Bible League: Living His Word For the despondent, every day brings trouble;for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. We live in the days between Jesus Christ's first and second comings. For the Christian, this means that we experience days when the reality of the Kingdom of God seems to have come and days when the reality of the Kingdom seems far off. We have, in simple terms, good days and bad days. It follows from this state of affairs, therefore, that if we are to live the life God calls us to live, if we are to properly negotiate the ups and downs of life, we will have to learn how to approach life with all that it throws at us; we will have to learn how to have the proper attitude to life as it actually is in the present era. Our verse for today tells us that there are two basic ways that we can approach life. There is the attitude of the despondent and the attitude of the happy of heart. For the despondent, every day brings trouble. The despondent cannot see that the Kingdom has come; they can only see that the Kingdom is not yet here in its fullness. The despondent are filled with dread and foreboding. They expect something bad is going to happen and life always seems to confirm their worst expectations. For the happy of heart, in contrast, every day is a continual feast, every day is a party. The happy of heart celebrate the coming of the Kingdom and look forward to its further manifestations and breakthroughs. The happy of heart are filled with faith and joy. They expect something good is going to happen and life always seems to confirm their best expectations. For the despondent, even when the reality of the Kingdom breaks into their lives they cannot appreciate it because their attitude embitters their outlook on it and robs them of peace and joy. For the happy of heart, on the other hand, even when the Kingdom seems far off they find a way to see the good in it and refuse to allow their spirits to sink into despair. Ask the Lord to give you a happy heart. Ask Him to help you to overcome the temptations to despair. And ask Him for the faith to see the reality of the Kingdom of God. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingDeuteronomy 29, 30 Deuteronomy 29 -- The Covenant Renewed in Moab NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Deuteronomy 30 -- Restoration Promised; Life Offered NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 16 Mark 16 -- The Resurrection; Christ Commissions the Disciples NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Not to us, O LORD, not to us,but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Insight The psalmist asked that God's name, not the nation's, be glorified. Too often we ask God to glorify his name with ours. For example, we may pray for help to do a good job so that our work will be noticed. Or we may ask that a presentation go well so we will get applause. Challenge There is nothing wrong with looking good or impressing others; the problem comes when we want to look good no matter what happens to God's reputation in the process. Before you pray, ask yourself, “Who will get the credit if God answers my prayer?” Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.This is the seventh of the beatitudes: and seven was the number of perfection among the Hebrews. It may be that the Saviour placed the peacemaker the seventh upon the list because he most nearly approaches the perfect man in Christ Jesus. He who would have perfect blessedness, so far as it can be enjoyed on earth, must attain to this seventh benediction, and become a peacemaker. There is a significance also in the position of the text. The verse which precedes it speaks of the blessedness of "the pure in heart: for they shall see God." It is well to understand that we are to be "first pure, then peaceable." Our peaceableness is never to be a compact with sin, or toleration of evil. We must set our faces like flints against everything which is contrary to God and his holiness: purity being in our souls a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness. Not less does the verse that follows seem to have been put there on purpose. However peaceable we may be in this world, yet we shall be misrepresented and misunderstood: and no marvel, for even the Prince of Peace, by his very peacefulness, brought fire upon the earth. He himself, though he loved mankind, and did no ill, was "despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Lest, therefore, the peaceable in heart should be surprised when they meet with enemies, it is added in the following verse, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Thus, the peacemakers are not only pronounced to be blessed, but they are compassed about with blessings. Lord, give us grace to climb to this seventh beatitude! Purify our minds that we may be "first pure, then peaceable," and fortify our souls, that our peaceableness may not lead us into cowardice and despair, when for thy sake we are persecuted. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. Matthew 4:3,4,8-10 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." • But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" • Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; • and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." • Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. Hebrews 2:18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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