Tag: daily devotions

Try Again

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 13-15

Poetry: Psalm 144

New Testament: Colossians 4

This story from I Chronicles is one of my favorite Old Testament stories. (It Can also be found in II Samuel.) David has just gone through years of being hunted down by a man who wanted to kill him out of jealousy. David never retaliated against Saul, and never sought to take the throne (which was rightfully his) from Saul by force. In fact the day that David learned of Saul’s death, he didn’t celebrate, but instead mourned his death.

Now where we are in the story, David has been made king over all of Israel, he has conquered the city of Jerusalem, and made it the new capitol of Israel, and the first thing he wants to do is get the Ark of the Covenant (the golden box that represents God’s presence among His people) returned to its rightful place in the Tabernacle.

The Ark of the Covenant has been away from the Tabernacle for many years at this point. It had been lost when the sons of Eli took it into battle against the Philistines, back when Samuel was a child, and it was captured by the Philistines and placed in the temple of their god. The Ark didn’t stay in Philistia for very long. (It is a pretty cool story that you should really check out in I Samuel 5-7.) Long story short, the Ark ended up in the town of Kiriath-Jearim for many years. 

The Bible says that the people of Israel felt like God had abandoned them during this time. So David decided that the Ark needed to be returned to the Tabernacle. The first attempt to move the Ark did not go so well. They didn’t move it in the way that was required for it to be moved, to show the respect and honor that was needed. They basically took the symbol that represented God’s very presence and put it on a farm cart, pulled by an ox to carry it. In the end a man died, and David and the others took a step back to rethink what they were doing. 

The second attempt to move the Ark went much better. This time we see that David got together the Levites (those whom God had chosen to handle and move all the articles of the Tabernacle and the holy elements). He had some of them carry the Ark with the specialized poles that were prescribed by the law, and others were appointed to sing songs of praise to God as they went along. We are also told that David dressed himself, that day, in the garments of a priest rather than kingly garments, humbling himself before the ark. We are also told that there were proper sacrifices made to God, because God Himself helped them move the Ark. This time the Ark was carried into Jerusalem and up into the Tabernacle without incident, with David dancing before the Ark the whole way. 

So what does this story teach us? I think it teaches us to not take our time with God for granted. Our God is a loving father, who wants to spend time with us, and that is awesome! But sometimes we forget how special that really is. I’m talking about us getting the chance to be in the presence of Almighty God, and have his complete and full attention. Do you realize how amazing that is? I’m not saying that we need to go through any certain rituals or ceremonies, or need to jump through any hoops to spend time with God. He is waiting eagerly for time with us. I’m just saying that we should treat our time with the Almighty with a healthy dose of awe and respect. As the Psalmist wrote, we should “enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts and enter His courts with praise.” Our God is an awesome God, and we should do well not to forget it.

-Jonny Smith

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to you that God wants you to be in His presence? What has He done through the ages to make it possible for people to spend time in His presence?
  2. How do you spend time in His presence? Do you take it for granted? What can you do to increase the quality and quantity of your time in His presence?
  3. The first time they tried moving the ark it failed because they had not asked God how they should do it. Is there something God might want you to do – but you have not been doing it in the WAY He wants so it has not worked well? What can you do to try again?
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Legacy

*Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 7-9
*Poetry: Psalm 142
New Testament: Colossians 2

Think about all the people in your life, and the people that have come before you. There are always people that come to mind when you think about who you looked up to.

For me those people have been my parents, my grandparents, and uncles. I’ll always be grateful for the amazing people that God has provided.

Now how does this tie into Psalm 142 and 1 Chronicles 7,8,9? After reading 1 Chronicles 7,8, and 9, I realized that the list of names, from generation to generation, is a LEGACY. All the people then till now play a part in a much greater picture, and God knows every individual plan in HIS legacy.

Think back to the people in your life. How did they react when they faced trials, or when the plan they had didn’t match God’s plan? How did it impact the people around them? Our actions in our times of hard ship impact the people around us, whether we see it or not. If you have kids, you know they watch everything you do. It’s the same with other people in our lives. It’s so important that your actions are viewed by everyone, and we need to be aware of how we act.

