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1)# ’As goods increase, so do those who consume them.’

Ecclesiastes 5:11 (10-12)

The honesty of the author is refreshing as well as blunt. We are living in a consumerist society, consuming more, as more is offered. Most of us want the newest, latest, smartest products on offer, even when the ‘old’ ones still work. And in the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes, ‘what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?’ As the writer of Ecclesiastes states, people are never satisfied (v10) and the more we have, the more we have to worry about, giving us sleepless nights (v12). So how should we, as Christians, respond?

The renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2) means a change in our thinking. Whilst we have more than we need, millions of people do not even have the basics. ‘Living more simply so that others may simply live’ is even more valid today and the Church of Jesus is called to apply it to our lives. Getting by on less means having more to give away and Christ’s promise, in Luke 6:38, should encourage us to try - ‘For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ Kingdom living is about caring for other people above ourselves, especially in difficult times. Resisting the pressure of consumerism gives us the opportunity to show that our heavenly Father really does provide all that we need, and even more, so that we can continue to be generous towards other people.


2)# ’When they were alone.’

Mark 4:34 (30-34)

There were times when Jesus took his disciples away from the crowds to have time alone with them. These were times when ‘he explained everything’ which enabled them to grow in their spiritual understanding and practice.

Spending time alone with the Lord Jesus can be difficult for many of us, especially with the pressures of everyday life. But it’s something we all need to do if we are to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. Being alone with the Lord doesn’t have to be limited to a daily Bible reading and prayer time - though this is a good discipline. It can often happen when doing something that takes us away from the hustle and bustle of the day and allows our attention to be on Jesus, such as a walk, run or some other solo activity. It’s when we are alone with him that our relationship will develop and we will learn to hear his voice guiding and directing us. So let’s make sure we have time to be alone with the Lord Jesus today.


3)# ’The Lord sets prisoners free.’

Psalm 146:7 (5-10)

This is one of many wonderful declarations about what the Lord Jehovah does. Prisoners have their freedom taken away, they are kept behind bars and locked doors and away from the outside world. But the psalmist is speaking of other forms of imprisonment that do not have bars or doors. Many people are trapped in unhappy relationships or by addictions of one sort or another. Some people’s lives are restricted by debt or by a demanding job. Other people are impacted by poor physical or mental health. All these can impose limits on our freedom. But whatever our situation, if we turn to the Lord for help, he will give us the strength we need to overcome and to experience the freedom he gives deep within, even during testing and restrictive times (1 Cor 10:13).  

Yet there is still another ‘captivity’ that affects us all on a deeper level. The Bible speaks of us as being slaves to sin (Rom 6), struggling with sin (Heb 12:4), captives to sin (Acts 8:23). However pleasant sin may seem in the moment, its imprisonment has a deadly end, physical and spiritual. But the Lord sets prisoners free - hallelujah! And whatever grip the old sinful nature might have upon us, it can be broken by the power of the new nature of the Holy Spirit within us. Let’s choose to live according to the new nature so that we can live in the freedom we have in Christ (Rom 8).



4)# ’But he was afraid of the people.’

Matthew 14:5 (3-12)

Fear made Herod unstable in his thoughts and actions. He wanted to get rid of John the Baptist, but didn’t because of fear of the people. Then later on, he makes a rash promise, and in fear of damaging his reputation amongst his guests, relents to the desires of Herodias and has John beheaded.

There is a similar fear around today. A fear of not being ‘politically correct’. A fear of being out of line with current social views. A fear of upsetting vociferous minorities. A fear of being excluded or branded as intolerant. And, like Herod, fear of other people can blur our judgements of what is right and wrong before God. Human reasoning must not replace divine revelation and God’s Word is not to be distorted in order to accommodate wrong desires and actions. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to show his love and grace whilst remaining faithful to what God has ordained. A right fear of God will dispel any fear of man. The Lord calls us ‘to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Mic 6:8) - not to be fearful of what other people might say or think.


5)# ’Even though it is against the law.’

