it would be, to be the shepherds and see the glory of the Lord and hear the angel proclaim the good news of great joy and see the multitude of the heavenly host praising God!”

We may think:  “How even more wonderful it would be, to be Simeon and to see the child Jesus and take him into our arms!”

But, how much more wonderful is it for us to see and read the sum of salvation through Scripture of all the historical events and all the explanations that are recorded in Scripture!  

How much more wonderful is it for us to see with our own eyes what God has done for us, personally!

God tells us:  “With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.”  Psalm 91:16.  We see our salvation through the reading and hearing of Scripture.  We see our salvation through our own personal observations of our own experiences of how all things work together as part of our salvation .  We even feel our salvation through the testimony of the Holy Spirit within us.

Once again, we are reminded of the comfort of salvation that we experience through all of our life shown in Question and Answer 1 of The Heidelberg Catechism:

Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death,  am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 12, 2010

Wondering? Pondering? Or, Praising God and Telling Others?

Today’s devotion covers Luke 2:15-20 which covers the reactions of Mary, the shepherds, and others to the prophesies and miraculous appearances and events surrounding Jesus’ birth.  We will focus on verses 18 through 20.
 
“18  And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
                                                
 19  But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
                                          

 20  The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”  Luke 2:18-20.

It seems to me that there is a progression from good to better to best here.

It is good to wonder about these things.  “all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds”.  At least, these people were thinking to some extent about them.

But, it is better to treasure them and ponder them.  Mary “treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart”.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary (online) defines ponder as “to think or consider quietly, soberly, and deeply” and “to weigh in the mind”.  Click here: Ponder – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary  Mary treasured these things more than the first group and thought more deeply about these things and weighed or compared these things in importance to other things. 

However, it is best to glorify and praise God and to tell others about these things.  The shepherds “went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen”.  In addition, Luke 2:18 above shows that they told others about these things.  It takes more faith and courage to tell others about these things than to safely and quietly ponder them.  It is also better to glorify God and praise God for these things than to just think about these things.  It is better to also help others by telling these things than to just help yourself by pondering them.

Now, I don’t want to be too hard on Mary.  At other times, Mary certainly did tell others and glorify and praise God.  But, I also do not think that we should “deify” Mary (make Mary to be some kind of infallible god).  It seems that these Scriptures are written for our benefit to consider and measure out own reactions to the things that we read in Scripture. 

So, do we think at all about the things that we read in Scripture or hear from a sermon?  Do we at least wonder about them?

Or better, do we treasure and ponder them?

Or best, do we praise God and tell others?

Here is some encouragement from Scripture to treasure and ponder these things:

‘Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.’  Psalm 119:11

“If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;”  Proverbs 2:4
                                          

“My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you.”  Proverbs 7:1 

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;”  Matthew 6:20
                                       
“for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:21
 
“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.”  Matthew 12:35
                                                     

“And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”  Matthew 13:52

 

Here is some encouragement from Scripture to praise God about these things:

“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;  Praise is becoming to the upright.”  Psalm 33:1

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”  Psalm 92:4

“O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.”  Psalm 95:1
 
“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;  Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.”  Psalm 98:4
 
“Serve the LORD with gladness;  Come before Him with joyful singing.”  Psalm 100:2
                                                            
“Let the godly ones exult in glory;  Let them sing for joy on their beds.”  Psalm 149:5
 
 
Here is some encouragement from Scripture to tell others about these things: 
  
‘I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;  I will tell of all Your wonders.”  Psalm 9:1
 
“Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.”  Psalm 66:16
                                         
“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;  I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.”  Psalm 73:28 
                                                 

“Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful singing.”  Psalm 107:22 

(Emphasis was added in bold italic to some words in the foregoing Scriptures.)

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 11, 2010

Love, Joy, and Peace

Today’s devotion covers Luke 2:1-14 which covers Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.  We will focus on verses 10 through 14.
 
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;  for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
                                          
“This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
                                

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 
      “Glory to God in the highest,
       And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”  Luke 2:10-14.  (Emphasis added.) 

The title of this devotion is “Love, Joy, and Peace”.  You can see the joy and peace in verses 10 and 14.  The love is in John 3:16.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  (Emphasis added.)

I think that sometimes we are be so intent on maintaining that God does not love everyone, although it is true although it is true that God does not love everyone, that we fail to sufficiently appreciate God’s love for us, His elect. 