Think about what you do in your trials as we look at Psalm 142.

Psalm 142:1-3

“I cry aloud to the Lord, I plead aloud for his mercy. I pour out my complaints before him.”

“I cry aloud to the Lord.” This chapter comes from a place when David was in an extremely difficult trial. He was running from King Saul and hiding in the cave of Adullam from persecution.

Even in this dark season, David cries ALOUD to the Lord for his guidance, just as we should in our times of hardship.

Psalm 142:3 goes on to say, “Although my spirit is weak within me. You know my way.”

David trusts God in this time. He trusts that God knows his plan for David and will bring him through this.

What do you do when you face trials?

We have all been in places where all we seem to do is be mad at God in our situation. But what if we turn to God instead, and say, “God I am frustrated, HELP me. I know your plan is good.” How does that impact us, and God’s Legacy.

The way we react to our trials makes an impression. If we lash out in anger when things don’t go our way, we leave an impression. We may hurt feelings and say things we can never take back. Those moments of impact can change how that person we hurt acts, and then it continues. It’s like the saying goes, what comes around goes around. So, what if we spread around love, and trust in God, and watch that spread around. Let’s grow a Legacy of people who love and worship God, and love each other. Love and worship in our times of struggle can make all of the difference.

-Hannah Eldred

Reflection Questions

1) What trials may you be facing in life big or small?

2) How do you react in your trials?

3) How can you show love and worship in your trials? How does this impact God’s legacy?

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The Good News

Old Testament: 1 Chron 4-6

Poetry: Ps. 141

New Testament: Colossians 1

Last year, the young adults at my church went through an in-depth study of the gospel. We discussed what the gospel is and why it is so important to be able to “give an answer for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). What is your understanding of the gospel? Go ahead a pause for a minute and try to sum up what you think the gospel is in a few sentences. 

It’s important to be able to quickly and succinctly sum up what the gospel is. Yes, we can go deeper in our theology. Some things about our Christian walk take a whole life time of wisdom to be able to truly understand. However, when it comes to the basic building blocks of our faith, we need to have an answer for it. We need to understand what we believe. This is the first step towards spiritual maturity. 

In today’s reading, Paul begins his letter to the Colossian church. He give thanks to God for the people in the church and then describes to them why Christ should be so highly esteemed. This passage is a good go-to passage for understanding what the gospel is. Paul begins in Colossians 1:18-20, “And [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was please to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” The gospel, or good news, is the reconciling of us to God through the blood of Jesus. Jesus’ sacrifice made peace between God and man. Not only that, the gospel also points to our hope. Jesus was the firstborn from the dead. His resurrection is proof and assurance of our future resurrection. 

Paul goes on to describe how the gospel changes us in verses 21-22. He says, “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” When we were not reconciled, we lived doing evil deeds. We were in darkness. Because we have been justified before God, we also can be sanctified. This is the process of being made holy, blameless, and above reproach before God. We are learning how to be made righteous, be made perfect. This is a process that takes a lifetime. The gospel changes everything about us, maybe not right away – but instead through consistently trying to live for God in the best way we can. 

This is why it is so important to understand the gospel and be committed to living for God throughout our life. We will be sanctified “if indeed [we] continue in the fath, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that [we] heard” (v. 23). Hold fast to the one who saves! 

~ Cayce Fletcher

You can read more devotions and studies written by Cayce Fletcher at amorebeautifullifecollective.com. 

Reflection Questions: 

  1. What is your understanding of the gospel? Write down a 1-3 sentence description of what the gospel is.  
  2. Using your understanding of the Old Testament, why was Jesus’ sacrifice necessary to justify us before God?   
  3. What has the gospel changed in your life?   