Esther 4:16 (9-17)

The law is explained in verse 11. By going into the king’s presence without being summoned, Esther put herself at risk of death for the sake of her people. There are times when obedience to God’s purposes are contrary to legislation from earthly rulers as in Daniel chapters 3 and 6 and again in Acts chapter 5. Esther did what no-one else could do and through her action, she saved her people from annihilation. God had raised her up ‘to royal position for such a time as this’ (v14).

In a far greater way, Jesus came, not to go against God’s law but to fulfil it and so, through his self-sacrifice for sin, make salvation possible for all who will trust in him. Esther’s action is not a green light for lawbreaking, but it is one of many examples of setting aside the interests of self for the salvation of other people. Any position of influence we may have, is not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of other people and to fulfil God’s purposes. Denial of self is a fundamental requirement of all disciples of Jesus and it requires effort on our part each and every day.


6)# ’Do you also want to go away?’

John 6:67 (60-69)

It’s a question that needs to be asked. In the previous verse we’re told that ‘many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him‘ because the teaching of Jesus had become harder to accept. So long as being a Christian doesn’t upset other people or put too many constraints on how we live, then it can be generally acceptable.

But when Biblical teaching goes against the accepted norm or when the claims of Jesus challenge other ‘gods’ in our lives, then we have to ask this question of ourselves. Avoiding it isn’t an option with Jesus and he calls for a definite response. Peter takes the opportunity not only to affirm his allegiance, but also to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, the Holy One of God. Discipleship of Christ will be costly, he made that clear, but he also made it clear in Matt 19:29, that the eternal reward, far outweighs any cost incurred now. Let’s join with Peter and openly declare our allegiance to Jesus today in word and deed.


7)# ’Speak, for your servant is listening.’

1 Samuel 3:10 (2-10)

We’re told that ‘the word of the Lord was rare’ at this time in Israel’s history (v1). It needed three ‘calls’ before the priest Eli recognised the voice of the Lord. It seems that, rather than God being silent, people, including Eli, had forgotten how to listen. Samuel heard, but didn’t recognise God’s voice. He needed to be helped to know that it was the Lord speaking to him.

The same can be true today. Those of us who know the Spirit speaking into our lives, need to help other people learn how to listen. God speaks through the Bible, through circumstances, through individuals, through dreams and directly to our hearts. But are we listening? We’re very good at talking to God, even shouting when we think he’s not listening, but often our chatter can block out the voice of the Lord. But it’s not just our chatter; we live in a noisy world that intrudes into our lives 24/7. We need to shut things down, switch off other voices so that we can give our full attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying. So let’s give time today to listen and then live in obedience to him.


8)# ’A Canaanite woman.’

Matthew 15:22 (21-28)

This is not a racist comment, but an important fact in this exchange. As Jesus points out, his earthly ministry was primarily to the ‘lost sheep of Israel’, yet here was a Gentile woman persistently asking for his help. The disciples wanted Jesus to get rid of her as they saw her as a nuisance, maybe a bit odd. But by saying nothing initially and then telling a brief parable, Jesus reveals this lady’s faith. Even the ‘crumbs’ from Jesus would be enough to heal her daughter and transform their lives.

Within the Church, we can sometimes struggle with those who are different or don’t conform to our norm. Discrimination creeps in and before long we, like the disciples, want to exclude some and prefer others. But Jesus engages with all who come to him with faith, and calls on his Church to do the same. So let’s not be put off by reputations or appearances.  Instead let’s allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, so that we welcome other people to meet with and be changed by Jesus, whoever they are.


9)# ’And David became exhausted.’

2 Samuel 21:15 (15-17)

‘Beware the barrenness of a busy life’ was what Bishop Taylor-Smith once cautioned. We can become so busy with life, including church activities, that we have little time to be refreshed - and we become exhausted, physically, emotionally and spiritually. It’s not just our spiritual life that can suffer. Relationships and our health can also be affected by our exhaustion.