I think that sometimes we are so intent on maintaining that God does not show grace and favor to everyone, although it is true that God does not show grace and favor to everyone, that we fail to sufficiently appreciate God’s grace and favor on us, His elect.

I think that sometimes we are so intent on maintaining that God does not give real joy and peace to everyone, although it is true that God does not give real joy and peace to everyone, that we fail to sufficiently appreciate the real joy and peace that God gives to us, His elect. 

We know the Scripture of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem so well that sometimes we read it as if our eyes gloss over the words such that we fail to sufficiently appreciate this love, joy, and peace.

We would do well today to meditate on this love, joy, and peace and remember that it is for us, the elect.  Most of all, we appreciate the love, joy, and peace of the salvation of our souls.

I have said before that he who comes to God and has faith “must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6. 

Do we have the faith of a child at Christmas who sincerely and wholeheartedly believes that his father will give him good Christmas gifts?

Do we reveal our joy or suppress it?

And yet, our minds are not set on the Cadillac nor set on the vacation or retirement.  We may appreciate these things, and we often do get to enjoy those good things whether we own them or not* (see postscript below), but our mind is set on things above.  “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  Colossians 3:2-3. 

Our love is in the Lord.  “… the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Romans 5:5. 

Our joy is in the Lord.  “Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;  And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.”  Psalm 32:11

Our peace is in the Lord.  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7

In other words, someone may look at our situation and not comprehend why we have such peace, love, and joy, but we do have it.  The outward physical facts of our situation may not warrant such love, joy, and peace, but we have it, and we show it.  The Holy Spirit within us produces the fruit of “… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”  Galatians 5:22-23. 

* Post-Script – I also think that we fail to fully appreciate good things that we get to enjoy, but we do not own them. 
                            
Do we truly need to own the Cadillac?   We don’t need to own the Cadillac to enjoy a ride in the Cadillac.  
 
Do we truly enjoy a vacation in someone else’s vacation home?  We don’t need to own the vacation home to be a guest and enjoy it.  We don’t need to even be a guest in the vacation house to enjoy the view provided by public parks and views. 
                                      
It is not the intent of this devotion to neglect our responsibility to realize and enjoy the good physical things that God has given us.  Sometimes, if not most times, we get to enjoy those things as a non-owner. 
 
Lack of ownership is not all bad, because those “non-owned” good physical things are likely to be newer and fresher and more enjoyable to us than they are to the owner who is used to them and we do not have the responsibility to maintain those things.    

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 10, 2010

“PREPARE HIS WAYS; … give to His people the knowledge of salvation”

Today’s devotion covers Luke 1:76-80, that part of Zacharias’ prophecy that specifically covers what his son John the Baptist would do. 
 
“76  “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
         For you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;
    77  To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
         By the forgiveness of their sins,
    78  Because of the tender mercy of our God,
         With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
    79  TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
         To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 
80  And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel.”  Luke 1:76-80.  (Emphasis added.) 
                                                   

We can profit by imitating what John the Baptist would do:  “PREPARE HIS WAYS;  To give to His people the knowledge of salvation“.  “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”  Hebrews 13:7  “And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”  Acts 26:29

The importance of the knowledge of salvation can be seen in verses such as Romans 10:2-3:  “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.”  Hosea 4:6 states:  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest.  Since you have forgotten the law of your God,I also will forget your children.”   

I was delighted to see the new design for the cover of The Standard Bearer, the publication of the Protestant Reformed Churches.  It has tulips on the cover!  As we know, the acronym of TULIP summarizes the glorious and joyful truth of the knowledge of salvation:  “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Perseverance of the Saints a/k/a Preservation of the Saints”. 

I am disappointed to see TULIP dismissed, minimized, or marginalized.  Some say:  “There is so much more to Reformed Doctrine than TULIP.”  While it is true, I am very skeptical of such statements.  I think such a statement is like not using a person’s name when addressing them.  It reveals a lack of love and appreciation for the name.  It reveals a lack of desire to provide a very helpful keyword to help people know and remember and talk about the knowledge of salvation. 

The importance of coming to an understanding of knowledge of salvation and a restful faith in it, rather than just knowing everything, can be seen in John 5:39-40.  “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”  There are those who are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  2 Timothy 3:7

Sometimes, I think some Pastors care more about and are content with their congregation coming to church every Sunday, and even twice on Sunday, and of course, paying tithes and offerings, than they care about what their congregation really knows and what they can communicate effectively to others. 