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Our Hope in the Face of our Enemies

Old Testament: 1 Chron 1-3

Poetry: Ps. 140

New Testament: Colossians Introduction See Below

I love a good adventure story. One of my favorites is The Lord of the Rings (the original series of course). The movies came out when I was young, and I loved the epic battle between good and evil that they portrayed. One of my favorite parts is in the second movie during the Battle of Helm’s Deep. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this scene, let me paint the picture for you. The people were terrified as they were locked away in a fortress that was described as impenetrable. However, the defenses were failing as a massive army of mindless monsters had lined up before the fortress with the sole purpose of annihilating everyone within them. The people inside felt hopeless. They had sent the women and children to hide in caves. The men were putting on armor, knowing that the outcome of the war was a seemingly hopeless situation, that the fight they were putting up was futile, symbolic. They would not back down. 

I imagine that the people in Helm’s deep would empathize with the Psalm we read today. David, who was also on the run from his enemies, faced imminent danger. Because of Saul’s jealousy, he was out to kill David. In Saul’s mind, David was a threat to his throne, and that threat must be taken care of even though David had been nothing but respectful of Saul’s authority throughout his life. David knew what it was like to be in a seemingly hopeless situation. He explains in Psalm 140:1-3, “Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps.” David was pursued by evil men and felt like he was almost in their clutches. Without God, his situation would have been hopeless. 

In the battle of Helm’s Deep, the people were saved after the third day when Gandalf returned with another army that was able to defeat the army of the enemies. This is an obvious allusion to our ultimate hope that J.R.R. Tolkien, a Christian, included in his book. David also points to this hope in Psalm 140 when he says in verse 12-13, “I know the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.” Though David’s situation was difficult and dangerous, he knew that there was hope in his situation that seemed hopeless. His hope was God, and he knew that God would come to his aid. 

God has also come to our aid through his son. Jesus is the light at the third day coming to defeat the forces of darkness in the world. The genealogies of 1 Chronicles point to this perfect salvation, the son of David. He is “the true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). This “light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). 

When we face down our enemies, when we feel like we are in a seemingly hopeless situation, we can remember of the light, the hope, that we have in Jesus. He has already saved us. 

~ Cayce Fletcher

Reflection Questions: 

  1. Are there areas of your life that feel hopeless? How does this Psalm give encouragement to you?   
  2. Now that we are not fighting physical battles as frequently as in David’s time, some of the Psalms can seem a little archaic. Who are our enemies now? How do we fight against them?  
  3. Why do you think that 1 Chronicles begins with a focus on genealogies? How does knowing your history help you live well today? 

Colossians Introduction

Paul, possibly with the help of Timothy, wrote the book of Colossians to the church at Colossi while in prison in Rome.  He had never been to Colossi when he wrote the letter to them.  

Paul wrote this letter warning the Colossians about doctrinal errors in 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”  This sounds like particularly good advice to us today.

Paul highlighted the importance of living a holy life.  3:1-6 is just a sampling, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”

I’ll close with Paul’s advice as recorded in 3:23-25, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”

–Steve

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The Loving Character of God

Old Testament: 1 & 2 Chron Introduction (See below)

Poetry: Ps. 139

New Testament: Philippians 4

In the midst of all of our discussions of punishment for sin and idolatry, it can paint a picture of a harsh, just God. We know that God is doing the right thing, but it seems like the right thing is also cruel. Today’s scripture brings into focus another aspect of God that proves how loving and truly kind God is. Psalm 139 is a famous scripture and for good reason. Here are some truths we can learn about God from this beautiful and comforting Psalm. 

  1. God knows who we truly are. We cannot hide from God, and we don’t need to feel like we have to. The Psalm begins, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! […] Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (v. 1, 4). We can find great comfort in that all the ugly, messed up parts of ourselves is already known to God. We don’t need to try to “flee from [his] presence” (v. 7) because he is already there. This shouldn’t make us feel afraid. Instead, we should feel like we can bring everything we are to God and lay it at his feet. He already knows anyway. 
  2. God’s boundaries are good boundaries. Verse 5 says, “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” When we think of God’s law, we can think of it as the rules that keep us safe. It reminds me of the baby gates in my house. My little girl is just starting to crawl. The one place in the house that she always wants to get to is the stairs. She has no idea how to go down them though! The baby gates in my house protect her from the thing that she wants to do. It is a boundary, a law, of protection that turns out to be provision for her. 
  3. God knows our days. We can find great comfort in the sovereignty of God. As we face trials and uncertainties, we know that “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (v. 16). We believe that God is a good God, and we know that he has good things in store for us. It may not always work out like we hope. But, it will be something that works out for the glory of God. And ultimately, that is the best good. 