We live in a culture where busyness often equates to value and importance. But physical and spiritual exhaustion can leave us unfit for service, just like David. The battles he had fought in establishing his kingdom had taken their toll, physically, emotionally and spiritually. He had to step back and let others step forward and fight for the Lord’s people. The same needs to be recognised within the Church of Jesus today.  

Stepping back or taking time out can be seen as weak, irresponsible or damaging to our ‘service record’. But Jesus knew the importance of time to be refreshed for himself and his disciples (Mk 1:35; 6:31), and so should we. It’s not so much about the amount of time, but more about the quality of time that we take to be refreshed that counts. So whether in our personal life, work life or church life, let’s take time out to be refreshed and give opportunity for other people to serve.


10)# ’The disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.’

John 21:4 (1-9)

For some reason these disciples were at a loose end. Perhaps the uncertainty of what to do next made them go back to the security of what they had done before. The call to be ‘fishers of men’ had not been rescinded, but they chose to go back to catching fish. But trying to do what they’d done before in their own strength proved worthless. They needed Jesus to help sort things out. In his kindness, Jesus not only showed he could take care of their daily needs, but also reiterated his call on them to be ‘fishers of men’.

In our everyday tasks, Jesus makes a difference, because that’s what Jesus likes to do. We can get so used to meeting Jesus in a certain place at a certain time that we don’t recognise him when he’s with us in the everyday, ordinary aspects of life. Yet it’s in those everyday situations that our witness for Christ can be the strongest, not in our own strength, but in his. So let’s recognise Jesus at work in our lives and be attentive to what he wants to do in and through us, today.


11)# ’Motives are weighed by the Lord.’

Proverbs 16:2 (1-8)

So called, ’spin doctors’ attempt to hide the truth, disguise the real motives, with clever arguments, appealing images or selective data. You and I may even apply a similar 'spin' tactic in our own lives to cover up the truth and convince ourselves that what is bad is not so bad after all. But no amount of ‘spin’ will hide things from the Lord. He doesn’t look on the outward appearance, but on the heart. He is more interested in our private motives than our public image.

Hidden agendas can be present within the Church and can cause upset and division. These often stem from selfish ambition and fear. But Paul entreats us to ‘honour one another above ourselves’ (Rom 12:10) and ‘nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others’ (1 Cor 10:24). Jesus exposed the motives of the Pharisees’ hearts and strongly condemned their hypocrisy. If the intentions of our hearts are right before the Lord, then so will be our actions - and the blessing will be shared, even with our enemies (v7).


12)# ’A man’s ways are in full view of the Lord.’

Proverbs 5:21 (1-6 & 21-23)

Yesterday we looked at the motives of our hearts. Today we look at our actions. The writer is warning against being seduced by the sensual, and exhorting faithfulness in marriage (v15-19). A moment of indiscretion, an impulsive action, can result in a lifetime of regret, so it’s simply not worth it. In many western societies today, a Biblical view of marriage is seen as out of date, out of touch and out of sync with a progressive society, but this cannot remove the warning and consequences of going against God’s pattern for right relationships. This is equally true for the individual and for society, as we are witnessing today.

But it’s not just relationships that are spoken of here. All ‘paths’ of life are included (v21). Impulsive action in the heat of the moment is true for the whole of life and not just for celebrities, politicians or those in the public eye. We are all vulnerable, which is why it is important for us to remember that what we might be able to hide from other people, is always visible to the Lord. Knowing this, might well keep us from giving in to temptation. However, as King David found out following his ‘moment’ with Bathsheba, where there is true repentance, there can also be forgiveness and restoration with God, even when the consequences are painful.


13)# ’Do you speak Greek?’

Acts 21:37 (33-40)

Speaking the right language at the right time enabled Paul to make the most of the opportunities. Speaking Greek to the Roman commander made the soldier favourable to what Paul asked. Speaking Aramaic to the riotous crowd took them by surprise and made them listen to what he had to say.

