Bible League: Living His Word The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,but the godly are as bold as lions. Why do the wicked run away, even when no one is chasing them? First, they run because they have guilty consciences. The wicked know they are doing wrong. They know that God exists, "because he has made it obvious to them . . . So they have no excuse for not knowing God" (Romans 1:19-20). And they know that God holds them accountable, because "God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Romans 1:18). They run every time something ghastly and appalling rises up against them because they fear the comeuppance of God may have finally caught up with them. Second, they run because the curses of God come on the disobedient. "You will run as though fleeing from a sword, and you will fall even when no one pursues you" (Leviticus 26:36). The blessings of God have been removed from the wicked and they have been cursed to the fate they deserve. They will run to try and save themselves from their fate, but to no avail. They will flee, but the trouble will overtake them. Why are the godly as bold as lions? First, they are bold because they have clear consciences. Although they are not perfect, they know that they're in right standing with God. They know that God is pleased with them and will show them favor. "For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love" (Psalm 5:12). They are as bold as lions even when ghastly and appalling things rise up against them because they know that God is with them, that God is on their side. Second, they are bold as lions because the blessings of God come on the godly. "Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath your sword" (Leviticus 26:8). The curses of God have been removed from them and His blessings have come upon them (Deuteronomy 28:2). The godly will stand firm before trouble because God has blessed them with the courage necessary to stand firm and He will fill their enemies with fear. You are godly. You have been made right with God through Christ Jesus (II Corinthians 5:21). Be bold, then, like a lion – and watch your enemies flee before you. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingHosea 9, 10, 11 Hosea 9 -- The Distress and Captivity of Israel for Their Sins NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Hosea 10 -- Retribution for Israel's Sin; Exhortation to Repentance NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Hosea 11 -- The Ingratitude of Israel; God's Mercy; Israel's Sin and Judah's Infidelity NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Revelation 2 Revelation 2 -- Messages to the Churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum and Thyatira NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”Insight At first glance, this verse seems to contradict Romans 3:28, “We are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.” Deeper investigation, however, shows that the teachings of James and Paul are not at odds. While it is true that our good deeds can never earn salvation, true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. Paul speaks against those who try to be saved by deeds instead of true faith; James speaks against those who confuse mere intellectual assent with true faith. After all, even demons know who Jesus is, but they don't obey him. Challenge True faith involves a commitment of your whole self to God. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.Heaven is a place where we shall never sin; where we shall cease our constant watch against an indefatigable enemy, because there will be no tempter to ensnare our feet. There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. Heaven is the "undefiled inheritance;" it is the land of perfect holiness, and therefore of complete security. But do not the saints even on earth sometimes taste the joys of blissful security? The doctrine of God's word is, that all who are in union with the Lamb are safe; that all the righteous shall hold on their way; that those who have committed their souls to the keeping of Christ shall find him a faithful and immutable preserver. Sustained by such a doctrine we can enjoy security even on earth; not that high and glorious security which renders us free from every slip, but that holy security which arises from the sure promise of Jesus that none who believe in him shall ever perish, but shall be with him where he is. Believer, let us often reflect with joy on the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, and honor the faithfulness of our God by a holy confidence in him. May our God bring home to you a sense of your safety in Christ Jesus! May he assure you that your name is graven on his hand; and whisper in your ear the promise, "Fear not, I am with thee." Look upon him, the great Surety of the covenant, as faithful and true, and, therefore, bound and engaged to present you, the weakest of the family, with all the chosen race, before the throne of God; and in such a sweet contemplation you will drink the juice of the spiced wine of the Lord's pomegranate, and taste the dainty fruits of Paradise. You will have an antepast of the enjoyments which ravish the souls of the perfect saints above, if you can believe with unstaggering faith that "faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 14:16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;1 Thessalonians 5:22 abstain from every form of evil. 2 Corinthians 8:21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 1 Peter 2:15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 Peter 4:15,16 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; • but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 1 Corinthians 8:9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 25:40 "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' 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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