As we consider the punishment that God gives, its always important to center that conversation on the never-changing character of God. Exodus 34:6-7 describes the character of God in this way, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and fourth generations.” We see here the story of Israel played out. Yes, God punished a few generations of children because of the iniquity of the Israelites. But, before that, God was faithful and stood by the Israelites. Not only that, after the Israelites were in exile for a few generations, God brought them back. He remembered them and brought them home to the Promised Land. Truly how “Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Ps. 139:14). 

~ Cayce Fletcher

Reflection Questions: 

  1. How does reading about the punishment for idolatry make you feel? Does reading about the character of God change those feelings?   
  2. Read Ps. 139:7-12. What does it mean to you that God’s presence is everywhere? How does that change the way you live?   
  3. Pray over verses 23 and 24. Bring to God any of the areas of your life that you feel like a “grevious” to him.   

1 & 2 Chronicles Introduction

The word chronicles means “a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence.”  The books of 1 & 2 Chronicles list two such important pieces of information for post-exilic Jews.  

The first is the list of genealogies recorded in the first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles.  This was important for Jews after the exile to be able to trace their lineage to God’s promised people, and therefore to the promises God made to Abraham.  

The second reason for the name “Chronicles” is that 1 & 2 Chronicles retells the story that was originally told in 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings.  The difference is that 1 & 2 Chronicles gives only information on the kings of the Southern Kingdon (King David and his descendants).  

These books were written after the fall of the Southern Kingdom to Nebuchadnezzar’s army around 587 BC.  And since the last chapter also includes information about the edict of Cyrus – allowing the Jews to return to Israel –, which took place in 539 BC, these books were likely written in or shortly after 539 BC.

While 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings share much of the same historical narrative as 1 & 2 Chronicles, Samuel and Kings point out that Israel is being punished for her sins.  Chronicles was written to inspire hope and faith in God.  

Another example of the difference is that Chronicles shows the kings in a more favorable light, including evil king Manasseh, who 2 Chronicles records as repenting of his sins – a fact not recorded in 2 Kings.

Finally, Chronicles shows more cause and effect within a king’s lifetime for his decision to follow or forsake God.  

As you read through 1 & 2 Chronicles, may you too recognize the results of not only the kings’ life choices but also the consequences of your own life choices.  And may you also experience the hope Chronicles tries to convey.  And may you be among those people God is referring to when he said, in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

–Steve

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Where is your citizenship?

Old Testament: 2 Kings 23-25

Poetry: Ps. 138

New Testament: Philippians 3

The place where we live is so central to who we are as people. It truly is one of the most important parts of our identity. It changes everything: from the foods we like, the music we listen to, the political parties we vote for, our priorities… basically everything. I’m from the south, and I remember going to our national church camp, FUEL, in the summer and being teased for the way we talk, the types of drinks we like (Who doesn’t like sweet tea? Oh right, all you northerners.), and the music we listen to. Before going to these camps, none of those things even struck me as weird. It was just the way everyone around me lived. Where we live can define us. But, we have a more important citizenship – a more important place of belonging – than just our physical address. 

Today, we read about the final demise of the Israelite nation. From the beginning, when God called Abraham out of the future land of Babylon and into the promised land of Canaan – the future land of Israel, there was a beacon of hope and assurance that God was for the Israelite people and would come to their aid. They were his people. 

Even though Josiah instituted reforms to bring his people back to God, the evil the people of Judah had done was so great that God promised, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there” (2 Kings 23: 27). The devastating consequence of sin is the removal of belonging with God. This meant that the people of Judah – the last remnant of the Israelites who had settled in Canaan – could no longer find their citizenship in the Promised Land. Instead, they were taken captive by the Babylonians and returned to the land that God had called them out of. This is a harsh statement of rejection of the Israelite people. The one whom God had said, ‘I called you out of Egypt to be my chosen possession’ had been returned to the places of captivity. 

