Bible League: Living His Word For we live by faith, not by sight.Life, metaphorically speaking, is a journey. It is a journey that every person who has ever lived has taken. It has a beginning and it has a final destination. If you have come into existence, then you must take the journey. However, how one takes the journey is not unavoidable. There are options. There are choices that can be made and the choices influence the quality and destination of the journey. The choices that we make on our journey through life are controlled by what we believe about life, especially what we believe about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life. These beliefs are born of faith in what we cannot see, rather than in what we can see. The journey is a walk of faith, not sight. The reason for this is that we can't see the source of the journey. We can't see who or what set up the journey of life that we must take whether we want to or not. It follows, then, that everyone on the journey of life must live by faith, not by sight. It's not just Christians who can't see the source of the journey. No one can see the source. Although the Apostle Paul had Christians in mind when he wrote our verse for today, his wisdom applies to everyone. Everyone must live by faith. It's just a question of which faith. Since the ultimate source of the journey of life cannot be seen, we must place faith in that which we believe to be the source, in that which we believe to be the source of life's ultimate meaning and purpose. If our journey through life is to be successful, it is essential that we place our faith in that which is the true source of the journey, in that which has actually defined the ultimate meaning and purpose of life. From the biblical perspective, there is only one possible option in this regard. We must place our faith in the God of the Bible, and we must not place our faith in an idol---that is, a God-substitute of our own creation. We must surrender in faith to that which is the actual source of life, and not rebel against Him and surrender in faith to that which we have propped up in His place. Either way, however, we will be living by faith, not by sight. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 17, 18, 19 Ezekiel 17 -- Parable of Two Eagles and a Vine NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 18 -- God Defends His Justice and Exhorts to Repentance NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 19 -- Lament for the Princes of Israel: Parable of the Lion's Whelps NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Hebrews 13 Hebrews 13 -- Concluding Exhortations; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people's business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.Insight A busybody is a gossip. An idle person who doesn't work ends up filling his or her time with less than helpful activities, like gossip. Rumors and hearsay are tantalizing, exciting to hear, and make us feel like insiders. But they tear people down. Challenge If you often find your nose in other people's business, you may be underemployed. Look for a task to do for Christ or for your family, and get to work. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Songs 4:12 A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.In this metaphor, which has reference to the inner life of a believer, we have very plainly the idea of secrecy. It is a spring shut up: just as there were springs in the East, over which an edifice was built, so that none could reach them save those who knew the secret entrance; so is the heart of a believer when it is renewed by grace: there is a mysterious life within which no human skill can touch. It is a secret which no other man knoweth; nay, which the very man who is the possessor of it cannot tell to his neighbour. The text includes not only secrecy, but separation. It is not the common spring, of which every passer-by may drink, it is one kept and preserved from all others; it is a fountain bearing a particular mark--a king's royal seal, so that all can perceive that it is not a common fountain, but a fountain owned by a proprietor, and placed specially by itself alone. So is it with the spiritual life. The chosen of God were separated in the eternal decree; they were separated by God in the day of redemption; and they are separated by the possession of a life which others have not; and it is impossible for them to feel at home with the world, or to delight in its pleasures. There is also the idea of sacredness. The spring shut up is preserved for the use of some special person: and such is the Christian's heart. It is a spring kept for Jesus. Every Christian should feel that he has God's seal upon him--and he should be able to say with Paul, "From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Another idea is prominent--it is that of security. Oh! how sure and safe is the inner life of the believer! If all the powers of earth and hell could combine against it, that immortal principle must still exist, for he who gave it pledged his life for its preservation. And who "is he that shall harm you," when God is your protector? Daily Light on the Daily Path Isaiah 27:8 You contended with them by banishing them, by driving them away. With His fierce wind He has expelled them on the day of the east wind.2 Samuel 24:14 Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the LORD for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man." Jeremiah 30:11 'For I am with you,' declares the LORD, 'to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, Only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly And will by no means leave you unpunished.' Psalm 103:9,10,14 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. • He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. • For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Malachi 3:17 "They will be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Luke 22:31,32 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; • but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall. 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. |
Click for Video Devotionals     |