Sometimes, I think that rather than encouraging individual members of their congregation in their attempts to understand and communicate simple basic points of salvation such as TULIP, some Pastors rather show their own superiority of knowledge. 

Jesus would rightly condemn these Pastors as he did the scribes and Pharisees of His day.  “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people;  for you do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”  Matthew 23:13.  “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”  Matthew 23:4.

Will we be like these Pastors, scribes and Pharisees?  Or, will we be like John the Baptist? 

Will we prepare the way to salvation for people by making good and helpful signs like TULIP?  Or, will we just give them a Bible? 

Will we give people the knowledge of salvation?  Or, will we just show off our own knowledge? 

Will we bear their burdens and gently blow on the dimly burning wick and encourage them in any way that we can?  Or, will we lay burden upon burden upon them and extinguish their flickering interest in the knowledge of salvation? 

May God help us all!

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 8, 2010

“For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.”

Today’s devotion covers Luke 1:57-66 which covers the birth of John the Baptist, the naming of him, and the miraculous recovery by Zacharias. 
                                                         

“All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?”  For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.”  Luke 1:66.  (Emphasis added.)

What a wonderful thing for the hand of the Lord to be with John the Baptist!                                         

What a wonderful thing for the hand of the Lord to be with us!

In Acts 11:21, we read:  “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 

There are so many references to the hand of the Lord.  Here are just a few from the Book of Psalms-

Psalm 9:16
“The LORD has made Himself known;  He has executed judgment.  In the work of his own hands the wicked is snared.  Higgaion Selah.”

Psalm 20:6
“Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;  He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.”

“O sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.”
                                                        
Psalm 109:27
“And let them know that this is Your hand;  You, LORD, have done it.”
 
Psalm 118:16
“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;  The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.”
 
So, what should our response be? 
                                                      

Psalm 92:4
“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”  (Emphasis added.)

There is also this warning:

“Requite them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices;
         Requite them according to the deeds of their hands;
         Repay them their recompense. 
    Because they do not regard the works of the LORD
         Nor the deeds of His hands,
         He will tear them down and not build them up.”  Psalm 28:4-6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 7, 2010

“HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;”

Today’s devotion covers Luke 1:46-54 which covers Mary’s Magnificat. 
 
“46And Mary said:
         “My soul exalts the Lord,
    47  And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
    48  “For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
         For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
    49  “For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
         And holy is His name.
    50  “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION
         TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.
    51  “He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
         He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
    52  “He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
         And has exalted those who were humble.
    53  “HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;
         And sent away the rich empty-handed.
    54  “He has given help to Israel His servant,
         In remembrance of His mercy,
    55  As He spoke to our fathers,
         To Abraham and his descendants forever.”  Luke 1:46-54.  (Emphasis added.)
 
 
We know that we should give thanks to the Lord, God our Savior.  Psalm 107:1-2 states:  “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, …”
 
Psalm 107 continues:                                                                                                                        “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness,
         And for His wonders to the sons of men! 
    For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
         And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.”  Psalm 107:8-9.  Mary quoted a part of Psalm 107:9 in her Magnificat as seen in Luke 1:53.
 
There are many comments that can be made about this rich Magnificat.  The specific point that I want to make, in addition to the general point of importance of giving thanks to the Lord, is that this thanks should be specific as well as general and include all “good things”, both spiritual and physical blessings.  Mary seems to be leaning toward physical blessings by just her use of “hungry” rather than “hungry soul” and “thirsty soul” used in Psalm 107.  However, although Psalm 107 primarily refers to spiritual blessings including deliverance from distresses, it does also refers to physical blessings:  “And sow fields and plant vineyards, And gather a fruitful harvest. Also He blesses them and they multiply greatly, And He does not let their cattle decrease.”  Psalm 107:37-38. 
 
Likewise, when we read about our Heavenly Father giving us, His children, “what is good”, we read about the spiritual blessing of the gift of the Holy Spirit in Luke 11:13, and we read the more general blessing of the gift of “what is good” in Matthew 7:11.  Compare Luke 11:13:  “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” with Matthew 7:11:  “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  (Emphasis added.)  However, it should be noted that both these Scriptures lead off with food (bread and fish in Matthew 7:9-10:  “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?  “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?” and fish and an egg in Luke 11:11-12:  “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?  “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?”).
 
