Godly endurance

Wednesday, June 3
Devotions: Ps 49, 119:49-72; Deut 13:1-11; 2 Cor 7:2-16; Lk 17:20-37

Everybody listen!  I have a wise lesson to share.  I have no reason to fear, even when my adversaries plan to do me harm.  Some trust in wealth, but none can ransom themselves from God's judgment.  All face physical death; all material wealth is lost at the point of our demise.  We share that fate with the animals.  But God has ransomed the souls of those who trust in Him alone.  Don't envy or fear those who triumph in the matters of the temporal world; when they die, they'll take none of their wealth or power with them.  Cling to God; let the wealthy of this world go their way into oblivion!
God, keep me aware of Your word, my hope and compass in this transient existence.  The godless deride; fanatics murder and shout their foul lies; but I will cleave to You and to Your law.  Your statutes are my songs; Your blessings abide with me.  YHWH is my Portion, and I will keep Your words, by Your grace.  I entreat Your favor this day, Lord, and all days.  Be gracious to me, according to Your word and Your character.  I am friend to all who seek and follow You; creation abounds with Your steadfast love; teach me Your statutes, Mighty One!  Teach me good judgment and right knowledge; make me each day more like Jesus, Lord!  You have turned my afflictions into lessons and blessings.  Thank You, Teacher!  Your law is better to me than gold and silver.

Moses taught the Israelites:  If some self-declared prophet or seer makes a prediction, and it comes to pass; and if that one suggests that you should follow other gods--do not listen or follow that counsel.  For YHWH your God tests you in this manner, to know the depth and strength of your love and devotion and faith toward Him.  Walk only after YHWH; fear only Him; obey His commandments and heed His voice alone.  False prophets and dreamers shall be put to death because they foment rebellion against YHWH your God, the One Who brought you out of bondage in Egypt and redeemed you for life in the land of promise.  Purge the evil from your midst!  If a relative or friend entices you to follow other gods, don't listen; show no pity.  Put that rebel to death by stoning.  Then the community will pay attention and cleave to faith, not to wickedness. 

Paul to the Corinthian Christians:  Open your hearts to us!  We have wronged no one, corrupted no one, taken advantage of no one.  You are in our hearts; we live and die together!  I have great pride and confidence in you; you comfort me, and as you bear affliction well, I am overjoyed.  When we first arrived in  Macedonia, we were afflicted at every turn: conflict without, fears within.  But God, Who comforts the downcast, comforted us then by bringing Titus to us, along with the news he bore of your love and faithfulness, your longing, mourning and zeal for me, so that my grief became overflowing joy.  If my former letter distressed you, I no longer regret it, for I see that in your grief, you repented, and thereby suffered no loss.  Godly grief leads to repentance and thence to eternal life; worldly grief produces only death.  At every point, you have proved yourselves guiltless; so my exhortation was fruitful; you are vindicated in God's sight, and I am comforted.  So is Titus, our mutual friend and brother.  I had told him of my pride and confidence in you, and his experience has confirmed the truth of this. His heart goes out to you, as he recalls your obedience and the fear and trembling with which you received him.  I rejoice, because I have perfect confidence in you. 

Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming.  He told them: It isn't coming with occult signs or to some place far away.  It is in your midst and in plain sight for any who will see.  He told His disciples:  Days are coming when you will long for one day of the Son of man; but you won't see it.  People will try to lead you aside, saying, 'Here He is!' and 'There He is!'.  Don't go, don't follow them.  When the Son of man actually returns, it will be as obvious as a lightning flash that lights the entire sky.  Be first, I must suffer many things and be rejected by this present generation.  It's like Noah's day; people went on with life as usual, eating, drinking, marrying--until the very day that Noah and his family entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all.  Also like Lot's day: the people of Sodom and Gomorrah continued in their daily routines, eating, drinking, planting, harvesting, building for the future.  Then the fire and sulphur from heaven came and destroyed them and their plans and all their property.  Remember Lot's wife:  whoever seeks to gain their life or keep what they have amassed, will lose life and all they possess; and whoever gives up their lives to God  will stay alive and receive eternal blessings.  When I come back, there will be two in one bed; one will be taken, the other left behind.  Two women will be grinding together; one taken, the other left. Listen:  where the body is, there the scavenging birds will be gathered together.