# 28 2021 Dev. Psalm 116:7. Rest for The Soul! Read all of Psalm 116 and Ps 117 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 116:7 “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you,”

Introduction. Psalm 111- 119, This series is called the Egypt “Hallalu Yah” (Hallelujah) meaning rejoicing to praise God for His salvation. Not superficially but as a matter of the heart, true piety! The series has a close connection with the songs of Miriam Ex.15:1-21 and of Mary Lk.1:46-56.

Psalm 116 the overall theme of this series is God’s salvation, this Psalm highlights: “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.”The Ps. is divided in two sections that reflect and complement each section.

Vs. 1,2 “I love the Lord” This is where we must begin! God listens to our cry, He gives us answers, not always in the way we expect. Understand the singular pronouns as inclusive.

Vs. 3,4 describes the reason for his “cry for mercy”. He may have been attacked, exiled, or overwhelmed with an illness. For us, for my wife and I, is to be overwhelmed with cancer. People cry out after loss, a loved one or financial loss. For the unbeliever or one gone astray it may be a cry out of desperation, looking for a way out, depresion, drugs or other addictions.

Vs, 5,6 gives us the answer and the reason we call on God: “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me.”

V. 7 Stands alone and is the result of all gone on before, God “turned his ear to me, Lord save me!”  In our times, God stands ready to hear your cry. He stands ready to grant you rest, including eternal rest.

Vs. 8,9 ends this section and thanks and praise is given to God. “That I may walk before the lord… In other words, continue to serve God. What will you praise God for today?

Vs. 10,11 “I trusted in the Lord” when I called. Trust is the rock we stand on, amen.

V,12 stands alone and asks a rhetorical question, indeed, what will we return to our God in Christ Jesus?

Vs.13,14 “I will lift up the cup of salvation”, for the Jews it was the cup of Passover. For the followers of Jesus, it is the cup of communion. I will fulfill my vows, what are the promises we need to keep?

Vs.15,16 “The servants of the Lord are precious in his sight” This incudes death. if you live in Jesus death is a home coming. Are you ready?

Vs. 17-19 recalls vs.13,14 but adds a sacrifice, a thank offering, sacrifice in his day prefigures Jesus’ death. Today we serve not to be saved but because we are already saved we serve. “Praise the Lord”!

We add Psalm 117 here because it reinforces “Rest for the soul!”

“Praise the Lord, all you nations;
    extol him, all you peoples.
² For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.”

Praise the Lord.

 © cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

# 26 2021 Dev. Psalm 115:11.Trust the Lord! Read all of Psalm 115 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 115:11 “You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield.”

Introduction. Psalm 111 starts a new series of 9 Psalms, they are framed by two acrostic poems, Ps.111 and 112 and by one acrostic poem Ps.119 that poem is an acrostic by themes and has 176 verses. The series is the Egypt “Hallalu Yah” (Hallelujah) meaning rejoicing to praise God for His salvation. Not superficially but as a matter of the heart, true piety! The series has a close connection with the songs of Miriam Ex.15:1-21 and of Mary Lk.1:46-56.

Psalm 115 may have been composed for the dedication of the second temple. Five stanzas in a liturgical exchange at temple worship.

V.1 God’s “love and faithfulness” The expression of God’s covenant with His people. This still exists today. We are God’s people, we belong to Jesus and He belongs to those who fear and worship Him.

Vs.2-8. It begins with a rhetorical question; “Why do the nations say, ‘Where is your God’?” That question is still being asked. Our world is full of idols, not so much the images the psalmist talks about but there are idols of pride, of possessions, of alcohol, drugs, sex. Those are the obvious idols but there are many seemingly normal people who are completely absorbed with themselves, all idols are mute, deaf and blind. It is as the psalmist writes: “those who make them will be like them and so will all who trust in them.” Many people are unaware of the bondage they are in and if and when people become aware of their situation most do not know how to get out of it. There is a way out but it means to put ones trust in someone other than themselves.

Vs.9-11 “You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield.” That is the answer; Call upon the name of the Lord and He will draw near to you. He will give you the ability to trust in Jesus and if you give Him your life you are released, set free from from all idolatry. There is more.

Vs.12,13 “The Lord remembers us and will bless us:” He will bless us not to our wants but according to our needs.

Vs.14,15 “May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. “God’s Covenant is for you and your children. “The children of believers are holy” and stay that way when they make their own commitment to God and to our savior Jesus.