Citizenship, rejection. Freedom, captivity. These opposite poles of human existence that the Israelites could choose based on how obedient they were to God’s commands. Because they rejected God’s commands, he rejected them. The freedom they would have in submitting to God and setting boundaries on their freedom based on his law became captivity under other rulers due to their desire to do whatever they pleased.

We have the same promise and warning today. The same choice is set before us. We can choose for our citizenship – our place of belonging – to be in heaven (Phil. 3:20-21) or to be enemies of Christ (v. 18). Phil. 3:19 describes these enemies in the following way: “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame.” This statement could have been written for the people in Judah and Israel. And it could be written to those today who choose to do whatever is right in their eyes rather than follow God’s word. 

To be citizens of heaven, we must follow Paul’s example. I “press on to make it [the resurrection of the dead, aka the Kingdom Life we are promised] my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (v. 12-14). Hold fast to God, and obey his commands! Choose to be a citizen of God’s Kingdom! 

~ Cayce Fletcher

Reflection Questions: 

  1. How does the place where you live affect who you are as a person?   
  2. How would a citizen of the Kingdom act differently than those of the world? Where do you find your citizenship?   
  3. There’s a glimmer of hope in 2 Kings 25:27-30. Jehoiachin is able to “put off his prison garments. Every day of his life he dined regularly at the king’s table.” How do you put off your prison garments of sin and dine at the table of the King in your everyday life?   

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Shine like Stars

Old Testament: 2 Kings 21-22

Poetry: Ps. 137

New Testament: Philippians 2

My son, Jonah, is afraid of the dark. For a while, after we would read him a bedtime story and sing “Silent Night” as a lullaby, we would close the door to a dark, quiet room. And, a few moments later, we would hear the pitter-patter of feet as he would get out of his toddler bed, go over to the lamp in his room, and click it on. One day while he was playing, he told me that he had to turn his light on because he doesn’t like the dark because there are monsters in the dark. 

Even though I am grown, I can empathize with his fears. I remember – and I bet you do too – those moments of fear when the lights go out. I remember begging my parents to leave the closet light on because I was unsure what was lurking out there in the dark past my bed. It seems only natural to be a little afraid of the dark, those places you can’t see. It’s a built-in defense mechanism that humans have to navigate nighttime in our world. 

The Bible is full of themes that occur from beginning to end. You could trace the way water is used as a symbol of chaos and cleansing or the way trees represent a strong, godly life. One theme that occurs from beginning to end is the contrast between dark and light. Darkness is always connected with sin and evil, whereas light is connected with righteousness and God himself. 

This is a quick overview of the way this theme is used in scripture. In the beginning, God created the light and called it good (Gen. 1:4). After the fall, the world is described as being in darkness. God is constantly beckoning his people to be a light to the surrounding nations (Gen. 15:5), but Israel repeatedly chose darkness. Jesus is the true light that shines out into the dark world – and his light “gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). We are now the torchbearers that continue to shine a light in the world. We are called to “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). We “cast off our works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12, see also Eph. 5:7-14). 

We see an example of being a light to the world in Judah’s king Josiah. After two dark, wicked kings of Judah, Josiah repairs the temple. He becomes a light to the nation calling them back to worship God and obey him after over half a century of disobedience. He repairs the temple and shares the law with Judah. The people were in darkness because of the evil kings, but Josiah was being a light pointing them back toward God. Just like the nation of Judah, we also have a tendency to pull toward darkness. In fact, sometimes we seem to like darkness; we prefer it over having our deeds exposed in the light. However, since we are in Christ, we need to put aside those worldly desires and choose to follow God completely. God is light and there is no darkness in him (1 John 1:5). We cannot do the deeds of darkness and follow God at the same time. Let’s be like King Josiah, and be a leader of light to those around us. 

~ Cayce Fletcher

Reflection Questions: 

  1. Why do you think that the Bible uses the imagery of light and darkness to represent good and evil?   
  2. How was King Josiah a light to his country?   
  3. How can you be a light that represents Jesus to others today? What are some actions you could take?   

