What is it about the Bible? How is it different from any other book? Why have so many tried to destroy it and why is it so vilified today? And for us personally, why does it have the ability to both pierce and warm our hearts in a way nothing else can?
But we don’t just have a unique book, we have the unique privilege of coming into the throne room of God. What can we hope to find when we come into that throne room? Should we expect judgment and begrudging answers? Or can we expect something quite different?
Every day we read about people who abuse children, traffic in other human beings, sell drugs to teenagers, and desert their families. We see people who destroy the lives and reputations of others to get ahead financially or politically or to acquire power in some area of life. Others become wealthy by preying on the most vulnerable. Why do evil people seem to get away with murder?
Add to that, events like school shootings, terror attacks, and hate crimes and it’s tempting to wonder, “Where is God?” “Why doesn’t He deal with evil people who do such things?”
Ezekiel was called to speak truth to a hard-hearted and rebellious people, but God gave him the strength he needed and told him, “Do not be afraid of them!”
We live in a time when people have similar attitudes and responses to the truth. Sometimes we will suffer persecution, not just for what we say or do, but for who we are because darkness hates the light. And sometimes, our persecutors can be people close to us, even our own family members.
Also, what can we learn from Jesus about persecution? And what did Peter, who once denied his Lord, learn that can help us trust God and have the strength to do what He’s called us to do?
How can we pray when it’s hard to pray? When we experience times of trouble and need God most, we often find it hardest to pray. Our emotions are all over the place. Words don’t come. Yet, God understands and left us many road maps to follow during those times. Today’s reading in Psalms has one example.
We’ll, also, look at a verse in Proverbs that could have been written about our turbulent political times. And we’ll take a closer look at Ezekiel’s puzzling vision of four living creatures and wheels within wheels and what it all means.
Do you have a sense of guilt over something from your past? Is there someone to whom you need to make amends or restitution? Restitution is restoring or paying back something that has been lost, stolen, or damaged. Maybe it’s not something you actually stole. Maybe you hurt or sinned against someone and you need to seek forgiveness. Is there a letter you need to write or a call you need to make? Could not doing so be hindering your relationship with God?
In Jeremiah’s day, God removed His restraining grace and let sin run its course because of their ongoing rebellion. What does the loss of restraining grace look like in a nation or an individual life? Could the same thing be playing out in our country or yours, wherever you live?
The loss of His restraining grace leads to a downward slide into an increasingly godless society. Paul gives us a list of sins that occur near the bottom of that free fall: homosexuality, sexual immorality, unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, hatred of God and His Word, lack of respect, pride, inventing all kinds of evil, rebellion against parents and all authority, lack of trustworthiness, and a lack of love and mercy. But the very bottom is when a society approves of those who practice such things. Could we already be there and, if so, how should we respond?
All of God’s Word is valuable for teaching us to live a God-honoring life, but today’s New Testament reading contains a great synopsis of the basics of the Christian life including our responsibilities whether older men and women or younger.
Also, read about God’s incredible patience and the reason God may be allowing some unpleasant circumstances in our lives.
When you look around and see the ungodly prospering and others living any way they want, have you ever wondered, does being good matter? Why do some people seem to have no remorse for the way they live and even mock those who try to live right … and seem to get away with it?
The world is full of people who are caught in patterns of sin, who are without hope, who have been hurt or disappointed by others, or who are spiritually deluded. Many of them are our co-workers, our friends and neighbors, and others God has placed in our lives. How can we make a difference in their lives? Our New Testament passage shows us four ways.
We’ll also look at how so many today call evil good and good evil. Many things that are advocated would have seemed impossible 10 years ago. It makes us wonder how people can be so blinded to the truth. But it’s not just unbelievers who can become deluded. How can we avoid spiritual delusion in our own lives?
And finally, read about overcoming evil and the only One who is “hope-worthy.”
Are you struggling with discouragement? It might be discouragement about what is going on in the world, in our nation, in your family, or in your personal life. In today’s reading, a man who knew God and understood His dealings with His people well still struggled with discouragement. What was God’s response to him and how does it apply to us?
Also, read about conditions in the last days and warnings about not turning to the world for answers to our problems.
