Devotion Thoughts - 05/04/2011

Deut 28:1-68


If Israel rose to the challenge and honoured the Lord in every way, then He will honour them by raising them above every other nation in the world. I believe Satan sees this as an affront; he is determined to bring Israel down so that God will have 'failed'. I see the Muslim nations as pawns of Satan in the way they wage a constant war (jihad) against Israel. (The Muslim war against Christians is also inspired by Satan who wants to derail the worship of Jesus). Satan knows that God plans to bless Israel, His chosen people (and born again Christians who will be praising God in glory. I differentiate between the true, 'born again' Christians and those who are Christians in name only). Knowing that he is going to be cast into the Lake of Fire when his time is up, Satan is currently doing his utmost to discredit God.


The blessings on Israel will continue as long as they obey God (vv. 13,14), whereas disobedience will result in Israel losing out (v.15ff.). This applies to Christians, too!


Luke 11:14-36


I have had many encounters with those who, with a limited or no knowledge and understanding of the Bible, have the cheek to present arguments about the Bible as if they know it all. Here Jesus encounters a group of such. Plain common sense makes it clear that their argument- that Satan is casting out (his own) demons - is nonsensical. Jesus points out that either we are for Him, or we are against Him. To put it bluntly (v.23), if our actions and words convince people around us that we are born again believers, then we are serving God; otherwise, we are not!


In the mid-sixties I became a backslider. It started when I began to slow down in my witnessing for Jesus. One morning I woke up feeling as if I had lost out completely. It was to be six years before I was revived. Since then I have not wavered in my witnessing for Jesus. I received no special signs to keep me going; just the presence of the Lord within me, assuring me of the trustworthiness of the Bible. That is enough; I gladly tell others that Jesus was serious when He said that the only sign we will have will be that of the prophet Jonah (v.29). Just as he was in the belly of the big fish, technically 'dead', so Jesus lay dead in the grave for three days before rising to life again. Those who, by their faith, believe that He died for their sins and rose from the dead, and accept Him as Lord and Saviour are justified by God.


Psalm 77:1-20


One can sympathise with Asaph as he feels the need to shout aloud to get God to 'hear' him. I sometimes feel like that myself, when answers are long in coming. But I am aware that God hears 'the faintest whisper of my heart'. Those who cannot speak aloud but can lift up their hearts in adoration or supplication will be 'heard' by God.


When it seems that God is not listening, we need to do as Asaph did: remember the many blessings the Lord has given in the past, not only to us, but to friends and family, and to those mentioned in the Bible. By His great power, God can heal the sick, raise the dead, breathe new life into our spirits, and revive us. But His main purpose in His dealings with us is to prepare us to spend eternity with Him. If this requires that He thump us around until we get rid of certain bad habits, so be it. He knows what He is doing for us; trust Him! All will eventually be made clear!


Prov 12:18


I have a choice. I can say 'what I like' and cause pain, or I can use carefully chosen words that are helpful to the hearer, whatever his attitude towards me. The choice, as I said earlier, is mine. Which choice will please God more?

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