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When You Don’t Know What Else to Do

Old Testament: 2 Kings 19-20

Poetry: Ps. 136

New Testament: Philippians 1

Yesterday, we learned about the exile of the nation of Israel because of the idolatry that they practiced. 2 Kings 17:34 describes the Israelites who lived in Samaria: “To this day they do according to the former manner [fearing God but also serving the gods of the surrounding nations]. They do not fear the LORD, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law of the commandments the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel.” The nation of Israel had spiraled down the dark, deep hole of sin that ended in exile. 

There is a glimmer of hope in 2 Kings 18, as we read about Hezekiah the good king of the neighboring nation, Judah. “He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD. He did not depart from following him but kept the commandments that the LORD commanded Moses” (v.5-6). 

A little over halfway through his reign, Hezekiah is faced with a terrible situation. The king of Assyria attacks Judah and forces Judah to pay him tribute. Things even got so bad that Hezekiah stripped the gold off the temple doors and gives it to the Assyrian king. The Assyrians mock God and swear that God has forsaken Judah. This is where chapter 19 picks up. 

When faced with a terrible situation, what does Hezekiah do? Hezekiah humbles himself, goes to God, and listens. Hezekiah sent people to Isaiah to pray in the nation’s behalf (v. 4). This proves to be exactly the right course of action. 

We can learn so much from the reign of Hezekiah, but I think it’s so important to look at how he handled these difficult situations. You can follow the example of Hezekiah in doing the following: 

  1. Humble yourself. Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth. He didn’t try to appear to have his life together. He recognized the severity of the situation and knew he could not save himself without God. 
  2. Go to God. Hezekiah went to the house of the Lord immediately. He knew where to turn with the situation got tough. 
  3. Seek counsel and comfort from godly people. Hezekiah gathered up a few trusted servants and priests to go to Isaiah, the prophet for help. 
  4. Recognize that you have a mediator who knows your needs. Hezekiah turned to Isaiah to be a mediator between God and him. He asks Isaiah to pray for him. We don’t have to turn to men to pray for us. Instead, we can go to God ourselves because we have a mediator in Jesus. 

At the end of this chapter, Isaiah gives some reassuring news. The Assyrian king would not destroy Judah. In fact, he would fall by his own sword. Verse 35-37 goes on to say, “That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when the people arose early in the morning, behold these were all dead bodies. Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword.” God’s promises are true. Praise God that we can go to him in all of our sufferings. 

~ Cayce Fletcher

Reflection Questions: 

  1. What difficult situation are you facing today? What strikes fear in your heart? Makes you despair? Bring this situation to God. 
  2. Who are some people you can turn to in difficult situations that can help to point you to Christ?   
  3. How is prayer different from the Old Testament to the New Testament because of Christ?   

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The Struggle is Real

Old Testament: 2 Kings 15 & 16

Poetry: Psalm 134

New Testament: Ephesians 6

‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12

In 2002 the phrase “the struggle is real” was popularized by Tupac on his posthumous track, “Fame.”  The phrase up to this point was commonly used to discuss poverty, gang violence, racism, as well as more serious topics – until it entered the realm of pop culture. Fast forward ten years, the phrase takes an ironic turn, being used to qualify simple human conflict that was far from struggle. Constant yawns at work because you stayed up too late? The struggle is real.  Starting a new diet where you have to exchange your pasta for salad? The struggle is real. Have trouble opening a pickle jar? The struggle is real.  While this was a quick quip to be funny, it diminishes the real struggles that are faced in the world, forgetting what serious things are being battled in this every single day.

Paul closes his letter, and I close my time as your SGL writer,  by reminding us all that the struggle is indeed real.  Churchy Christians often forget that the struggle isn’t the style of worship music played, that camp is in a different venue, how long the sermon is, the logo that goes on the shirts and the signs, or the color of the carpet.  It is okay to care and have an opinion about these things, but if this is the conflict we have for Christ, this is an ironic, fake drama to distract us from our real issues.  There are greater forces at work trying to destroy the Gospel message. They already have power.  They already make gains.  They already are in control.  Open your eyes and ears, because the struggle is real!

