Work with God, or face His judgment

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Devotions: Ps 30, 32, 42, 43; Ezra 4:7-24; Philemon; Mt 12:33-42

Lord, I praise You, and You have healed me! Your anger passes, but Your favor is everlasting; I may sorrow for a night, but joy comes in the morning! Be my Helper, and I will give You thanks forever. Happy are they to whom God imputes no sin; we are reckoned righteous because of the goodness of our Savior. I confess my sins, and You forgive and heal me. You are my Refuge and Hiding Place, O God! Steadfast love surrounds everyone who trusts in You, Lord. Let us shout God’s praise! My soul longs for You as a thirsty stag longs for water. People scorn me because I claim to have faith in God, but I cling to the remembrance of Your goodness and kindness to me and my loved ones. I will continue to trust and praise You; Your depths call to my deepest places; You are my song in the night and my joy in the dawning. I know You are with me; so, my soul, be at peace and wait upon God’s deliverance! Vindicate me, O Lord; send Your light and truth to lead me to Your altar, my Help and my God!

In the days of King Artaxerxes of Babylon, many enemies of the Jews wrote to the king: ‘Greetings, great king, from your servants beyond the River. The Jews from your provinces have come to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. If their work is allowed to be completed, they will not pay tribute, custom or toll, and your treasury will suffer. Because we depend on you and defend your honor, we encourage you to search the royal records and notice how Jerusalem has been rebellious and harmful to the kingdom—it is a stronghold of sedition. That is why it was laid waste in the first place! If you let Jerusalem be rebuilt, you will lose your province Beyond the River!’ King Artaxerxes responded: ‘I directed the search you recommended. You’re right: Jerusalem has been a hotbed of revolt and sedition; kings from there once had sway over the area I now command Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom and toll were paid. Therefore, order these Jews to cease their labors; Jerusalem will not be rebuilt unless and until I direct it by decree. Let no further damage be done to my kingdom.’ The king’s emissaries hurried to Jerusalem and by force compelled the Jews to cease their restoration of the city; this state continued until the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia.

Paul sought to foster reconciliation between the converted runaway slave Onesimus and his Christian master Philemon. Paul greeted ‘our beloved fellow worker’ and his family and household church, and proclaimed over them: ‘Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah.’ Paul praised Philemon’s faith and evangelical zeal. He commended Philemon for the joy and comfort Paul had from Philemon’s love. He called Philemon ‘my brother’, and mentioned that all the saints have been refreshed through Philemon’s ministries. Then, Paul mentioned his own apostolic and personal authority—‘I could command you in Christ, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you, as Christ’s ambassador and a prisoner for Christ’s sake.' Paul called Onesimus his own child—and testified that Onesimus, once useless to his master, has become useful—a play on the meaning of Onesimus, ‘useful’ or ‘beneficial.’ Paul said he has sent Onesimus as though ‘sending my very heart.’ He bowed to Philemon’s authority in this matter and appealed to his free will. ‘Perhaps he was parted from you for a while so that you might have him back for ever—no longer merely a slave, but a beloved brother, both in the flesh and in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. And if he has wronged you, or owes you anything, charge it to me, and I will repay it—though I have never asked you to pay me for saving you yourself! Yes, brother: I want something now, and I want it because of the Lord’s authority! Refresh my heart in Christ. I write confidently, knowing you will go beyond my suggestions. Get a room ready for me, for I hope by your prayers to be able to visit with you soon. My fellow workers here send their respects and greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, be with your spirit.’

Jesus continued his confrontation of the Pharisees: ‘Trees are known by their fruit, good or bad. Since you are a brood of vipers, evil to the core, you speak evil. On the day of judgment, men will render account for every careless word—your own speech will justify or condemn you!’ Some of the scribes and Pharisees replied, ‘Teacher, we wish to see some sign from you.’ But Jesus answered, ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign; but you’ll get no sign but that of Jonah. He was in the fish’s belly three days and nights; likewise, the Son of man will be three days and nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise at the judgment of alongside this present generation and condemn you; for they repented at Jonah’s preaching—and look, something greater than Jonah is here with you! The queen of the South will rise with this generation at your judgment to condemn you: she traveled from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon’s wisdom—and look, something greater than Solomon is here.’