For many Christians today, the challenge is to communicate the gospel of Jesus with people in a way that they can understand. Church life can become so insular that we forget how to communicate with those ‘outside’. Jesus used illustrations from everyday life to share news of God’s Kingdom. The apostles used personal testimonies and public landmarks as a starting point for sharing the gospel os Jesus (Acts 4; 10; 17). These are patterns well worth copying, but quite a challenge. Maybe a help is to experience the relevance of Christ in our own everyday lives. Once we do that, then it will be easier to speak about him with other people in a way that they will understand.


14)#  ’What are you doing here, Elijah?’

1 Kings 19:9 (5-11)

Being in a godly place, might not be God’s place for us to stay. Following the manifestation of God’s power on Mount Carmel, Elijah had run for his life when Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him. Now he sought refuge in a cave on Mount Horeb, ‘the mountain of God’. This may well have been the same place where God revealed himself to Moses (Ex 33:22) and now graciously reveals himself to Elijah (v13). But this was not the place God wanted Elijah to stay, as we will see tomorrow. Elijah felt sorry for himself and listed the faults and failings of other people.

Self-pity does not help us to serve the Lord. It makes us seek sympathy instead of service. When witnessing for Jesus provokes opposition, we may retreat into the ‘cave’ of our church fellowship or home group, as it were. This may be a relief for us, but let’s not become too comfortable. There’s work to be done outside the cave. Like Elijah, we need to step out of the ‘cave’ and join with other people who have not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). Then we can discover the strength of the Lord to help us witness for him in the world where he has placed us.


15)# ’Go back the way you came’

1 Kings 19:15 (12-18)

This isn’t what Elijah wanted to hear and it’s not what we generally want to hear either. Having run away, Elijah was being told to go back. He’d fled to the safety of Mount Horeb, but the Lord still had work for him to do back on the front line, tying up loose ends and commissioning other people  who would take on the Lord’s work.

Going back doesn’t have to be a waste of time. Retracing our steps can help us to get a different view of things or situations, and see that God has been in control all the time. Going back can give us opportunity to sort things out and restore broken relationships. Going back allows us to encourage those who are just starting out in their walk with the Lord. It’s always better to go back to where the Lord wants us to be, rather than soldiering on in the wrong direction or opting out all together. So now is a good time for us to sort things out from the past, before we move on in our service for the Lord.


16)# ’Where are you staying?’

John 1:38 (29-39)

Four words that underline Christ’s incarnation.

‘Where’ denotes a location. God incarnate came to a real world and lived for a while amongst us in flesh and blood. Having done so, he is now able to sympathise with our weaknesses and help us in our struggles - in the ups and downs of life.

‘Where are you’ speaks of the present and personal. Jesus was there physically in the there and then, so that these disciples could relate to him and he to them. Christ has been raised from the dead by the power of God, and through the person of the Holy Spirit we too can know him for ourselves - her and now. ‘You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.’ (Jn 14:17)

‘Where are you staying’ - not passing through or passing by. For 33 years, Christ lived and breathed alongside those he had created. Now, by his Holy Spirit he lives within us and will never leave us nor forsake us, however difficult things may get. Christ’s invitation to ‘come and you will see’ is given to us all. Being with Jesus is the best place to be and stay. ‘I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matt 28:20)


17)# ’Wash and be cleansed.’

2 Kings 5:13 (9-14)

This was not what Naaman had expected. He wanted Elisha to make a personal appearance. He wanted special treatment from the ‘man of God’. He wanted recognition, a fanfare, a performance. Instead he was told to take off his uniform, humble himself and wash in the river Jordan. Well, if he had to wash, he’d prefer to choose his own river to bathe in, thank you very much! But wanting to do things our way won’t bring the necessary cleansing. God chooses the way and provides salvation and healing as we obey.

Whether we’re commanders or servants, cleansing from sin is only found in Jesus Christ. We may want to earn our salvation through good works or religious activity, but we can’t. As Peter declared long ago, ‘Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12). If you haven’t already done so, come to Jesus today, wash in his forgiveness and be cleansed from sin. A new, eternal life awaits.


18)# ’Examples to the flock.’