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:13-17

How are we to combat these forces? We need to stop playing the simulation shooter inside the four walls of the church and ready ourselves for the call of duty (see what I did there).  Your salvation is the target. This means you must stand your ground by readying yourself for battle as a soldier.  Only then will you stand firm.

This starts with the tactical belt of truth, which girds up our lions to make us more physically available to fight. We can move against the forces of evil swifter because the truth of God is an innate understanding (Psa 19).  Next, the bulletproof vest of righteousness that covers us along with the shield of faith. There will be shots fired at who we once were, but when we believe, we are covered by the blood of Christ (Phil 3:9-10). We also have the tactical boots of readiness.  These go wherever God calls us.  God makes us ready to move quickly to any terrain, literally or metaphorically, as a peacekeeping force, sharing hope and peace as Christ did (John 14:17).  Finally, there is the helmet of salvation and the semi-automatic Word of God. Though there is a constant barrage of targeted messages aiming for a headshot, we need to remember that God so loved us (John 3:16).  Additionally, we pull the trigger to directly take on evil.  Jesus shows us that we can combat temptation by faith-driven speaking of scripture (Matt 4).

There are forces after you every single day. The struggle is so real. Don’t be a casualty because you are not ready to meet your foe.  Garb yourself in the armor of God, knowing the battle belongs to the Lord.

“Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. (Be Strong In The Lord!) Victory Belongs To The Lord.” 2 Chron. 20:15b

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What ‘fake struggles’ do you spend too much time and effort fighting? What is the real battle that matters? Where do you see evidence of this real battle?
  2. What are the pieces of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6 and what is the purpose of each piece?
  3. Is there a piece that you think you use well? Which piece(s) do you need to work with some more to improve your battle against the evil forces?
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Christian in Camouflage

Old Testament: 2 Kings 13 & 14

Poetry: Psalm 133

*New Testament: Ephesians 5

What does a Christian look like? The answer to this question is increasingly difficult.  In the United States today, many Christians are indiscernible from those who do not subscribe to the same faith.  Outside the time spent at church each week, the majority of the week is spent watching the same shows, making the same jokes, engaging in the same relationship, and working the same hours.  A handful of hours a week of being different doesn’t make faith.  While going to church is better than nothing at all, if the Gospel message is not changing your life, you are wasting your time. 

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:1

Paul makes the case in Ephesians 5 that we are called to be different.  Not people simply filling out your church time card, but an actual dichotomy, a detectable quality that implies a different standard for your life.  It isn’t just banning a rated-R comedy, but it is changing the spirit of what you find funny.  It isn’t just waiting until marriage to have sex, but it is the constant devotion to your spouse to where your eyes don’t wander.  It is working less hours to have time with your family, but a constant belief that God will provide no matter the circumstance.  These are core elements, that not only change our input, “well we don’t”, but change our output, making our life distinguishably lived for Christ.

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20

You may think you are living for Christ, but do you really look and sound different?  Here is a quick quiz to see if you are on board with what Paul is saying to the Ephesians.  While the results here are not conclusive, they should be convicting, challenging us to become more like Christ and less like a Christian in camouflage.

– When people at work talk about a scandalous show, I’m reminded that I missed the last episode.

– Sometimes I let myself or my friends have too many drinks because we’re just having a good time.

– I enjoy a good joke, it doesn’t really matter if it is dirty or clean.

– I only use profanity when I’m around my friends that use it too.

– It doesn’t hurt to look.

– I go to church because it’s really the only time I see my family and friends.

– I just don’t really like worship music; that’s why I don’t listen to it.

– The people around me understand that I don’t always keep my promises.

– I don’t feel like it’s anyone’s business what I do on Saturday night to unwind.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:8-10

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. In Ephesians 5:10 Paul urges us to “find out what pleases the Lord?” How do you think we can do that best? Do you truly desire to please the Lord?
  2. Looking at yourself, what do you see that would fall into the PLEASES the LORD category? What do you see that would be outside of this category?
  3. Are you blending in with the world and missing opportunities to please the Lord and be a witness? Give some specific examples and what you can do differently to make the most of the opportunity instead.
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