Reverence God, depart from evil

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Devotions: Ps 71, 74; Job 28:1-28; Acts 16:25-40; Jn 12:27-36a

I take my refuge in YHWH alone—the One Who Is safety. Lord, I have leaned on You from my birth, and I've known it constantly now for thirty years. Do not forsake me. Enable me to proclaim Your power, righteousness, goodness and love! You have done great things, and I am blessed to know You! I will speak of God's power all my days. His enemies have their moment, and they do great mischief; but God will not let the enemies scoff forever. Lord, uphold Your name and Your covenant; defend the downtrodden and destroy the wicked and impious.

Job mused: 'Precious metals are taken from the earth—silver and gold, iron and copper. Men search out the riches of the earth, metals and gemstones. Humans tunnel to the roots of the mountains; they dam the streams and rivers—but where can we find wisdom? It is not in the depths of land or sea. It cannot be purchased—for wisdom is more precious than any commodity. Wisdom is from God alone, deposited as He wills. Only God knows its place. He gives us this clue: "The fear of the Lord is the root of wisdom, and to depart from evil is the core of understanding.''' Amen.

Around midnight in the Philippian jail, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly there was a great earthquake; the prison's foundations were shaken; all the doors were thrown open and every fetter fell away. When the jailer awoke and saw all this, he drew his sword to kill himself, supposing that all his prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted to him, 'Don't hurt yourself! We're all here.' The jailer called for lights and rushed in. He fell trembling before Paul and Silas and brought them out of their cell, saying 'Men , what must I do to be saved?' And they replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and all your household will be saved.' They spoke the word of the Lord to him and all his household. That same hour, the jailer took them and washed their wounds, and he and all his household were baptized at once. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God. When day came, the magistrates sent the police directing that the missionaries be released, and the jailer passed the word along to Paul. But Paul said, 'They have beaten us in public—uncondemned men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison without due process. And now they want us to disappear in secret? No! Let them come themselves and conduct us out.' The police reported all this to the magistrates; when they learned that they had mistreated Roman citizens, they were afraid. So they came and apologized and conducted them out and asked them to leave the city in peace. So the missionaries left the prison and visited Lydia, and when they had visited and exhorted the brothers and sisters, they departed.

Jesus was deeply troubled: 'What shall I say? "Father, save Me from this hour"? No—for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.' And a Voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it and I will glorify it again!' The crowd nearby heard it; many said that it thundered. Others said, 'An angel spoke to Him.' Jesus answered, 'This voice has come for your sake, not Mine. This moment is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And when I Am lifted up, I will draw all mortals to Myself.' He said this to indicate how He was to die. The crowd replied, 'We have heard that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?' Jesus said, 'The Light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the Light, lest the darkness overtake you. Whoever walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, that you may become sons of light.'