1 Peter 5:3 (1-4)

In the Church of Jesus, setting a good example for others to follow is important, not only for church leaders, but also for all who are mature disciples of Christ. Paul encouraged people to follow his example as he followed the example of Christ (1 Cor 11:1). In these verses, Peter lists some particular areas where a different approach should be evident within the Church, compared to the rest of society. And a right attitude is key to being a good example (Phil 2).

An example is there to be copied. It exists to show how to do something as a means of learning. An example doesn’t have to be perfect. It is a means to an end, helping other people to achieve a good result. All this is true for you and me as disciples of Christ. We don’t have to have all the answers or get it right every time. We simply have to demonstrate a pattern of living that honours the Lord and helps other people to get closer to Jesus. Let’s be a good example today.


19)# ’Impress them on your children.’

Deuteronomy 6:7 (4-9)

The Israelites recognised the importance of influencing children for good, from an early age. Teaching God’s Law was not a casual act, but a deliberate part of family life. How important this is for us today. With so many influences upon our children from such a young age, the importance of Biblical teaching and putting it into practise within the family is crucial.

To ‘impress’ is more than a casual approach. It is deliberate and diligent. It was done whenever opportunity arose for the family to be together, in the home, out and about, even at bed time.

Whether we are parents or grand-parents, uncles or aunts, we can all share in this vital aspect of family life. Explaining and living out Biblical teaching is a responsibility we’ve all been given. Let’s fulfil it today, as best as we can.


20)# ’Raise a harvest of righteousness.’

James 3:18 (13-18)

The type of harvest produced will reflect the type of seed that has been sown. It’s true for the farmer and it’s true for our lives. James is clear that so called earthly ‘wisdom’, where we look after ourselves and make sure we are okay, will result in destructive attitudes and actions. What we call a ‘wise move’ is often for our own benefit and can leave someone else worse off. This can sow seeds of envy and malice and result in upset and friction.

But, like Paul with the fruit of the Spirit, James lists the attributes of wisdom from heaven; pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. What a difference this wisdom makes. It’s an alternative approach to life and one that produces a harvest to bring glory to the Lord and good for society. Let’s sow well today. so that a harvest of righteousness is raised tomorrow.


21)# ’Streams in the wasteland.’

Isaiah 43:19,20 (16-21)

This is not some trickle or babbling brook. The Hebrew word for ‘stream’ is used to speak of the rivers Nile and Euphrates. Rivers in full flow, bursting the banks, refreshing the ground and satisfying the thirsty. This is symbolic of what the Lord would do in restoring his people Israel, and it remains as a promise for us today. Through the prophet, the Lord declares ‘a new thing’ which has been fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. New life in Christ is available for all.

But it’s not just a one-off experience. The Holy Spirit lives in us so that we can continue to flourish as God’s people and proclaim his praise (v21). The thirst of life is satisfied only as we continue to drink from Christ. As we do, the living water of the Holy Spirit, will flow within us (Jn 7:37ff). We all go through a wasteland experience in life, sooner or later, so even more important for us to keep ‘drinking’. Tired lives can be refreshed and renewed. Parched hearts can blossom. However dry we may feel, let’s come to the Giver of that living water today and experience those gushing streams in the wasteland. Then let’s declare his praise and glory.


22)# ’It is the Lord!’

John 21:7 (4-9)

This was recognition and declaration rolled into one. John recognised the work of the Lord in the miraculous catch of fish, but didn’t keep it to himself. His declaration was the trigger for Peter to show his love for Jesus. Impulsive as ever, Peter jumped into the water to get to Jesus as quickly as he could.

In everyday life there will be those things that we know are the work of the Lord. Other people might say it’s a coincidence or try to reason it through, but we know ‘it is the Lord!’ At these times, we have a choice - to stay quiet or to say it out loud. A ‘thank you Jesus’ or ‘praise the Lord’ may get strange looks or even ridicule from some, but it may be the means of helping someone else declare their love for Jesus too. It also provides an opportunity for Jesus to acknowledge us in heaven (Matt 10:32).


23)# ’But Rachel was barren.’