From the account of creation in Genesis throughout the rest of Scripture, we see the goodness of physical things.  “The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.”  Genesis 1:12  “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart.”  Psalm 104:14-15.
 
But, we must also understand that apparently good physical things will only have a good effect on His elect.  Even in this Scripture for today, we read that God “has exalted those who were humble”.  Luke 1:52.  This phrase is immediately before the key statement for today:  “HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;”.  We also read in today’s Scripture that God’s mercy is ” TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM”.  Luke 1:50.  
 
In Psalm 73, we are reminded that such apparently good physical things may be used by God to set the wicked on slippery slopes and to cast them to destruction.  We should not be envious of the wicked.  “When I pondered to understand this (the prosperity of the wicked), It was troublesome in my sight Until I came into the sanctuary of God;  Then I perceived their end.  Surely You set them in slippery places;  You cast them down to destruction.  How they are destroyed in a moment!  They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!”  Psalm 73:16-19.  (Parenthetical identification  is mine.)
 
Moreover, we can not simply conclude that just because certain individuals do not seem to receive good physical things that they are not blessed.  We do read and Scripture and do see in our observations that there are those who “… experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.  And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:36-40.  
 
In summary, for the Elect, “… God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28.
 
So, Paul can state:  “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”  Philippians 4:11-12.
 
So, where does this leave us?  Do we just go through life nervously knowing that we can be filled or go hungry “waiting for the other shoe to drop”? 
 
No, we are God’s children and continue to ask our Heavenly Father and expect that He will give us good things.  “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.  
 
And, when we do go hungry and suffer need, we ask our Heavenly Father and expect that He will give us grace to deal with it. 
 
Part of this grace includes a deepening understanding of the goodness of our Heavenly Father.  He does not randomly allow us to suffer.  He does not lightly allow us to suffer.  There must be a very important purpose for God to allow us to suffer.  We are reminded of Question and Answer 1 of The Heidelberg Catechism: 
“Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer. That I with body and soul, both in life and death, I am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.”  (Emphasis added.) 
 
Part of this grace includes the comfort of the Holy Spirit.  “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”  Acts 9:31  There is also the  comfort of our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father:  “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”  2 Thessalonians 2-16-17. 
                                               
Part of this grace includes the comfort of other Christians:  God “comforts us in all our affliction” “so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  2 Corinthians 1:4. 
 
Part of this grace includes strength to deal with such suffering.  “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13. 
 
Who can fully list the good things or the graces of God?  We are filled with good things.  We are filled with the graces of God.     

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 5, 2010

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment …”

Today’s devotion covers Luke 1:39-45 which covers the visit of Mary with Elizabeth.  As you remember from yesterday’s Scripture, Mary heard the angel’s prophecy for herself (“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.”  Luke 1:32) and the angel’s prophecy for her relative Elizabeth (“And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.”  Luke 1:36). 
 
We will focus on Elizabeth’s words to Mary in verse 45.  “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”  Luke 1:45. 
 
 
In a prior devotion, I wrote about the importance of fulfillment of Scripture.  Here is the link to it –

In this prior devotion, we read many verses which spoke about the fulfillment of Scripture, and we concluded that the fulfillment of Scripture gives us great respect for God’s word. 

 
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
                                       
1 Peter 1:24-25:
“For, ”ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS,
         AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS.
         THE GRASS WITHERS,
         AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 
         BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER “
         And this is the word which was preached to you.”  
 
In the devotion for today, we can apply the words of Elizabeth to ourselves as a lesson for us.  Blessed are those who believe that there will be fulfillment of Scriptures. 
 
As we meditate on what it means to truly believe that there will be a fulfillment of Scriptures, let us go back to consider what Mary heard and how much she believed.  It would be one thing for Mary to nod her head in agreement to what the angel told her and think that is nice and wait to see what will really happen.  But, Mary, when she heard her relative Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, “… arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.”  Luke 1:39-40.  In other words, by her actions, Mary proved that she really believed that “there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”
 
So, when we read Scripture, do we just nod our head in agreement and think that is nice and wait to see what will really happen? 
 
Or, do we take such actions to show that we really believe that there will be a fulfillment of Scriptures?
 
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.  “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell–and great was its fall.”  Matthew 7:24-27.

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