Bible League: Living His Word For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.From time to time the people of earth make attempts to build the city that will last forever, they make attempts to build the ultimate capital that will usher in the "end of history" with its constant struggles between competing kingdoms, and they make attempts to build the city that will stand at the center of the earth and from there control the whole earth. It began in the land of Shinar with its Tower of Babel, but Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and a host of lesser powers have all made attempts to achieve the goal. Every such attempt has ultimately failed. Great and mighty kingdoms were forged together from nothing, but they never came close to the ultimate goal. They have all been chewed up by the teeth of time. The earth is full of their ruined cities and archeologists are constantly finding more of them. Nevertheless, the goal still survives, the armies continue to march forth, and the lessons are not learned. Although our verse for today proclaims that there are no lasting cities here on earth, the people of earth continue their efforts to build one. There is, however, one city that is different. It is different because it does not exist here on earth. It stands above the maelstrom of cities and kingdoms in constant struggle with one another. It is the New Jerusalem in heaven above that is being constructed under the supervision of Jesus Christ himself (John 14:3). Although it presently exists in heaven, it is the "city that is to come" of our verse for today because one day it will descend from heaven and take its place on earth (Revelation 21:2). It will be the final and permanent capital of the whole earth. Although the New Jerusalem presently exists in heaven, we can already see manifestations of its influence and power here on earth. In accordance with Jesus' prophecy, its Kingdom is advancing all over the world (Acts 1:8). Even though we must dwell amidst the cities and kingdoms of earth, we should give our ultimate allegiance to the city and Kingdom of heaven. We should try to bring the rule of the heavenly city to bear in the affairs of the cities of earth. It is the rule of the New Jerusalem and its Kingdom that we should seek first (Matthew 6:33). Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 29, 30 Isaiah 29 -- Warning to David's City; Blessing to Follow Discipline NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 30 -- Warning against Refuge in Egypt; God's Grace NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Ephesians 6 Ephesians 6 -- Children, Parents, Slaves, Masters; the Full Armor of God NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!Insight Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. We should realize that there is a purpose in our suffering. Problems and human limitations have several benefits: (1) they remind us of Christ's suffering for us; (2) they keep us from pride; (3) they cause us to look beyond this brief life; (4) they prove our faith to others; and (5) they give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power. Challenge See your troubles as opportunities! Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Zechariah 14:7 At evening time it shall be light.Oftentimes we look forward with forebodings to the time of old age, forgetful that at eventide it shall be light. To many saints, old age is the choicest season in their lives. A balmier air fans the mariner's cheek as he nears the shore of immortality, fewer waves ruffle his sea, quiet reigns, deep, still and solemn. From the altar of age the flashes of the fire of youth are gone, but the more real flame of earnest feeling remains. The pilgrims have reached the land Beulah, that happy country, whose days are as the days of heaven upon earth. Angels visit it, celestial gales blow over it, flowers of paradise grow in it, and the air is filled with seraphic music. Some dwell here for years, and others come to it but a few hours before their departure, but it is an Eden on earth. We may well long for the time when we shall recline in its shady groves and be satisfied with hope until the time of fruition comes. The setting sun seems larger than when aloft in the sky, and a splendour of glory tinges all the clouds which surround his going down. Pain breaks not the calm of the sweet twilight of age, for strength made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of choice experience are gathered as the rare repast of life's evening, and the soul prepares itself for rest. The Lord's people shall also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief laments; the shadows fall, the night is coming, existence is ending. Ah no, crieth faith, the night is far spent, the true day is at hand. Light is come, the light of immortality, the light of a Father's countenance. Gather up thy feet in the bed, see the waiting bands of spirits! Angels waft thee away. Farewell, beloved one, thou art gone, thou wavest thine hand. Ah, now it is light. The pearly gates are open, the golden streets shine in the jasper light. We cover our eyes, but thou beholdest the unseen; adieu, brother, thou hast light at even-tide, such as we have not yet. Daily Light on the Daily Path Exodus 34:29 It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses' hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. Matthew 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 1 Peter 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Matthew 17:2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. Acts 6:15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. John 17:22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Matthew 5:14,15 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; • nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 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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