Genesis 29:31 (26-32)

Sometimes there are things in life that seem to overshadow everything else. Rachel may have been the prettiest; she may have been worth fourteen years service; she may have been loved by Jacob more than Leah; but she could not have children. In sharp contrast Leah couldn’t stop having children! This led to frustration, jealousy and scheming on all sides. The sisters were at logger-heads for years, with Jacob caught in the middle.

Attitudes and wills of those involved, needed to be changed and moulded so that God’s plans and purposes could be fulfilled through each one. Often we want to sort things out our way, in our time to fit in with our plans. But, like Jacob, Rachel and Leah, we need to learn to let God have his way in our lives through our situations. Forcing things to happen our way can only make things worse. But if we let the Holy Spirit have his way in our lives, then his light will begin to dispel the shadows that hang over us. Then we will know the blessing that comes from serving God’s purposes, not ours.


24)# ’God’s fellow-worker.’

1 Thessalonians 3:2 (1-5)

The first thing to notice is that Paul speaks of a ‘worker’. That’s what we are called to be. There’s work to be done to spread the gospel and make disciples for Christ. Effort and perseverance are involved, difficulties will come, but it will be fulfilling and there is eternal reward for all who get involved in the work.

Secondly, we’re not on our own - ‘fellow-worker’. God the Holy Spirit is within us, enabling us to do the work he has called us to do. Gifts, power, protection are all available to each and every worker. We’re also called to work together with him. As ‘fellow-workers’, each one of us is a part of the body of Christ, of equal value, of equal worth - but with different gifts. We need to recognise the part each of us has and work together for God’s glory, not our own.

Then lastly, we belong to God. ‘God’s fellow-worker’. We share in his work. It’s his Church we are part of and it’s his kingdom that we are building. It’s a privilege. It’s an encouragement. It’s a challenge. So let’s keep our sleeves rolled up, keep encouraging one another and let’s carry on with the work God has given us to do, until he returns or calls us home.


25)# ’Take your son.’

Genesis 22:2 (1-12)

In the Hebrew these words are given as a command - ‘take! now! your son.’ It requires a response not a discussion, and immediately, without discussion, Abraham obeys.

How often we take God’s commands as open for discussion. We re-interpret them in the light of changes in our society. We modify them to fit our lifestyle. We apply human reasoning to see if they makes sense. Yet God’s ways and thoughts are higher (infinitely) than our ways or our thoughts.

Obedience is not an excuse for irresponsibility, but it is an opportunity for us to discover the value of living God’s way. It wasn’t just Abraham’s faith that was tested. It also showed that God can be trusted and it was a shadow of what God himself did in Christ, to redeem us. As disciples of Christ, all we have and are belongs to the Lord. Our jobs, our possessions, our family, our very lives. Let’s take this opportunity to reaffirm that commitment and lay everything on the altar of service for the Lord God who redeemed us by his Son.


26)# ’Ask the Lord to send out workers.’

Matthew 9:38 (35-38)

This is not an excuse for us to step back, but a clarification of the process for service. There is work to be done, but unless we are sent by the Lord, then our work will be in vain. Any workers in the Kingdom of God must be under the direction of the Lord, ready to obey his call to serve -  whenever, wherever and whatever.

It’s the Lord who knows the needs; it’s the Lord who gives the gifts; it’s the Lord who arranges the parts of the body just where he wants them to be. That’s why we are to ask him to send out workers, including ourselves. As the disciples discovered, when the Lord sends us out, he will provide and sustain us, empower and enable us, so that his work gets done. Our part is to be ready to go, each and every day. Let’s be ready again today.


27)# ’Except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.’

1 Kings 15:5 (1-5)

This phrase highlights a very bleak period in David’s life and the effect it had on the lives and deaths of other people. Yet one lustful glance and the actions that followed, did not stop David from being part of God’s plan. His repentance and forgiveness were real and the Lord was able to use him mightily just as he had done with Moses a murderer, Abraham a liar, and Jacob a deceiver.