Vs. 16-18 “The highest heaven belongs to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.” God provides for us in His good earth, consider all the blessings: food, housing, water, air, sun, stars, where do we stop counting God’s blessings, they are endless. “it is we who extol the the Lord” It is not the dead, but we must see that not only the physical dead but also the spiritual dead, we extol God “both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.” Amen and amen!

 © cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

# 25 2021 Devotion 3 Jn. 1:3. Truth Speaks! Read all of Chapter 1 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

3 Jn.1:3 “It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.”

John writes a personal letter to a friend, Gaius, commending him for living the truth. He is one of the church leaders who is accepting the teachers John has sent to churches in the Roman providence of Asia. Apparently that is not the case for all churches and John indirectly warns that leader, Diotrephes, that he is coming to him to point out his errors. John also commends Demetrius, who “is well spoken of by everyone–-and even by the the truth itself.”

How does the truth speak? “Possibly the Gospel personified.” (NIV) At this time of our experience and of the experience of the church, this is how it should be as it was in the beginning at John’s time: followers of Jesus living the truth of the Gospel by imitating Jesus in all aspects of their lives. As it was in John’s day so it is today; it can take one person, one leader, one pastor to lead a church astray.

In John’s day the powers that be and the population in general was opposed to the Gospel and there was no church history recorded. Today, “the church is an interpretive community, where collective wisdom across church history and in various policy structures {denominations, elder boards, membership} provide guard rails against errant theology.” (The Wisdom Pyramid by Brett McCracken, p. 89) Even so, today we have much more to deal with.

Today, we have a large section of society and many secular leaders who have heard the truth and may have at one time walked in it but now have rejected the truth of the Gospel and are adamantly opposed to church, Christianity as defined today, and to the followers of Jesus. It is important therefore, that the truth speaks in us, and by us. The Gospel must be personified in every aspect of our lives!

Lord Jesus, fill us with your Spirit and allow Him to speak your truth though us and may your truth live through us, Amen!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.

# 24 2021 Dev. Psalm 114:7. The Lord’s presence! Read all of Psalm 114 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 114:7 “Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,”

Introduction. Psalm 111 starts a new series of 9 Psalms, they are framed by two acrostic poems, Ps.111 and 112 and by one acrostic poem Ps.119 that poem is an acrostic by themes and has 176 verses. The series is the Egypt “Hallalu Yah” (Hallelujah) meaning rejoicing to praise God for His salvation. Not superficially but as a matter of the heart, true piety! The series has a close connection with the songs of Miriam Ex.15:1-21 and of Mary Lk.1:46-56.

Ps.114 is a four stanzas verse used in worship. The hymn commemorates the Exodus and the release of slavery from the oppression of Egypt that prefigures the release of slavery of sin ushered in by Jesus Christ. That is what this Psalm is about, salvation. It involved God in both events, God’s intervention, “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion.”

God intervened into nature to save His people; First a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud during the day, probably the presence of Jesus. He parted the Red Sea, and the Jorden River. The mountains are turned loose, by Faith, and is a metaphor of God’s control of nature.  

Vs. 5-6 is a rhetorical question about God’s interventions: “Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back?” Why? Because God is in control, He controls the natural way of the world to accomplish His purposes. 

Vs. 7-8 warns us about the presence of God: “Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.” Who can turn the rock into running water if not God? Only God turns “the hard rock into springs of water.”

Who is not concerned with what is going on in the world and in our country today? Of course we are, anyone with the wisdom of the Scriptures would ask the question: where is this current government going? Is this the path to more freedom? Or to more government control? Is this the path to peace? Or is this more division?  Is our government leading us to more democracy? Or is this a path to communism? I know the answers to these questions based on the wisdom of Scriptures. What about you? Figure it out! God the Trinity (Father,Son and Holy Spirit) is with us, His presence is a daily event and only God’s Word can give us the answers. Praise be to God!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

# 23 2021 Devotion 2Jn.1:3. Truth! Read all of Chapter 1 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

2 Jn.1:3 “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.”

John writes a short personal letter to a group of Christians apparently led by a “lady chosen by God and her children,” to remind them of the Father’s command “that you walk in love.” This is not “a new command but one we have had from the beginning.” This command is still valid today!