This is not to excuse or diminish the impact of their actions. But it does encourage each of us to know that however low we might fall, and whatever wrong we might have done, if we truly repent, then Christ can restore us into a right relationship with himself and a useful, if different, role in his kingdom. Let’s not let our failings from the past keep us sidelined or feeling useless for the present and future. Instead, let’s trust in the mercy and forgiveness of Christ and find that role he has for us as part of his Body, the Church.


28)# ’Though he did not know where he was going’

Hebrews 11:8 (1-2, 7-12)

We sometimes talk about ‘blind faith’ - this might be called ‘ignorant faith’. Abraham did not know where God was leading him, he simply knew God had called him to start travelling. It’s often the way the Lord calls us to trust him, step by step, and not rely on our own understanding (Prov 3:5). His ways are not our ways and that’s where the difficulty can arise for us.

We often want to know, to be reassured that things will be okay before we commit (cf Lk 9:57ff). Sometimes we wrongly presume life with Jesus will be easy and trouble-free. Well Abraham discovered that life on the road with the Lord was anything but straightforward, and even at times went against human reasoning. The same can be true for many of us today. Yet Abraham’s faith and obedience led to a promised land (v9) and future city of God (v10) that you and I can be included in as well, as we follow in his footsteps and walk by faith day by day.

 
29)# ’From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?

Matthew 21:16 (14-17)

Here’s a case of the ‘foolish’ shaming the ‘wise’ and the ‘weak’ shaming the ‘strong’. The religious leaders were most put out that children should behave in such a way - shouting out a Messianic declaration about Jesus. Their refusal to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah was exposed by the joyful declarations of children - and they did not like it. They were embarrassed and threatened.

Sometimes we can be embarrassed or feel threatened by what other people say or do to express their love for Jesus. Maintaining our dignity can become more important than expressing our delight in the Lord. We may have to guard against a critical spirit, just because others express their feelings differently from us. Whilst praise needs to come from the heart, a child-like exuberance can be a blessing all round. King David encouraged praise and worship to the Lord as he danced exuberantly at the return of the ark of the Lord, even though his wife did not approve (2 Sam 6:13ff). So let’s praise the Lord today with all of our being.


30)# ’And the Lord heard this.’

Numbers 12:2 (1-10)

The Lord’s response to what he heard is immediate. He knows that grumblings in private can cause serious harm if not dealt with. Although Miriam and Aaron had both been used by the Lord and given positions of oversight, jealousy stirred in their hearts towards Moses and they began to speak against him. His marriage to a Cushite woman may have intimidated Miriam, who, being mentioned first and suffering the consequences, appears to be the instigator of this rebellion. Once jealousy is let loose, it is hard to control.

Unlike us, the Lord doesn’t turn a blind eye or a deaf ear towards evil motives and intent, even when said ‘off the record’ or in the quietness of our hearts. As Jesus made clear, the heart is where uncleanness begins and it is the work of the Holy Spirit to root it out. Drastic action may be called for (Matt 5:29) but it’s better than the consequences of sinful words or actions. Let’s make sure that what the Lord Jesus sees and hears in us, brings delight and not destruction.


31)# ’They did not believe the women.’

Luke 24:11 (9-12)

Luke adds, ‘because their words seemed to them like nonsense.’ To believe in a bodily resurrection today is still considered by some to be ‘nonsense’. Indeed the whole Christian gospel is considered ‘foolishness to those who are perishing’ (1 Cor 1:18). But then it’s not surprising that what Almighty God does is beyond our comprehension and so often dismissed as nonsense. In this case, what didn’t make sense turned out to be true.

There will always be those who ridicule the gospel of Jesus. But once we have experienced the reality of new life in Christ, we’ll want to tell other people, whether they believe us or not. These women didn’t rehearse what they would say or water it down to make it acceptable. They simply told the truth about a living Jesus - and the transformation of lives began. And the same pattern is still used by the Holy Spirit today. People telling people of what they know to be true. So let’s not be put off, but meet with Jesus again today and then tell others about him.