He also reminds them of the false teachers denying the divinity of Jesus and urges them not to have fellowship with them. “Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.” Today, we are feeling what John is feeling; thankful that some are still following the truth but discouraged with the rejection of the truth by many. How long Lord will the deceivers remain in some of our churches, how long Lord will the deceivers reign in our government, nationally and locally?

Let’s consider what is going on; The truth is hard to come by, our history is being adulterated, parents are deprived of teaching their values to their own children by the national school system, our justice system is unjust to victims, and peace and security is at risk by the rejecting of the police who keep the peace if they are allowed to do so. What to do? Trust and pray, speak out for your children, speak out for your neighborhood, speak out for true justice and VOTE!

Spiritually, our religious freedom is being restricted, churches are no longer essential, religion and education does not mix in public schools, today woke awareness, cancel culture, radical socialism (communism) and government control over everything is the new religion of the land. What to do? Trust and pray, live your faith, speak out for Christ when given the opportunity and VOTE for the person who values our constitution and our laws!

But we can do more; we can get into God’s word. Passages like Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Also read 2 Tim. 1:7, 2 Cor. 5:7, Ps. 136:1. We thank God for the many people who still love Jesus in this country, they give us hope. Yet, the state of affairs today, challenges our churches and challenges us as individuals to promote the Gospel at every opportunity, that has always been a challenge but more so today.

Lord Jesus, strengthen us with your Holy Spirit. Amen!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.

# 22 2021 Dev. Psalm 113:2. The Lord’s Compassion! Read all of Psalm 113 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 113:2 “Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.”

Introduction. Psalm 111 starts a new series of 9 Psalms, they are framed by two acrostic poems, Ps.111 and 112 and by one acrostic poem Ps.119 that poem is an acrostic by themes and has 176 verses. The series is the Egypt “Hallalu Yah” (Hallelujah) meaning rejoicing to praise God for His salvation. Not superficially but as a matter of the heart, true piety! The series has a close connection with the songs of Miriam Ex.15:1-21 and of Mary Lk.1:46-56.

Ps.113 is a three verse song, framed by two Hallelujahs (Praise the Lord) and the song is sung at the beginning of the Passover meal. (NIV) The Psalm begins the “Egyptian Hallel” proper. Ps.113-118 used as liturgy in Jewish festivals.

Vs.1-3 is a call to praise/call to worship: “Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.” Praise the Lord for His great work of salvation, beginning with Noah, calling Abraham, release from slavery in Egypt, sending Jesus, allowing Him to die so we can live and releasing us from the slavery of sin. Praise is a matter of the heart that must come out in our actions and words.

Vs.4-6 “The Lord is exalted….” The Psalmist also asks a rhetorical question: “Who is like the Lord our God…?” Have you answered that question? He is the God over the universe, He holds the world in His hands, He leads you and I by His Spirit and “He heals our diseases.” Praise the Lord!

Vs. 7-9 He is a God of compassion, “He raises the poor, lifts the needy,” He honors them with the respect of princes. He comforts the childless Mother “as a happy mother of children”. How are we to comprehend the millions of abortions in this country? How could we possibly explain this to the the women of the day? How will we explain this on the day of judgment that we sat idly by as this atrocity continues even up to the time of birth?  I have no answer but as a God of compassion we hope that God has the last say and takes everyone of them into heaven. Praise be to God!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

# 21 2021 Dev.1 Jn.5:12. Witnesses! Read all of Chapter 5 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

1 Jn.5:12 “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Chapter 5 is the last chapter of John’s first letter and is divided into two sections: “Faith in the incarnate Son of God” and “Concluding Affirmations.” The under laying issue of John’s letter is the developing Gnostic heresy. One aspect of that false teaching is that Jesus was an ordinary man like all men but received his divinity at his baptism which was taken away before the crucifixion. These teachers obviously were not witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection or His ascension.

Vs.1-12 Highlights the incarnation of Christ and the testimony to it: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” The Holy Spirit gives us His Grace but also His Power to be the children of God by the gift of faith in Jesus. As a result, we keep God’s commands, not out of duty, but out of our gratitude. “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

John points out the witnesses, “And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. The Spirit, the water and the blood: and the three are in agreement.” (see note [a]) The the most accepted interpretation is the Holy Spirit, water of baptism, John saw the dove and heard God’s approval from heaven and on the mount of transfiguration as well. The blood refers to Jesus death, John also witnessed Jesus’ death and heard His words from the cross. Blood could also refer to His birth, indicating His true humanity, incarnate. This trifold witness was not available to Christians in John’s day as it is available to us in the Word of God today.

In vs.13-21 John emphasizes eternal life and protection from the the evil one. Yet, in this world there is sin that leads to death, “All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.” Persistent, unrepentant denying the truth of the witness of the Spirit (Gnostics in John’s day and much of our culture today) does indeed lead to spiritual death.

If we do sin or “if you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. God removes our sins as far away as east is from the west,” never to be brought up again when we pray for forgiveness because Jesus shed His blood on the cross He paid the price for us. In v. 21 John warns us: “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” There are plenty of idols to go around. Let us look into our own lives today!  

John summarizes his letter in verse 20, I paraphrase it here- we know that Jesus has come to give us understanding of the truth, we are in Him as His children. “He is the true God and eternal life”

Father, give us clear understanding of your love for us in Jesus, forgive where we have followed our own thinking or the thinking of the world and have not loved others as you love us. Thank you for saving us to eternal life! Amen!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.

# 20 2021 Dev. Psalm 112:1. Blessings and Assurance! Read all of Psalm 112 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 112:1 “Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.”

Introduction. Psalm 111 starts a new series of 9 Psalms, they are framed by two acrostic poems, Ps.111 and 112 and by one acrostic poem Ps.119 that poem is an acrostic by themes and has 176 verses. The series is the Egypt “Hallalu Yah” (Hallelujah) meaning rejoicing to praise God for His salvation. Not superficially but as a matter of the heart, true piety! The series has a close connection with the songs of Miriam Ex.15:1-21 and of Mary Lk.1:46-56.

While Ps.111 is about God dealing with His people, Psalm 112 is about His people following God. It is an acrostic poem and has the same structure as Ps.111. There are two sections of four verses each with a prelude and postlude.

V.1 The Hallalu Yah: “Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.”

Vs. 2-5 “Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.” What does it mean to be blessed? Conservative values are a blessing to a person, Work is a blessing, good housing is a blessing, assurance is a blessing, Faith is a blessing especially in these dark times, good health and quality of life is a blessing and fair justice is a blessing. Amen!

Vs.6-9 “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” We are not afraid “Our God Reigns!” We are secure. Along with our many blessings and benefits comes great responsibility. “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,” God blesses us and has gifted us for two important reasons: To serve God and to serve others. That means something different for every believer based on the gifts God has given you. But it is also the same for everyone, it always means serving God and others. As Paul tells us “God makes His appeal through us.” Christ is found in Scripture and He is seen in us as we live out our faith daily. Our assurance is in the promises of God: forgiveness, salvation, peace and faith in troubling times, new life and everlasting life.

V. 10 No so the unbeliever: “the longings of the wicked will come to nothing”In contrast, believers have the “blessed assurance” of our God in Christ, amen!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved

# 19 2021 Dev. 1 Jn.4:1. The Spirit of Love! Read all of Ch.4 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

1 Jn.4:1 “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

1 Jn. 4 has two parts: How do we discern the Holy Spirit? And how de we discern true love? Two very important issues that must be applied to the thinking of our time: critical race theory, cancel culture and the demands of woke awareness. Are these rooted in love and Spirituality? Absolutely not! They are as John tells us: “but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” Should we as followers of Jesus be afraid? Yes, and no! Yes, because Churches and church people are afraid to speak out: Heaven forbid you are one of those conservative Bible thumpers. No, because “you dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

How do we discern the Spirits? “ We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” This is the definitive test, either you believe on Jesus or you don’t!

Part 2: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” God showed us His love, before we loved Him, by His Son Jesus, who stands in our place, punished for what we have done, in order to be right with God again. “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” In the world we live today, there is much fear, fear of the past , fear of the present and fear of future. Yet God’s love completes us because we “have confidence in the day of judgment: in this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…”

“We love because He first loved us… And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” Love is the basis for our relationship with God and the basis for our relationship to each other. Love is family, is forgiveness, compassion for the people around us, concern for this physical world, awareness of the suffering of the people of the world and concern for the salvation of every person God places in our path.

Pray with me: Thank you God for saving us, forgive us for the missed opportunities to witness to your love for all people, empower us with your Spirit, open the eyes of our hearts to all those you place in our path, may we see the opportunities to love others as you love us, in Jesus, amen.

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved.